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Here's the biggest plays and all the action from around MLS over the weekend, plus playoff implications of every result.
Montreal Impact 2, Chicago Fire 1
Montreal: Didier Drogba (39’), Andres Romero (76’)
Chicago: David Accam (50’)
Three points from Montreal here kept them alive in the Eastern Conference, but no such luck for Chicago. The Eastern Conference is so bad that for a moment it seemed like Chicago might still have a shot at the red line, but that’s slipping away very quickly.
Houston Dynamo 1, Sporting Kansas City 0
Houston: Will Bruin (67’)
This absolute must-win for Houston wasn’t exactly a pretty win, and it took the Dynamo 43 minutes to even take a shot, but Will Bruin was in the right place at the right time for a tap in and Houston took the three points. The win keeps them technically kept them alive in the West, but they’ll pretty much need to win out to make the postseason.
Seattle Sounders 3, Vancouver Whitecaps 0
Seattle: Lamar Neagle (32’), Nelson Valdez (39’), Lamar Neagle (47’)
The 4, 5, and 6 seeds in the West are so jammed up that this mid-week win plus a draw over the weekend vaulted Seattle up to 4th in the West, but had Seattle seen two losses in these tilts they would have been all the way down at 7th. Thanks a lot Seattle. The loss doesn’t affect Vancouver all that much as they’re still solidly in second place.
Orlando City SC 5, New York Red Bulls 2
Orlando City: Cyle Larin (24’), Cyle Larin (43’), Damien Perrinelle (OG 47’), Cyle Larin (61’), Bryan Rochez (90+3’)
New York Red Bulls: Dax McCarty (29’), Lloyd Sam (58’)
The Lions kept themselves in the postseason discussion with a dominating performance Friday that pulls them within 3 points of the Montreal Impact. The Red Bulls didn’t absolutely need to win this match, as they have already clinched a playoff berth and are the 1 seed in the East. However, Columbus and New England are each only 1 point back, so they need more cushion to secure home field.
Toronto FC 3, Chicago Fire 2
Toronto FC: Sebastian Giovinco (29’), Michael Bradley (59’), Jozy Altidore (79’)
Chicago Fire: Gilberto (1’), Gilberto (52’)
The Fire’s second loss of the week came at an opportune time for TFC, who are treading water in the Eastern Conference and really needed these 3 points. This win puts them a point ahead of Montreal, at 5th place, only two points behind DC United.
Montreal Impact 2, DC United 0
Montreal Impact: Didier Drogba (4’, 11’)
Montreal’s second victory of the week was absolutely vital. Those 6 points put them above the red line, and a full 4 points ahead of Orlando City.
New England Revolution 1, Philadelphia Union 1
New England Revolution: Lee Nguyen (36’)
Philadelphia Union: Fernando Aristeguieta (65’)
Not a lot of effect on the table here; New England is going to make it, Philadelphia won’t, and 1 point didn’t affect the Revs seeding too much.
Portland Timbers 2, Columbus Crew 1
Portland Timbers: Fanendo Adi (28’, 50’)
Columbus Crew: Kei Kamara (43’)
It would have been really nice if Columbus had won this one. If they had, Houston would have been tied with Portland on points and the team to overtake would be at 43 instead of 44. Oh well, que sera, sera.
New York City FC 2, Vancouver Whitecaps 1
NYCFC: Frank Lampard (29’), David Villa (90+5’)
Vancouver Whitecaps: Pedro Morales (88’)
This was a nice extra time win for NYCFC, but it’s largely academic at this point. NYCFC isn’t mathematically out of it, but they’re 8 points behind and have played very inconsistently to this point. Vancouver could have bumped into the 1 seed from the 2 with a win, but they’re not in any danger.
Houston Dynamo 3, Colorado Rapids 2
Houston Dynamo: Leonel Miranda (3’), Giles Barnes (24’), Brad Davis (47’)
Colorado Rapids: Vicente Sanchez (8’, 44’)
So you’re saying there’s a chance… Houston’s win over the Rapids keeps the dream alive, but they essentially need to win out at this point to have a shot, barring some complicated scenario involving multiple other teams tanking.
Sporting Kansas City 1, Seattle Sounders 1
Sporting Kansas City: Dominic Dwyer (79’)
Seattle Sounders: Obafemi Martins (32’)
This result doesn’t mean a lot for Houston either way, it would have been nicer for SKC to lose and keep them within striking distance (plus the world is just a better place when SKC loses).
San Jose Earthquakes 1, Real Salt Lake 0
San Jose Earthquakes: Matias Perez Garcia (87’)
This is probably the worst result of the week. A win by RSL would have tied Houston and Salt Lake on points, with the edge going to the Dynamo based on goal differential. The Quakes’ win moves them two points ahead, essentially wiping out the win over the Rapids.
LA Galaxy: Giovani dos Santos (11’), Robbie Keane (14’), Steven Gerrard (57’)
FC Dallas: Michael Barrios (35’), Atiba Harris (86’)
Not a lot of playoff implications here. The Galaxy get a little extra cushion for the 1 seed, FC Dallas is still right there.
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