MLS Weekly Wrap Up: Goodbye regular season

As we prepare to welcome playoffs into our lives (with the first knockout matches getting rolling last night), we first must say goodbye to the last MLS regular season games. The LA Galaxy lost their final attempt to revive their season, and we will see four play in matches this week. Here’s how the regular season ended.

Sunday

Sporting Kansas City 2-1 Los Angeles Football Club

Sporting KC reigned victorious over LAFC this weekend, leaving LA to play a knockout round game against Real Salt Lake on Thursday. Roger Espinoza set the mood for the match when he netted the first Sporting KC goal at the 37’ mark. Seth Sinovic was given a red card for a handball on a LAFC scoring opportunity. Sinovic will be suspended for Sporting’s first playoff match, a big blow to their lineup. As a result of the red card, LAFC got on the board with a penalty goal by Carlos Vela (63’). Sporting regained their composure and Daniel Salloi scored the winning goal at 72’. Salloi has scored the winning goal for Sporting the last three matches.

New England Revolution 1-0 Montreal Impact

The New England Revolution came out with a clean sheet against the Montreal Impact for their last game of the season. Diego Fagundez scored the lone goal of the match. Neither team will be making their way to the playoffs this year, but a nice way to wrap things up for the Revolution.

Chicago Fire 0-0 D.C. United

It was a boring match between the Chicago Fire and D.C. United this weekend. The Fire are finishing their season off second to last in the Eastern Conference, while D.C. United have secured a spot in the playoffs. Chicago had a better game, controlling more ball possession and getting more shots on goal.

Colorado Rapids 2-1 FC Dallas

FC Dallas may have struck first with a 18’ goal from Maximiliano Urruti, but the Colorado Rapids had the last laugh. Two late goals helped lead the Rapids to victory. The first came from Cole Bassett at 80’, his first MLS goal. The second came minutes later from Tommy Smith’s boot (84’). FC Dallas continued their playoff fight against the Portland Timbers this week, falling 2-1 in the knockout round.

Columbus Crew SC 3-2 Minnesota United

It was a close one between Columbus Crew and Minnesota United this weekend. All five goals were scored by the same two players. Gyasi Zardes had a hat trick, scoring at 11’, 49’, and 83’. Francisco Calvo scored a pair of goals for Minnesota at 68’ and 77’. Columbus will play D.C. United to advance in the playoffs on Thursday. Minnesota’s game has ended until next season.

LA Galaxy 2-3 Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo smashed out the LA Galaxy’s playoff chances this weekend. Ola Kamara scored two goals in three minutes (27’, 30’), making the Galaxy look good early on. That would all end when the Dynamo scored three unanswered goals. Romell Quioto struck first (57’). Mauro Manotas followed suit, scoring a pair of goals. The first came on a penalty at 73’, the second shortly after (79’). Ronald Pena would get a late red card (90+8’), but it didn’t matter. Houston won the match, and both teams are eliminated from the playoffs.

New York Red Bulls 1-0 Orlando City

The New York Red Bulls were able to pull off a win over Orlando City and sit comfortably at the top of the table with a single goal. The goal came off of Derrick Etienne’s foot at 53’. Orlando City will stay put in last place in the Eastern Conference. The Red Bulls have won the Supporters’ Shield and set the all-time MLS points record with 71.

Seattle Sounders 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes

I think the San Jose Earthquakes are ready to wrap this season up. It has been a frustrating one for this club. For their final game against the Seattle Sounders, they were able to at least score one goal. Well, they didn’t actually score it. Seattle’s Chad Marshall scored an own goal at 64’. The two actual Seattle goals were scored by Raul Ruidiaz at 79’ and 90+3’. Seattle finished second in the Western Conference, while San Jose sits in last.

Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Portland Timbers

Alphonso Davies had a set of goals that secured a victory over the Portland Timbers on Sunday. Davies’ two goals came early, one at 28’, the second at 31’. Portland attempted a late comeback with a 90’ goal from Andres Flores, but the game was done. They moved on and defeated FC Dallas in the first round this week. The Vancouver Whitecaps’ season is over, and so is Davies’ time in a Whitecaps shirt. He will be moving to Bayern Munich.

New York City FC 3-1 Philadelphia Union

This is not the last time we’ll see NYCFC and Philadelphia Union take the pitch against each other. We saw a complete rematch of this game this week (and it finished with the same scoreline!). As far as this result, it went in NYCFC’s favour. This game was really interesting in the opening minutes. Maxime Chanot had the first goal for NYCFC at 8’. Philly’s Auston Trusty netted in an own goal, bringing New York’s lead up 2-0. Cory Burke would get the Union on the board at 14’. David Villa Sanchez would score the winning goal at 34’.

Here is how the season ended (from MLSSoccer.com)