With the rest of the soccer world focused on the FIFA International play this weekend, there were only 3 matches this week. However each match featured a team in the middle of the playoff race, so every match was significant. Also most of the teams needed to make up games on the other team, so this weekend's action cleared up the playoff scenario. Here is a review of the set of matches on the weekend.
Toronto FC 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes
In the middle of a playoff race, playing a match at home against the pathetic Earthquakes, Toronto FC NEEDED 3 points, instead they only can get one point. Dropping the two points could be the death of the playoff bid for the Reds. Nana Attakora-Gyan scored in the 47th minute to put Toronto up 1-0. The Reds controlled the game, and out shot San Jose 9-3, forcing Earthquake keeper Joe Cannon to make 6 saves. However Cornell Glen scored in stoppage time off San Jose's only shot on target. The tie against San Jose was a killer for Toronto, who is looking to make their first post-season in franchise history. The Reds are two points behind the Revolution for the last playoff spot, and have to jump clubs to get into position to pass New England. The good news is that Toronto's last two games are home against Salt Lake, and at the league's worst New York, however this too was supposed to be an easy game against a bad team, yet they could only collect one point.
New England Revolution 0-1 Columbus Crew
This result comes close to confirming what most knew all along, the Columbus Crew are the best team in MLS. It is not official since the Crew need to take a win and tie of their last two matches to make it official. What is even more impressive than the Crew's record, is the depth of the club. Playing well in the Champions League, and MLS is a testimony to the club's depth as Gino Padula scored the only goal in the 34th minute to secure the 1-0 road win. The Revolution did out shoot the Crew 7-5, but could not find the back of the net. With the win, the Crew are only four points away from claiming the Supporter's Shield for the second year in a row. The Revolution are in the last playoff spot with 38 points, a two point advantage over three clubs with two rounds left. Problem is the Revs play the top two in East, Chicago and Columbus to close the year out. Getting in playoffs may be to close to call at Gillette Stadium.
Chivas USA 2-0 Kansas City Wizards
Chivas USA did something no other playoff contender did: Help themselves. The Goats hosted the Kansas City Wizards, and beat them on two second half goals. Justin Braun struck in the 72nd minute, and Sacha Kljestan found the net two minute later to secure the 2-0 home win. The Wizards out shot Chivas 9-7, but Zach Thornton made three saves recorded his MLS leading 12th the shutout, that's 44% of all games Chivas has played, can you say playoff sleeper. With the loss the Wizards are officially out of the playoff race-they've only been in post-season limbo for a month and a half. Chivas is now second in the West, and with a game on hand against Columbus, Chivas is the Crew's biggest threat for the Supporter Shield. Now that the Goats have locked up a playoff spot, they can focus on improving their seed in the Western Conference, this looks like a solid team to compete for the MLS Cup.
Two weeks left and half of the playoff spots are still up for grabs. While they are not safe yet, Chicago and Seattle should secure their playoff spots by the end of next week, joining Columbus, Houston, and both Los Angelas teams (which would be the first time in league history that two teams from the same city would be in the post-season together.) That leaves the final two spots to the survivors of the dogfight that is about to take place. New England and Dallas have the inside track, but I still will not give up on Toronto, and that weak schedule they have left. Either way, this last two weeks in the league should be fun.
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