As the end of the regular season approaches closer and closer, the playoff picture is beginning to clear up and the two teams directly in San Jose’s crosshairs both hail from the Lone Star State.
Sitting just one point shy of sixth place, and two out of fifth, the Earthquakes have a massive opportunity this weekend at home against the Houston Dynamo to leapfrog above the playoff line. With a win, San Jose would surge to fifth or sixth, depending on FC Dallas’ result vs. Seattle earlier in the evening.
Houston was one of the hottest teams in the league at the start of the season, winning six of their first 10 games (6-3-1) and quickly establishing themselves as one of the heavy hitters in the Western Conference. However their consistent run of good form hit a few speed bumps over the summer months and the club has won just three matches since the start of June (3-4-6). The Dynamo have a game in hand on the Quakes and have four remaining home matches, compared to three on the road, but things may not be so easy on the East Texas side. Back-to-back contests away from home (at SJ, at NYC) could potentially extend their winless streak to five, especially with the team’s dreadful 1-8-5 road record this season. The Dynamo then have three straight at home, but are tasked with taking on the LA Galaxy and Sporting KC during that stretch, who are two of the toughest teams to beat on the road in MLS. Houston then closes out the season with a road trip to SKC, who are undefeated at Children’s Mercy Park, and at home against the Chicago Fire.
FC Dallas was the trendy preseason Supporters’ Shield pick and for good reason. A loaded roster, Homegrown talent galore, and a proven recipe on the field made Dallas a safe bet heading into 2017. On July 22, FC Dallas was 9-3-7 and sitting pretty on the Western Conference table. But since taking a 4-0 drubbing at home to Vancouver on July 29, they haven’t quite been themselves and are currently in the midst of a shocking eight-game winless streak (0-5-3). Now Dallas has more games on the road (four) than at home (three) and will have to right the ship in a hurry to stay afloat.
While the Quakes are mathematically able to catch each and every team ahead of them in the West, including Sporting Kansas City and Vancouver, passing the two sides from Texas will surely be the team’s first order of business.
