It was a make or break week for several MLS sides, with a number of playoff spots still available for the taking. Five teams were able to capitalize and clinch a playoff berth – the New England Revolution, the New York Red Bulls, and Sporting Kansas City in the East and FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake in the West. Other teams weren’t so lucky, with the Houston Dynamo and Philadelphia Union officially eliminated from playoff contention.
But there are still two spots left in the playoff race, with the Columbus Crew and Toronto FC looking to lock up the final slot in the East and the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps still holding on for the remaining Western Conference spot.
In the East, Columbus will next face a rolling New York Red Bulls side away in Harrison, while Toronto will take on bottom-of-the-table Montreal Impact at home. In the West, Portland will have to face a strong Real Salt Lake side at Providence Park and Vancouver will hit the road against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Highs and Lows:
BWP keeps chasing goals: Bradley Wright-Phillips notched his 25th goal over the weekend in the Red Bulls 3-1 win over Houston. Wright-Phillips needs just two more goals to reach 27 — the single season record set by Chris Wondolowski in 2012 and Roy Lassiter in 1996. If he can pull off a third New York’s final two regular season games, BWP will stand alone in the MLS record books.
Zusi makes a statement: Graham Zusi’s wonder-strike from outside the box sent a clear signal to the rest of the league on Friday night: Sporting KC are ready for the playoffs. Zusi’s screamer ensured his side clinched a spot in the East, and his assist on Dom Dwyer’s header in stoppage time was just the icing on the cake.
Di Vaio a bright spot for the Impact: Don’t call it a comeback — because the Montreal Impact have been out of the playoff picture for some time. But Marco Di Vaio gave Impact fans something to smile about in their 2-2 draw with the Revs on Saturday. His goals in the 12th and 69th minute earned the Impact a point at home and showed that, at 38, the Italian forward still has gas in the tank.
Philadelphia Union disappoints: After a stunning stoppage time draw cost the Union two points last week, Saturday’s game against Columbus was a must-win. Unfortunately, for the second week in a row, it was another equally stunning series of events that cost the Union late in the game. With a two-goal lead in the 75th minute, the Union saw their playoffs hope slip away as the Crew roared back with three goals in six minutes. Not much can be said about a collapse such as this but perhaps interim manager Jim Curtin put it best to MLS.com: “To be eliminated on a night like this, you deserve to be when you give up three goals in a six minute span.” It’s likely the Sons of Ben would agree.
Houston’s identity crisis: Houston struggled against a dominant Toronto FC on Wednesday, yet the Dynamo managed an important 1-0 win thanks to midfielder Giles Barnes. Whatever momentum they might have gained, however, was quickly halted by top-of-the-league United. Houston was outplayed and outshot against D.C. and just couldn’t pull it together, despite their playoff hopes hinging on the result. After the 3-1 loss, head coach Dominic Kinnear expressed his side’s frustration to MLS.com: “We’ve had some magical moments here and our playoff record here over the years is fantastic, and to not be a part of the second season is a real disappointment.” Dynamo fans most certainly agree – and they’ll be hoping to recapture some of that old magic next season undoubtedly.
Not cool, Hernandez: An unnecessary tackle by FC Dallas’ Moises Hernandez earned the defender a straight red card in Dallas’ 2-1 victory over L.A. His ill-judged challenge sent L.A.’s Villarreal flailing to the ground and put needless pressure on Dallas to finish out the game with only ten men. Although, the one silver lining for viewers was sight of Landon Donovan’s “angry dad” face for what could have been the last time. MLS fans will no doubt miss that signature look of disappointment, impatience and residual Klinsmann resentment, all mixed into one.
(image courtesy of Tim Clayton/Corbis)
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