After a packed week of matches in Major League Soccer, here’s a recap of all the action from Week 22 in the Eastern Conference.
1. New York City FC – 37 pts. | 0-0 draw at San Jose Earthquakes (8/5), next: at Columbus Crew SC (8/13)
NYCFC and San Jose both produced a number of scoring opportunities, but neither could find the back of the net in a scoreless draw at Avaya Stadium. The leaders of the East are currently riding a two-match unbeaten streak, and look to remain atop the standings this week as they travel to MAPFRE Stadium for a clash with Crew SC.
2. Toronto FC – 36 pts. | 1-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake (8/3), 4-1 win vs. New England Revolution (8/6), next: at Houston Dynamo (8/13)
Toronto FC—the League’s hottest club–claimed six points from two home matches last week behind current Golden Boot race leader Sebastian Giovinco, who netted a hat trick in his side’s victory over the New England Revolution. The Reds have now won four matches in a row (all at home), and will test their streak on the road in Houston this week as they take on the Dynamo.
3. New York Red Bulls – 33 pts. | 2-2 draw at LA Galaxy (8/7), next: vs. Montreal Impact (8/13)
The Red Bulls held a two-goal lead late into the second half last week behind goals from substitute Gonzalo Verón (68th) and Sean Davis (74th), but squandered the advantage late, as LA’s substitute Mike Magee (80th) and Ashley Cole (89th) equalized to have the sides split points. The Red Bulls, who have not recorded two straight draws, will look to claim all three points this week as the Montreal Impact come to Red Bull Arena.
4. Montreal Impact – 33 pts. | 1-0 win vs. Houston Dynamo, next: at New York Red Bulls (8/13)
Five saves from ‘keeper Evan Bush, and a gorgeous goal from Matteo Mancosu (76th) were the difference for the Impact last week in their 1-0 win over the Dynamo. Montreal has now gone unbeaten in nine of its last 10, and looks remain among the top teams in the East this week as it goes on the road for a meeting with the Red Bulls.
5. Philadelphia Union – 31 pts. | 2-2 draw at D.C. United (8/6), next: at New England Revolution (8/13)
Slumping Philly held the lead late into the match, but conceded a stoppage-time equalizer to split points from a 2-2 draw with D.C. United last week. The Union remains winless since July 9, but will try to claim all three points this week as they travel to Gillette Stadium for a matchup with the Revs.
6. New England Revolution – 26 pts. | 4-1 loss at Toronto FC (8/6), next: vs. Philadelphia Union (8/13)
New England hoped to bounce back after last week’s loss to Orlando City SC, but could not contain the League’s leading scorer Sebastian Giovinco, who registered his second hat trick in three weeks. The Revs will look to claim points this week, and stay above the red line, as they host the Philadelphia Union for an Eastern Conference clash.
7. Orlando City – 26 pts. | 3-1 loss vs. Seattle Sounders (8/7), next: at Chicago Fire (8/14)
Seb Hines (7th) opened the scoring early for Orlando City, but a hat trick from Sounders’ forward Clint Dempsey doomed Jason Kreis’s side in a 3-1 defeat at home. The Lions—who have just one win in their last seven—will try to get back on track this week when they travel to Toyota Park to take on the Fire.
8. D.C. United – 24 pts. | 2-2 draw Philadelphia Union (8/6), next: vs. Portland Timbers (8/13)
Last week, D.C. United’s Steve Birnbaum headed home the equalizer in the fourth minute of extra time to seal a point in a 2-2 draw with Philly. The Black-and-Red still have not won since June 25, but look to carry the positive momentum this week as the Timbers come to RFK Stadium in the third match of a four-game home stand.
9. Columbus Crew SC – 19 pts. | BYE, next: vs. New York City FC (8/13)
Columbus Crew SC had a break from League play last week, but returns to the pitch this Saturday, when East-leading NYCFC comes to MAPFRE Stadium for the match presented by Big Lots. TICKETS
10. Chicago Fire - 18 pts. | 3-1 loss at Real Salt Lake (8/6), next: vs. Orlando City SC (8/14)
Chicago looked to be on the comeback after Arturo Alvarez (58th) cut into the RSL lead, but Javier Morales’s second goal of the match just six minutes later sent the visitors packing without points. The Fire—winless in their last four—will try to claim points this week to keep pace in the East, as they host Orlando City SC.