MLS Weekly Wrap Up: D.C. United clinch playoff spot

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!

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.

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.

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’).

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.

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.

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’).

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’.

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’.

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!

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.

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’.

Here’s how the table looks as the season slowly comes to a close.