With the MLS playoff red line getting thinner, here are the 15 stories we're talking about today:
1. GALAXY TAKE TOP SPOT
The LA Galaxy became the first team this season to reach the 50-point mark following a 3-2 win over FC Dallas (HIGHLIGHTS) on Sunday and, in doing so, take the lead in the race for the Supporters’ Shield. Dallas (and other Shield hopefuls) still have games in hand on the Galaxy, but boss Oscar Pareja will need to address his side's "pretty fragile" defense.
2. QUAKES STILL ALIVE
Real Salt Lake find their playoff hopes hanging by a thread following a 1-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes (HIGHLIGHTS) on Sunday. Matías Pérez García scored the late winner, then earned a red card for his celebration.
3. SKC RESERVES IMPRESS
Sporting Kansas City fielded a largely reserve lineup and came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders (HIGHLIGHTS) on Sunday. While the Sounders should perhaps have done better against Sporting KC’s second team, they were happy to keep their unbeaten run intact.
4. WHITECAPS' WEEK OF WOE
The Vancouver Whitecaps were left devastated after a dramatic, controversial 2-1 loss to New York City FC (HIGHLIGHTS) on Saturday brought to an end a difficult, two-loss week for the Canadian side. On the other hand, a three-game winning streak has NYCFC’s playoff hopes alive and well.
5. DYNAMO DUO DELIGHT
A second consecutive win for the Houston Dynamo, 3-2 over the Colorado Rapids (HIGHLIGHTS) on Saturday, helped keep them in the playoff hunt, thanks to Giles Barnes and Will Bruin. There’s not much for the Rapids to cheer, as they slip further away from a top-six finish, but Vicenty Sanchez was at least one bright spot.
6. TIMBERS' "HUGE" ROAD WIN
The Portland Timbers were ecstatic following their 2-1 road win over the Columbus Crew SC (HIGHLIGHTS) on Saturday, their first victory in five games. Kei Kamara scored and set a record, but, while it wasn’t enough to secure a playoff place for the Crew SC, the team are not getting too down.
7. BLAKE EARNS PLAUDITS FROM BOTH SIDES
Reserve goalkeeper Andre Blake didn’t waste his opportunity in the Philadelphia Union net, making 10 saves to help his side secure a 1-1 draw on Saturday against the New England Revolution (HIGHLIGHTS). Even the Revs heaped praise on the Union’s keeper. Philadelphia now have to decide whether Blake or John McCarthy starts in goal in Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup final.
8. DROGBA SCORES TWICE
Didier Drogba may have scored both goals in the Montreal Impact’s 2-0 win over D.C. United (HIGHLIGHTS) on Saturday, but he tagged someone else was the man of the match. The result marked six MLS games without a win for United, with head coach Ben Olsen admitting, “what we’re doing isn’t working.”
9. THE SEBASTIAN GIOVINCO SHOW
Chicago Fire's Gilberto had a point to prove against his former side, but his two goals were not enough, as Toronto FC came from behind to earn a 3-2 victory (HIGHLIGHTS) on Saturday. Sebastian Giovinco broke a record on the day, originally credited with two assists. On Sunday, one of those assists was turned into a goal, after MLS ruled that Jonathan Osorio did not touch the ball as it drifted goalward.
10. FAITH REWARDED FOR ORLANDO CITY'S LARIN
Orlando City kept the faith with Cyle Larin, whose record-breaking performance in his team’s 5-2 win over the New York Red Bulls (HIGHLIGHTS) on Friday also helped keep the Lions' playoff hopes alive. The defeat was a tough one for the Red Bulls to swallow, but they’re determined to move past it.
11. USL PLAYOFFS UNDERWAY
The USL playoffs started on Friday with the Seattle Sounders 2 losing 2-0 to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. On Saturday, the New York Red Bulls II topped the Pittsburgh Riverhounds after a wild extra time and LA Galaxy II ended the Sacramento Republic’s title defense. The Charleston Battery beat the Richmond Kickers 2-1 to round out the first knockout stage.
12. LAFC STADIUM RENDERINGS
LAFC held a supporters' workshop on Saturday and, prior to that, they unveiled some new renderings of their future home.
13. RUMOR MILL: PIOJO TO CHICAGO?
According to a report doing the rounds over the weekend, the Chicago Fire are looking to bring in Miguel Herrera as their next head coach. With that rumor in mind, which other international coaches could be attracting interest from MLS this winter?
14. MORE MLS PLAYERS FOR OLYMPIC QUALIFYING
The total number of MLS players taking part in Olympic qualifying next month is up to 14, with the Houston Dynamo’s Erick Torres, Orlando City’s Bryan Róchez, and the New England Revolution’s Zach Herivaux were all included in their respective countries’ final rosters.
15. WINTER WONDERLAND?
The news we all knew was coming was finally confirmed on Friday, with FIFA announcing that the 2022 World Cup will begin on November 21 and last for 28 days. That news was trumped by the announcement that Swiss authorities have opened an investigation into FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
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