Following a busy week of matches in Major League Soccer, here’s a roundup of all the action from Week 21 in the Eastern Conference.
1. New York City FC – 36 pts. | 5-1 win vs. Colorado Rapids (7/30), next: at San Jose Earthquakes (8/5)
In a game that featured a weather delay, six total goals and a red card to Colorado’s Michael Azira (37th minute), Designated Player Frank Lampard netted his first career MLS hat trick in the conference leader’s 5-1 rout of the Rapids. NYCFC will look to carry the offensive explosiveness into next week, as it travels to Avaya Stadium to take on the Earthquakes.
2. New York Red Bulls – 32 pts. | 2-2 draw at Chicago Fire (7/31), next: at LA Galaxy (8/7)
New York went down 2-1 just before the half, but Golden Boot chaser Bradley Wright-Phillips continued his offensive success from last week and equalized in the 90th minute to seal a point for the Red Bulls. New York has now gone unbeaten in its last five matches, and will look to take all three points this week when they go on the road for a clash with the hot LA Galaxy.
3. Toronto FC – 30 pts. | 3-0 win vs. Columbus Crew SC (7/31), next: vs. Real Salt Lake (8/3), vs. New England Revolution (8/6)
The stars shined for Toronto FC last week as Sebastian Giovinco registered a goal and an assist, and substitute Jozy Altidore opened his 2016 scoring account in a 3-0 victory over Crew SC to claim the 2016 Trillium Cup. The Reds complete a three-game home stand this week, as Real Salt Lake and the New England Revolution come to BMO Field.
4. Philadelphia Union – 30 pts. | 2-1 loss vs. Real Salt Lake (7/31), next: at D.C. United (8/6)
Roland Alberg (44th) put Philly in front from the spot just before halftime, but two, early second-half goals from Real Salt Lake left the Union without points at home last week. Philly now has not won since July 9, and will try to get back on track this week, as it travels to RFK Stadium for a clash with D.C. United.
5. Montreal Impact – 30 pts. | 1-1 draw at D.C. United (7/31), next: vs. Houston Dynamo (8/6)
After going down 1-0 in the 20th minute — and Didier Drogba was sent off with a red card (81st) — Montreal substitute Hernán Bernardello volleyed home the equalizer for the visitors in the 86th minute to steal a point from the road match. The Impact are now unbeaten in eight of their last nine, and look to get all three points this week as they return home for a matchup with the Dynamo.
6. New England Revolution – 26 pts. | 3-1 loss at Orlando City SC (7/31), next: at Toronto FC (8/6)
Kei Kamara scored early in the 19th minute, but a brace and an assist from Orlando City’s Kevin Molino was too much for New England last week, as it fell on the road, 3-1. The Revs will try to claim points this week, as they travel to Toronto for a meeting with the Reds.
7. Orlando City – 26 pts. | 3-1 win vs. New England Revolution (7/31), next: vs. Seattle Sounders (8/7)
In his first game at the helm of Orlando City, manager Jason Kreis took all three points on the back of a brace and an assist from Kevin Molino. The Lions hope to ride their success into next week, as they welcome the struggling Sounders to Camping World Stadium.
8. D.C. United – 23 pts. | 1-1 draw vs. Montreal Impact (7/31), next: vs. Philadelphia Union (8/6)
Last week, D.C. United conceded late in the match to walk away with one point in a 1-1 draw with the Montreal Impact. The Black-and-Red have not won since June 25, but look to turn that around this week as they play the second of a four-game home stand when the Union come to town.
9. Columbus Crew SC – 19 pts. | 3-0 loss at Toronto FC (7/31), next: BYE
Columbus Crew SC owned the stat sheet in a number of categories, but found itself on the wrong side of a 3-0 score line with Toronto FC this week in Federico Higuian’s return to the starting lineup. The Black & Gold have a break from League play this week, but return to the pitch next week when NYCFC comes to MAPFRE Stadium on August 13, for the match presented by Big Lots. TICKETS
10. Chicago Fire - 18 pts. | 2-2 draw vs. New York Red Bulls (7/31), next: at Real Salt Lake (8/6)
The Fire took the lead into the dressing room behind goals from David Accam and Matt Polster, but squandered their lead late in the second half to take just one point at home this week. Chicago will look to take all three points this week when it heads to Rio Tinto Stadium for a clash with Real Salt Lake.