of course any number of dropped points could theoretically be the reason for us missing the shield. however, there's a few that jump out at me:
#1: draw @ NYCFC - we were up a man most of the game, and then up 2 men by the end of the game. if i recall they were actually just as likely to go up by a goal towards the end than we were of scoring a game winner. inexcusable. need to be able to put games like this away
#2: loss vs Columbus - the team's effort in the 1st half was pathetic. we have the best record in the league, but it's unreasonable to expect 100% perfection every home game. However, the effort exerted in the 1st half was terrible.
#3: loss @ montreal - i could see us losing away against an ok team. but we laid an egg and got blown out, which came back to bite us now in the Goal Differential. If we lose 1-0 or 2-0, then maybe a draw in the final game is enough to see us to the shield
ones i don't rate as highly
- the away loss @ orlando. we were in the middle of CCL and fielded a B squad on the road.
- the home loss vs Chicago. Schweini played a solid game and they had a wondergoal. Again, unreasonable to expect 100% home record (we already have the best home record in the league)
That Montreal loss was the 5th game in 2 weeks and they held out the guys who were getting called into the US team.
The Orlando game was much worse, yes a B squad but they scored the winning goal on a BS non call that was even reviewed and still not changed.