After an exciting week 20 in Major League Soccer, here’s a roundup of all the action from the Eastern Conference.
1. New York City FC – 33 pts. | 4-1 loss at New York Red Bulls (7/24), next: vs. Colorado Rapids (7/30)
Tommy McNamara netted his fourth goal of the season, but that is the only bright spot as NYCFC fell to the Red Bulls 4-1 in the final leg of the 2016 New York Derby. Patrick Vieira’s club will look to get back to its winning form this week as it hosts Western Conference powerhouse, the Colorado Rapids.
2. New York Red Bulls – 31 pts | 4-1 win vs. NYCFC (7/24), next: at Chicago Fire (7/31)
A brace from striker Bradley Wright-Phillips propelled the Red Bulls to a 4-1 victory over rival NYCFC last week, giving the club the New York Derby title for the second straight season. Wright-Phillips has now scored eight times in his last six matches against NYCFC, and will try to take this hot streak to Chicago this week for a clash with the Fire.
3. Philadelphia Union – 30 pts. | 5-1 loss at Montreal Impact (7/23), next: vs. Real Salt Lake (7/31)
Chris Pontius scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season, but a hat trick from Montreal’s Didier Drogba in the first 52 minutes was too much for Philly, as the Union fell to the Impact last week, 5-1. The Union will return home this week and look to claim points, as Real Salt Lake comes to town.
4. Montreal Impact – 29 pts. | 5-1 win vs. Philadelphia Union (7/23), next: at D.C. United (7/31)
Star forward Didier Drogba registered his second-career MLS hat-trick in the Impact’s convincing 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union last week. Montreal hope to continue to keep pace atop the Eastern Conference standings this week, as it travels to RFK Stadium to take on D.C. United.
5. Toronto FC – 27 pts. | 4-1 vs. D.C. United (7/23), next: vs. Columbus (7/31)
Last season’s Golden Boot recipient Sebastian Giovinco joined Drogba last week and scored a hat trick of his own –- the third of his career — in Toronto’s 4-1 thrashing of D.C. United. Giovinco and company will try to make it two in a row this week when they welcome Columbus Crew SC to BMO Field for the third and final leg of the 2016 Trillium Cup.
6. New England Revolution – 26 pts. | 1-0 win vs. Chicago Fire (7/23), next: at Orlando City SC (7/31)
Midfielder Je-Vaughn Watson (85th) headed home the winner for the Revs in his side’s 1-0 victory over the Chicago Fire, extending their unbeaten streak to three matches. New England will hope to continue its good results, and move up the standings this week as they travel to Camping World Stadium for a clash with Orlando City.
7. Orlando City – 23 pts. | 2-2 draw at Columbus Crew SC (7/23), next: vs. New England Revolution
For a second straight match, Orlando City SC walked off the pitch on the road with one point in hand. The Lions and Columbus Crew SC played to a 2-2 draw last week, after second-half goals from Kevin Molino (65th) and Cyle Larin (70th). Orlando City will look to claim all three points this week, as they return home for a matchup with the Revs.
8. D.C. United – 22 pts. | 4-1 loss at Toronto FC (7/23), next: vs. Montreal Impact (7/31)
Last week, D.C. United equalized in the 24th minute. But three goals and a Sebastian Giovinco hat trick later, the Black-and-Red fell on the road to Toronto FC 4-1. D.C. will try to get back on track this week as they face another Canadian opponent in the Montreal Impact at home.
9. Columbus Crew SC – 19 pts. | 2-2 draw vs. Orlando City (7/23), next: at Toronto FC (7/31)
Columbus Crew SC ended its three-match home stand with its third straight draw, a 2-2 result with Orlando City SC. Goals from Tony Tchani, his first of the season, and Ola Kamara, his 10th in 14 matches, give the Black & Gold their third straight point. Crew SC hits the road this week in hopes of claiming some hardware, as they take on Toronto FC in the third and final leg of the 2016 Trillium Cup.
10. Chicago Fire - 17 pts. | 1-0 loss at New England Revolution (7/23), next: vs. New York Red Bulls (7/31)
Chicago goalkeeper Sean Johnson notched 10 saves, but couldn’t keep out an 11th, as New England found a late goal to leave the Fire without points for a second week in a row. Chicago is now winless in 35 straight road matches, and will have to wait another week to break the streak with the Red Bulls coming to town on Sunday.