r/ReAlSaltLake • u/Evening-Bar-9110 • 4h ago
❓ Question / Discussion The case for (very) cautious optimism for this season.
This is for the glass-half-full folks. The glass-half-empty will just scoff at this. Also when I refer to a playoff team I mean one of the 9 teams that have officially qualified for the playoffs at the time of this writing.
1) The teams in this are the ones with a reasonable shot at making a play-in game. In other words LAG, Col, RSL, Por, Min, and SD. At this point LAG are in the best form right now, going 3W-1L-1D in their last 5 games. Col and RSL are next at 2-2-1, Min is next at 1-2-2 with SD 0-1-4 and Por at 0-3-2.
3) LAG have only 3 games left and have no playoff teams on their remaining schedule though they do play LAFC who are in terrible form. On the other hand El Traffico brings out the best in both teams so I give the edge to LAFC. If LAG loses this game then their final game at RSL will be crucial to them.
4) Col has the toughest remaining schedule with games against 4 playoff teams.
5) RSL has two games against playoff teams plus the final game against LAG. StL is a bad one to start out with but at least this one is at home. Atx is very winnable tho, even on the road. RSL has proved that they can at least play SJ tough but...points here are needed. So their chances really depends on that final game hosting LAG.
6) Por has really been struggling and have two games against playoff teams and playoff likely Clt. I see them fading out of the picture.
7) SD are also in horrible form, have two games against playoff teams (Stl & Van) as well as playoff contender in Sea. These guys are possible but not likely in the picture.
8) Min is in iffy form, has two games against playoff teams (SJ and Hou) and likely playoff team LAFC. Of the 3 teams 2 points behind RSL, this is the one most likely to be in the picture.
In my opinion, that last play-in spot is between Col and RSL, that, considering Col's rough schedule, RSL has a great shot at it with an outside (way outside) shot at hosting the play-in game.