The Eastern Conference was in full action this weekend. Let’s take a look at how the East stacks up after week 6 is all said and done.
1. Montreal Impact – 9 pts. | 2-0 win vs. Columbus Crew SC, next: at Chicago Fire
The Impact moved up to the top of the conference with a win over the 2015 MLS Cup finalist. Montreal’s Hassoun Camara scored his first goal of the season with a header off a corner kick at the start of the second half. With three minutes left on the clock, Kyle Bekker sealed the Impact’s 2-0 victory over Crew SC with another header. Montreal will head to Chicago next to play the Fire.
2. Philadelphia Union – 9 pts. | 2-1 win vs. Orlando City, next: at Seattle Sounders
The Union prevailed over Orlando City in a close match at Talen Energy Stadium. Philadelphia’s C.J. Sapong set the tone early, scoring in the second minute after a poor clearance attempt by Orlando’s Rafael Ramos on Philly’s Keegan Rosenberry. The match stayed close after a game-tying goal by Orlando’s Adrian Winter just before the half. But Philly’s Tranquillo Barnetta had the last word when he curled a perfect freekick under the crossbar and into the net in the 90th.
3. Orlando City SC – 8 pts. | 2-1loss at Philadelphia, next: vs. New England Revolution
It was a close game up until the very last moment. Both Orlando and Philadelphia fired off 14 shots and were close in both possession and passes completed. Orlando goalkeeper Joe Bendik made four saves but could not keep Tranquillo Barnetta’s freekick out of the net just before the final whistle. Next, Orlando will host the New England Revolution on April 17th.
4. New England Revolution - 7pts. | 1-1 draw vs. Toronto FC, next: at Orlando City
The Revolution’s Kelyn Rowe kicked off the close battle between New England and Toronto FC. Rowe’s first goal of the season in the 14th minute was equalized by Sebastian Giovinco in the 58th. New England’s Lee Nguyen thought he had the game winner in added time, but his goal was disallowed after Rowe’s cross apparently crossed the endline.
5. New York City FC – 6pts. | 0-0 draw vs. Chicago Fire, next: at Columbus Crew SC
NYCFC fired off 19 shots against the Chicago Fire but could not convert. Star striker David Villa had two good opportunities in the first half, but was denied twice by Chicago’s goalkeeper Matt Lampson. With the draw, NYCFC remains winless at home this season and will look for luck on the road next when it heads to MAPFRE Stadium to face off with Crew SC.
6. Chicago Fire – 6 pts. | 0-0 draw at New York City FC, next: vs. Montreal Impact
The Fire did not fire one shot on goal Sunday, yet came away with a point at Yankee Stadium, thanks in part to goalkeeper Matt Lampson. The former Crew SC Homegrown made eight saves on the night. Chicago will next host Montreal Impact on Saturday.
7. D.C. United – 6 pts. | 4-0 win vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, next: vs. Toronto FC
D.C. United sealed its first win of the season in a shutout performance against the Whitecaps. United’s Fabian Espindola had a stellar night with a goal in the 39th minute and another in the 54th. Alvaro Saborio took over the second half for D.C., scoring a brace late in the game (88th/90th). D.C. will host Toronto FC on Saturday.
8. Toronto FC – 5 pts. | 1-1 draw at New England, next: at D.C. United
Toronto out-possessed New England 60-40 put could get only one shot on frame. Sebastian Giovinco equalized for TFC in the 58th after linking up with Jozy Altidore. Toronto will continue its road trip on the East Coast when it visits D.C. United at RFK Stadium on Saturday.
9. New York Red Bulls – 3 pts. | 2-0 loss vs. Sporting KC, next: at San Jose Earthquakes
The Red Bulls were shutout for the fourth time in five matches this season. This time the Western Conference’s leader Sporting Kansas City took advantage. New York’s Bradley Wright-Phillips took 10 shots against SKC – the most of any player in an MLS game in 2016 – but is still looking for his first goal of the year. He’ll be looking for it in San Jose vs. the Earthquakes.
10. Columbus Crew SC – 2 pts. | 2-0 loss at Montreal, next: vs. New York City FC
After earning two straight points on the road, Crew SC ended its three-match road stint with a loss in Montreal. After an evenly contested first half with opportunitiees on either end, two headers after the break sealed the Black & Gold’s third loss of the season. They will look for their first win of the year back home at MAPFRE Stadium, when they host New York City FC on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
