More teams clinched a spot in the playoffs this week in MLS, opens spots are disappearing and teams are getting desperate.
Here's the Clincher
NYCFC's beat down of the Chicago Fire on Friday night didn't just propel them into the playoffs, it also did the same for Toronto FC and the NYRB. Toronto and NYRB have been the two best teams in the east for the last two years, but NYCFC making the playoffs in the way they did is a surprise; at the start of the season I had them pegged for another season of futility. Somehow, Patrick Vieira has managed to herd his very expensive cats into a viable formation. Much of their success this season has come from a resurgent Frank Lampard, but he's now out for at least 3 weeks, they'll get him back just in time for the playoffs...but what form he'll be in is questionable. Either way, congrats to the eastern conference clinchers, it's well deserved in my opinion.
Kei Kamara Returns to Columbus, And it Ain't Pretty
Kei Kamara's controversial departure from Columbus after an argument over a penalty kick hurt both Kei Kamara's career and the Columbus Crew's playoff hopes. Any hopes Kei might have had of getting a warm welcome were swiftly dashed by a chorus of boos that rang down from the stands in Columbus any time he touched the ball. Perhaps worse for the former striker, his replacement, Ola Kamara, scored 2 goals in a 2-0 victory for the home side. Both Columbus and New England will have to set aside any emotional gains and losses from this game though, as both are clinging to ever slimmer playoff hopes.
The Sounders Are Alive
...and Jordan Morris is the cause. Morris got the game winner off an amazing one-man effort, scored a brace and set the record for goals by an American rookie in MLS. Just look at this goal:
Jordan Morris Goal
That goal started a run of 3 goals in about 20 minutes including a great curling effort by Ozzie Alonso. The Sounders are now just 3 points off of taking the final western conference playoff spot from the Portland Timbers with two games in hand on everyone above them in the standings except for Colorado (who they're unlikely to catch). The Sounders have a very winnable home match against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday that could get them into a playoff spot for the first time all season.
Orlando City Will Miss the Playoffs
It's not yet official, but Orlando City SC is probably going to miss the playoffs. They sit a mere 3 points back from DC United in the standings, but their remaining schedule is grim; away matches vs Toronto and Philadelphia and a potentially bad match up vs the Montreal Impact at home. Their one bright spot is that they end with DC United at home. Frustrating to be sure, as ownership fired their previous coach and brought in Jason Kreis specifically to get them back into the playoff spots. Will ownership fire Kreis if they don't make it?
Here's the Clincher
NYCFC's beat down of the Chicago Fire on Friday night didn't just propel them into the playoffs, it also did the same for Toronto FC and the NYRB. Toronto and NYRB have been the two best teams in the east for the last two years, but NYCFC making the playoffs in the way they did is a surprise; at the start of the season I had them pegged for another season of futility. Somehow, Patrick Vieira has managed to herd his very expensive cats into a viable formation. Much of their success this season has come from a resurgent Frank Lampard, but he's now out for at least 3 weeks, they'll get him back just in time for the playoffs...but what form he'll be in is questionable. Either way, congrats to the eastern conference clinchers, it's well deserved in my opinion.
Kei Kamara Returns to Columbus, And it Ain't Pretty
Kei Kamara's controversial departure from Columbus after an argument over a penalty kick hurt both Kei Kamara's career and the Columbus Crew's playoff hopes. Any hopes Kei might have had of getting a warm welcome were swiftly dashed by a chorus of boos that rang down from the stands in Columbus any time he touched the ball. Perhaps worse for the former striker, his replacement, Ola Kamara, scored 2 goals in a 2-0 victory for the home side. Both Columbus and New England will have to set aside any emotional gains and losses from this game though, as both are clinging to ever slimmer playoff hopes.
The Sounders Are Alive
...and Jordan Morris is the cause. Morris got the game winner off an amazing one-man effort, scored a brace and set the record for goals by an American rookie in MLS. Just look at this goal:
Jordan Morris Goal
That goal started a run of 3 goals in about 20 minutes including a great curling effort by Ozzie Alonso. The Sounders are now just 3 points off of taking the final western conference playoff spot from the Portland Timbers with two games in hand on everyone above them in the standings except for Colorado (who they're unlikely to catch). The Sounders have a very winnable home match against the Chicago Fire on Wednesday that could get them into a playoff spot for the first time all season.
Orlando City Will Miss the Playoffs
It's not yet official, but Orlando City SC is probably going to miss the playoffs. They sit a mere 3 points back from DC United in the standings, but their remaining schedule is grim; away matches vs Toronto and Philadelphia and a potentially bad match up vs the Montreal Impact at home. Their one bright spot is that they end with DC United at home. Frustrating to be sure, as ownership fired their previous coach and brought in Jason Kreis specifically to get them back into the playoff spots. Will ownership fire Kreis if they don't make it?
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