Post by Kasey on Aug 10, 2013 20:41:48 GMT -8
from Oregonlive:
this was interesting to me. i'll be the first to admit i'm not a soccer afficianato, but i would like to see the Timbers do what it takes to earn a spot in the playoffs. i'd love to see some home-field advantage as well.
the Timbers, in fourth place, have 35 points thus far, but there are four teams chomping at their heals. as a matter of fact, eighth place San Jose is only five points back. there are five playoff spots allocated in each each MLS conference.
the Timbers have 12 games remaining on their schedule with seven of those at home.
~ KMM
Portland coach Caleb Porter said he wants the team to possess at least 50 points by the end of the regular season, adding that reaching that total almost guarantees a playoff berth.
"Historically speaking, if you get above 50 points, typically you're making the playoffs," Porter said.
Porter might be slightly overestimating the amount of points needed to reach the playoffs.
Vancouver's 43 points in the Western Conference was the lowest total of the 10 teams that earned playoff berths in 2012, but Columbus' 52 points wasn't enough for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. New York reached the playoffs with 46 points - least amount of all the playoff teams - in 2011 and while San Jose and Colorado earned playoff spots with a low of 46 points in 2010.
Real Salt Lake captured a playoff spot with just 40 points in 2009. Not only did the squad earn a playoff berth, they won the MLS Cup championship. The example of Real Salt Lake in 2009 shows that anything can happen in the playoffs, but nothing will happen if a team fails to reach the playoffs.
To reach 50 points, Porter wants his team to focus less on games and more on accumulating points.
"Last year, 51 points was there," midfielder Jack Jewsbury said, referring to the Western Conference. "So we'd like to get there as quick as possible."
"Historically speaking, if you get above 50 points, typically you're making the playoffs," Porter said.
Porter might be slightly overestimating the amount of points needed to reach the playoffs.
Vancouver's 43 points in the Western Conference was the lowest total of the 10 teams that earned playoff berths in 2012, but Columbus' 52 points wasn't enough for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. New York reached the playoffs with 46 points - least amount of all the playoff teams - in 2011 and while San Jose and Colorado earned playoff spots with a low of 46 points in 2010.
Real Salt Lake captured a playoff spot with just 40 points in 2009. Not only did the squad earn a playoff berth, they won the MLS Cup championship. The example of Real Salt Lake in 2009 shows that anything can happen in the playoffs, but nothing will happen if a team fails to reach the playoffs.
To reach 50 points, Porter wants his team to focus less on games and more on accumulating points.
"Last year, 51 points was there," midfielder Jack Jewsbury said, referring to the Western Conference. "So we'd like to get there as quick as possible."
this was interesting to me. i'll be the first to admit i'm not a soccer afficianato, but i would like to see the Timbers do what it takes to earn a spot in the playoffs. i'd love to see some home-field advantage as well.
the Timbers, in fourth place, have 35 points thus far, but there are four teams chomping at their heals. as a matter of fact, eighth place San Jose is only five points back. there are five playoff spots allocated in each each MLS conference.
the Timbers have 12 games remaining on their schedule with seven of those at home.
~ KMM