Playoff Watch: Lots of movement in MLS's Eastern Conference
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Oct 31, 2021
Just three playoff berths remain up for grabs in MLS's Eastern Conference after play on Saturday.
New York City FC clinched a spot in the playoffs for the sixth year in a row when it won, 3-1, at Inter Miami thanks to two goals from Argentine Valentin Castellanos, who moved into the lead in the MLS scoring race with 18 goals.
The Philadelphia Union, the 2020 Supporters' Shield winner, is secure after Columbus defeated D.C. United, 3-1, on the road. Below the Union just four points separate the next six teams.
The most dramatic result was the New York Red Bulls' 1-0 win over CF Montreal that moved them back seventh place ahead of D.C. United.
The match at Red Bull Arena was headed for a scoreless draw when Brazilian Fabio scored in stoppage time on assists by Patryk Klimala and 18-year-old midfielder Caden Clark, who was making his first appearance in three weeks.
Standings:
1. x-New England (33 games, 22-4-7) 73 pts.
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2. x-Nashville SC (32 games, 12-3-17) 52 pts.
3. (+1) x-New York City FC (33 games, 14-11-8) 50 pts.
4. (-1) x-Philadelphia (32 games, 13-8-11) 50 pts.
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5. (+1) Atlanta United (32 games, 12-9-11) 47 pts.
6. (-1) Orlando City (32 games, 12-9-11) 47 pts.
7. (+1) NY Red Bulls (32 games, 13-12-7) 46 pts.
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8. (-1) D.C. United (33 games, 13-15-5) 44 pts.
9. (+1) Columbus (33 games, 12-13-8), 44 pts.
10. (-1) CF Montreal (32 games, 11-11-10) 43 pts.
11. e-Inter Miami (33 games, 11-17-5), 38 pts.
12. e-Chicago (33 games, 9-17-7), 34 pts.
13. e-Toronto FC (33 games, 6-17-10), 28 pts.
14. e-FC Cincinnati (32 games, 4-20-8), 20 pts.
x=clinched playoff berth; e=eliminated from playoffs.
In the Western Conference, Real Salt Lake's playoff chances took a hit when it fell, 4-3, at home to San Jose. The Earthquakes scored four unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead before RSL made it close with two goals in the last five minutes.
Real Salt Lake is one of five teams separated by three points in a battle for three playoff berths.
Standings:
1. x-Sporting KC (31 games, 17-7-7) 58 pts.
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2. x-Seattle (32 games, 17-8-7) 58 pts.
3. x-Colorado (32 games, 15-7-10) 55 pts.
4. Portland (32 games, 15-13-4) 49 pts.
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5. Vancouver (32 games, 12-9-11) 47 pts.
6. LA Galaxy (32 games, 13-12-7) 46 pts.
7. Real Salt Lake (32 games, 13-13-6) 45 pts.
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8. Minn. United (32 games, 12-11-9) 45 pts.
9. LAFC (32 games, 12-12-8) 44 pts.
10. e-San Jose (33 games, 10-13-10) 40 pts.
11. (+1) e-FC Dallas (33 games, 7-15-11) 32 pts.
12. (-1) e-Houston (32 games, 6-14-12) 30 pts.
13. e-Austin FC (32 games, 8-20-4) 28 pts.
x=clinched playoff berth; e=eliminated from playoffs.
MLS Schedule:
Saturday, October 30
NY Red Bulls 1 CF Montreal 0. (Goal: Fabio 90+1. Att.: 16,344.)
Inter Miami 1 NYCFC 3. (Goals: Figal 56; Castellanos 33, 60, Talles Magno 83. Att.: 17,595.)
Atlanta United 1 Toronto FC 1. (Goals: Araujo 15; Perruzza 88. Att.: 43,372.)
D.C. United 1 Columbus 3. (Goals: Arriola 3; Zelarayan 45, 76, Santos 66. Att.: 16,787.)
FC Dallas 2 Austin FC 1. (Goals: Ferreira 38, Jara 80; Fagundez 36. Att.: 16,080.)
Real Salt Lake 3 San Jose 4. (Goals: Rusnak 9, 90+2, Chang 85; Fierro 37, Wondolowski 45+2, Cowell 69, Yueill 79. Att.: 15,553.)
MLS Schedule:
Sunday, October 31
Houston vs. Colorado
Philadelphia vs. FC Cincinnati
Orlando City vs. Nashville SC
Minnesota United vs. Sporting KC
Monday, November 1
Seattle vs. LA Galaxy
Tuesday, November 2
LAFC vs. Vancouver
Wednesday, November 3
NY Red Bulls vs. Atlanta United
CF Montreal vs. Houston
Austin FC vs. Sporting KC
Real Salt Lake vs. Portland
Sunday, November 7
FC Cincinnati vs. Atlanta United
Columbus vs. Chicago
CF Montreal vs. Orlando City
Nashville SC vs. NY Red Bulls
New England vs. Inter Miami
NYCFC vs. Philadelphia
Toronto FC vs. D.C. United
Colorado vs. LAFC
Sporting KC vs. Real Salt Lake
LA Galaxy vs. Minnesota United
Portland vs. Austin FC
San Jose vs. FC Dallas
Vancouver vs. Seattle
