VANCOUVER, BC – Prior to Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Colorado Rapids, Jordan Harvey told reporters that he doesn’t feel the ‘Caps are a team that’s necessarily “being hunted.”
“I still feel that we have a chip on our shoulder and a lot to prove,” he said.
Don’t expect that mentality to change anytime soon – it’s just in the team’s DNA. And it likely has a lot to do with their success so far this season. At the same time, Whitecaps FC are top of the MLS table with just six matches remaining and that’s hard to ignore.
On that note, here’s a look at the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings heading into this weekend.
Whitecaps FC aren’t in action this weekend – they return to MLS play next Saturday against Seattle following a midweek CCL fixture with C.D. Olimpia. However, here are a few games ‘Caps fans will want to keep an eye on over the next few days.
NEW YORK RED BULLS VS. CHICAGO FIRE (FRIDAY AT 4 P.M. PT)
Based on the number of games they have remaining (three more than Vancouver), as well as their current form, it’s looking like New York Red Bulls are going to be a real contender for the Supporters’ Shield from the Eastern Conference. The Red Bulls are favoured to win on Friday, though Chicago did defeat them 3-2 just a few weeks back.
UPDATE: Red Bulls score three unanswered goals to claim 3-2 win
FC DALLAS VS. NEW YORK CITY FC (SATURDAY AT 5:30 P.M. PT)
Should FC Dallas come away with a victory this weekend, they will move to within just one point of Whitecaps FC with a game in hand. Dallas has won back-to-back games, outscoring their opponents 5-0 in the process.
Update: Michel scores off a corner in 2-1 over NYCFC
LA GALAXY VS. MONTREAL IMPACT (SATURDAY AT 7:30 P.M. PT)
LA are the only team that can leapfrog Whitecaps FC this weekend. They’re going to be motivated too, after seeing their four-match win streak snapped a week ago at the hands of San Jose. Will they get back to their winning ways against Didier Drogba and the Montreal Impact?
Update: Impact hold LA Galaxy to scoreless draw
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES VS. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC (SATURDAY AT 7:30 P.M. PT)
This one doesn’t directly affect the ‘Caps right now, but it’s still going to have major implications on the Western Conference playoff race. As it stands, San Jose are three points back of Seattle for the final playoff position, which the Sounders jointly hold with Sporting KC and Portland Timbers. If the Quakes win on Saturday, four teams will end the night tied for the last playoff spot with 41 points.
Update: Quakes, Sounders trade second half goals in 1-1 draw
PLAYOFF FORMAT
This season, the top six teams in each conference will qualify for the playoffs. The top two teams advance directly to the two-leg conference semifinal, while the remaining four teams will play a single-elimination Knockout Round match (No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5).
So what does all this mean?
Ideally, you’d want to finish in the top two in your conference to avoid the midweek Knockout Round match and guarantee a spot in the conference semifinals – as well as a home playoff date. Finishing in the top four, however, would also get you a home playoff match.
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