Tony's Take: The big four-o

10/21/2008 4:14 PM by Tony Limarzi

There’s an old saying in MLS, “If you’re not better than the MetroStars, you don’t belong in the playoffs.” Technically, that would apply to the Red Bulls right now, and technically that’s not really an old MLS saying. But maybe it should be.

There is one weekend left in the 2008 MLS regular season, and if D.C. United wants to make the playoffs, they need to be better than the Red Bulls… or Kansas City. This past weekend, New York beat Columbus and Kansas City beat San Jose. Those results hurt United’s playoff hopes, but in a seemingly inconsequential game, Toronto beat Chicago. That result was huge for D.C. United.

Chicago would’ve wrapped up second place in the Eastern Conference if they had won. Since they lost, the Fire still has a chance to finish third to New England and relinquish home-field advantage in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Now, Chicago needs a win at home to clinch the #2 slot. Chicago is much more likely to win, knowing they have a real reason to fight for a victory. It’s tough to find motivation for the final game of the regular season when you already know your playoff position and opponent. Chicago will be hungry for a win at home in their finale; if they get it, D.C. is in (assuming they win).

Furthermore, if Chicago loses or ties at home, that opens the door for New England to sneak into second place in the East. In that case, New England will be fighting hard for a home victory against Kansas City, another scenario that would help D.C. United.

Here is all you need to know. D.C. United must beat Columbus. A loss or tie at Crew Stadium on Sunday means the season ends; plain and simple. Unfortunately, the win won’t necessarily be enough. D.C. also needs help from Chicago and/or New England. If New York loses at Chicago, United makes the playoffs with a win; if Kansas City loses at New England, United makes the playoffs with a win. If both NYRB and KC wins it is unlikely United will make it unless they beat Columbus by four goals.

So, there are really only two ways that D.C. United makes the playoffs (assuming they win), a KC loss or a NY loss.

For D.C. United fans, it basically it comes down to the following procedure:

Step 1) Cheer like crazy for Chicago on Thursday (If NY wins, proceed to Step 2)

Step 2) Cheer like crazy for New England on Saturday (If KC wins, proceed to Step 3)

Step 3) Watch D.C. United’s season finale and try not to throw things at the television.

Let’s all hope it doesn’t come down to Step #3.

Tony Limarzi, the Radio Voice of D.C. United, provides live match commentary for all D.C. United games on WFED 1050 AM. He recently published his first book, Forza Italia, which is the story of the summer of 2006 – both Italy’s World Cup win in Germany and United’s MLS season.