The tough moments of 2012 have sometimes left me emotionally drained. Saturday night was one of those moments…
You have to give Julian de Guzman credit for how he took his winning goal in Dallas…it just would have been nicer to view such skill on Tuesday night in Panama City…
Many will have their take on what occurred at FC Dallas Stadium, but everyone knows that the race to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs lies in what Whitecaps FC and FC Dallas do in their remaining regular season matches.
For the ‘Caps, that is finally coming home and playing four straight matches in the friendly confines of BC Place before wrapping up their regular season schedule at Real Salt Lake on Saturday, October 27.
For all the emphasis there was on Saturday’s game in Dallas, it can be argued that the pivotal moments of the season are still to take place in downtown Vancouver.
Next Sunday’s home match versus Colorado Rapids is a key clash. The game serves as Vancouver’s match-in-hand on Dallas, who will be idle next weekend.
A third-straight victory over Colorado this season will again take the ‘Caps four points clear of Dallas for the last playoff spot in the MLS Western Conference. Maybe more importantly, it will make it a two-result deficit again for the Texas club, who only have four games left in their regular season schedule.
The Colorado clash is followed by a Pacific Northwest derby clash with Interstate 5 rivals Seattle Sounders FC, which will surely bring the best out of Whitecaps FC supporters, who have played their part in the turnaround of the Blue and White in 2012.
Should results be taken against Colorado and Seattle, Whitecaps FC will see an opportunity in their home clash with Chivas USA on Wednesday, October 3. A result against The Goats might very well put Dallas in a ‘do-or-die’ situation, should they not earn a result at high-flying San Jose Earthquakes on the previous weekend.
The end-of-season home stand concludes after next month’s international break when Cascadia Cup rivals Portland Timbers visit BC Place on Sunday, October 21. Needless to say, the next four games should offer drama and excitement, and there has been plenty of that at BC Place this season.
This is where you – Whitecaps FC fans – can still play a huge role in the way this season concludes for Martin Rennie’s side. The ‘Caps players have always appreciated and looked forward to playing at BC Place this season, and I know they are looking forward to this extended home stretch.
The last five games have been tough watching, but it is important for all ‘Caps faithful to focus now on the task in hand. Remember, a couple of Vancouver results and the situation will look very different.
Unlike the long road spell that just concluded, our ‘Caps will have your support at home that can lead them to victory, so there is a role here that we can all play on September 23 and 29, as well as October 3 and 21.
Major League Soccer is a long season. It’s full of ups and downs. Now is our chance to help Whitecaps FC bounce back from a difficult spell and help them achieve a berth in the postseason.
Put in your preparation this week and we’ll see you at BC Place next Sunday afternoon!
