With J Hutcherson -- Last season, it took 32 points to escape the relegation zone and not have to depend on goal differential in Germany's Bundesliga. It was 31 in 2008-09, 32 in 2007-08, 35 in 2006-07, and 34 in 2005-06. If we take the average, it's likely going to mean 33 points for a team to keep their Bundesliga status in 20010-11. On Saturday, Steve Cherundolo and Hannover 96 reduced their number to 30 by beating Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 at AWD-Arena.
For those of us not nodding along with the predictions that have Hannover struggling against the drop this season, these are exactly the kind of games were Hannover should be taking points. Mid-tier opponents, the same respect Hannover was given before that awful November in 2009.
This isn't simply boosterism or supporting a National Team player's club simply because they happen to employ an American. Hannover is a legitimate mid-tier club with the personnel currently in their squad. Last season, it took winning six of their final ten games to get to 32 points and playing a reckless version of soccer that had them losing 7-0 and 3-0 only to close out the campaign with 6-1 and 3-0 wins. This season, that just shouldn't be necessary.
Moving on, this weekends results in Major League Soccer aren't likely to stop the true believers from coming up with ways for underachieving teams to reach the playoffs. Nor should it. Working the scenarios is part of the fun, even as it grows unlikelier that we're going to see a surprise from the lower reaches of the table.
As interesting should be the fight for the Supporters' Shield alongside the Conference titles. Los Angeles's lead in the West is now four points, level on games with Real alt Lake at 21 played. Dallas has a game in hand three points back of Salt Lake. 5th-place San Jose also remains in the picture courtesy of 19 games played to LA and RSL's 21 alongside taking three points off the top of the table by beating the Galaxy on Saturday.
Back East, New York, Toronto, and Chicago seem set on squandering their chances to really put pressure on Columbus. The Crew's lead is six points, level on games played with New York and the Western Conference leaders at 21. Toronto is third with 26 points from 20 games and Chicago is 4th with 24 points from 18 played. Chicago actually turning their games played difference into maximum points would put them in a fight for 2nd, but all three of the Eastern Conference contenders are beating each other up while Columbus continues to keep pace at the top of the table.
Columbus hosts Dallas to close out August. Their September takes them to DC and LA before hosting Seattle and then away to New England. Over the same stretch, LA hosts Kansas City, but spends their September away to Chicago, their showdown with Columbus, home to DC, and home to New York. Real Salt Lake gets Toronto at BMO, New York at home, Seattle away, and then home to Chicago and Colorado.
What this sets up is exactly what's been happening for Columbus over the last few weeks. Their schedule isn't exactly easy, but it's easier. The other teams in contention for the Supporters' Shield are facing the Eastern Conference scenario. Knocking each other around while Columbus simply maintains their advantage.
Comments, questions, solutions to problems that have yet to present themselves. Please, tell me all about it.
