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Philadelphia Union
A lot has changed since my last Playoff Math entry. The team had just come off a disappointing 2-0 loss to Sporting KC while almost no other result in the East had gone the Fire's way that weekend. The team would follow the loss to KC up with a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Philadelphia on Anniversary Night before earning a solid 2-0 win at New York three days later.
It all goes to show that Playoff Math isn't always foolproof but a good read nonetheless. With that here's the latest update, also recognizing the field in the East is down to six teams with Montreal's elimination last week…
1) Sporting KC (qualified)
Current Points: 59 (40 GF)
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 65
Average Opponents Points: 44.5
Magic Number (for first place): 4
Remaining Schedule: at New York (10/20), vs. Philadelphia (10/24).
The Rundown: Sporting KC took a potential blow to their first place bid by leaving two points on the field late at Crew Stadium last Sunday. KC still has the inside track to finishing top of the conference for the second straight season but will have to navigate a tricky match at Red Bull this week to get there. If they can earn another win in New York, they'' all but clinch the top spot in the East, then needing only a win the following Wednesday home to Philadelphia.
2) Chicago Fire (qualified)
Current Points: 56 (45 GF)
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 62
Average Opponents Points: 41. 5
Magic Number (to first place): 9
Remaining Schedule: at New England (10/20), vs. D.C. United (10/27)
The Rundown: Despite falling in two of the last three matches, the Fire are in the playoffs and still find themselves with a reasonable shot at taking first in the East with the Sporting/Red Bull match looming this weekend. If Red Bull is able to win and the Fire can come away from New England victorious as well on Saturday, they'll be even on points with first place Kansas City and actually ahead on the first tie breaker (goals for).
That scenario would almost assuredly just require a Fire win on the final of the season vs. DC United to lock down first place (Sporting KC would have make up 6+ goals on Philadelphia in order to jump over the Fire.
More incentive to keep in mind… Should the Fire win their final two games, they'll at least finish third overall in the MLS standings, giving them a real shot at the CONCACAF Champions League should either Sporting KC or San Jose make MLS Cup.
3) D.C. United
Current Points: 54
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 60
Average Opponents Points: 52.5
Magic Number (to qualify): 2
Remaining Schedule: vs. Columbus (10/20), at Chicago (10/27)
The Rundown: D.C. has the most difficult remaining schedule of the group but with them hosting sixth-place Columbus Saturday, can step into the playoffs with just a draw Saturday against the Crew. With United facing the Fire on the final day of the season, D.C. has plenty of incentive to go for wins in both games in order to possibly finish with home field advantage in the first round. Should the Fire and Sporting KC completely collapse the Capital City club even has an outside shot at first in the East.
4) New York Red Bulls
Current Points: 53
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 59
Average Opponents Points: 47.5
Magic Number (to qualify): 3
Remaining Schedule: vs. Sporting KC (10/20), at Philadelphia (10/27)
The Rundown: New York's form the last four games combined with front office shake ups and chatter about head coach Hans Backe's status for next year can't fill a Red Bull fan full of confidence. Still, they control their own playoff destiny and can qualify as well as play spoiler this weekend with a win at home vs. Sporting KC.
With the Red Bulls going 10-0-3 through their first 13 matches this season at Red Bull Arena, both Sporting and the Fire found the chink in the armor there in recent weeks. Even still, New York remains 11-2-3 at home this year and shouldn't be underestimated with their backs a bit against the wall on Saturday.
5) Houston Dynamo
Current Points: 50
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 56
Average Opponents Points: 33.5
Magic Number: 6
Remaining Schedule: vs. Philadelphia (10/20), at Colorado (10/27)
The Rundown: Despite having a reasonably easy schedule to close the 2012 campaign, Houston has made things sort of difficult on themselves down the stretch, going 1-1-1 in their last three matches all against sides outside of the playoff picture. Luckily, they still have the easiest schedule of all remaining playoff teams, hosting Philadelphia this weekend before visiting Colorado on the 27th.
With that high-altitude trip looming on the final day, the Dynamo would do well to take care of business Saturday against the Union where a win would necessitate just a draw on at the Rapids. A win Saturday combined with a Crew loss at DC would push Houston back into the playoffs for the second straight season.
6) Columbus Crew
Current Points: 49
Games Remaining: 2 (1 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 55
Average Opponents Points: 38
Magic Number: 8
Remaining Schedule: at D.C. United (10/20), vs. Toronto FC (10/28)
The Rundown: Another late goal last Sunday at home vs. Sporting KC likely salvaged the Crew's season, keeping the team within one point of fifth place Houston heading into a harrowing six-pointer Saturday at DC.
A victory keeps the team in the playoff hunt heading into the last match of the season, a very winnable home game vs. Toronto. A win plus a Houston draw or loss puts the Crew in the driver's seat. They've played with nothing to lose since August, no reason they should stop now.
From a traveling fan perspective, all of Fire nation should want the Crew to sneak into the playoffs and the Fire to have a chance at them in the first round.
This Week's Predictions:
New York Red Bulls 2, Sporting KC 1
Chicago Fire 2, New England Revolution 0
D.C. United 1, Columbus Crew 1
Houston Dynamo 2, Philadelphia Union 1
If those hold true the standings coming out of the weekend would be...
1) x-Chicago - 59pts. (47 GF)
2) x-Sporting KC - 59pts. (41 GF)
3) x-New York - 56pts. (56 GF)
4) x-D.C. United - 55pts. (50 GF)
5) Houston - 53pts. (47 GF)
6) Columbus - 50pts. (41 GF)
Let's hope I'm right!
After a tough loss on Friday night in Kansas City, the Fire are looking to get back into the race for first place in the Eastern Conference when they face the Philadelphia Union at Toyota Park on Wednesday night. Philly are also coming into the game on the back of a loss, going down 3-2 in Columbus last weekend. Though the Union are out of the Playoff race, they will be looking to play spoiler and stop the Fire from moving into second in the standings.
Here are some things to look out for from a tactical standpoint.
Combination plays: Stopping Philly from playing their game
After John Hackworth took over head coach halfway through this season, he has tried to get the Union away from the long ball game if possible and move towards keeping the ball on the ground and moving forward through short, quick, pass combinations.
In the first 60 minutes against the Columbus Crew last weekend, Philly worked this to perfection, gliding through the Columbus midfield on many occasions by moving well off the ball and limiting the amount of touches taken. Even though they were the away team, they enjoyed a lot of possession but for all of their pretty play, they created only a few chances. It was only when they got the wide men in behind did they cause any real damage.
WATCH: Matko's Take on Philadelphia
Against the Chicago Wednesday night I can see coach Hackworth deploying the same tactic but it will be up to the Fire to disrupt this as much as possible by trying to impose their game of high pressure, something that was missing against Kansas City Friday. The more the Fire can force Philly into kicking it long, the more it will take them away from their possession-based game plan.
Stopping the super sub: Antoine Hoppenot
Rookie Antoine Hoppenot has been the Union's go-to-guy when the team is looking for a spark in the attack this season. He is clearly more comfortable coming off the bench and single handily turned last week's game against Columbus in the Union's favor after coming off the bench by allowing Philadelphia to play more direct.
Hoppenot is a defender's nightmare -- a player who is always on the shoulder of the last man and never stops pressuring the back line when he enters the game. He took full advantage against a tired Columbus defense last week, earning a penalty kick and making some brilliant runs in behind the defense. He especially likes to make runs behind the outside defenders, something the Fire were guilty of allowing Kansas City to do too often last week.
When the French striker inventively makes his appearance from the subs bench Wednesday, the Fire cannot allow him to influence the game as he did last weekend.
Fire attack: getting Fernandez more involved
Though the Fire sat back for the most part on Friday and looked for balls to be played up to Sherjill MacDonald, the team did find some success when "Flaco" Fernandez was able to get forward and support the more advanced players.
Due to Pavel Pardo's injury, Alex has been playing in a much deeper role and must put his defensive duties ahead of his desire to support the attack. Alex's new role has also put more emphasis on Flaco Fernandez to help out in the attack as much as possible. When he did go forward against Kansas City, it resulted in some of the Fire's best chances.
Playing back at home, I expect the Fire to be much more adventurous in attack and this will mean that Fernandez will be given more license to get forward than he was against KC where he was forced to track back for a lot of the game. Fernandez has found himself in some brilliant positions this season, and if not for some lackluster finishing, he would easily have double the amount of goals he already has for the Fire. His forays forward could be the difference against the Union on Wednesday night.
Left back: A familiar face returns
Friday night's red card to Gonzalo Segares means we will almost certainly see fan favorite Dan Gargan back in the starting lineup for the first time in 11 matches. Gargan is the first sub off the bench if anyone on the back line is injured and the team has relied heavily on his versatility, especially with the many injuries to Fire defenders this season.
That being said, the Fire have been quite lucky to avoid injuries to the back line in recent months and the team's discipline has been excellent this season with minimal suspensions. All of this means that Gargan has started in 17 games this season but none since late July at San Jose. Getting him minutes is very important, especially heading towards the playoffs where the format is longer, meaning a greater chance of someone picking up an injury or suspension.
We all know about Gargan's defensive abilities but against the Union at home, he will be encouraged to push forward and contribute to the attack. How well he combines with the Fire's left winger (assumed to be Patrick Nyarko) will be important. A good performance by Gargan Wednesday would also make a statement to coach Frank Klopas of Gargan's intent to win back a starting place as we enter the most important stretch of the season.
Prediction: 2-0 Fire with goals from Nyarko and Fernandez.
Stephen Piggott is a contributor to Chicago-Fire.com. Follow him on Twitter @irish_steve.
A 2-0 defeat at Sporting KC Friday; Red Bull defeat Toronto FC 4-1; Columbus takes advantage of an offside goal to earn another late win; The Dynamo overpower New England 2-0…
The Chicago Fire were about 11 minutes from having literally every result this weekend go against them before Portland's Bright Dike roofed an effort past Bill Hamid to earn the Timbers a 1-1 home draw against D.C. United.
That result in Portland combined with the other four this weekend pushed the Fire down to third place (tied on points with New York) and just five points ahead of the sixth-place Crew with four matches remaining and just as many openings in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Fire and many other fans in the East deserve to be a little frustrated. The past few seasons it didn't take this much to qualify for the playoffs.
Even with most teams having three to four games left in the season, total wins in the East are currently at 122, up from 88 which was the total through the end of 2011. Playoff team wins (or translated to last year, Top 5 team wins) total in at 76 right now over 59 through the end of 2011. More simply put, it took fifth place New York just 46 points to qualify for the postseason last year, while this year sixth place Columbus sits on 48 points and outside of the current playoff bubble.
WATCH: Sporting KC 2, Chicago Fire 0
Make no mistake, all five teams that make it from the East will have earned it this season…
PLAYOFF MATH…I've added magic numbers to the breakdown this week. For a definition on what the magic number is in soccer, click here.
1) Sporting KC (qualified)
Current Points: 58
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 67
Average Opponents Points: 43.6
Magic Number (for first place): 8
Remaining Schedule: at Columbus (10/7), at New York (10/20), vs. Philadelphia (10/24).
The Rundown: Sporting KC navigated their difficult stretch of three games in nine days about as perfectly as they could have expected. The team earned a valuable 2-0 win at New York on September 19, played strategically for a point at Montreal three days later and returned home on Friday to defeat the Fire, taking seven points from the three matches.
WATCH: New York Red Bulls 4, Toronto FC 1
The victory over Chicago on Friday not only opened up a somewhat comfortable five-point gap between first and second but also pushed KC back into the playoffs. They still have two tough games at Columbus who are 10-3-2 at home this season and fighting for their playoff lives and a trip back to New York, but if they can negotiate that two-game stretch as well as the three games before it, they shouldn't have an issue finishing in poll-position in the East.
2) New York Red Bulls
Current Points: 53 (tied with Fire, ahead on Goals For tiebreaker)
Games Remaining: 3 (2 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 62
Average Opponents Points: 47
Magic Number (playoffs): 5
Remaining Schedule: vs. Chicago (10/6), vs. Sporting KC (10/20), at Philadelphia (10/27)
The Rundown: New York did what they needed to in taking a 4-1 victory over Toronto Saturday night. They face perhaps the toughest remaining schedule of anyone in the East, having to face both the Fire and Sporting KC, albeit at home, in back-to-back matches. The results of those two games will go a long towards determining where all three teams will finish.
How they qualify: Red Bull can qualify for the playoffs this week by defeating the Fire and having Columbus either lose or draw to Sporting KC (Sunday) or Houston lose to Montreal (Saturday).
3) Chicago Fire
Current Points: 53 (tied with New York)
Games Remaining: 4 (2 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 65
Average Opponents Points: 40.75
Magic Number: 5
Remaining Schedule: vs. Philadelphia (10/3), at New York (10/6), at New England (10/20), vs. D.C. United (10/27)
The Rundown: While it wasn't what you wanted, there was nothing disastrous about Friday night's result at Kansas City. One thing to remember is that the Fire hold a game in hand over everyone else in the playoff race and that game is made up this week with Wednesday's clash vs. Philadelphia and Saturday's match at New York.
If the Fire can manage to take at least four points from the week, they would almost assuredly have booked their place in the postseason and even three points would go a long way toward playoff qualification. Anything less and the team will have made things much more difficult than need be on themselves.
Luckily enough, Wednesday's game comes against lowly Philadelphia who will be on one day less rest than the Fire and who haven't beaten any of the top seven teams in the East away from home, going 0-6-0 in those games this season.
WATCH: D.C. United 1, Portland Timbers 1
While it'll be expected for the Fire to take three points against the Union, the more difficult match will come Saturday against Red Bull. If the team gets a win against Philly, a draw would be ok to keep the Fire in position ahead of New York to push for second place in the East.
Keep in mind though, waking up Sunday morning is all the more reason to hope the Fire can earn just one more point than Red Bull as there's little to no chance the team will win a tie-breaker with the high-flying New York offense.
How they qualify: The Fire can qualify for the playoffs in a variety of ways this week but at the very least need three points from their two matches vs. Philadelphia (Wednesday) and at New York (Saturday), combined with a Columbus loss or draw vs. Sporting KC (Sunday) or a Houston loss vs. Montreal (Saturday). Two wins in the two matches and the rest won't matter as the Fire will have booked their ticket.
4) D.C. United
Current Points: 51
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 60
Average Opponents Points: 41
Magic Number: 7
Remaining Schedule: at Toronto FC (10/6), vs. Columbus (10/20), at Chicago (10/27)
The Rundown: Given that it would have made for a three-way tie for second place, D.C. will be a bit disappointed not to have taken three points at Portland Saturday. Taking care of business at Toronto on Saturday will be most important for United as their final two matches look like they could be of the six-point variety.
How they qualify: They can't this week. A win at Toronto and a Columbus loss this weekend won't be good enough to get D.C. into the playoffs before the international break as it would only equal six "magic number" points.
WATCH: Columbus 3, Philadelphia 2
5) Houston Dynamo
Current Points: 49
Games Remaining: 3 (2 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 58
Average Opponents Points: 33.3
Magic Number: 9
Remaining Schedule: vs. Montreal (10/6), vs. Philadelphia (10/20), at Colorado (10/27)
The Rundown: Houston stumbled last weekend at Philadelphia and had a bit of trouble in the first half Saturday night vs. New England but eventually got the job done. The Dynamo undoubtedly still have the easiest schedule in the East, with their hardest game coming against Montreal on Saturday. The goal of every team ahead of Houston should at least be to finish with more than 58 points as that is the closest thing to a playoff point threshold that exists right now.
How they qualify: Won't be able to think about qualification until at least October 20.
6) Columbus Crew
Current Points: 48
Games Remaining: 3 (32 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 57
Average Opponents Points: 43.6
Magic Number: 10
Remaining Schedule: vs. Sporting KC (10/7), at D.C. United (10/20), vs. Toronto FC (10/28)
The Rundown: The Crew did it again Saturday night, scoring another late winner, albeit one that was clearly offside. That doesn't matter now as Columbus kept pace in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race.
The result was huge as the Crew will be facing the East's top team in Sporting KC on Sunday before a certain six-pointer on October 20 at D.C. United. How they fare in these two games will go a long way to determining where they finish in the East but it seems a minimum of three points from the pair of matches will be absolutely necessary to stay alive going into their final game of the season vs. Toronto FC.
How they qualify: Would need a bit of help but could qualify on October 20.
7) Montreal Impact
Current Points: 40
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 49
Average Opponents Points: 32.3
Remaining Schedule: at Houston (10/6), at Toronto FC (10/20), vs. New England (10/27)
The Rundown: Idle this week, Montreal are only mathematically still in. To qualify, they would need a monumental collapse from either Houston or Columbus while the Impact would have to run the table to finish the season. Even a draw at Houston on Saturday will bring their season to an end.
The Fire and Sporting KC did their part this week to make Friday's showdown at LiveStrong Sporting Park a massive one for the national television audience on NBC Sports Network... Below is a breakdown of the Playoff Math after Saturday's games. On Monday, following today's two matches, I'll have an update, including magic numbers for all team's in the East race.
WATCH: Chicago 2, Columbus 1 (9/22/2012)
1) Sporting KC
Current Points: 55
Games Remaining: 4 (2 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 67
Average Opponents Points: 43.7
Remaining Schedule: vs. Chicago (9/28), at Columbus (10/7), at New York (10/20), vs. Philadelphia (10/24).
The Rundown: Ending a stretch this weekend in which the team played three games in eight days, Sporting manager Peter Vermes did well to manage the scenario and keep his team atop the East with a huge 2-0 win over Red Bull at midweek before playing for a point at Montreal Saturday afternoon.
The decision to go for a draw with the Impact shows Vermes' confidence in his side heading into Friday's all-important six point clash with the Fire. A win for Sporting and they'll open up a five point lead at the top, while a loss would push the Fire into first place by one point, with the Men in Red holding a game in hand.
2) Chicago Fire
Current Points: 53
Games Remaining: 5 (2 home, 3 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 68
Average Opponents Points: 41.6
Remaining Schedule: at Sporting KC (9/28), vs. Philadelphia (10/3), at New York (10/6), at New England (10/20), vs. D.C. United (10/27)
The Rundown: Fans had all the reason to go into Saturday's game with chewed up finger nails. Sean Johnson's early giveaway that led to the Crew's early goal might have made you loose a bit of hair. In the end, what could have been a bogey game and a missed opportunity for three points just turned into yet another Fire win.
The club is on the brink of its first playoff qualification since 2009 and while going first on Friday is a real thing, they could also potentially clinch a postseason berth if the Crew fall next Saturday night against Philadelphia.
3) New York Red Bulls
Current Points: 50
Games Remaining: 4 (3 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 65
Average Opponents Points: 39.2
Remaining Schedule: vs. Toronto FC (9/29), vs. Chicago (10/6), vs. Sporting KC (10/20), at Philadelphia (10/27)
WATCH: New England 1, New York 1 (9/22/2012)
The Rundown: Save Montreal who are almost completely out of the playoff race, no one in the East had a worse week than Red Bull. A flat effort at home in midweek against Sporting KC in a match that could have taken them to the top of the East table combined with a gut-wrenching 1-1 draw Saturday at lowly New England leaves New York in a precarious position at the moment.
The good thing is that three of their remaining four matches are at home and two of those are against the Fire and Sporting KC. The bad thing is both D.C. and Houston play Sunday. A win by United over Chivas USA would pull them level with Red Bull on points while a Houston win over Philadelphia would pull them within one.
4) DC United
Current Points: 47
Games Remaining: 5 (2 home, 3 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 62
Average Opponents Points: 35.4
Remaining Schedule: vs. Chivas USA (9/23), at Portland (9/29), at Toronto FC (10/6), vs. Columbus (10/20), at Chicago (10/27)
The Rundown: Not a lot to say about United until they play their match vs. Chivas USA tonight (6pm CT on Galavision). D.C. did well enough to earn three points at Philadelphia at midweek and if they can take advantage of the easier schedule over the next few weeks, they'll be in very good shape for a top three finish, even without DeRo.
Food for thought: If D.C. were to drop a 4-0 scoreline on Chivas USA at RFK tonight, they would actually move into third place, beating Red Bull on the second tie breaker of Goal Differential...
5) Houston Dynamo
Current Points: 46
Games Remaining: 5 (3 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 61
Average Opponents Points: 30.4
Remaining Schedule: at Philadelphia (9/23), vs. New England (9/29), vs. Montreal (10/6), vs. Philadelphia (10/20), at Colorado (10/27)
The Rundown: Same as D.C. above. Houston should be favorites to win all five of their remaining matches, with their toughest opponent being Montreal on October 6. The favorable remaining schedules for both the Dynamo and United should give great caution to Sporting KC, Chicago and New York if they expect to finish in the top three.
6) Columbus Crew
Current Points: 45
Games Remaining: 4 (3 home, 1 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 57
Average Opponents Points: 37.7
Remaining Schedule: vs. Philadelphia (9/29), vs. Sporting KC (10/7), at D.C. United (10/20), vs. Toronto FC (10/28).
The Rundown: Again last night, the Crew continue to showed why some should be skeptical about their late-season run as the team hasn't beaten anyone ahead of them lately. For a team trying to climb up the table, dropping points against those above you won't help your cause. With three of four remaining matches at home, Columbus is far from out of the race but can't afford many more slip-ups.
The October 20 game vs. United could be the make or break of their season.
7) Montreal Impact
Current Points: 40
Games Remaining: 3 (1 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 49
Average Opponents Points: 32.3
Remaining Schedule: at Houston (10/6), at Toronto FC (10/20), vs. New England (10/27)
The Rundown: Just here because of mathematics. Montreal did the Fire and the rest of the East a bit of a favor by earning a 0-0 draw with Sporting KC Saturday but leaving two points on the field at Stade Saputo has really determined the Impact's playoff fate in their expansion season. They'll take next weekend off and the rest of the East will hope they can pull another result at Houston before they finish off the season with games at Toronto and vs. New England.
Well, things didn't go our way last night.
Out East, Sporting KC did what no one else has done this season, using two goals inside the first 20 minutes from C.J. Sapong and Kei Kamara to defeat New York at Red Bull Arena 2-0. From the offset, it seemed a game that New York wasn't quite up for as Sporting dictated the play, much to the visible frustration of Red Bull captain Thierry Henry.
Both teams face a quick turnaround for Saturday as KC (54pts.) heads to Montreal (39pts.) for a matinee kick (12pm CT on MLS Live/Direct Kick) while New York (49pts.) visits New England (6:30pm CT MLS Live/Direct Kick).
A little bit closer to home, Columbus found another late winner, this time an 89th minute strike from substitute Justin Meram to earn a 1-0 victory and a valuable three home points over Chivas USA. The win keeps the East race very tight as the Crew (45pts.) leaped back over D.C. United (44pts.) and into final playoff spot in the East.
All it will take for the Crew to be bumped back down to sixth is a D.C. United draw Thursday night when they visit the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park (7pm CT on ESPN2).
Of course, United is favored and expected to win. If they do, they'll jump all the way back over Columbus and Houston (46pts.) and into fourth place in the East.
The Positives
- Red Bull has shown they are in fact beatable at home, which is good with the Fire heading there in just over two weeks.
- The Fire maintain second place in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand on both first place Sporting KC and third place Red Bull.
- Red Bull is just 4-18-5 all-time at New England. In a span that stretches almost exactly 10 years back to the MetroStars era, New York hasn't won in Foxboro in 15 matches, going 0-11-4 since the streak began on September 21, 2002.
- Sporting KC midfielder Roger Espinoza picked up a yellow card and will now be suspended for the team's game Saturday at Montreal, where the Impact are 10-3-2 this season.
- The Fire hold a game in hand on all but D.C. United.
The Negatives
- Albeit with a game in hand, Sporting has opened up a four point lead on the Fire for first place in the East. Even if the Fire win Saturday and Sporting loses, the team will still be one point behind KC.
- The Fire are just six points ahead of sixth place in the East, leaving little room for error.
- Houston, D.C. United and Columbus all have much easier schedules than the top three teams, indicating a Top 3 Eastern Conference finish is far from a certainty.
Saturday Schedule
Montreal vs. Sporting KC – 12pm CT (Direct Kick/MLS Live/TSN)
New England vs. New York – 6:30pm CT (Direct Kick/MLS Live)
Chicago vs. Columbus – 7:30pm CT (NBC 5.2)
Sunday Schedule
Philadelphia vs. Houston – 3pm CT (Direct Kick/MLS Live)
D.C. United vs. Chivas USA – 6pm CT (Galavision)
Sporting KC just barely rescued first place at the top of the East while the Fire, Red Bulls and United all tightened up the race… An updated breakdown of the week and month and a half a head in this edition of Playoff Math…
1) Sporting KC
Current Points: 51
Games Remaining: 6 (2 home, 4 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 69
Average Opponents Points: 42.6
Remaining Schedule: at New York (9/19), at Montreal (9/22), vs. Chicago (9/28), at Columbus (10/7), at New York (10/20), vs. Philadelphia (10/24).
The Rundown: By virtue of C.J. Sapong's late header to equalize with Houston on Friday night, Sporting KC still controls their own destiny for first in the East , if only just barely. The team enters this week with two big away matches, facing third-place Red Bull at midweek and Montreal on Saturday.
Neither game will be easy. With their 3-1 win over Columbus Saturday night, New York moved to 10-0-3 overall at home and a perfect 8-0-0 vs. the Eastern Conference at Red Bull Arena. While those stats are daunting, if Sporting are going to finish first in the East, they'll likely have to find a way to take four points from this game and their next visit to New York on October 20. If New York stays consistent and beats another East team at home, they will at least momentarily move to first in the East.
Sporting will then head to a somewhat down-trodden Montreal side whose playoff hopes seem only mathematical at this point. Despite that, the Impact's home form combined with KC playing on just three days rest, will make this a very difficult game for Sporting.
This could be a week where Sporting puts a stamp on the Eastern Conference lead or gives it up completely…
2) Chicago Fire
Current Points: 50
Games Remaining: 6 (3 home, 3 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 68
Average Opponents Points: 40.1
Remaining Schedule: vs. Columbus (9/22), at Sporting KC (9/28), vs. Philadelphia (10/3), at New York (10/6), at New England (10/20), vs. D.C. United (10/27)
The Rundown: The Fire had a huge week, taking six points at Toronto FC and at home to Montreal Saturday night. In neither match did the team play a complete game but Fire fans should feel confident in the fact that the team is 1) capable of coming back from a deficit to win and 2) can have a bad day and still earn three points and 3) with six wins from their last seven, are the hottest team in Major League Soccer.
With KC drawing the night before and both New York and D.C. winning earlier Saturday, the pressure was certainly on the Fire to get the three points in order to maintain second place in the east. With KC playing New York as well as D.C. playing Philadelphia at midweek, there's chance the Fire could momentarily fall from that spot and it seems almost certain things will tighter heading into the weekend.
That all matters very little as long as the Fire continue to hold serve at home and defeat a Columbus team on short rest Saturday night to set up a humongous match at Sporting KC the following Friday.
3) New York Red Bulls
Current Points: 49
Games Remaining: 6 (4 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 67
Average Opponents Points: 38.1
Remaining Schedule: vs. Sporting KC (9/19), at New England (9/22), vs. Toronto FC (9/29), vs. Chicago (10/6), vs. Sporting KC (10/20), at Philadelphia (10/27)
The Rundown: This is also the week in which New York can really make their claim for first in the East. If they can take advantage of their perfect home record vs. the Conference and earn three points on Wednesday vs. KC before doing what's expected at eighth place New England on the weekend, they'll find themselves on top.
Taking care of business this week would also be huge as Red Bull will have four matches remaining, three at home and two of those against direct top of the East competitors Chicago and Kansas City in October. It's also worth nothing that of the top three, Hans Backe's side has easiest schedules to finish the season as their opponent's point average equals out to 38.1
4) Houston Dynamo
Current Points: 46
Games Remaining: 5 (3 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 61
Average Opponents Points: 30
Remaining Schedule: at Philadelphia (9/23), vs. New England (9/29), vs. Montreal (10/6), vs. Philadelphia (10/20), at Colorado (10/27)
The Rundown: Houston nearly took three points from Kansas City Friday night in a match that many didn't expect them to take any. While they'll be disappointed in giving up a late equalizer, the Dynamo by far have the easiest schedule of anyone in the East from here on out, with their five games coming against teams outside of their Conference's Top five and three games remaining at BBVA Compass Stadium.
It would be a reasonable expectation for the Dynamo to take 12-15 points and really keep themselves in the conversation for a Top 3 spot as the Fire, New York and Kansas City all have matches remaining against each other.
5) DC United
Current Points: 44
Games Remaining: 6 (2 home, 4 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 62
Average Opponents Points: 32.8
Remaining Schedule: at Philadelphia (9/20), vs. Chivas USA (9/23), at Portland (9/29), at Toronto FC (10/6), vs. Columbus (10/20), at Chicago (10/27)
The Rundown: No DeRo, no problem. D.C. United found a way to be victorious without their captain in Saturday night's 2-1 victory over New England, effectively leaping over Columbus and into the final playoff spot in the East. Much like Houston, United have a very easy upcoming schedule to make things even tighter in the East as they face the literal bottom four teams in Major League Soccer over their next four games.
The only problem is that three of those four come on the road where United hasn't been great this season (3-9-0). Nonetheless, if D.C. can take maximum points from the next four, they'll put themselves not only in a good position to qualify for the playoffs but a chance to finish a bit higher than fifth.
6) Columbus Crew
Current Points: 42
Games Remaining: 6 (4 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 60
Average Opponents Points: 37
Remaining Schedule: vs. Chivas USA (9/19), at Chicago (9/22), vs. Philadelphia (9/29), vs. Sporting KC (10/7), at D.C. United (10/20), vs. Toronto FC (10/28).
The Rundown: In a previous edition of Playoff Math, I said that I wasn't yet convinced of the Crew's run up the table because during their four-game winning streak, they'd played three of the worst teams in the East.
A trip to Gillette Stadium caused a somewhat surprising 2-0 loss before the international break and then Saturday night's visit to Red Bull Arenas saw a less surprising 3-1 defeat for the Crew. The two losses have Columbus now back on the outside looking in. Though they have two matches over the next seven days just like KC, New York and D.C., it's safe to say the week ahead could be very telling for the Crew's playoff chances.
The Crew should expect to defeat Western Conference bottom dwellers Chivas USA at home on Wednesday but their visit to Chicago, will be very difficult as the Fire haven't fallen to an Eastern Conference team at home since October 12, 2010, going 12-0-5 in that time.
7) Montreal Impact
Current Points: 39
Games Remaining: 4 (2 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 51
Average Opponents Points: 36.7
Remaining Schedule: vs. Sporting KC (9/22), at Houston (10/6), at Toronto FC (10/20), vs. New England (10/27)
The Rundown: Montreal's really just run out of game but it doesn't mean they can't affect the Eastern Conference playoff race (which they still sort of remain in). The Impact's home form has had me mark this Saturday's game vs. Sporting KC as one that really have implications on the top of the East while a point at Houston isn't completely out of the cards either.
After October 6, Montreal could mathematically be out as they face two other teams that are already that way.
I'm not a huge fan of predictions but I got all the East's playoff related results correct this weekend so, I'll go with three midweek predictions…
Midweek Predictions:
New York 2, Sporting KC 1
Columbus 1, Chivas USA 0
D.C. United 2, Philadelphia 1
It's been a few weeks since my last blog on this subject and while not much has become easier to predict, at least one thing has become clearer.
Last time, there was a question about Columbus' ability to make a run towards the playoffs. With that blog written just two days before the Crew began their current four-game winning streak, the question has been answered and their form currently has D.C. United as the current Eastern Conference outsiders. Still, I'm not yet convinced of the Crew's playoff credentials and I break down everyone's playoff hopes below...
1) Sporting KC
Current Points: 50
Games Remaining: 7 (3 home, 4 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 71
Average Opponents Points: 40.7
Remaining Schedule: vs. Houston (9/14), at New York (9/19), at Montreal (9/22), vs. Chicago (9/28), at Columbus (10/7), at New York (10/20), vs. Philadelphia (10/24).
The Rundown: It goes without saying that Sporting KC controls its own destiny for the top spot in the East but two games away to second place New York (the Red Bulls are 9-0-3 at home) combined with a home date against the Fire (who've beaten Sporting both games this season) and trips to Montreal (10-3-2 at home) and Columbus (8-3-2 at home) will make finishing top of the East difficult for KC.
Lucky for Peter Vermes' team, they've been the best MLS side on the road this season, going 7-4-2 away from LiveSTRONG Sporting Park. They're definitely going to be in the playoffs but even with a four point advantage at the top of the East, they could finish as low as third.
2) New York Red Bulls
Current Points: 46
Games Remaining: 7 (5 home, 2 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 67
Average Opponents Points: 36.8
Remaining Schedule: vs. Columbus (9/15), vs. Sporting KC (9/19), at New England (9/22), vs. Toronto FC (9/29), vs. Chicago (10/6), vs. Sporting KC (10/20), at Philadelphia (10/27)
The Rundown: If they keep their home form, New York is my favorite to finish top of the East. They're not only undefeated at home this season (9-0-3) but haven't even drawn with an Eastern Conference foe at Red Bull Arena (7-0-0 this year). Consider that their two remaining away matches are at New England and Philadelphia, you could make a strong case that New York might not lose another game this season.
Of course playoff implications often turn things on paper upside down and New York does face their two closest competitors in three of their remaining home matches. Basically I'm saying, first in the East is really New York's for the taking if they want it.
3) Chicago Fire
Current Points: 44
Games Remaining: 8 (4 home, 4 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 68
Average Opponents Points: 36.2
Remaining Schedule: at Toronto FC (9/12), vs. Montreal (9/15), vs. Columbus (9/22), at Sporting KC (9/28), vs. Philadelphia (10/3), at New York (10/6), at New England (10/20), vs. D.C. United (10/27)
The Rundown: As evidenced by the fact that the team jumped from sixth to third with one win Sunday night, the difference from third to six in the East is just three points and the victory over Houston gave the Fire the best odds of teams three through six to make a bid for a top two finish.
Like New York, Frank Klopas' side has been rather spectacular at home this season, going 9-2-2 overall and 7-0-1 against Eastern Conference opponents. With that current form, it's a decent expectation that the Fire should at least take points from all of their remaining four games at Toyota Park.
If the team takes four wins from their final eight, they're definitely in the playoffs. The rub here comes when you consider the remaining road games, which have the Fire visiting Eastern Conference cellar dwellers Toronto and New England.
Save the road games in Kansas City and New York, higher expectations will have the Fire winning six of their remaining eight matches. If they do that, they'll be in serious contention for a top two spot in the East but that will rest on how the team does in those two six-pointers.
4) Houston Dynamo
Current Points: 42
Games Remaining: 7 (4 home, 3 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 63
Average Opponents Points: 34
Remaining Schedule: vs. Real Salt Lake (9/6), at Sporting KC (9/14), at Philadelphia (9/23), vs. New England (9/29), vs. Montreal (10/6), vs. Philadelphia (10/20), at Colorado (10/27)
The Rundown: Of the seven teams still in the playoff picture, Houston definitely has one of the easiest schedules. If they can take points from their next two games vs. RSL and at Sporting, all five of their remaining matches are winnable.
The biggest question mark for Houston is how they balance their remaining two CONCACAF Champions League group games (9/20 vs. CD FAS, 10/23 vs. Olimpia) while staying in the playoff race. Dominic Kinnear has done a pretty good job of getting result when his team is coming off a competitive game played four days or less before, going 4-3-6 this season.
The fact that the team got four points from their two visits to Central America earlier this month should give them a little ease but having a crowded fixture list across two different competitions will be difficult. The Dynamo's saving grace will be their unbeaten home form at BBVA Compass Stadium where they've gone 8-0-5 since opening in May.
Like the Fire, four wins from their final seven should do the trick but picking up a point or two extra will get them in for sure.
5) Columbus Crew
Current Points: 42
Games Remaining: 8 (4 home, 4 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 66
Average Opponents Points: 35.1
Remaining Schedule: at New England (9/5), at New York (9/15), vs. Chivas USA (9/19), at Chicago (9/22), vs. Philadelphia (9/29), vs. Sporting KC (10/7), at D.C. United (10/20), vs. Toronto FC (10/28).
The Rundown: Riding a six match unbeaten streak of which the last four have all been victories, Columbus is certainly the hottest team in MLS and have pushed their way from potential spoiler right into the thick of the Eastern Conference race.
While the four straight wins are nice, consider that all four were against the bottom four in the East and three were at home. Furthermore the victories against New England and Montreal on the weekend came with stoppage time goals. I'm not saying they're not a legitimate contender and summer acquisitions Federico Higuain and Jairo Arrieta are reason for concern for any of the Crew's upcoming opponents but I do think remaining games at New York, Chicago and vs. Sporting KC could prove a blow to their chances.
Basically, if the Crew beat someone above them, everyone in the East has more cause for concern.
6) D.C. United
Current Points: 41
Games Remaining: 7 (3 home, 4 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 62
Average Opponents Points: 30.4
Remaining Schedule: vs. New England (9/15), at Philadelphia (9/20), vs. Chivas USA (9/23), at Portland (9/29), at Toronto FC (10/6), vs. Columbus (10/20), at Chicago (10/27)
The Rundown: D.C. are the team that find themselves currently just outside the playoff bubble by one point but of the seven teams still in the race, have the easiest schedule with their opponents average point total sitting at 30. Their next five matches all come against sides that are pretty well out of their respective playoff races but one thing to note is that D.C. hasn't traveled well to the west coast this season, going 0-3-1, making their September 29 trip to Portland an interesting one.
If D.C. does the business in those five matches, they should be in a good spot to play for positioning in their final two games against Columbus and the Fire to close out the season.
7) Montreal Impact
Current Points: 39
Games Remaining: 5 (2 home, 3 away)
Maximum Possible Points: 54
Average Opponents Points: 36.4
Remaining Schedule: at Chicago (9/15), vs. Sporting KC (9/22), at Houston (10/6), at Toronto FC (10/20), vs. New England (10/27)
The Rundown: Simply put, Montreal are still in the race but with only five matches remaining, it doesn't seem likely they'll be in the top five come season's end. That doesn't mean the first-year MLS side can't muck things up for other playoff contenders.
The team's road form this season (2-12-1) is likely what will keep Jesse Marsch's side out of the postseason but their play at Stade Olimpique and Stade Saputo (10-3-2) is what has them in this position. All teams contending for a playoff spot should put a lot of emphasis on the team's home match vs. Sporting KC on September 22 – I've got it marked as one of my top games where teams can make up points on the current Conference leaders.
Even considering Montreal has only taken points in three road matches this season, they'll still look to finish their first MLS campaign strong and so the Fire and Dynamo would be wise to take them seriously as they make their own playoff push.
Last week, the Fire played a team with a newish coach and it's the same with week when the Men in Red travel to Philadelphia to face a Union team headed by interim coach John Hackworth. Philly have had some ups and downs but are a very difficult team to beat on their day. Here are a few tactical things to look out for in Sunday night's game:
Freddy Adu: Jekyll and Hyde
COACH'S TAKE: Matko on Philly
Freddy Adu has a long history of inconsistency. When he is on, he can be one of the best attacking players in MLS but far too often fans haven't seen the best of him. This season has also been a mixed one for Freddy but the past two games in particular, he has failed to show up. He did score a penalty in a 2-1 win over New England but in Montreal last week he was very isolated on the right wing.
Fullback Sheanon Williams failed to get forward to support Adu on the outside and this forced him to constantly play the ball into the middle when he would get it in a wide position. He even switched wings for a time but this didn't help. Under Hackworth, Philadelphia have become an attacking force but last week the wing play of Davy Arnaud and Justin Mapp prevented their outside backs from getting forward.
The Fire should look to mimic that tactic, especially because it limits the support for young Fredua.
New Forward Taking On New Defender?
Last week, Fire Designated Player Sherjill MacDonald replaced Dominic Oduro at halftime and helped the team overturn a 1-0 deficit. MacDonald is getting back to match fitness and Sunday's game could be a good opportunity for him to get his first start.
Oduro has struggled to find the net of late and his speed could be a game changer off the bench. If Philly are in need of a goal, Oduro is the perfect person to bring in because his "freaky fast" pace enhances the Fire's counter attacking ability ten-fold.
Whoever starts up top for the Fire Sunday could be facing a new center back paring for the Union, who may give a first start to former Fire player Bakary Soumare. The Mali international has been rehabbing a knee injury since returning to MLS from Germany side Karlsruher in June but he did play 90 minutes in a reserve game last week and could replace second-year defender Amobi Okugo at the heart of the Union defense.
New partnerships have the potential to be shaky and if Soumare does indeed start, I would look for the Fire to test out the new look back line as early and often as possible.
This, of course can also be achieved through set pieces. Philly have had a major problem this year in that department, giving up the most headed goals in the league. As we saw last week, the Fire and especially rookie-of-the-year candidate Austin Berry are a threat from corners and free kicks and this could be key to unlocking the Union.
Depth: If we need it, it's there
With any team, having strong options off the bench is a massive bonus. It can help the coach to change his tactics but it also increases competition for the first team. After last month's acquisitions, the Fire now have a bench that is not only stronger but has plenty of MLS experience.
Take last Saturday's game for example: the Fire lineup card had names like Dan Gargan, Patrick Nyarko, Daniel Paladini, Alex and Sherjill MacDonald on the sub's list. Soon enough we could be adding Cory Gibbs there.
The team's depth is going to be very important in the push to move as high up in the Conference standings as possible. If things aren't going well on Sunday, coach Klopas has tried and tested players that he can call on, something that could be the difference between one point and three.
Prediction: Chicago Fire 2, Philadelphia Union 0 behind goals from Marco Pappa and Sherjill MacDonald.
Stephen Piggott is a contributor to Chicago-Fire.com. Follow him on Twitter @Irish_Steve.
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Our state (not sure if its just WI) currently offers a 10K re enlistment bonus. Thats only nine plus months from ETS, after that the amount goes down. Its a 50/25/25 payment schedule currently. 12JAN12 i'm nine months out. I CANT DECIDE! lol Anyways been talking to our State Retention NCO for our Brigade, well actually she isnt for our brigade but since we are brigade, she covers us since we dont fall under anywhere else. I want a full time Guard job. I'm not saying this like a kid wanting something while not doing anything for it. I've groomed myself all five years for it. Wont elaborate but many know what I mean. lol /When they need someone to do extra work outside of drill, I do it so I get the learning experience even when its outside of my lane some just to learn, and also fill the need when they cant find anyone else. I missed a big opportunity along the way but moving forward. We are out of money already and its not even the middle of December yet. Its actually hard for once to get FTNG (those shorter term ones even) and if we go to a school before AT this year they cant also pay for AT. We have a Warfighter in May and if you volunteer for that they might not be able to pay for AT. If that gives you an idea money wise. I dont care that much about the bonus being offered right now, other than if I am going to re up, my opinion is I mine as well do it asap to get as much as I can. I asked Retention if I could forgo the bonus and look into Recruiting. I've always had an interest in it, even putting the great benefits aside. I think starting a Recruit out with a good Recruiter and RSP is essential and part of a problem today. Instead of complaining i'd like to just be part of the solution. Retention said its not really possible because its competative, cant just send me to school because you need a slot. I get it. But she then suggested applying FTNG for it, as they have alot of them currently and look once in awhile for more. It involves filling out the AGR packet, then they take'em as they need and ask if you will do FTNG instead and then you just wait in line for the hard slot. Hard slot isnt that big of an issue to me, I feel I can do my job and get more orders once original ones are over and thats really the main difference between AGR and FTNG, the length of the orders. My issue is I want to do this in a hurry, see if they will take me, before deciding to re up, but the re up window is closing fast to get the bonus. And FTNG I could still get the bonus, if I was to get a hard slot, then future payments would just be let go. Any suggestions how to do this professionally in a hurry? I know to talk to my COC and to get a good packet. Any other suggestions on this journey? How about the AGR packet, know any good ideas to make it stand out? It turns into FTNG orders, but its an AGR packet. Know anything that will make it a good 'recruiter' packet rather then just any ol' MOS packet? I'm at Brigade so I know some names, unfortunately the packet goes right to state, not us on this one. Or know how to forgo the bonus for a better chance Recruiting by asking for it in the re enlistment?
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Today's consumers like to interact with the digital world, and advertisers who recognize this often have greater marketing success. When Microsoft planned its "because it's everybody's business" (BIEB) campaign, interactivity was at the core, with Microsoft Tag helping to promote the idea that technology is pivotal to business success.
The umbrella campaign, which encompassed six Microsoft products, had a highly digital strategy that combined television, animation, online, and print content. The print ads included Tags that showed readers how enterprise software could fuel businesses to succeed. By scanning the Tags, readers were instantly connected to rich content, including video, animations, and audio interviews with executives at leading companies.
The ads offered readers two ways to receive more information: Tags and text messaging (SMS). Over the first three months, the response rate for Tag was 100 times higher than for text messaging – proving the massive draw of instant, interactive information.
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Tuesday, Oct 26, 2010 at 4:00 PM
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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — Warning, Al Gore's new book, "The Future: Six Drivers of Global Change," is not what it appears at first. It's not a scientific forecast for a new "sustainable capitalism" by a Nobel Prize-winning environmentalist dedicated to "saving the world."
Here's the one other story that you can't afford to miss today
By focusing first on the lofty ideals of "Six Drivers of Global Change," you'd hope to see the old Al Gore, America's environmental dragon slayer, a kindred spirit with folks like the legendary Rachel Carson and Bill McKibben.
Not true. Forget for the moment "Six Drivers," the six macroeconomic trends. Yes, they define the problem. But nothing's new. Focus instead on his "sustainable capitalism": a package of five proposed new governmental regulations. Look closely. Don't be misled by the buzzwords. There's nothing "sustainable."
Ask yourself: Won't his five regulations have the unintended consequences of putting a damper on free markets, slowing economic growth, handicapping job creators, and making America more socialistic than capitalistic?
Yes, as you'll see below, Gore's five proposed "sustainable capitalism" actions are, in effect, secret poison pills. Why? Because today, in America's totally dysfunctional political drama, they are DOA. That's right, the five are totally unacceptable to the vast majority of conservative billionaires and Forbes Global 2000 corporations. Their lobbyists would kill the five proposals before they ever reached Congress.
Why skeptical of a 'Future' defined by a Super-Rich Capitalist?
Why add five DOA solutions? Surely Gore's smart enough to know those five "sustainable capitalism" proposals would go nowhere. So why add? Because such a book needed solutions, not just a definition of the problems. Get it? Even if the solutions are never considered in today's political circus, they enhance "The Future's" aura of scientific research and challenging scholarship.
Yes, we're skeptical of motive, of adding less-than-serious solutions to dress up the work. So what's going on? Here's a skeptic's observation: Al Gore, the former environmental activist who parlayed his Oscar, Grammy and Noble Peace Prize into a capitalist fortune, is protecting his newly acquired $300 million personal fortune by publishing this new 558-page business calling card about "The Future" to increase his firm's credibility as successful capitalists, private equity investors and science gurus.
So forget the five solutions. Now Gore has "Six Drivers" that target six strategic macroeconomic trends for investment opportunities. That way, as the world continues down the road of "unsustainable capitalism," Gore and his billionaire capitalist buddies will keep amassing and hoarding maximum capital before the "end of the world."
'Unsustainable capitalism': Missing '7th driver' into a global failure
But are we too harsh? Too skeptical? Too cynical? No. Media experts also sense Gore's contradictions. Have been unkind: Reuter's Sinead Cruise focused on Gore's real target, "unsustainable capitalism," which is here to stay. And in "Gore's Grim Prophecy," Rolling Stone editor Jeff Goodell says the title, "The Future," suggests Gore wrote his book as if it "were written by God himself." And that it will "surely raise questions about whether Gore is an arrogant technocrat or a mad visionary."
In the New York Times Book Review, Michael Lind wrote: "Democracy, Hacked ... Corporate interests keep us from facing our problems." And earlier in "Up Ahead: The World According to Gore," another Times reviewer, Michiko Kakutani, dismissed Gore's book: "Bites off way more than it can plausibly chew ... lacks cogency and focus" ... and merely retraces "ground covered in more persuasive detail" by Clinton, Brzezinski and Stiglitz ... often reads "like updates on Alvin Toffler's 1970 classic, 'Future Shock.'"
But perhaps the harshest review is in the American Interest, "Futurama: Al Gore mispredicts our future by misunderstanding our present," writes Columbia University Economics Prof. Jagdish Bhagwati, an expert in globalization: "The problem Gore faces in the bulk of this book therefore is that his identification of problems, and his proposed solutions, are not compelling."
Bhagwati says Gore's "erudition is considerable but is necessarily limited since he casts his net wide, and he is both unfamiliar with important issues pertinent to his analysis and also shallow in his prescriptions for remedial policies."


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Selected Community Events for 3/2/2014
Go Back to Calendar
http://www.witn.com/community/events/246571371.html | 246571371
SFCT Presents Cocktails With MIMI
Sneads Ferry
Sneads Ferry Community Theatre presents Cocktails with Mimi: Mary Chase's family comedy with stunt waiters, spilled soup and mistaken identities that turn into hilarious confusion!
Show Dates: February 28, March 1 & 2, 2014 and March 7, 8, 9, 2014. Fridays and Saturdays: 8PM curtain; Sunday Matinées: 3PM curtain.
Mimi, a wealthy and much-married divorcee played by Tatiana Zappardino, is giving a party in honor of the reputedly formidable parents of her daughter's fiancé. She engages a stunt waiter (Ryan Walker) to insult her guests, specifically, the stuffed-shirt Calthorpes (Howard Orr and Jennifer Meier). Daughter, Edie (Devan Willard), fearing that her mother would never be able to stomach her future in-laws, hires two actors to impersonate them (Tricia Odham and Phil Ashby); which works fine until the real Calthorpes arrive with their son, (Rickey Schneider). Rounding out the cast is: Shirl King, Andrea Horan, Sue Ferber and Jay Felty. The mistaken identities and fun proliferate into a state of hilarious confusion.
Active Duty Military Appreciation Night: free with ID: Thursday, February 27 at 8PM
Wine and Cheese Receptions: Fridays; February 28 and March 7 at 7:15PM
Tickets: Adult $10.00 Students (any age with ID) $5.00 All tickets include taxes and are sold day of show at the door
Reservations for parties of 10 or more please call the box office: 910-327-2798
Theatre is located inside the Sneads Ferry Community Center at 126 Park Lane
Gaylene Branton: 910-389-8776
http://www.witn.com/community/events/246396761.html | 246396761
Greene Lamp Head Start Now Accepting Pre-Kindergarten Applications For 2014-2015 School Year
8:00am – 4:00pm
309 Summit Ave and 1001 E. Highland Ave in Kinston Snow Hill office located at 110 S. E. First St.
Greene Lamp Head Start is now accepting Pre-Kindergarten applications for the 2014-2015 school year for children in Lenoir and Greene Counties. The child must be three or four years of age by August 31, 2014. Transportation is available to children enrolled in the program based on need and availability.
Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm.
To complete the application, the following items are required:
-Proof of child's birth (i.e. Birth Certificate)
-Proof of Income for 2013 (i.e. tax return, W-2 form, TANF, SSI, child Support).
Any questions, please call the Family Engagement and Community Partnership staff in Kinston at (252) 527-5252 or Snow Hill at (252) 747-8146.
http://www.witn.com/community/events/246395041.html | 246395041
A Time For Science Nature and Science Learning Center - March Events
A Time for Science Nature and Science Learning Center (ATFS) is located off Highway 11 between Ayden and Grifton in Contentnea Creek Estates. The physical address is 949 Contentnea Lane, Grifton NC 28530.
Follow the website and newsletter regularly for possible additions or other updates to this schedule. For weather dependent activities (such as star parties, etc.), check the website for possible cancellations before leaving home.
If it is possible for you to do so, please announce (or post) this first activity regularly throughout the month till the March 22 date
Save the Date -- March 22
Love A Sea Turtle Annual 5k Run & Nature Walk
10:00 am
Proceeds fund summer camps at A Time For Science Nature and Science Learning Center for underserved youth as well as turtle awareness and education. $20.00 for individual runners ($25.00 after Feb 1) and $5.00 for the Nature Walk. Participants can register on-line at loveaseaturtle.com or runtheeast.com.
Each Saturday in March except 22nd (Mar 1, 8, 15, --, 29)
On the Trail to Fitness
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Cost - $2.00 / participant
Combine your exercise program with a connection to Nature. Walk or run along the One-Mile Fitness Trail around four lovely ponds and workout at the 10 fitness stations. Or simply amble along the trail for a pleasant Saturday walk.
March 8
Second Saturday Family Fun Day
9:00 am to 11:00 am
Cost - $5.00 adult $3.00 child
Take a guided walk along one of the Conservancy trails then make a "pin-less" pinwheel for fun in the winds of March. Please register by March 7.
March 15
2014 Greenville St. Patricks' Day Parade
Location -- Downtown Greenville
4:00 pm to 11:00 am
Cost – No Charge
Enjoy the A Time For Science / Ulster Project float in the Second Annual Greenville St. Patricks' Day Parade.
March 22
Busy Body Builders
Location – Pitt County KidFest, Greenville Convention Center
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Visit the A Time For Science exhibit at KidFest 2014 for a stimulating experience for your preschooler that you can learn to duplicate at home.
March 22
Carolina Skies Astronomy Club – Spring Equinox Star Party
7:00 pm ---
Cost – No Charge
Following the big Turtle Run in the morning the astronomy Club will hold its annual Spring Equinox Star Party at 7:00 pm. Come a little early to watch the sun go down in the west, one of only two time during the year it sets in the west. The indoor program will be announced on the A Time For Science website. Please register by March 21.
March 24
Fourth Monday Family Night
Location - Chick-Fil-A Winterville
5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Cost – No Charge
Begin your spring garden by starting your own flower seed pot.
Save the Dates -- March 28 through April 13
North Carolina Science Festival
Check the calendar and the website for A Time For Science events during the state-wide North Carolina Science Festival.
For information or for registrations contact ATFS through the website (www.atimeforscience.org), through email at (firstname.lastname@example.com), or by phone at 252-746-4470.
http://www.witn.com/community/events/246226651.html | 246226651
Don Bryan Retrospective Art Exhibit to Kick Off First Full Season of the Bryan Cultural Series
Ghost Fleet Gallery, in Nags Head
Savor an amazing viewing of the Don Bryan Retrospective Art Exhibit, which will be the first program in the 2014 season of the Bryan Cultural Series. The exhibit will be held from Feb. 27-March 8 at Glenn Eure's, "Ghost Fleet Gallery". An opening reception will be held at the gallery on Sunday, March 2 from 2 – 5 p.m. The public is invited.
"This special tribute to our founder and acclaimed artist will feature some of Don's earliest paintings that have never been exhibited publicly," said John H. Tucker, Jr., chairman of the Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series Board of Directors. "Come enjoy perusing these 'firsts'!"
The Don Bryan, A Retrospective 1964-2013 will include works from Don's personal collections and works from several local collections. Also on display will be a sampling of sketches and paintings Bryan used to develop his finished pieces.
Born in Pennsylvania and spending much of his youth in Tucson, AZ, Bryan left in early 1942 to start his Air Force career during which he began to record his travels on canvas. After leaving the military service, Bryan and his wife established their home and his studio in Nags Head, NC where he served as Town Councilman and Mayor from the mid-seventies until the early nineties.
As an accomplished professional artist, Don Bryan has brought the Outer Banks past and present to life on canvas. A full-time resident of Nags Head since 1972 who passed away just recently, his work hung for many years in the halls of Congress and is found in many local businesses and collections including Vantage South, Wells Fargo, Sanderling Inn, and the Town of Nags Head.
About his work Bryan would say, "In my paintings, I do my best to capture the spirit of life styles as well as the beauty in the commonplace surrounding us - a field or bouquet of flowers, an aging face, a decaying building or the working boats and implements people use to make their livings." The exhibition will feature works from public and private collections spanning Bryan's time as an artist from mid 60's to 2013.
The Bryan Cultural Series is a non-profit organization formed in 2012. The board of directors is composed of nine community leaders dedicated to offering a series of high quality cultural events. These events will include a variety of visual, literary and performing arts. The board strives to glean from talent that has attained regional as well as national recognition to maintain a high standard.
Substantial support for this annual cultural offering of events is provided by Village Realty, Dominion North Carolina Power, Towne Bank of Currituck, Hilton Garden Inn of Kitty Hawk, Ramada Plaza Hotel of Kill Devil Hills and Wells Fargo. For more information about these events, visit bryanculturalseries.org.
John H. Tucker, Jr. - Chairman
Go Back to Calendar


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Eat People: And Other Unapologetic Rules for Game-Changing Entrepreneurs
by Andy Kessler
The Quants: How a New Breed of Math Whizzes Conquered Wall Street and Nearly Destroyed It
by Scott Patterson
Hear from the founder of Lake Michigan Financial Corporation, Rich Lievense, and his insight on what this blog encompasses.
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Wizard Mountain Garden
Sale Price: $12.97
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Control your destiny from the sanctuary of Wizard Mountain as seen on TV. Use the built-in planters to grow 5 of the most mystically relevant plants in the world! All seeds are quick to sprout and easy to grow, plus you'll learn the fascinating lore of the included plants (aloe, eucalyptus, hyssop, sage, and moving plant). A special edition Notchster, William the Wild Wizard is included for your collection or placement on Wizard Mountain. Plastic planter approx. 12"x 10"x 7". Made in USA. Ages 3+
Includes planter, glow in the dark gravel, seed packets, germination disks, germination bag, 3D paper wizard figure, and instructions.


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Brooklyn Nets v Minnesota Timberwolves
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Ricky Rubio of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes to the basket during... Fotografía de noticiasBaloncesto,Basket-ball - NBA Pro,Brooklyn Nets - Equipo de baloncesto,Deporte,EE.UU.,Encestar,Horizontal,Lanzar la pelota,Minnesota,Minnesota Timberwolves,Minneápolis,Partido,Ricky Rubio,Target CentrePhotographer David ShermanCollection: National Basketball Association 2013 NBAEMINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 23: Ricky Rubio #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes to the basket during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2013 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)


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Radiant Trench (Women's) (out-of-stock)
Out of Stock Product Number: 31577
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Barnard College
News about Barnard College, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.
Chronology of Coverage
Jun. 5, 2015
Barnard College says it will start accepting transgender women. MORE
May. 5, 2015
Brian Seibert reviews dance concert Barnard/Columbia Dances, featuring Barnard and Columbia University students performing works by notable choreographers, at Miller Theater. MORE
Dec. 13, 2014
Barnard College, elite college for women, is weighing formal admissions policy for transgender students, rather than considering applications from such students on a case-by-case basis; college has number of trans masculine students, those born with female characteristics who identify as male or neutral, but no trans women; charters of single-gender schools define gender in binary way that conflicts with how growing number of students see themselves. MORE
Sep. 4, 2014
David W Dunlap Building Blocks column; Barnard College, small women's college associated with neighboring Columbia University, has been asserting its independence graphically with newly designed crests that appear throughout campus; such environmental graphics help assuage visitor confusion. MORE
May. 9, 2013
Revelations about shared quiz answers, unearned grades and bribes prompt changes in way popular English course at Barnard College in Manhattan is run. MORE
May. 15, 2012
Pres Obama, in a speech that promoted his record on women's issues and portrayed his lifelong belief in the essential role of women, urges female graduates of Barnard College to climb to the top of the corporate ladder or run for public office. MORE
Mar. 6, 2012
Tensions have arisen between Columbia University and Barnard College, its sister university, over Pres Barack Obama's decision to give commencement speech at Barnard and not Columbia, his alma mater. MORE
Mar. 4, 2012
Pres Obama will deliver the 2012 commencement address at Barnard College. MORE
There are no additional abstracts to display.
Highlights From the Archives
Professor From Harvard to Be Barnard President
Barnard College has named as its next president Debora L. Spar, a Harvard Business School professor.January 30, 2008 educationNews
Fracas Erupts Over Book on Mideast by a Barnard Professor Seeking Tenure
A tenure bid by a professor at Barnard College has put Columbia University once again at the center of a struggle over scholarship on the Middle East.September 10, 2007 educationNews
Más allá de Caitlyn Jenner, la lucha por los derechos transgénero continúa
El odio, la discriminación y la violencia siguen siendo parte de la vida diaria para miles de personas transgénero.
June 15, 2015, Monday
MORE ON BARNARD COLLEGE AND: Transgender and Transsexuals , Jenner, Caitlyn (1949- ) , Manning, Chelsea , Barnard College , Bono, Chaz
Beyond Caitlyn Jenner Lies a Long Struggle by Transgender People
As a broader understanding of gender identity emerges, a history of hatred, violence and discrimination continues.
June 15, 2015, Monday
MORE ON BARNARD COLLEGE AND: Transgender and Transsexuals , Jenner, Caitlyn (1949- ) , Manning, Chelsea , Barnard College , Bono, Chaz
Barnard College, After Much Discussion, Decides to Accept Transgender Women
The new policy welcomes applicants who "consistently live and identify as women, regardless of the gender assigned to them at birth."
June 5, 2015, Friday
MORE ON BARNARD COLLEGE AND: Barnard College , Transgender and Transsexuals , Women and Girls , Colleges and Universities , Gender , Spar, Debora L
Review: Barnard/Columbia Dances at the Miller Theater
The most successful works for this project tend to capitalize on the students' intelligence without making them fake greater experience than they have.
May 5, 2015, Tuesday
MORE ON BARNARD COLLEGE AND: Dancing , Colleges and Universities , Miller Theater at Columbia University , Barnard College , Columbia University
Barnard Considers Policy for Transgender Students
The women's college is considering adopting a formal admissions policy as it and other single-sex schools grapple with shifting notions of gender.
December 13, 2014, Saturday
MORE ON BARNARD COLLEGE AND: Colleges and Universities , Transgender and Transsexuals , Admissions Standards , Barnard College
Rita Shane, a Met Soprano Known for Range and Intensity, Dies at 78
Ms. Shane made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1973 as the Queen of the Night in Mozart's "The Magic Flute," a role she sang some 250 times in her career.
October 13, 2014, Monday
MORE ON BARNARD COLLEGE AND: Shane, Rita (1936-2014) , Metropolitan Opera , Opera , Deaths (Obituaries) , Barnard College
Making Sure Visitors Know They're at Barnard, With a B
On its 125th anniversary, Barnard College, which operates in partnership with Columbia University, is asserting its campus individuality with a new graphics campaign.
September 4, 2014, Thursday
MORE ON BARNARD COLLEGE AND: Colleges and Universities , Signs and Signage , Typography , Columbia University , Spar, Debora L , Broadway (Manhattan, NY) , Barnard College
Who Are Women's Colleges For?
Applications from transgender students and a Title IX ruling are forcing women's colleges to reconsider admissions.
May 25, 2014, Sunday
MORE ON BARNARD COLLEGE AND: Barnard College , Boylan, Jennifer Finney , Smith College , Colleges and Universities , Title IX (Gender Discrimination Legislation) , Mills College , Women and Girls , Transgender and Transsexual , Admissions Standards
Students File Complaints on Sexual Assaults at Columbia University
Twenty-three students signed onto three separate complaints, each alleging violations of a different federal law, against the university and the affiliated Barnard College.
April 25, 2014, Friday
MORE ON BARNARD COLLEGE AND: Civil Rights and Liberties , Quarta, Camila , Barnard College , Columbia University , Sexual Harassment , United States , Ridolfi-Starr, Zoe , Colleges and Universities , School Discipline (Students) , Sex Crimes
When the Seven Sisters Had a Bigger Welcome Mat
A dive into the 1964 Times archive shows a stark change in college admissions rates.
April 25, 2014, Friday
MORE ON BARNARD COLLEGE AND: Mount Holyoke College , Colleges and Universities , Vassar College , Barnard College , Admissions Standards , Smith College
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- Northern New York Newspapers
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- Malone
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MALONE Many Malone Central School District teachers are concerned by the amount of standardized testing required in classrooms, and two on Tuesday requested that the Board of Education pass a resolution protesting it.
Board members decided to review a sample resolution and several spoke out against the testing as well. If the board does adopt the resolution, it will join a growing list of New York districts whose teachers and administrators feel the same way.
High school social studies teacher Nathaniel J. Hathaway and eighth-grade English/language arts teacher Brianne Iby, president and vice president, respectively, of the Malone Federation of Teachers, proposed the resolution Tuesday night. They noted that many school districts already have adopted resolutions against high-stakes testing.
Mr. Hathaway said there are many arguments against the tests, which he said ignore other types of learning, dont promote a love of learning and can narrow a curriculum.
One of the discussions we regularly have is the idea that, well, were going to eliminate certain parts of the curriculum in our classrooms since they never test it anyway, he said, and thats unfortunate.
With the narrow scope of topics, Mr. Hathaway said, certain topics students find interesting could be eliminated.
He said the best indicator of how students will perform in college is their high school grades, not the SAT, ACT or other test scores, and additional testing puts more stress on students.
Ms. Iby said test results could make students insecure. She said that students who normally do well in certain subjects can get failing test scores, and that although teachers tell students every day that theyre capable of doing well, the scores can indicate otherwise.
School board President Wayne P. Rogers said the New York State School Boards Association is looking critically at standardized testing, but this isnt something that will be changed in a month or two.
Superintendent Jerry Griffin said he believes there is some good in the new Common Core initiative. And Mr. Hathaway said after the meeting that Malone teachers have more of an issue with the amount of testing rather than with the entire initiative.
I think we as adults in the district need to be very careful with what we do with these test results, Mr. Griffin said, adding that this goes not only for teachers, but for parents.
These assessments are directly tied to a teachers APPR (Annual Professional Performance Review) scores, which I will say publicly is a bit ridiculous.
Mr. Griffin added that the district is mandated to give the tests.
Board members also spoke about standardized testing and teacher requirements.
Teaching is becoming so hard. What type of people are going to want to go into this profession? asked Arlie Collins, board vice president and a teacher in the St. Regis Falls Central School District. Theyre going to get so beat up. ... That concerns me a lot.
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Top cops
Two police officers were recognized in a brief ceremony Wednesday night at Warwick Police Headquarters, as they earned promotions. John J. McAniff III was promoted to the rank of sergeant, while Joseph A. Petrarca was elevated to detective. McAniff's wife of more than a year, Jessica, attended the event with their first child, John James McAniff IV, who is just a few months old.
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