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Race for the MLS Playoffs - Week 31

This was almost a perfect weekend for D.C. United. It was perfect in terms of playoff positioning, with D.C. walloping Montreal 5-0 in a huge Saturday showdown. The only bad part? The Metros picking up three points against Atlanta United. While the Five Stripes still control their own destiny in the Supporter’s Shield race, D.C.’s biggest rival is that much closer to a trophy.

But maybe I’m just being greedy after watching Lucho and company bag five goals on Saturday night.

Club Pts PPG GP (Home)
Atlanta* 63 2.03 31 (15)
Metros* 62 2 31 (16)
NYCFC* 53 1.66 32 (16)
Columbus 48 1.55 31 (16)
Philadelphia 47 1.52 31 (15)
Montreal 40 1.29 31 (15)
D.C. United 38 1.31 29 (13)
New England 35 1.17 30 (15)
Toronto 33 1.1 30 (15)
Chicago 31 1 31 (16)
Orlando 25 0.86 29 (15)

For such a big weekend in the MLS playoff race, and specifically in the Eastern Conference, not a lot changed in the standings. The Metros pulled closer to Atlanta at the top of the table, but the next three teams remained unchanged. NYCFC picked up an important win over Chicago mid-week, and saw Columbus and Philadelphia draw on Saturday evening. This all but guarantees the Cityzens the third seed, making them D.C.’s likely playoff opponent should United eventually pass Montreal. Meanwhile, Columbus and Philly are now just fighting to see which team hosts the other in the Knockout Round.

Top of the East

Atlanta: L, 0-2 @NYRB
Metros: W, 2-0 vs. ATL
NYCFC: L, 1-2 @ MIN; W, 2-0 vs. CHI (Wed.)

Columbus Crew

This week: D, 1-1 vs. PHI
Last five: D-W-L-D-W
Next three: @ MTL, @ ORL, vs. MIN

I’m not really sure where to include Columbus at this point. Both they and Philadelphia are all but out of D.C. United’s reach in the playoff race; nothing but the most ridiculous of collapses will keep them out of the playoffs, or move them behind United in the final standings. But both teams are a clear step down from the top two teams in the East, and couldn’t manage to catch a struggling NYCFC side either.

So here they stay for now. Columbus doesn’t appear to have the easiest of finishes to the season with two road matches remaining, but Orlando is in last place for a reason, and Minnesota is absolutely dreadful on the road -- not to mention, the Loons won’t have much to play for on Decision Day.

Philadelphia Union

This week: D, 1-1 @ CREW
Last five: D-W-W-L-D
Next three: vs. MIN, vs. NYRB, @ NYCFC

This wasn’t a great week for the Union. First, they were blitzed by Houston in the U.S. Open Cup final, leaving them still without a trophy in their club’s history (heh). They also had a chance to overtake Columbus on the road this weekend, but couldn’t get the job done in a scoreless draw. It certainly wasn’t the worst of results for the Union, but they actually have the tougher remaining schedule despite having more home games than the Crew. This week will provide a much-needed break, though; Philadelphia has played five games since Septmeber 15.

Montreal Impact

This week: L, 0-5 @ DC
Last five: L-D-W-W-L
Next three: vs. CREW, vs. TOR, @ NE

Oh man. If Montreal can come back from the beating they took this weekend and steal a playoff spot, kudos to their manager and team leadership. The Impact were run off the field on Saturday, and saw D.C. United pull within two points with two games in hand. The Impact have a manageable slate to finish the season, with two games at home and a third away at an iffy New England side, but they probably need at least six points from those matches, if not more.

D.C United

This week: W, 5-0 vs. MTL
Last five: W-D-W-D-W
Next five: vs. CHI, vs. DAL, vs. TOR, vs. NYCFC, @ CHI

So. That was fun.

D.C. United put on a show on Saturday, running over Montreal 5-0 in an absolute must-win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Now, they are within just two points, and they still have four more home matches remaining. The two games against Chicago (one at home, one on the road) are manageable, even as the Fire have perked up recently. The others are tougher. Dallas is winning ugly, Toronto is still plucky (and comes in mid-week during an international break), and NYCFC are always capable of stealing points. This is no cakewalk.

New England Revolution

This week: L, 1-4 @ TOR
Last five: L-D-D-W-D-L
Next four: @ ATL, vs. ORL, @ RSL, vs. MTL

The Revs still had a chance to take control of their fate in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, but Sebastian Giovinco and Toronto FC had other ideas. The Revs were run over at BMO Field on Saturday, and D.C. United’s big win made New England’s road to the playoffs all that much more difficult. Speaking of difficult, they still have to go to Atlanta and Real Salt Lake, and have five points to make up on Montreal (plus whatever D.C. comes up with in the coming weeks).

Toronto FC

This week: W, 4-1 vs. NE
Last five: W-L-W-L-L
Next four: vs. VAN, @ DC, @ MTL, vs. ATL

Greg Vanney still thinks his team has a shot at the postseason, which is… optimistic. I shouldn’t laugh -- I thought they had a good chance of moving up the table for a long time -- but they need a lot of help if they are going to make the playoffs. They will also need to win their last four games, but even that (45 points) might not be enough to overtake any of the teams ahead of them. Giovinco’s goal was nice, though.

Chicago Fire

This week: W, 3-1 vs. LAFC; L, 0-2 @ NYCFC (Wed.)
Last five: W-L-D-W-D
Next three: @ DC, @ ATL, vs. DC

The Fire were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs this week, but that didn’t stop them from stomping LAFC at home on Saturday afternoon. This, surprisingly, gives them seven points in their last four games, though three of those were against Orlando a couple weeks ago. The Fire have been awful on the road this season, which bodes well for D.C. United next weekend, but rather stingy at home. I would very much like it if D.C. could lock up a playoff berth before traveling to Bridgeview at the end of the month.

Orlando City SC

This week: Idle
Last five: D-L-L-D-L
Next five: @ DAL, @ NE, vs. SEA, vs. CREW, @ NYRB

Orlando didn’t play last week, so feel free to continue ignoring them.

And the West standings.

Club Pts PPG GP (Home)
Dallas* 54 1.8 30 (15)
Kansas City 52 1.73 30 (15)
LAFC 50 1.67 30 (15)
Portland 48 1.55 31 (16)
Seattle 47 1.57 30 (15)
Real Salt Lake 46 1.48 31 (15)
LA Galaxy 44 1.42 31 (16)
Vancouver 40 1.33 30 (15)
Minnesota 36 1.2 30 (15)
Houston 35 1.17 30 (16)
Colorado 24 0.8 30 (15)
San Jose 20 0.65 31 (15)

Here's how they did last week.

Dallas: D, 0-0 @ POR
Kansas City: D, 1-1 vs. RSL
LAFC: L, 1-3 vs. CHI
Portland: D, 0-0 vs. DAL
Real Salt Lake: D, 1-1 @ SKC
Seattle: W, 4-0 vs. COL
LA Galaxy: W, 3-0 vs. VAN
Vancouver: L, 0-3 @ LAG
Minnesota: W, 2-1, vs. NYCFC
Houston: W, 3-2 vs. SJ
Colorado: L, 1-2 @ CREW
San Jose: L, 2-3 @ HOU

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