Week 30 in the MLS saw fourteen games, which means there was plenty of movement in the Eastern Conference. Here is the week 30 Eastern Conference playoff picture update:
Clinched:
This Week: New York Red Bulls – 3 vs. Philadelphia Union – 2
Next Match: Sunday October 16 vs. Columbus
The Red Bulls were able to retain the top spot in the conference after a wild victory over the Philadelphia Union at Red Bulls Arena. Captain Dax McCarty put together a great performance, scoring the winner and assisting on the other two goals. In addition, Bradley Wright-Phillips scored his MLS leading 21st goal in the game. The win extended New York's franchise-record unbeaten streak to 14 games. The win also secured the Red Bulls a home playoff game.
The captain is back! @DaxMcCarty11 heads it home to give @NewYorkRedBulls the 3-2 lead. #NYvPHIhttps://t.co/5zK8cCCCIO
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 2, 2016
This Week: NYCFC – 2 at Houston Dynamo – 0
Next Match: Sunday October 16 at D.C. United
City defeated Western Conference basement dwellers Houston Dynamo on Friday night. For the second week in a row, David Villa scored two goals to lead NYC to the win. Frank Lampard was held out of action for the second consecutive match and forward Steven Mendoza missed the match due to a hamstring injury.
Your move, BWP.@Guaje7Villa takes the Golden Boot lead with his 20th & 21st strikes of the season. #NYCFChttps://t.co/XbF7eB78uw
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 1, 2016
This Week: TFC – 0 vs. Orlando City – 0, TFC – 1 vs. D.C United – 2
Next Match: Sunday October 16 at Montreal Impact
The Reds did not have the week they were hoping for, only securing one point from their two home matches. Wednesday night saw Toronto FC and Orlando City play to a nil-nil draw. On Saturday, the Reds would open the scoring courtesy of Jozy Altidore’s ninth goal of the season. However, a hungry D.C. United side would score twice to keep their playoff aspirations alive. The Reds most recent acquisition Armando Cooper put together an impressive performance. The Panamanian showed off his creative flair with the ball multiple times and assisted on the Altidore goal. Despite the loss, the team did secure the franchise’s first home playoff game.
A solo stunner from @JozyAltidore. #TORvDChttps://t.co/tSlWCCbIUG
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 2, 2016
Safe Bets:
This Week: Montreal – 3 vs. San Jose – 1, Montreal – 1 at Orlando City – 0
Next Match: Sunday October 16 vs. Toronto FC
The Impact had a big week securing all six points. They started with a notable 3-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes at Stade Saputo. They then traveled to Orlando and shutout the Lions at Camping World Stadium. Dominic Oduro had a good week, scoring in both of the team’s matches. The wins move Montreal into a great position for qualifying for the playoffs.
FT: A @Freakyfast8 goal the difference as @impactmontreal top @OrlandoCitySC to get a big three points. #ORLvMTLhttps://t.co/bZWWUbU1lE
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 2, 2016
This Week: D.C United – 3 vs. Columbus Crew – 0, D.C United – 2 at Toronto FC – 1
Next Match: Sunday October 16 vs. New York City FC
D.C. United won both of their games this week and has now won three games in a row for the first time this season. Midfielder Lamar Neagle led the way scoring a goal in their victory over Columbus and adding a brace in their win at BMO field. United is hitting their stride at the right time and have now gotten a point in 11 of their last 12 games.
Perfect pass. Perfect finish. @LamarNeagle gets his second. #TORvDChttps://t.co/ZUrSB6iqAB
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 2, 2016
Bubble Teams:
This Week: Philadelphia Union – 2 at New York Red Bulls – 3
Next Match: Sunday October 16 vs. Orlando City SC
The Union continued their trip down the Eastern Conference standings this week. The Union has now only secured two points in their last five matches. Jim Curtin's side, who led the Eastern Conference for most of the first half of the season, now finds themselves in sixth place just three points ahead of the New England Revolution. To make matters worse promising Union defender Joshua Yaro was stretchered off the Red Bull Arena field on Saturday.
This is fun. @ChrisPontius13 brings the @PhilaUnion level at 2-2. #NYvPHIhttps://t.co/Fqr8uqgwtM
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 2, 2016
This Week: New England – 3 vs. Sporting KC – 1
Next Match: Sunday October 16 at Chicago
The Revolution kept their playoff hopes alive with their win over Sporting Kansas City on Saturday. The Revs got goals from Kei Kamara and Juan Agudelo in the match. Keyln Rowe also made his return to the starting XI after a trip to the hospital kept the 24 year old out of the Revs last match. The Revs will need to win the remainder of their games and hope some of the teams ahead of them drop points to have a chance at the playoffs this season.
Started by @keikamara. Finished by @JuanAgudelo. #NEvSKChttps://t.co/jdmMiJKhyU
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 2, 2016
Long Shots:
This Week: Columbus Crew – 0 at D.C. United – 3, Columbus Crew – 3 vs. Chicago Fire – 0
Next Match: Thursday October 13 at Chicago
The Crew had an up and down week. They lost their midweek game against D.C United but dominated in their weekend matchup against the Chicago Fire. Mohammed Saeid put up his first career multiple-point game and Harrison Afful scored a golazo in the victory. The Crew has not been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet, but sits six points behind the Union with just three games to play.
Oh my...@thekingharrison drops one from deep. @ColumbusCrewSC lead 1-0. #CLBvCHIhttps://t.co/bcUecOu7x1
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 1, 2016
Eliminated:
This Week: Orlando City – 0 at Toronto FC – 0, Orlando City – 0 vs. Montreal – 1
Next Match: Sunday October 16 at Philadelphia
Orlando City was shutout in both their matches this week and was officially eliminated from postseason contention after their loss to Montreal on Sunday. The Lions have now lost four of their last five matches. Orlando will look to play spoiler the rest of the season as they take on Philadelphia and D.C. to close out the year.
This Week: Chicago Fire – 0 at Seattle – 1, Chicago Fire – 0 at Columbus – 3
Next Match: Thursday October 13 vs. Columbus
The Fire was in tough this week as they traveled to Seattle on Wednesday and then to Columbus on Saturday. The Fire lost both matches and were held off the scoresheet in both. The team was also mathematically eliminated on Wednesday.
Stay tuned for weekly MLS playoff picture updates here at torontofc.ca
