Another week of Eastern Conference play is in the books. Let’s take a look at how the East stacks up after week 11.
1. Montreal Impact – 16 pts. | 1-1 draw vs. Philadelphia Union, next: at Orlando City SC
The Impact continue to lead the East after their 1-1 draw with the Union. For Montreal it was all about veteran Didier Drogba, who found the back of the net early in the third minute, but left the match in the 70th for what looked like an apparent injury. The Impact surely hope the striker will be back when they head down south this week to take on Orlando.
2. New York City FC – 16 pts. | 2-1 win at Portland, next: at Toronto FC (5/18)
NYCFC earned its third consecutive win of the season with a 2-1 victory over the defending MLS Cup champions. Lead scorer David Villa struck first for New York City in the 12th minute and Thomas McNamara scored the game winner in the 65th. Defensively, it was a big night for New York City goalkeeper Josh Saunders who came up with seven saves. Center back Jason Hernandez had five blocks in the penalty area, a season high in MLS. Next, NYFC will travel to Toronto.
3. Philadelphia Union – 15 pts. | 1-1 draw at Montreal, next: vs. D.C. United
The Union’s C.J. Sapong equalized in the 24th minute against the current leaders of the East and Philly walked away from its trip to Canada with one big point. The Union’s goalkeeper Andre Blake came up with some huge saves, which proved to be Philly’s saving grace against Montreal. Next, the Union will head to RFK Stadium to face off against D.C. United.
4. Toronto FC – 14 pts. | 4-3 loss at Vancouver, next: vs. New York City FC (5/18)
After a 2-0 lead by Vancouver, Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco leveled the score with a brace between the 37th and 66th minutes. Vancouver reclaimed the two-goal lead, however, with two goals within two minutes of each other, first by Kekuta Manneh (70th) and then by Pedro Morales (72nd). Toronto’s goal by Drew Moor in the 80th was too little too late. Next, Toronto will return home to host New York City FC.
5. D.C. United – 13 pts. | 2-0 win vs. New York Red Bulls, next: at Philadelphia Union
United won the first Atlantic Cup game of the season against its rival, the New York Red Bulls, in comfortable fashion. In the 20th minute, D.C.’s Alvaro Saborio started the scoring after a nice set-up by teammates Marcelo Sarvas and Patrick Nyarko. Nyarko added to the United’s lead in the 43rd to seal D.C.’s win over the Red Bulls. Next, D.C. United will head to Philadelphia to face the Union.
6. New England Revolution – 13 pts. | 2-0 win vs. Chicago, next: vs. FC Dallas
The Revs managed to get the job done in their 2-0 victory over the Fire. Newly acquired Kei Kamara led the Revolution with five shots on goal, Lee Nguyen put New England on the board first, and Femi Hollinger-Janzen added another in the 84th. Next up, New England will host FC Dallas.
7. Orlando City SC – 11 pts. | 2-1 loss at Sporting KC, next: vs. Montreal Impact
Sporting’s Jimmy Medranda started the scoring in the 67th with an own goal, but SKC turned the tables within 12 minutes. Dom Dwyer equalized in the 74th and Jacob Peterson scored the game winner minutes just five minutes later. SKC dominated the game, ending with 34 shots, the third-most in an MLS game and the most since 1998. With its loss to Sporting KC, Orlando remains winless for six consecutive matches. Next up, Orlando will host the current leaders of the East.
8. New York Red Bulls – 10 pts. | 2-0 loss at D.C. United, next: vs. Chicago (5/18)
It was a less than impressive night for the Red Bulls in their rivalry game against United. New York struggled defensively and walked away from D.C. with no points, after earning seven in its three previous matches. This week the Red Bulls will head to Chicago to face the Fire.
9. Columbus Crew SC – 10 pts. | 1-1 draw vs. Colorado Rapids, next: at Toronto FC
After an interesting week for Crew SC, the Black & Gold were able to hold the current leaders of the West to a 1-1 draw. In place of recently traded Kei Kamara, Ola Kamara stepped in and played a solid 90 minutes against the Rapids. The only goal of the night for Columbus came in the 23rd from midfielder Cedrick Mabwati off an assist by defender Harrison Afful. Next, the Black & Gold hit the road to play Toronto FC for the first of three matches in the Trillium Cup.
10. Chicago Fire – 7 pts. | 2-0 loss at New England, next: at New York Red Bulls (5/18)
Despite the return of Chicago’s DP David Accam, the Fire struggled to get momentum going against the Revolution. Chicago posted only four shots the entire game, none of which were on target. The Fire will hope to get their second win of the season when they travel to New York to play the Red Bulls on Wednesday evening.
