Major League Standings: Seattle still in the playoff race

Seattle gets a late winner and significantly improves their playoff run. Unfortunately, this week did not produce the favorable results for the rest of the West that we have gotten used to seeing.

FC Dallas drew NYCFC 2-2 in New York and clinched the first playoff spot in MLS with former Sounder Mauro Rosales assisting both goals.

Of the teams Seattle is battling for the final two playoff spots, both SKC and SJ drew, Vancouver lost, and Portland won. The PDX win over the Philly Union was one of the two home games they had remaining and was a match they were expected to pick up points from.

San Jose and Sporting KC picked up draws against sides that were higher than them on table; San Jose went to the Mile High city and got a draw against a slumping Colorado Rapids side. Sporting gave up an early goal, then stormed back with two of their own before Landon “Super Sub” Donovan tied it back up. Kansas City needed to get a win against LA to stay in 5th, but Donovan’s goal in the scorching heat of Missouri broke the home team’s spirit (hopefully) as they get ready to push through the final four matches.

Possible Points:

Sounders FC - 53 (owns the tiebreaker)

Portland Timbers - 53

Sporting KC - 52 (owns the tiebreaker over SJ)

San Jose Earthquakes - 52

Vancouver Whitecaps - 46

Yes, Seattle officially owns the top possible points of all teams fighting for those final two spots. If we follow the one point road, three points home theory, Seattle is still leading the race for 5th.

Sounders FC - 47 (owns the tiebreaker)

Portland Timbers - 47

Sporting KC - 46 (owns the tiebreaker)

San Jose Earthquakes - 46

Vancouver Whitecaps - 44

In the other match, Houston beautifully beat Real Salt Lake 1-0 in Sandy, Utah.

Eastern Conference

The less fun side of the league had a handful of goal-filled affairs, with all four East vs. East matches ending with at least four goals each. Jozy Altidore’s 86th minute goal for TFC tied the match against the Red Bulls at 3-3 and kept them in first place over the New Jersey based energy drinks, but his earlier goal was arguably more impressive. TFC was originally awarded a playoff spot but the league took it away with zero explanation of their math. Don Garber and Co. are far enough removed from grade school to show their work.

New England won 3-1 in Montreal and Columbus beat Orlando 4-1 in the Sunshine State. Basement dwellers Chicago and DC drew 2-2 to kick off the weekend.

www.mlssoccer.com/standings