MLS Roundup
Playoff Races Heating Up; BWP, Landon Eye Data
9 groups are slugging it out for 5 playoff spots in Main League Soccer’s wild Jap Convention. In the meantime, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Landon Donovan each have main information of their sights.
BY
Nick Kariuki
Posted
September 23, 2014
12:06 PM
SHARE THIS STORY
TABLE TALK
The Jap Convention standings stay unchanged after the latest spherical of video games. D.C. United’s hard-fought 3-3 draw in opposition to the Chicago Fireplace on Saturday moved the convention leaders three factors forward of second-place Sporting KC, which didn’t play.
Within the Western Convention, Tuesday’s extra-time U.S. Open Cup win over the Philadelphia Union compelled the Seattle Sounders to relaxation a number of first workforce gamers in opposition to the New York Purple Bulls on Saturday. New York have been three targets up by the point high scorers Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins got here on. The match completed up 4-1 in favor of the house workforce.
The Sounders’ loss, mixed with Los Angeles’ 2-1 come-from-behind victory over FC Dallas, lifts the Galaxy right into a digital tie atop the desk. The Sounders at present edge L.A. within the convention and Supporter’s Protect races primarily based on video games received. Seattle additionally has a recreation in hand. Each groups have certified for the postseason—they’re the one two squads assured to make the playoffs.
The Portland Timbers defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 on Saturday, shifting the Timbers into the Western Convention’s closing playoff spot and pushing the Whitecaps beneath the crimson line.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Supporter’s Protect is good and all, however the actually thrilling battles ought to be for the decrease playoff spots, notably within the Jap Convention. Solely 5 factors separate third-place New England and seventh-place Toronto FC within the East, with Sporting Kansas Metropolis simply three factors forward of the Revolution.
The Columbus Crew snapped the Rev’s five-game successful streak with a 1-0 win on Saturday. Toronto’s 3-0 win over Chivas USA on Sunday gave the Tim Bizbatchenko/Greg Vanney administration its first win and snapped the Ontario-based membership’s six-game winless streak.
Given its robust remaining schedule, Toronto should earn its method into the playoffs. It faces away video games in opposition to the dominant Galaxy, the surging Purple Bulls, and its season-closer at New England seems prefer it could possibly be a decisive contest.
First place D.C. seems to be in good place, as it can journey to face lower-table Houston and Montreal, with a go to from Chicago in between. The Fireplace will nonetheless have 4 away matches left, greater than every other aspect within the convention. The Fireplace may even host the Influence and the Dynamo, however dwelling benefit received’t imply as a lot if Toyota Park’s subject situation doesn’t enhance.
The Union and the Crew will get two cracks at one another: The primary leg will probably be in Philadelphia in Oct. 11, with the follow-up in Columbus on Oct. 26. As the 2 groups at present on both aspect of the playoff line, each matches will probably be “six-pointers.”
GOOD FORM, BAD FORM
The Galaxy’s victory prolonged its unbeaten streak to eight video games. The workforce will subsequent host the Purple Bulls on Sunday.
If a tie is like kissing your sister, the Chicago Fireplace is….no, we’re not going there. After its 3-3 draw with D.C. United, the Fireplace now have 16 ties this season, equaling the single-season report set by each New York and Chicago within the 2011 season. What’s extra worrying is that Chicago nonetheless has six video games remaining to set the MLS all-time report for mediocrity.
With Sunday’s loss, Chivas have gone winless for 11 video games now. Saturday’s go to to Seattle might be not going to assist that streak.
The Colorado Rapids couldn’t capitalize on final week’s draw and fell 5-1 to Rocky Mountain Cup rivals Actual Salt Lake on Friday. RSL took the cup with the primary ever sweep within the sequence. The Rapids’ winless streak is now at 9 video games.
LEAGUE LEADERS
Bradley Wright-Phillips discovered the again of the online 3 times in opposition to the Sounders, elevating his season complete to 24 targets. It was his third hat trick of the season.
Wright-Phillips broke the workforce’s single-season report of 19, set by Juan Pablo Angel, again on Aug 23. Now the English striker has his sights set on the MLS’ all-time report of 27 targets, shared by Roy Lassiter and Chris Wondolowski.
Kansas Metropolis’s Dom Dwyer stays in second place within the Golden Boot race with 19 targets. Third spot is shared by Galaxy strike companions Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes, each on 15 after the teen arrange the veteran for the workforce’s opener in opposition to FC Dallas.
Landon Donovan couldn’t prolong his four-game help streak however stays high of the league with 15. Nonetheless on 132 assists for this profession, Donovan now has 5 video games to succeed in Steve Ralston’s all-time report of 135.
Portland’s Diego Valeri and Los Angeles’ Keane share the second spot with 14 assists. Valeri began off the counter that led to Fanendo Adi’s first objective, whereas Keane crossed in Alan Gordon’s late winner.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Harry Shipp arrange Quincy Amarikwa for his game-opening objective over the weekend, elevating Shipp’s help complete to 6 this season to associate with six targets.
Rookie of the 12 months rival FC Dallas ahead Tesho Akindele managed 75 minutes earlier than subbing out. He at present has seven targets and three assists.
Nick Kariuki writes each the ASN Damage Report and the MLS Roundup each week. Observe him on Twitter.
