Well, this could be better. It could also be worse, though. D.C. United took home a tough point at NYCFC last Saturday -- I declined to post an update since it was one of four MLS games during the international break -- and woke up late to bury Minnesota United at home mid-week. Had they been able to hold out for a late win against the Metros on Sunday, they would be in prime position to take the sixth and final playoff spot in the East. However, Bradley Wright-Phillips and the Montreal Impact had other plans. Let’s dive into a wild week of soccer.

There wasn’t much movement at the top of the East this week, aside from Atlanta taking back the top spot after the Metros drew at D.C. on Sunday. The Five Stripes also clinched a playoff spot, and have the inside track on the Supporters’ Shield even with a trip to Red Bull Arena still remaining. Columbus tied at Dallas, while Philadelphia lost at home against Montreal (more on that later), so neither team was able to gain ground on NYCFC after the Pigeons dropped points at home twice the week before.

Top of the East

Atlanta: W, 3-0 @ COL
Metros: D, 1-1 @ DC
NYCFC: Idle
Columbus: D, 0-0 @ DAL

Philadelphia Union

This week: L, 1-4 vs. MTL
Last five: L-D-W-W-W
Next five: @ SEA, vs. SKC, @ CREW, vs. MIN, vs. NYRB

Things were going so well for the Union early on Saturday. They pulled ahead after just 12 minutes, and were pressing for a second goal in an important home match against Montreal. A win would have put them seven points clear of the Impact with just six games remaining, and nine points ahead of everyone else. Then, the floodgates (or, more accurately, their defense), and Montreal scored four unanswered goals to take a huge three points. Philly is still in the driver’s seat in the East thanks to their strong play recently, but their margin for error just got a lot smaller.

Montreal Impact

This week: W, 4-1 @ PHI
Last five: W-W-L-W-D
Next five: vs. NYCFC, @ DC, vs. CREW, vs. TOR, @ NE

I said at our last update that Montreal’s upcoming trips to Philadelphia and D.C. would have a big say in where they finish in this year’s standings. So far, so good. The Impact flattened the Union after conceding an early goal, taking home a huge three points after a 4-1 road win. They are now four points clear of D.C. United, and seem to be finding their form at the right time. Their finishing slate isn’t easy, but with all five remaining matches against Eastern Conference foes, they control their own destiny in this year’s playoff race.

D.C United

This week: D, 1-1 vs. NYRB; W, 2-1 vs. MIN (Wed.)
Last five: D-W-D-W-L
Next five: vs. MTL, vs. CHI, vs. DAL, vs. TOR, vs. NYCFC

United were just a few minutes away from capping off a huge seven point week, but Bradley Wright-Phillips (and some iffy defense) had to ruin things just before stoppage time on Sunday. Still, taking five points while playing two games during an international break -- seriously, MLS, we need to talk about this -- isn’t the end of the world, especially when you still have five home matches in a row coming up. D.C. gets a much-needed week off before a huge showdown with Montreal on September 29.

New England Revolution

This week: D, 1-1 @ LAFC
Last five: D-W-D-L-L
Next five: vs. CHI, @ TOR, @ ATL, vs. ORL, @ RSL

Wow. The Revs did the unthinkable over the past two weeks, taking four points in two very tough road environments (NYFC and LAFC). While those points didn’t change their place in the Eastern Conference standings, they did keep the Revs within striking distance of those above them in the table. New England still has a tough slate remaining, but the home games are very winnable. A win at Toronto in two weeks could make all the difference.

Toronto FC

This week: W, 5-3 vs. LAG
Last five: W-L-L-W-D
Next five: @ NYRB, vs. NE, vs. VAN, @ DC, @ MTL

Toronto’s playoff hopes were already razor thin heading into last week, and Montreal’s surprising road win might have all but guaranteed that there will be a new MLS champion in 2018. Toronto basically needs to run the table at this point if they want to make the playoffs. If they slip up again this week -- a very real possibility at Red Bull Arena -- and those above them win again, it’s all over.

Also, if someone could explain to me why they are randomly playing Tigres on Wednesday, I'd appreciate it.

Chicago Fire

This week: W, 4-0 vs. ORL
Last five: W-D-L-L-L-L
Next five: @ NE, @ NYC, vs. LAFC, @ DC, @ ATL

The Fire snapped a long winless streak with a huge 4-0 win over Orlando at home on Sunday… but does anyone really care at this point? They have a couple of noteworthy games remaining, including a pair of tilts against D.C. United, but are a long way out of the playoff picture.

Orlando City SC

This week: L, 0-4 @ CHI
Last five: L-L-D-L-L
Next five: vs. HOU, @ DAL, @ NE, vs. SEA, vs. CREW

Orlando haven’t won since July 14, and have just one win since May 6. Asking them to spoil anyone’s party -- such as New England’s last-gasp playoff hopes on October 13 -- is too much for the Lions at this point.

And the West standings.

Here's how they did last week.

Kansas City: W, 5-1 @ SJ
Dallas: D, 0-0 vs. CREW
LAFC: D, 1-1 vs. NE
Real Salt Lake: D, 1-1 vs. MIN
Seattle: W, 2-1 @ VAN
Portland: L, 1-4 @ HOU
Vancouver: L, 1-2 vs. SEA
LA Galaxy: L, 3-5 @ TOR
Houston: W, 4-1 vs. POR
Minnesota: D, 1-1 @ RSL; L, 1-2 @ DC (Wed.)
Colorado: L, 0-3 vs. ATL
San Jose: L, 1-5 vs. SKC