The Supporters Shield race

After losing 2-1 to Toronto FC midweek, the New York Red Bulls bounced back to trounce the Philadelphia Union, 4-1, getting on the score sheet just seven seconds into the match.

Grella, who bested Tim Cahill’s club record by one second, went on to score a second and Bradley Wright-Phillips and Kemar Lawrence joined in on the party. Here’s Cahill’s 2013 record-setter, just for nostalgia’s sake.

Dallas nestled in pole position in the Western Conference with a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday, extending its undefeated streak to four games. The loss dashed RSL’s playoff hopes, ending a seven-season run of qualifying. The game also saw Kyle Beckerman break the all-time record for MLS appearances by an outfield player—dread hats off to the veteran midfielder who has now played in 379 MLS matches.

Dallas and New York are both on 57 points, with the Red Bulls six goals ahead on goal difference and in the driver’s seat as it faces the lowly Chicago Fire on Sunday. Dallas will host the San Jose Earthquakes, a club that needs a win to keep its slim playoff hopes alive.  

Giovinco leads Toronto to Playoffs

Toronto FC qualified for the MLS Playoffs for the time in its history Wednesday night, ending a nine-year run of futility.

Sebastian Giovinco touched down in Toronto within hours of Wednesday’s game against the Red Bulls, having helped Italy with Euro qualification the day before. His goal in the 78th minute—just seven minutes after subbing on—showed just how much joy he is getting out of terrorizing opposing defenders.

Jozy Altidore, on the other hand, returned from the U.S.’s painful losses to Mexico and Costa Rica and managed to get himself red-carded from the substitutes’ bench for mouthing off to the referee’s assistant.

Giovinco is lined up to claim the MLS Golden Boot with 22 goals, since Kei Kamara picked up a suspension in the Columbus Crew’s 2-0 win at Toronto on Saturday. The Italian has 15 assists, while Kamara has eight, which is the tie-breaker if they remain level on goals.

Who’s still chasing?

The Montreal Impact became the fifth team in the East to qualify for the playoffs on Saturday as it defeated a stuttering New England Revolution 1-0. Ignacio Piatti’s winner was special.

The Revs will likely back into the playoffs as Orlando City trails the New Englanders by three points and faces a steep goal differential. Orlando is riding a five-game winning streak and rookie Cyle Larin picked up a brace in the side’s 2-1 win over NYCFC. But it looks like too little too late for the expansion side.

In the West, the Quakes remain in the hunt after defeating Sporting Kansas City 1-0 on Saturday. Seattle’s 1-1 draw at Houston and an emphatic 5-2 win for the Portland Timbers over the Los Angeles Galaxy keeps both sides in contention. Sporting will get a chance to secure its space before deadline day when it faces the Colorado Rapids Wednesday.

Nick Kariuki writes both the ASN Injury Report and the MLS Roundup every week. Follow him on Twitter.