Osvaldo Alonso is a key figure in the Sounders' second-half playoff hopes.
One under-used stat is "points per game" or PPG average. This stat is found by dividing the points earned by the total number of matches played. Right now Sounders FC are averaging 1.47 standing points per match. Since the playoff entrants are decided by point totals, it makes sense to look at how the other Major League Soccer clubs are doing in that regard.
(MLS clubs are awarded 3 points for each win, 1 point for each tie, and 0 points for each loss. Points per game is the average of these win / tie points earned per match).
The table below takes the current PPG average of all MLS clubs and projects that average x 30 matches to get a final season total. Of course it does not take into account dips and rises in form, but it does give us a look at where the clubs could be headed.
For Sounders FC, all of the draws (7 out of 15 matches played) could end up being enough to get the club into the 2009 playoffs. The top two clubs in each conference get in, and then the next six best point totals qualify as well, no matter the conference. As of half-way through the Sounders would qualify #5 in the playoffs, 4th in the Western Conference. Each conference would have four clubs if the playoffs started today.
1. Houston (2.0) projected = 60 points
2. Chivas USA (1.8) projected = 54
3. Colorado (1.67) projected = 50
4. Chicago (1.50) projected = 45
5. Seattle (1.47) projected = 44
6. DC United (1.44) projected = 43
7. Columbus Crew (1.36) projected = 41
-- Kansas City Wizards (1.36) projected =41
-- Toronto FC (1.36) projected = 41
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10. New England (1.33) projected = 40
11. Real Salt Lake (1.14) projected = 34
12. Los Angeles (1.07) projected = 32
13. FC Dallas (.93) projected = 28
14. San Jose (.86) projected = 26
15. New York (.62) projected = 19
Sounders FC will not likely draw another 7 matches in the second half of the season. However, considering they have 8 road matches and 7 home the rest of the way, a few road draws would be precious points.
Look at that August: Sounders FC play 6 matches in hot August. 4 away and 2 at Qwest.
The rest of the league schedule for Sounders FC:
June 28 Colorado
July 11 Houston
July 25 Chicago
Aug. 2 at San Jose
Aug. 8 at Real Salt Lake
Aug. 15 at Los Angeles
Aug. 20 New England
Aug. 23 at Houston
Aug. 29 Toronto FC
Sept. 12 at DC United
Sept. 19 Chivas USA
Sept. 26 at New England
Oct. 3 at Columbus
Oct. 17 at Kansas City
Oct. 24 FC Dallas
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