Here are the top 15 stories we're talking about today:
1. SOUNDERS INTO POSTSEASON
The Seattle Sounders became the first MLS team to secure a playoff place following a 3-2 win over Real Salt Lake (HIGHLIGHTS). Andy Rose's stoppage-time winner was the difference, and left RSL regretting “little mistakes” that cost them a share of the points.
2. SPORTING KC BACK ON TRACK
Having lost their previous four games, Sporting Kansas City got things back on track with a 4-0 win over Chivas USA (HIGHLIGHTS). Dom Dwyer hit his 19th goal, breaking the club's single-season goal record. It’s 10 games without a win for Chivas USA now but the team insists they’re giving it everything they have.
3. UNION GRAB LATE POINT
With one eye on Tuesday’s US Open Cup final, the Philadelpha Union rested some key players against the New York Red Bulls (HIGHLIGHTS), but still fought back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw. The equalizer came on a stoppage-time penalty from Sebastien Le Toux, though Red Bulls defender Ibrahim Sekagya is adamant it wasn’t a foul.
4. REVS ROLL, BUT...
The New England Revolution made it five wins in a row on Saturday, but their 2-1 victory over the Montreal Impact (HIGHLIGHTS) came at a cost as Jermaine Jones left the game at halftime with an injury. Impact head coach Frank Klopas was happy with the performance of his younger players, although Jones took exception to the play of one of them.
5. REDS SEE RED AFTER DISALLOWED GOAL
While Chicago Fire head coach Frank Yallop is lamenting yet another draw following a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC (HIGHLIGHTS), the Fire were lucky to take a point as TFC saw a potential 93rd-minute winner disallowed. The referee's decision set off a flood of opinions, including a very strong one from star Michael Bradley.
6. WISH YOU WEREN’T HERE
Despite Panama still playing in the Copa Centroamericana, Blas Perez returned early and helped lead FC Dallas to a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps (HIGHLIGHTS). In fact, Perez was so influential that ‘Caps head coach Carl Robinson admitted afterwards: “I wish he wasn’t here.” But did Blas mean to score that wonder-goal?
7. PORTER REFUSES TO PLAY THE BLAME GAME
There were reasons to smile for the Colorado Rapids after they ended a seven game losing streak with a 2-2 draw against the Portland Timbers (HIGHLIGHTS). Yet, while the momentum of the game seemed to change on a controversial PK call, Timbers coach Caleb Porter refused to be drawn into commenting on the officials.
8. CREW MAKE A COMEBACK
It was truly a game of two halves for the Houston Dynamo on Saturday. They took a 2-0 lead in the first half against the Columbus Crew, then promptly surrendered it in the second to finish with a 2-2 draw (HIGHLIGHTS). The result, understandably, left the home team “highly disappointed.” The opposite is true of young Crew up-and-comer Wil Trapp, who scored his first career MLS goal and praised the side's "great stuff in the second half."
9. LENHART RETURNS FOR QUAKES
There was a Bash Brothers reunion on Sunday as Steven Lenhart returned from injury to help the San Jose Earthquakes earn a 1-1 draw with former teammate Alan Gordon and the LA Galaxy (HIGHLIGHTS). Galaxy captain Robbie Keane had a chance to win the game, but he missed a penalty, which had LA coach Bruce Arena seething. Quakes goalscorer Chris Wondolowski was equally unhappy with the result: "We're not in good enough shape to just get one point."
10. COPA CENTROAMERICANA
The Copa Centroamericana reached its conclusion on Saturday. Costa Rica won the title and secured a place in the 2016 Copa America Centenario thanks to a 2-1 win over Guatemala. Panama finished third after a 1-0 win over El Salvador. Get all the info here.
11. ORLANDO CITY FALL SHORT IN PLAYOFFS
The USL PRO playoffs got underway on Saturday and there won’t be a dream swan song for Orlando City. The Lions crashed out 1-0 to the Harrisburg City Islanders, who will now face the Richmond Kickers in the semifinals. The other semifinal is a California showdown between LA Galaxy II and Sacramento Republic FC, who continue to pursue their MLS dream.
12. NEWS FROM THE FRANCHISE FRONTIER
When Orlando City moves up to MLS in 2015, their USL PRO franchise will head to Louisville, where it won’t be quite the same team. Over in Atlanta, the club last week hired a new president, who still has a lot to learn. But it turns out there's another former soccer man helping to shape the franchise.
13. WHO'S FIFA 15 FAST?
When EA Sports releases FIFA 15 next week, gamers will see that four MLS players are among the top 20 fastest players.
14. SOCCER OR FOOTBALL?
The internet may have gotten a little carried away on Friday following the news that Drake Davis, a four-star wide receiver, has chosen to play soccer over football. Well, for one year at least. Also Fox Soccer lead anchor Gus Johnson stepped down over the weekend, choosing to focus on college basketball, American football, and his family rather than soccer.
15. REVENGE IS A BEER BEST SERVED COLD
Dear Belgium,
Here's the American beer I promised to send if your team beat my team at the World Cup. See you in 2018.
Sincerely,
President Barack Obama
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Roster Freeze happens on Monday: Any late moves?
Armchair Analyst: Thoughts from Week 27
The Top 10 Plays of the Night
Get the Kick-Off delivered to you!
Enter your email address and favorite team below to sign up for The Kick-Off mailing list and get it delivered to your inbox every morning.
Email:
Favorite Team:
Chicago Fire
Chivas USA
Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew
D.C. United
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
LA Galaxy
Montreal Impact
New England Revolution
NY Red Bulls
Philadelphia Union
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders FC
Sporting KC
Toronto FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
I don't have a favorite team
