With another week of exciting League play in the books, here is how the Eastern Conference stacks up after week 18.
1. New York City FC – 30 pts. | 1-0 win at New England (7/6), 3-1 loss at Sporting KC (7/10) next: at Montreal (7/17)
NYCFC started its action-packed week with a 1-0 win on the road at New England but missed the mark when it headed to Children’s Mercy Park to play Sporting KC. The lone goals in both of those matches were scores from midfielder Frank Lampard. He has now found the back of the net four times in the past five matches. Next up, the current leaders of the East will hit the road again to face the Montreal Impact.
2. Philadelphia Union – 29 pts. | 3-0 win vs. D.C. United (7/9), next: vs. New York Red Bulls (7/17)
It was all Philly on Saturday evening when the Union hosted D.C. United. The 3-0 Philadelphia win was guided by midfielder IIshino, who opened his MLS account with two goals against the Black-and-Red. Next, the Union will be at home to host the Red Bulls at Talen Energy Stadium.
3. Montreal Impact – 25 pts. | 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake (7/9), next: at Portland (7/13), vs. New York City FC (7/17)
After a good start and an early goal in the eighth minute by Montreal’s Harry Shipp, the Impact had to settle for a point against Real Salt Lake. A late equalizer by RSL’s Yura Movsisyan in the 79th minute would force a 1-1 draw for the Impact. Montreal heads into week 19 with two matches, first on Wednesday evening when it will play Portland on the road and then again on Sunday evening when it will host the current leaders of the East, NYCFC.
4. New York Red Bulls – 24 pts | 0-0 draw vs. Portland Timbers (7/10), next: vs. Orlando City (7/13), at Philadelphia Union (7/17)
The score says it all for the match between the Red Bulls and Timbers. Both clubs had some chances but could not find the back of the net in their scoreless draw. The Red Bulls have a busy week ahead as they face two fellow Eastern Conference opponents with Orlando City on Wednesday evening and Philly on Sunday.
5. Toronto FC – 23 pts. | 1-0 win vs. Chicago Fire (7/9), next: at Columbus (7/13), at San Jose (7/16)
Toronto’s Justin Morrow would have the only goal of the match when the Reds hosted Chicago at BMO Field. He found the back of the net early in the ninth minute off assists from Sebastian Giovinco and Jonathon Osorio. Next Toronto comes to Columbus ahead of a match at San Jose.
6. New England Revolution – 22 pts. | 1-0 loss vs. NYCFC (7/6), 3-1 win vs. Columbus (7/9), next: at Real Salt Lake (7/16)
The Revolution ended their week on a strong note. Despite a 1-0 loss at home against NYCFC, the Revs managed to get a win Saturday night when they hosted Columbus Crew SC. Next, the Revolution will be on the road to play Real Salt Lake.
7. D.C. United – 21 pts. | 3-0 loss at Philadelphia (7/9), next: at Columbus Crew SC (7/16)
D.C. United struggled in its match against Philly on both sides of the ball. However, some big saves from United’s goalkeeper Bill Hamid highlighted the contest for the Black-and-Red. D.C. United next heads to MAPFRE Stadium for Dollar Night on Saturday.
8. Orlando City – 21 pts. | 0-0 draw vs. Houston Dynamo (7/8), next: at New York Red Bulls (7/13), at Vancouver (7/16)
It was the start of something new for Orlando as they played their first game of the regular-season after the departure of long-time head coach Adrian Heath. Despite a scoreless draw against Houston, the Lions lead in time of possession as well as had a fair amount of chances. Orlando has a big week on the road this week, starting with the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday and then a trip to Vancouver to play the Whitecaps.
9. Columbus Crew SC – 16 pts. | 3-1 loss at New England (7/9) , next: vs. Toronto FC (7/13), vs. D.C. United (7/16)
Crew SC walked away from New England with a no points in its 3-1 loss against the Revs. However, the Black & Gold continue to be lead by forward Ola Kamara, who had the only score of the night for Crew SC in its match against the Revs. With his goal at New England, Kamara has scored eight goals in eight matches for the Black & Gold. Crew SC hopes to add to its unbeaten streak at home this week as it hosts Toronto FC on Wednesday and then D.C. United on Saturday evening.
10. Chicago Fire - 14 pts. | 1-0 loss at Toronto (7/9), next: vs. Sporting KC (7/13), at FC Dallas (7/16)
The drought continues for Chicago as it sits at the bottom of the East. The Fire struggled to get anything going on the road in its 1-0 loss at Toronto. Chicago will try to steal some points from the West this week, as it hosts Sporting KC on Wednesday and then travels to face FC Dallas on Saturday evening.
