Monday League Review

After 217 games, the MLS playoff picture is still not fully decided. With only eight games remaining in the regular season three playoff spots are up for grabs. From here on out every game matters in the quest for the post-season. As the New York Red Bulls proved last year, anything can happen in the playoffs as you just need to put four consecutive wins to become MLS Cup Champions. This year, the last stages of the regular season are proving to be just exciting as the playoffs themselves, to quote Toronto FC Head Coach Chris Cummins 'Every match for us in a Cup match'. With that kind of mentality the regular season finale should prove to be a real nail-bitter. Here is a review of last week's action, that will serve as a set-up to the regular season finale.

Real Salt Lake 2-0 New York Red Bulls

Real Salt Lake need this one badly as the Lakers have to finish out their last three matches with three wins. Still it did not come easy, on Thursday night, at Rio Tinto Stadium as it took until the 80th minute Andrew Willimas to put Salt Lake on the board. Even though RSL out shot New York 12-3, the Red Bulls hung in the match. It took a stoppage time goal from Fabian Espindola to secure the 2-0 win for Salt Lake. The Lakers Nick Rimando made two saves to earn the shutout. With the win Real Salt Lake still are in contention for the playoffs heading into the weekend.

Toronto FC 1-0 Real Salt Lake

It was a battle of desperation in Toronto, as both Toronto FC and Real Salt Lake both need three points to give themselves a fighting chance in the last week of the season. Jim Brennan scored in the 47th minute to give Toronto the 1-0 home win, and three valuable points. The match was even as both sides posted 9 shots, but Toronto's Brian Edwards posted six saves compared to Nick Rimando's five. With the win Toronto trails Dallas for the final playoff spot, being only 8 markers back in goal differential. The Reds need a win and some help if they want to get the franchise's first playoff birth. RSL still has a shot for the post-season, but they need to jump four teams in order to do it. The loss north of the border might finally do in Salt Lake. Still both sides have a chance this weekend to make some magic happen.

New England Revolution 0-0 Chicago Fire

A tale of two teams that have been falling off in terms of form as the season ends. The Fire had a chance to secure second in the conference, but will have to wait till Thursday as they could only get a point in New England. The Revolution had the biggest advantage of getting a playoff birth as they had a couple of games in hand compared to the rest of the league. Now the Revs are looking for some last match magic to get them into their eighth consecutive post-season. New England out shot Chicago 15-8, but Jon Busch made six saves for the Men in Red, while Matt Reis posted 3 saves for the Revolution. The Fire need a point to guarantee second in the East, while the Revs need a win and some help.

DC United 1-0 Columbus Crew

Talk about clutch wins, DC United needed a win to keep in the playoff race, and they had to do it against the defending champions. However Luciano Emilio's 17th minute goal gave United the 1-0 in the RFK. The Crew out shot the Screaming Eagles 8-2, but DC keeper Steve Cronin, in his first MLS start, made four saves for the shutout. The Crew completely outplayed United, but the United's only shot on target managed to go into the net to give United the 1-0 upset win. With the result DC has a fighting chance to make the post season, as they sit in ninth in the league, only trailing Dallas on goal differential. As for the Crew, Columbus has not officially won the Supporter's Shield yet, but only Chivas can threaten them by winning their last two matches.

FC Dallas 2-1 Colorado Rapids

If somebody in August told me that FC Dallas would make the playoffs, I probably would try to put you in a mental institution. However Dallas has won five of their last six matches, and currently are in the last last playoff position. Coming into the weekend, Dallas controlled their own destiny. George John put Dallas on the board early in the 4th minute, and the home side was up 1-0. Ugo Ihemelu doubled Dallas' lead in the 66th minute. Pat Noonan pull one back in the 71st minute, but it was not enough as FC Dallas defeated the Rapids 2-1. Dallas is in eight in the standing, the last playoff spot. The problem for Dallas is that they travel to Seattle to finish the year, which will be no easy task. Colorado is in seventh in the league, and by no means safe. The Rapids play arc-rivals Salt Lake in Utah. This weekend will be vital for both clubs as wins will probably be necessary if both teams want to be in the post-season.

Kansas City Wizards 2-3 Seattle Sounders

The Seattle Sounders clinched a playoff birth in the franchise's first year with a 3-2 win at Kansas City. Other than Seattle officially getting into the playoffs of this game, instead of next game which they probably would of got in anyway, there were no real implications for both clubs. Tyrone Marshall scored in the 28th minute to put Seattle up 1-0. Then the Wizards Zoltan Hercegfalvi and Josh Wolff scored three minute apart to put the host Wizards up 2-1. Then Seattle's Roger Levesque scored in the 69th minute, and Nate Jaqua scored in the 76th minute to give the Sounders three points. It has been a rough season for the Wizards, with the firing of their had coach, and a dismal 8-13-8 record. The Sounder's have had a dream first season, with the best fan's in the league (avg. attendance over 32,000), Seattle has created a true soccer atmosphere in the Northwest. Look out for Seattle in the playoffs.

Chivas USA 2-2 San Jose Earthquakes

Chivas still has an outside shot at claiming in the Supporter's Shield, but a 2-2 draw against the mediocre Earthquakes will not help. Maykel Galindo scored in the 7th minute for Chivas, but the Earthquakes came back with goals from Brandon McDonald in the 21st minute, and Ryan Johnson in the 58th. However, the Goats found away to salvage a draw at home when Justin Braun struck in the 66th to save a point for Chivas. San Jose has been play well lately, losing only once since August. Chivas can still win the Supporter's Shield but will need two wins if they want any shot at the regular season title.

Houston Dynamo 0-0 Los Angeles Galaxy

This was supposed to be a match that would make the Western Conference table a lot more clearer. Instead, we are left with three teams time for first in the West. The Galaxy out shot The Dynamo 11-9, but neither side could find the net. With the both teams in the playoffs, the these teams is seeding, as no team wants to be on the road for the second match of a two-match fixture. Both teams will wait to see what the result of the Chivas match this Thursdays. Then the three competitors will all be even on games left, and know what each team needs to do for the last week if they want the Western Conference title.

The last week of the season will prove to be exciting, every match will have an impact on the standings, as chances are it will come down to goal differential to determine who is in and who is out. Columbus, Houston, Los Angeles, Chivas USA, Seattle are all in. Chicago needs a point to make sure they are in, but goal differential still will keep them in if they lose against Chivas. Colorado controls their own destiny as a win will put them into the post-season. Dallas, DC, New England, and Toronto all have 39 points, and RSL has 37 points. What might be the most odd is that of the teams fighting for the playoffs, none of them playoff each other. Nothing else can be said until the weekend is played out. As the MLS regular season is coming down to the wire in the most exciting season yet.