Playoff Reality: 40 Or Bust

By: Dave Martinez | June 18th, 2009

Guess what? The Bulls are officially half way through their season.

Seriously.

The team stands at an embarrassing 2-10-3 record, totaling nine points, good for dead last in the East. Most people would have thrown in the towel a long time ago. But if there is one long standing tradition with this masochistic fan base it’s that they always will come back for more, and any glimmer of hope will be clutched onto till its attained or missed.

Which leads me to today’s topic: What will it take for the Bulls to make it into the playoffs? The answer is 40 points, the postseasons magic number. In the post-12 team era, 40 points seems to be the number a team needs to reach in order to squeek their way into the playoffs.

This is what the trend has been like:

2008 – Red Bulls – 39 Points
2007 – Wizards – 40 Points
2006 – Red Bulls – 39 Points
2005 – Galaxy – 45 Points

Each of these teams barely squeezed into the eight game tournament. But, it does seem clear; 40 points, and you are in contention.

So the question then remains; what does Red Bull have to do to reach this goal? They currently have obtained 9 out of a possible 45 points. They will need to collect 31 of the next 45 points in order to even sniff the postseason. Meaning, they will only be able to afford losing 4 games maximum the rest of the way.

Here is a visualization of what I am talking about:

Record:
10-4-1 = 31 pts
11-4-0 = 33 pts
9-2-4 = 31 pts
8-0-7 = 31 pts

Not that easy. Hell. Nearly impossible. But I am sure some of you are still holding out for the impossible to happen.

This is the reality of the teams dire situation. They would need a turn around the likes MLS has never seen before. Teams like the Chicago Fire in 2007 have pulled off comparable feats in similiar situations, with the same coach no less, but I would be remiss in trying to compare the two seasons. The Red Bulls are facing a mountain compared to the Fires 2007 mole hill.

So this is where you come in. What will it take to get to 40? Can they? Share your thoughts.

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Dave Martinez

Northshore-er - love the name. I actually did a piece last week on why the team needs to move on from the Osorio era, and frankly, every loss that piles up is causing more strain in the front office. I think the team is aware of the history of coaching changes in this town, and is trying to buck that trend, but Osorio's results have made it more and more difficult to defend. Rock and a hard place my friend.
Carlos

I agree with kofix. Screw this season. It's over. I'd like for the team to start playing better so that they make a good showing in the CONCACAF CL. Let's not make a big deal about the playoffs and that stuff. Let's keep Osorio and give him the chance to get rid of some our bad players and actually have the good players we have play on a nicer field at the new arena.
Northshore-er

The team should start planning for 2010; depressing to open a new stadium with a loosing franchise.

Dave, you are one of the few, very few, writers who follow this team... when are u going to write about why is it that they are taking so long to make the move on Osorio?

I am guessing they will not loose today, and thus he will stay a little longer. If they loose, betcha he's out
karlomabo

What i want is that the team play well for the rest of the season. I do not think we going to make the playoffs not only because the difference in points but also because of the way the team is playing. We need new players. We have to start thinking in next year...

Boyens, Conway, Mbuta, Pietravallo, Richards, Rojas, Ubi and Smith have to go.. and make space to new players, half young good players and the other half players with experience.

I think I like to suffer... I just send my check for the deposit for my tickets in the red bull arena.
Chic C

Unless we can borrow MoJo for the draft, low picks are not much use to us.

So, guess we're going to have to win a few games. 10 would great!

However, a steady/consistant quality of play would be a good first step. A regular formation and lineup. Be in control of the game.
kofix5

Best thing for NYRB at this point is to come in dead last.
We'll get the 3rd pick in the draft plus 1 or 2 more first round draft picks ( i think thats what we got from Houston )

We'll have cut the dregs Pietravallo, Richards, Smith, maybe Conway.

We begin our greatest comeback to kick off RedBull Arena and 2010. woohoo cant wait
NoLayupRule

Beasley and Boynes should get together to start their own team.

How annoying that the USA couldnt be competitive and screwed Italy in the process by giving up 3 unanswered goals. Iraq did better than that vs Spain!

Oh, and the NY red bull dont deserve to make the playoffs.
Dave Martinez

Oh dude, if people dont want to compile their USMNT depression, do not read this post today. I will completely understand.
505anthony

My coffee tastes even worse now.
Dave Martinez

Hate to comment on my own post like this, but I feel it is very important to state the following:

BEASLEY STINKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!