The WPS Playoff Race: It All Comes Down To The Final Week

Just out of reach: The Washington Freedom missed the opportunity to clinch the final playoff berth when they lost to the Chicago Red Stars 2-1, forcing the decision on the last playoff berth to be made during the final week of the WPS Regular Season.




As was the case in 2009, the final playoff spot will be decided at the end of the league season. It all comes down to the last WPS game week. Since the Washington Freedom lost yesterday to the Chicago Red Stars 2-1, and since Sky Blue FC tied the Atlanta Beat 0-0, the final playoff spot is still up for grabs. Had the Washington Freedom won yesterday, they would have clinched the last playoff berth. Since FC Gold Pride, the Philadelphia Independence, and the Boston Breakers have all clinched a playoff spot, and since the Chicago Red Stars and the Atlanta Beat have already been eliminated from contention, that means the final playoff spot can only go to one of 2 remaining teams in the race: the Washington Freedom, or Sky Blue FC. Let's take a look at what each team has to do if they want to be the one to clinch the final spot.


Washington Freedom - At this point, its much easier for the Freedom to clinch the final playoff berth than it is for Sky Blue FC. Washington's final game of the season is against the Atlanta Beat. If the Freedom win against the Beat, they will clinch the final playoff spot, no matter what the outcome of the Sky Blue FC vs. Boston Breakers match is. If Washington ties against the Beat, they will clinch the final playoff berth, but only if Sky Blue FC ties or loses to their opponents. If Washington loses against the Beat, they will clinch, but only if Sky Blue FC loses their match as well. In the event that the Freedom ties the Beat, and that Sky Blue FC wins against the Boston Breakers, Washington will clinch the final playoff spot. In this instance, both teams will be tied at 29 points, but since the Washington Freedom has a winning record over Sky Blue FC for the 2010 season, it will break the tie and reward them with the final playoff berth. Now that we're done talking statistics, let's talk about the actual match. Washington has to play against the ultimate bottom feeders for the 2010 season. Atlanta is already eliminated from the playoff race, and have really nothing to fight for, except for some dignity, whereas the Washington Freedom know that they need a win if they want to undoubtedly clinch the final spot. The Freedom will go in with a mission, but I doubt Atlanta are going to willingly let the Freedom run circles around them. I'm thinking that the Washington Freedom are going to be too concentrated and determined to let this win, and the playoff berth, slip from their hands. They let it slip from their grasps this week when they failed to clinch against the Red Stars, but I don't think they're going to let it happen again. Out of both teams vying for the playoff spot, I say the Washington Freedom has the easier match, by far.


Sky Blue FC - Many people are wondering if last year's Cinderella Team can do it all again. That remains to be seen. Right now, Sky Blue FC has an uphill battle if they want to clinch this final berth. Not only will they have to deliver, but they'll also be counting on some other teams, particularly the Atlanta Beat, for some help. Sky Blue FC will have to face off against the on-form Boston Breakers for a chance at the final berth. If Sky blue FC wins, they can clinch, but only if Washington loses. If Washington ties in this same instance, Sky Blue will not clinch, since the tiebreak will favor the Freedom (they have a winning record against Sky Blue for the 2010 season). If Sky Blue FC ties or loses against the Boston Breakers, it's the end of the road for them. Its going to take a miracle for Sky Blue FC to clinch. The only circumstance that favors them is a win on their part, and a loss for Washington. Any other outcome sends them home early. This match is going to be difficult for Sky Blue to pull off, especially against the Boston Breakers, who have really come out strong in the past few weeks. Its not going to be an easy match, and that win is going to be hard to get. Not only that, but they also need a Washington Freedom loss, and that too, seems unlikely. What are the odds of the Atlanta Beat winning against the Washington Freedom, who is sure to come out swinging for those 3 points? Then again, this is soccer. Miracles aren't all that uncommon.


We'll find out soon enough, as both teams kick off at 7pm on Saturday. I know for sure that I'll be match tracking both games, and watching the webcasts if they're available. Its the final week of WPS, and its also the deciding one on who gets the final playoff berth. You'd be nuts to miss this.

Until then,

Denise