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The regular MLS season is inching to a close. This past week we saw some interesting games as we get to the playoff push. D.C. United clinched a playoff spot with a win over NYCFC. The MLS also released top jersey sales for the season, confirming the impact Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had on the league as he tops the list. What a week.
Wednesday:
Orlando City 1-2 Seattle Sounders
Orlando City fell short to the Seattle Sounders earlier in the week. Seattle found themselves two early goals, one from Victor Rodriguez (3’) and the other from Handwalla Bwana (13’). Orlando City attempted a comeback with a 57’ goal from Dom Dwyer but they couldn’t find an equalizer. The Sounders are heading to the playoffs!
We're not finished yet
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) October 18, 2018
It was a night to remember in Orlando! #ORLvSEA pic.twitter.com/jIp4SwJheZ
Vancouver Whitecaps 1-4 Sporting Kansas City
We had an interesting matchup between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Sporting KC on Wednesday. Felipe got Vancouver on the board first (42’). Yohan Croizet came back in the second half to tie it up (62’). The game stayed stagnant until an entertaining end. Daniel Salloi scored at the 82nd minute, but his second goal was the more interesting one. In stoppage time, Gianluca Busio gave Sporting their third goal (90+4’), his first MLS goal. Vancouver’s Kei Kamara was shown a red card at 90+7’ and Salloi scored his second goal as a result.
96' ⚽️ AIN'T NO PARTY LIKE AN EXTRA TIME PARTY!!!@KhiryShelton dribbles the keeper and finds @danielsalloi for his brace! #VANvSKC 1-4 #ForGloryForCity pic.twitter.com/LlfSQTQtxF
— x - Sporting KC (@SportingKC) October 18, 2018
Thursday
Real Salt Lake 4-1 New England Revolution
Real Salt Lake dominated the New England Revolution this weekend. Nick Besler got them on the board early in the match (4’), which set the tone for the rest of the game. Sebastian Saucedo had an early goal of his own at 14’. Corey Baird kept the trend alive with a 29’ goal. Damir Kreliach scored at 50’. New England at least got a goal at 69’ from Kelyn Rowe, but it was all about Real Salt Lake.
moment of the match pic.twitter.com/nLaLJx8WdG
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 20, 2018
Sunday
D.C. United 3-1 New York City FC
D.C. United clinched a playoff spot with their win over NYCFC. Wayne Rooney scored two of the three goals, the first coming bright and early at 8’, the second on a penalty at 74’. Luciano Acosta had the other goal at 24’. NYCFC got on the board in the second half, thanks to David Villa (78’).
The three goals that led to the three points.
— D.C. United (@dcunited) October 22, 2018
Recap | https://t.co/K9LIH56LdK pic.twitter.com/gtKqUVMq5m
Atlanta United 2-1 Chicago Fire
It was a close one between Atlanta United and the Chicago Fire this weekend. Franco Escobar had the first strike (9’). Chicago’s Michael de Leeuw responded with a goal at 24’. Ultimately, Atlanta would take the lead and win the match thanks to an own goal from Johan Kappelhof (26’). All scoring was over before halftime.
One step closer...
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) October 22, 2018
Highlights from our win over Chicago ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/L2FRS9tYuN
Philadelphia Union 0-1 New York Red Bulls
It was a bit of a boring one between the Philadelphia Union and the NY Red Bulls this weekend. The Union had more shots at goal and controlled the most ball possession but got unlucky when it came to scoring. The Red Bulls’ Alejandro Romero scored on a penalty at 69’ to give them the victory.
Match Recap, pres. by @ProvidentBank: Three points on the road!
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 22, 2018
➡️ https://t.co/S7K6SRUq49#RBNY pic.twitter.com/VJ8P30AGdd
Orlando City 2-1 Columbus Crew SC
Orlando City was able to get a win this week over the Columbus Crew. Federico Higuain got Columbus on the board first at 54’. Both the Orlando goals would follow suit, on penalty shots. The first came from Yoshimar Yotun (57’) and the second from Sacha Kljestan in stoppage time (90+6’).
We could watch this over and over. #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/1gsXWroKEO
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) October 21, 2018
San Jose Earthquakes 0-0 Colorado Rapids
So the San Jose Earthquakes got a new coach and a... draw? Sure it was a boring match, but at least they didn’t lose, right? They controlled ball possession and took 20 shots to the Colorado Rapids’ 6. This game looked promising for the Quakes but they couldn’t find the back of the net.
Los Angeles Football Club 2-2 Vancouver Whitecaps
Another draw, but at least this one was more interesting. LAFC’s Diego Rossi had back-to-back early goals. The first came at 5’, the second at 15’. Vancouver’s Yordy Reyna scored on a penalty shot (22’) while Jordon Mutch had the equalizer at 65’.
⚽️ ️ GOAL Rossi!!!
— LAFC (@LAFC) October 21, 2018
Diego Rossi takes no time completing his brace!!!#LAFCvVAN pic.twitter.com/ITBhSf9nLW
FC Dallas 0-3 Sporting KC
Sporting KC are playoff bound thanks in part to their clean sheet victory over FC Dallas. Daniel Salloi had another goal in this match at 45’. Roger Espinoza brought the lead to two with a goal at 64’. Johnny Russell finished it off, scoring on a penalty shot at 87’.
Johnny Russell has double-digit goals and assists in his debut season.
— x - Sporting KC (@SportingKC) October 21, 2018
And one helluva TIFO #RussellMania #ForGloryForCity pic.twitter.com/ufKATXTGoC
Portland Timbers 3-0 Real Salt Lake
The Portland Timbers were another team to walk away with a clean sheet this weekend. Larrys Mabiala had a goal at 15’. Diego Chara got on the board at 68’. The final goal of the match came off Sebastian Blanco’s boot at 87’. Portland has clinched a playoff spot!
We're not sure what's sweeter: the build-up, the speed or the touch 'round the keeper.
— Portland Timbers (@TimbersFC) October 22, 2018
The Complete Look, presented by @oregon_lottery. #RCTID pic.twitter.com/FqHVt85w70
Minnesota United 1-3 LA Galaxy
The LA Galaxy got a win this weekend over Minnesota United. Zlatan had the opening goal of the match at 30’. Ola Kamara gave them a 0-2 lead at 50’. Romain Alessandrini had a goal of his own literally a minute after (51’). Minnesota’s Angelo Rodriguez responded quickly himself, scoring at 53’. It was a fast scoring match.
Seconds from being denied off the line, @OlaKamara makes no mistake! #MINvLA pic.twitter.com/DwYT1yp1DA
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) October 21, 2018
Houston Dynamo 2-3 Seattle Sounders
The final game of the week was a close one between the Houston Dynamo and the Seattle Sounders. Chad Marshall scored at 26’, while Gustav Svensson gave Seattle their second goal at 49’. Kevin Garcia scored for Huston at 63’. Raul Ruidiaz scored Seattle’s third goal at 87’. The Dynamo had one last goal on them as Mauro Manotas netted one at 89’.
He's a legend. @ChadMarshall14 opens the scoring with a perfect header! #HOUvSEA pic.twitter.com/IzxXvP4tjt
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) October 21, 2018
Here’s how the table looks as the season slowly comes to a close.
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