Another week of Eastern Conference play is in the books. Let’s take a look at how the East stacks up after week 12.
1. Philadelphia Union – 18 pts. | 1-0 win vs. D.C. United, next: at Orlando City (5/28)
The matchup between the Union and United kicked off Heineken Rivalry Week with an end result that would not be determined until the final minutes of stoppage time. Although both teams had their fair share of opportunities, Philly’s defender Richie Marquez pulled through and scored his first goal of his MLS career off of a cross into the box by teammate Sebastien Le Toux, for the game-winner in stoppage time. The Union will head to Orlando this week in the hopes of adding to its current five match unbeaten streak.
2. New York City FC – 17 pts. | 1-1 draw at Toronto (5/18), 7-0 loss vs. New York Red Bulls (5/21), next: vs. Orlando City (5/29)
NYC’s 1-1 draw with Toronto was definitely overlooked after its rough night at home against the Red Bulls. NYC struggled to get any type of momentum going against the Red Bulls, however a takeaway from the night is two season debuts for midfielders Frank Lampard and Jack Harrison, the No.1 pick in the 2016 MLS Draft who showed he is one to watch for the rest of the season. NYCFC will try to bounce back this week as it heads down south to face Orlando City.
3. New York Red Bulls – 16 pts. | 1-0 win vs. Chicago (5/18), 7-0 win at New York City FC (5/21), next: vs. Toronto FC (5/28)
The Red Bulls kicked off their winning week with a victory at home against Chicago, then had a jaw dropping 7-0 win in Yankee Stadium to tie an MLS record for the largest margin of victory in a single game. The Red Bulls owned the night with five different players scoring goals and four different players assisting. The scoring started early for New York with a goal by Dax McCarty in the third minute off a corner kick, followed by two consecutive scores by Bradley Wright-Phillips minutes apart. The dominance by the Red Bulls continued into the second half with scores in the 51st by Dax McCarthy, 56th by Alex Muyl, 83rd by Gonzalo Veron, and in the 89th by Gideon Baah. New York travels to Toronto next with the hopes to add it its four-match unbeaten streak.
4. Toronto FC – 16 pts. | 1-1 draw vs. NYCFC (5/18), 0-0 draw vs. Columbus Crew SC (5/21), next: at New York Red Bulls (5/28)
Toronto started the week with a 1-1 draw with NYCFC and ended with a 0-0 draw against Columbus. Despite a scoreless night at BMO Field between TFC and Crew SC, both clubs had their fair share of chances with a combined 23 shots on the night. The reigning League MVP Sebastian Giovinco led the team taking all of his team’s eight total shots, two on frame; but Columbus’ defense shut him down. Reds’ goalkeeper Clint Irwin came up with four saves against the Black & Gold, resulting in his fifth shutout this season—the most in MLS so far in 2016. Toronto heads to the Big Apple next to face the Red Bulls.
5. Montreal Impact – 16 pts. | 2-1 loss at Orlando, next: vs. LA Galaxy (5/28)
The Impact’s lead scorer Ignacio Piatti started the scoring early against the Lions with a goal in the 3rd minute however after an equalizer by Orlando’s Cyle Larin, the rest of the match seemed to be all Orlando. The Impact could not hold on and Larin struck again late in 87th to seal Montreal’s loss in Orlando. The Impact will head to the west coast to take on LA Galaxy this week in hopes of snapping its current six game winless streak.
6. Orlando City SC– 14 pts. |2-1 win vs. Montreal, next: vs. Philadelphia (5/25), at NYCFC (5/29)
The Lions conceded a goal to the Impact’s Ignacio Piatti in the third minute, but a brace from striker Cyle Larin (43rd, 87th) sealed the third win of 2016 and three points for Orlando City. Adrian Heath’s side will try to get six more points this week when they host the Union on Wednesday, and travel to Yankee Stadium Saturday to take on NYCFC.
7. D.C. United – 13 pts. |1-0 loss at Philadelphia, next: at Sporting KC (5/27)
D.C. United had its opportunities to take advantage of Philly, firing 14 shots and claiming four corners. But with only two of those shots on frame, the Black-and-Red walked away from Talen Energy Stadium with zero points. D.C. will look to convert on its chances this week when it hits the road to face Sporting KC.
8. New England Revolution – 13 pts. |4-2 loss vs. FC Dallas, next: vs. Seattle Sounders (5/28)
After taking the lead in the 26th minute behind a penalty from Lee Nguyen, the New England Revolution failed to slip any more past Dallas ‘keeper Chris Seitz. The Revs racked up 12 shots, and held 56 percent possession, but four saves from Seitz kept the Eastern Conference side in check. New England will look to get back on track this week when it hosts the Seattle Sounders.
9. Columbus Crew SC – 10 pts. |0-0 draw at Toronto FC, next: vs. Real Salt Lake (5/28)
Columbus Crew SC racked up 15 shots and held 56 percent of the possession at BMO Field, but could not find the back of the net and recorded its third straight draw. The best chances for the Black & Gold came in the 51st minute, when a chip attempt from 20 yards out by Justin Meram rattled the left post. Federico Higuain redirected the rebound back on frame, but his shot was cleared right in front of the goal line. Crew SC will try to get its third home win this weekend when it hosts Real Salt Lake at MAPFRE Stadium.
10. Chicago Fire – 10 pts. |1-0 loss at New York Red Bulls (5/18), 1-0 win vs. Houston Dynamo (5/21) next: vs. Portland Timbers (5/28)
The Chicago Fire split two matches last week, falling to the Red Bulls in New York and winning their second match of 2016 at home against the Houston Dynamo. The Eastern Conference side dominated both matches in some areas, registering 14 shots and earning its fourth clean sheet of the season. Arturo Alvarez’s first goal as a member of the Fire proved to be the game-winner in Bridgeview. The Fire will look to continue their winning ways this week when they welcome the Portland Timbers to Toyota Park.
