D.C. United Begins Playoff Push

With four games left in the regular season, D.C. United has little room for error. 

Clinging to the final wildcard spot, United needs to win their remaining games to guarantee a return to post-season play.  

Luckily for United, three of the games are at home, where the club has lost only once all year.

You see, the other teams fighting United for a playoff spot are all within nine points of each other, but United has played two more games than some teams.  That means each game for United is must-win. 

United simply cannot afford to lose another game. 

Playing the final three games in front of a loud and reliable home crowd at R.F.K. Stadium would seem like an advantage for United, until you realize their record at home the last few weeks. 

Including CONCACAF games—which have definitely taken a toll on the club—United has suffered three frustrating losses: one to Toluca, a Mexican club team in pre-season form, and two straight losses to the Seattle Sounders. 

The recent losses at home and a tie in Chicago have revealed some disturbing behavior from a key player. 

Goalie Josh Wicks, who has provided numerous dramatic saves throughout the year, has gotten into shouting matches with fellow players with the ball in play. 

Wicks’ passion and intensity for the game is a welcome sight in the net for this club, but you have to keep your cool during pivotal moments of the game.

Getting tossed during the final of the U.S. Open Cup for stomping on a player is unprofessional. (Who does he think he is, Albert Haynesworth? NFL, anyone?)

Still, United will need to play with some passion in these next four matches if the club wants a shot at the playoffs.  It helps that two of the games will involve teams out of the running for the playoffs. 

The San Jose Earthquakes, bottom dwellers in the Western Conference, kickoff against United on Sunday, while the K.C. Wizards, who recently lost to United, will look to play spoiler, in the last game of the year.

Sandwiched in between are two home matches against two teams in prime position to knock off United and make a run of their own in the playoffs: Chivas USA and Columbus Crew. 

Columbus Crew, with the best record in the league, has played one less game than United, so they are less stressed for a win, which may help.  Chivas USA, tied with United in points at 36, still have two extra games to play. 

This means United controls its destiny.  The club needs to focus on winning and not get distracted by the outcomes of the other games. 

A spirited performance on the offensive front has got to be the focal point for the club. 

United’s quest for a post-season berth will most likely come down to the last game.