Sweeney: Are the Revs back in it?

Even while the Revolution endured the recent nine-match winless streak, even while results went against them, Brad Friedel insisted the club hasn’t been far from the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.

And with The Boys In Blue’s 1-nil win over New York City FC on Wednesday, the gaffer sounds rather prescient.

New England’s midweek triumph coupled with last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Portland moved it to within three points of sixth-place Montreal. L’Impact currently sits at 36 points (11-14-3) to the Revs’ 33 (8-10-9). New England also has a match in hand on Montreal, which has played 28 matches to the Revolution’s 27. Once again, the two positive results have the Revs somewhat in control of their destiny — but still need a little help from Montreal’s opponents, as well as NYCFC this weekend, to really re-assert itself as a playoff contender.

Both New England and Montreal don’t play again until next Saturday, Sept. 15: Montreal will be in an important Eastern Conference six-pointer against fifth-place Philadelphia Union in Chester, Penn. The Union have a four-point advantage on L’Impact, and by the time the lineups for the Revs’ 10:30 p.m. tilt with Los Angeles Football Club are released, we’ll know how close New England can get with a positive result.

If anything, the two sides could be level on points with 36 thanks to a Montreal loss and a New England win. With Montreal’s win total so far, it would maintain sixth for the time being if those results occur.

Montreal’s remaining schedule is as follows: host NYCFC on Sept. 22, at DC United on Sept. 29, host Columbus on Oct. 6, host Toronto on Oct. 21, and at New England on Oct. 28. Revs supporters will want to see the following run of form by Montreal: L-L-D-L-D-L.

The Revs will host Chicago on Sept. 22, at Toronto on Sept. 29, at Atlanta United on Oct. 6 (3:30 p.m.), host Orlando City on Oct. 13 (the match in hand on Montreal), at Real Salt Lake on Oct. 18, and hosting Montreal on Oct. 28. While Revs supporters will want W’s in the remaining games, New England will have wiggle room if Montreal fails to win.

If the predicted Montreal run of form comes true, the Revs would need only six points from the last seven matches to surpass L’Impact for sixth. Sure, six out of 21 possible points is doable, but would also frustrate the supporters.

But let’s also remember the other X-Factors in the Eastern Conference race: DC United and Toronto FC.

United is right behind the Revs in eighth place with 30 points (8-11-6). DC has two matches in hand on the Revs, and three on Montreal. DC will play New York City in the Bronx on Saturday night. An NYCFC win at the weekend — which looks difficult at the moment, given that the Bronx Blues are now 1-4-2 in their last seven matches — or a draw would help New England. A win Saturday puts DC back in the driver’s seat.

DC also has the following matches: host Minnesota United on Sept. 12 (the second match in hand, that would even DC with New England), host New York Red Bulls on Sept. 16, host Montreal Sept. 29, host Chicago Oct. 7, host FC Dallas on Oct. 13, host Toronto Oct. 17 (the last match in hand on Montreal), host NYCFC on Oct. 21, and are at Chicago on Oct. 28. Revs supporters will want DC to draw or lose a majority of those matches.

Toronto (7-14-6, 27 points) has played the same amount of matches as the Revolution, but the Reds are six points in arrears to New England.

The Reds are home to LA Galaxy on the 15^th, at the Red Bulls on Sept. 22, host the Revs on the 29^th, host Vancouver on Oct. 6, at DC on the 17^th, at Montreal on the 21^st, and host Atlanta on the 28^th.

Like we always say, let the cards fall where they may. It’s going to be an exciting last seven weeks for Revolution supporters. Will New England get to play playoff soccer on Halloween?

Buckle up. The answers will become known soon.