As the temperatures begin to drop, the season begins to heat-up. As Chivas USA coach Preki stated, "Every game from here on out is like a final." While he might only be referring to his team, for the teams that are in the dogfight for play-off spots, every match counts, every point is vital. Most teams have roughly 4-6 games left on the schedule, and some of them will be epic battles between play-off champions. Both races at the end of the year, the Supporter's Shield, and the Play-off races could be determined by one or two points, or even goal differential. All these dilemmas where part of an interesting week in the MLS.
DC United 1- Kansas City Wizards 0
The week's action started on Wednesday as DC United defeated the Kansas City Wizards 1-0. Luciano Emilio's 39th minute strike proved to be the difference for the Screaming Eagles. The Wizards outshot DC 9-7, but United managed to pull of the win to defend their home turf. With the win, DC improved to 6-0-5, at RFK Stadium, a big reason why they are in the play-off hunt. The 3 points helped DC's security in the play-off coming into the weekend. As for the Wizards, taking a point would have been neccassary if they wanted to go to the post-season
Toranto FC 3-Colorado Rapids 2
In the course of 3 minutes Toronto FC saved their season. A 71st minute goal from O'Brian White, and the 74th minute insurance goal from Nana Attakora-Gyan secured 3 much needed points for the Reds. Toronto outshout the Rapids 9-4, but both sides only put 2 on target (meaning nice job to Toronto FC keeper Stefan Frei for having ZERO impact on the game.) This was cruical win for Toranto beating a fellow contender for a wild-card play-off spot. Toronto is 2 spots out of play-off postition, trailing by 2 points to DC United, Chivas, and the team they just beat Colorado. They play one more game than DC, and the same ammount with the team they are tied with Real Salt Lake. So play-off can still be achieved for the Reds. As for Colordo the loss does not help them break away from the pack. They have 6 games left, more than most, and sit in the second of four wild-card spots. With the extra games in hand, Colorado controlls it's own destiny heading into cruch time.
New York Red Bulls 0- Kansas City Wizards 1
Well, all good things come to an end, including the Red Bulls first winning streak of the year which reached impressive heights.....TWO. Wizards star Striker Josh Wolff stuck in the 10th minute to cap of the Wizards bitter week. For the Red Bulls the loss is rather souer considering that that outshot KC 6-4, and had a 8-2 edge in corner kicks. However, the Wizard's Iron Man Kevin Hartman came up big with 4 saves for the Wizards to secure 3 points on the road. The loss eariler in the week at DC destoyed the Wizards chances for post-season glory. The Wizards need to make up 7 points in 6 games, while jumping 4 teams to make the play-offs. The season is now all about saving inter-coach Peter Vermes job. As for the Red Bulls, another solid effort, and I commend them for going down with some fighting spirit....BUT WHERE WAS THIS 5 MONTHS AGO. For New York, the quicker the season ends the better off we will all be.
DC United 1-Seattle Sounders 2
Hmm... deja vu. Last week the Seattle Sounder travled to the impenatable RFK for the final for the US Open cup, where they deafeated United 2-1 with a late strike. This week Seatlle traveled to DC again, this time they came to spoil United undeafeted home record. Steve Zakuani's early strike put the Sounders out in front early. Rodney Wallace equalized in the 54th, then late match heroics by Fredy Montero in the 84th minute proved to be the difference. If there is any wonder about the future talent of the league, the 3 goals scored in this game were all scored by rookies. Right now the Sounders have top spot amongst the wild card teams with 37 points, and only trail Los Angelas by a point for a top-two spot in the conference. DC is seventh in overall, with 36 points, however they only have 4 more games left-this could prove to be United's downfall. It may seem awkward since both of these side have had solid seasons this year, but neither one can say they are comfetable in play-off postition.
Real Salt Lake 1-Chicago Fire 1
A game that was a real missed oppertuinity for the Fire to steal 3 points on the road, especially in a week when the two teams you are chacing are playing each other. Chris Rolfe scored in the 44th minute, as Chicago took the lead into the locker rooms. Then a brilliant strike by Jamison Olave in the 72nd equalized for Real. Salt Lake outshot Chicago 11-7, but the two teams could not break the tie, as they split the points in Utah. Now is not the time to split the points at home for Real Salt Lake. The Lakers would be the first team out of the play-off picture if the season were to end today. They trail 3 clubs by 2 points, and have less remaining games than 2 of the sides that they are chaseing. With 5 games left it is do or die in Salt Lake. For the Fire it is a real shame they could not collect 3 points, and get back into the Supporter's Shield race. Still, no team should every complian about getting a draw on the road. With 39 points, and five games left, Chicago is one of the privilaged teams who can say that they are secured in play-off postiton, as they boast a 3 point lead on DC for second in the East, and the Fire have one more game left on the schedule than United.
Los Angles Galaxy 3- FC Dallas 6
A great game for those who complain there is no scoring in soccer. Dallas posted a 4 goal second half to break the 2-all tie. 3 of Dallas' second half goals came within the span of 5 minutes. The Hoops grabbed the early lead in the 8th minute with Dave Van den Bergh, then Jeff Cunnignham notched another goal in the 25th. An own goal by Dallas a minute latter, and AJ Delagarza's goal made it 2-2 at the break. Then the flood started. Goals in the 71st, 82nd, 83rd, and 86th minute put Dallas up 6-2, ON THE ROAD. Edson Buddle notched 90th minute goal, but the fact remainded the Galaxy got thumped by lowly Dallas 6-3 at home. Dallas has the slightest of possiblities for play-offs, but odds are will not be in the post season. With this game being one of too few bright spots for the year. With key players leaving the club, next year will be a test for Dallas. As for the LA, the Galaxy are in a great postition for play-offs, they are two points behind Houston for first in the West, and they have a game in hand. Still, Seatlle is chacing them down, only a point back, so LA can not let up. What is most concerining for the Galaxy is the fact they got destroyed by a weaker club in there own stadium. It's reality check time in Southern Cal.
Chivas USA 2- New England Revolution 0
Games in hand are useless if you don't capitalize on them. This match up had an interesting appeal as it pitted the two play-off contenders with the fewest amount of games played so far. Both teams had only played 22 games coming into Sunday's match (a real schedueling problem MLS needs to fix, having an even number of teams next year should make it easier.) Maicon Dos Santos' 10th minute goal put the Goats out in front, and Sacha Kljestan's extra-time PK sealed the win for the Los Angelas side. Chivas outshot New England 11-2, and Zach Thornton did not have to make a save to record league leading 9th shutout of the season. With the win Chivas is now occupies the last play-off spot, and with 7 games left on their schedule Coach Preki's side looks to be in prime position, to make a late-season push. New England trails the three teams all tied for spots 6-8 by 3 points, but like Chivas have 7 games left to play. What could keep the Revolution out of the post-season is the injuries that have been plaguing Steve Nicol's team all year. Whether of not they make the play-offs or not, give credit to Steve Nicol for keeping this side together-that man deserves a pay raise.
Columbus 2- Houston 1
How fitting the the final game to conclude the week's MLS action pitted the leagues two best teams in a Supporter's Shield showdown. With the rest of the teams fighting a play-off spot, these two met in Columbus to see who would get the inside track on claiming the leagues best record (a feat which recieves the greatest rewards compared to most American sports) The winner of the Supporters' Shield qualifies for the Champion's League, and the money that goes with it. The match itself was a thriller, as Frankie Hejduk gave the Crew a lead in 34th minute. The host looked confident of victory till Cameron Weaver left the crowd silent with a 81st minute strike to pull the Dynamo even at 1-1. The game between the two conference leaders looked like it would head into a draw, till the Dynamo commited a foul inside the box in the 90th minute. Eddie Gaven stepped up and nailed the PK to give the Crew a 2-1 victory, in a match that could very well decide the Supporter's Shield. Columbus now has a 2 point lead on Houston with 2 games in hand on the Dynamo. They lead the Fire by 3, and Galaxy by four, having a game on both of them. As long as the Crew play decent Soccer, the Supporter's Sheild, and CONCACAF Champions League will be theirs.
With about a month left in the season, the play-off race keeps getting tighter and tighter after every week. Houston, Columbus, Los Anglelas, and Chicgo, should be in for sure. Seattle is almost sure to get into the post-season. From there Colorodo, DC, Chivas, Toronto, New England, and RSL will battle it out for the last 3 spots. The final weeks of the MLS regular season will provide some drama that will be a great appitiser before the play-offs.
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