Week 33 of MLS Eastern Conference action was packed with goals, excitement and plenty of drama leading up to Decision Day next week. Let’s break it down…
1. x – New York Red Bulls—54 pts. | 3-2 win vs. Columbus Crew SC; next: vs. Montreal Impact
The Red Bulls remain atop the Eastern Conference table, despite conceding two goals to Columbus and almost squandering a 3-0 lead. It was a goal-scoring frenzy at Red Bull Arena with five combined goals in the second half. Bradley Wright-Phillips netted two, pushing him one ahead (23) of David Villa in the Golden Boot race. With that win, the Red Bulls are in good position to lock up the No. 1 seed in the East for the 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
2. x – New York City FC—51 pts. | 3-1 loss at D.C. United; next: vs. Columbus Crew SC
NYCFC let the No. 1 seed slip through its fingers with a 3-1 loss to D.C. Patrick Mullins punished his former club, scoring the opener and assisting the third. New York City will host Columbus on Decision Day with Toronto FC just a point behind.
3. x – Toronto FC—50 pts. | 2-2 draw at Montreal Impact; next: vs. Chicago Fire
Toronto FC battled on the road to earn a 2-2 draw with the Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo. Tosaint Ricketts scored in the 86th minute to level the score and help the Reds secure a point. Sebastian Giovinco returned to the playing field for the first time since being injured in late August—a good time for the Atomic Ant to be back in to action.
4. x – D.C. United—46 pts. | 3-1 win over NYCFC; next: at Orlando City SC
D.C. United had a performance to be proud of this week with a 3-1 rout of NYCFC. The crowd at RFK Stadium helped the hosts earn its fourth straight win and a berth in the playoffs. Patrick Mullins, Bobby Boswell and Rob Vincent scored one a piece for a “complete, collective effort.”
5. x – Montreal Impact—45 pts. | 2-2 draw vs. Toronto FC; next: at New England Revolution
The Impact secured their postseason spot—just barely. They settled for a 2-2 draw with Toronto after conceding a late goal, but New England gave them the help they needed. With a Revs’ loss to Chicago, Montreal punched its ticket. Ignacio Piatti provided some assistance as well notching a brace in the contest.
6. Philadelphia Union—42 pts. | 2-0 loss vs. Orlando City SC; next: vs. New York Red Bulls
Philadelphia had its chance to secure its playoff spot—for the first time since 2011 and just the second time in club history—but the already eliminated Orlando City Lions had other plans in mind. Now the Union’s postseason fate will ultimately be decided on the fitting “Decision Day” next week against the Red Bulls.
7. New England Revolution—39 pts. | 2-1 loss at Chicago Fire; next: vs. Montreal Impact
New England’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread after losing to the 10th place Chicago Fire on Sunday. The Revs entered Toyota Park three points behind sixth-place Philly, in need of a win to fight for the final spot. In a physical match that left 10 men on the field for both sides, New England is lucky the Union lost as well for one more shot to play in November.
8. Orlando City SC—38 pts. | 2-0 win at Philadelphia Union; next: vs. D.C. United
Two second-half goals by Carlos Rivas and Julio Baptista contributed to the Lions’ party-crashing Sunday evening at Talen Energy Stadium. Orlando prevented Philly from clinching its postseason spot with two deadly counterattacks.
9. Columbus Crew SC—36 pts. | 2-2 draw at Chicago Fire; 3-2 loss at New York Red Bulls; next: at NYCFC
Crew SC had a busy week with back-to-back road matches on Thursday and Sunday. The Black & Gold drew 2-2 with the Fire, then battled back at Red Bull Arena for a 3-2 finish. MLS Team of the Week honoree Adam Jahn scored three goals in his two starts for Columbus, totaling six for the striker this season. Harrison Afful tallied another against the Red Bulls and Justin Meram added to his 12 total assists in 2016.
10. Chicago Fire—31 pts. | 2-2 draw vs. Columbus Crew SC; 2-1 win vs. New England; next: at Toronto FC
Despite being the first Eastern Conference team to face elimination, the Chicago Fire kept fighting last week. With two straight home matches on Thursday and Sunday, they gave Columbus a difficult test resulting in a draw, then defeated the Revs 2-1.
*x– clinched spot in 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs
