Following a week full of in-conference matchups in Major League Soccer, here’s a recap of all the action from Week 23 in the Eastern Conference.
1. New York City FC – 38 pts. | 3-3 draw at Columbus Crew SC (8/13), next: vs. LA Galaxy (8/20)
New York City FC looked on their way to three points after David Villa completed his brace with a penalty in the 90th minute, but a Crew SC equalizer in the final minute of stoppage time left the visitors with just a point. NYCFC has now gone unbreaten in eight of its last 10 games —including a current three-match unbeaten run — and will try to keep momentum going this week when it hosts the LA Galaxy.
2. Toronto FC – 37 pts. | 1-1 draw at Houston Dynamo (8/14), next: at Philadelphia Union (8/20)
After Saturday’s kickoff was postponed to Sunday due to severe weather, Toronto FC and the Houston Dynamo played to a 1-1 draw with goals by Cristián Maidana (8th) and Jozy Altidore (24th). The Reds extended their unbeaten streak to five game — including nine of their last 10 — and travel to Talen Energy Stadium this week for a clash with Philly.
3. New York Red Bulls – 36 pts. | 3-1 win vs. Montreal Impact (8/13), next: at D.C. United (8/21)
Bradley Wright-Phillips (22nd, 41st) and Sean Davis (46th; two assists) sealed all three points for the Red Bulls at home this week in a big win over the Impact. New York remains unbeaten in 12 of its last 14 matches — including the last seven — and will try to move to the top spot in the East this week when it visits RFK Stadium and D.C. United.
4. Philadelphia Union – 34 pts. | 4-0 win at New England Revolution (8/13), next: vs. Toronto FC (8/20)
Philly got its first win since July 9 last week — a 4-0 rout of the New England Revolution — and featured four different goal scorers, including C.J. Sapong, Chris Pontius, Richie Marquez, and Roland Alberg. The Union will look to welcome new acquisition Alejandro Bedoya to Talen Energy Stadium this week, when it hosts the Reds for an Eastern Conference clash.
5. Montreal Impact – 33 pts. | 3-1 loss at New York Red Bulls (8/13), next: vs. Chicago Fire (8/20)
Ignacio Piatti opened the scoring in the 21st minute, but Montreal conceded just 90 seconds later — as well as two more in the 41st and 46th minutes — to fall on the road to the Red Bulls, 3-1. The Impact — unbeaten in nine of their last 11 — will try to get back on track at home this week when the Chicago Fire come to town.
6. D.C. United – 27 pts. | 2-0 win vs. Portland Timbers (8/13), next: vs. New York Red Bulls (8/21)
Last week, D.C. United’s Steve Birnbaum (7th) netted his second goal in as many weeks, and Luciano Acosta (29th) added another in a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers — the club’s first win since June 25. The Black-and-Red look to carry over their successful performance to this week, when they take on the Red Bulls in the final match of a four-game home stand.
7. Orlando City – 27 pts. | 2-2 draw at Chicago Fire (8/14), next: at Colorado Rapids (8/20)
Orlando City saw an early equalizer from Cyle Larin (9th), as well as a goal and assist from Kaka (32nd), but could not hold its lead in a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire. The Lions — winners of just one in their last eight games — will try to keep pace in the East this week, as they travel to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for a clash with the Colorado Rapids.
8. New England Revolution – 26 pts. | 4-0 loss vs. Philadelphia Union (8/13), next: vs. Columbus Crew SC (8/20)
The Revs produced opportunities to find the back of the net, but failed to do so in their 4-0 thrashing from the Union. New England has now dropped its third match in a row, but hopes to find its way back to a positive result this week when it hosts Crew SC.
9. Columbus Crew SC – 20 pts. | 3-3 draw vs. New York City FC (8/13), next: at New England Revolution (8/20)
Columbus Crew SC fell behind two separate times to East-leading NYCFC, but clawed back into the match behind goals from Justin Meram (49th) and Ethan Finlay (80th, 90th+5) to claim a point from the drama-filled match. The Black & Gold — unbeaten in four of their last five — look to take home all three points this week, as they travel to Gillette Stadium for the second time this season.
- WATCH: Meram equalizes off of a feed from Francis
- WATCH: Finlay converts the penalty against NYCFC
- WATCH: Finlay levels the match at the death
10. Chicago Fire - 19 pts. | 2-2 draw vs. Orlando City SC (8/14), next: at Montreal Impact (8/20)
The Fire forced Orlando goalkeeper Joe Bendik into making seven saves, and added goals from John Goossens (6th) and Razvan Cocis (78th) to split points with the lions last week. Chicago — winless in its last five — will try to get a big result this week, as it goes on the road to Stade Saputo for a clash with the Impact.