MLS Roundup
Homestretch Check-In: L.A., Seattle, Golden Boot Race
With just a handful of matches left before the postseason kicks into gear, ASN's Nick Kariuki looks at some of the key battles remaining in the 2014 Major League Soccer regular season.
BY
Nick Kariuki
Posted
October 18, 2014
2:06 PM
TABLE TALK
In the Western Conference, Both the Seattle Sounders and the Los Angeles Galaxy failed to capitalize on their rival's loss last week. Seattle fell 1-0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Friday, while L.A. lost 2-1 at FC Dallas. The results keep the Sounders ahead of the Galaxy based on games won with two massive games remaining.
Dallas’ victory secured its spot in the playoffs. Real Salt Lake also earned its spot with a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes, keeping one point ahead of Dallas.
The Vancouver Whitecaps held 5th place with its win, trailed closely by the Portland Timbers after its 3-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.
The top half of the Eastern Conference remained unchanged with D.C. United on top and the New England Revolution booking its place in the playoffs with a 2-2 draw against the Montreal Impact on Saturday. Sporting Kansas City also qualified for the post season with a 2-0 win against the Chicago Fire on Friday. The New York Red Bulls clinched after defeating Toronto FC 3-1 on Saturday.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Supporter’s Shield has come down to what should be an exciting two games between the Sounders and the Galaxy. L.A. will have the home-field advantage for Sunday’s showdown at the StubHub Center. Then, on Oct. 25, CenturyLink Field in Seattle will be the venue to close out the regular season. The Galaxy will need to be the aggressor, as it will have to win at least one game and not lose the other in order to pass Seattle.
The Eastern Conference has the Columbus Crew and Toronto competing for the final playoff spot. Toronto needs to break a three-game losing streak and should feel fortunate that it faces Montreal today before it gets the New England Revolution nest week. The Crew dashed the Philadelphia Union’s playoff hopes with a 3-2 comeback win on Saturday and will next have the chance to overtake New York on Sunday, before hosting the Union.
GOOD FORM, BAD FORM
The Colorado Rapids ave now gone 12 games without a win after losing 1-0 to Chivas USA on Sunday.
Vancouver are the in-form side going into the final two games with a three-game winning streak, which should enhance its chances of edging out Portland.
LEAGUE LEADERS
Golden Boot leader Bradley Wright-Phillips scored one goal against Toronto last weekend, moving his season total to 25. Wright-Phillips now needs three goals in the next two games to pass Chirs Wondoloski and Roy Lassiter’s single-season record. Here is his latest tally.
Sporting KC’s Dom Dwyer was also on the score sheet, raising his total to 21. It’s also worth a look:
Robbie Keane is next in line with 19 goals, followed by Obafemi Martins and Lee Nguyen, both with 17.
All-time assist leader Landon Donovan remains on 19 helpers, with his career total at 136. One more assist will move Donovan into second on the all-time, single-season assist record, behind Carlos Valderrama’s 26.
Thierry Henry, Diego Valeri, and Keane all follow with 14 assists.
Nick Kariuki writes both the ASN Injury Report and the MLS Roundup every week. Follow him on Twitter.
