In life like in the beautiful game, all good things must come to an end. Since the month of March, the Montreal Impact has played 33 regular season games with only one objective: finish in the Eastern Conference top six to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs, North American football’s most prestigious trophy. And if the Bleu-blanc-noir still has a lot to play for in this ultimate game, notably the possibility of playing the knockout game at Stade Saputo, there is less pressure than for clubs for whom this Decision Day is literally a question of life or death.
The East is almost all set
As Olivier Tremblay showed us, the Impact can still hope to play the knockout game at home, though they will need D.C. United to drop points in Orlando. Elsewhere, New York Red Bulls are almost certain of finishing top, unless they get trashed by Philadelphia Union and New York City FC run riot against Columbus Crew SC. Rival Toronto FC has the chance to get a first round bye and earn a direct spot in the Eastern Conference semi-final with a win against Chicago Fire at home with NYCFC dropping points. Other than these battles for a bye or for a knockout game at home, little change is possible in the East standings. The Bleu-blanc-noir’s opponent on Sunday, New England Revolution, is virtually eliminated: even a heavy defeat for Philadelphia Union, in sixth, would not allow the Revs to catch Philly on goal differential, being 12 behind.
The games
New England Revolution v. Montreal Impact (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690, IMFC Live)
Philadelphia Union v. New York Red Bulls
Orlando City SC v. D.C. United
Toronto FC v. Chicago Fire
New York City FC v. Columbus Crew SC
The standings after the 33rd round
POS |
CLUB |
PTS |
TO PLAY |
W |
L |
D |
DIFF. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
<p>1</p> |
<p>x - NY</p> |
<p>54</p> |
<p>1 (away)</p> |
<p>15</p> |
<p>9</p> |
<p>9</p> |
<p>15</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>x - NYC</p> |
<p>51</p> |
<p>1 (home)</p> |
<p>14</p> |
<p>10</p> |
<p>9</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>3</p> |
<p>x - TOR</p> |
<p>50</p> |
<p>1 (home)</p> |
<p>13</p> |
<p>9</p> |
<p>11</p> |
<p>11</p> |
<p>4</p> |
<p>x - DC</p> |
<p>46</p> |
<p>1 (away)</p> |
<p>11</p> |
<p>9</p> |
<p>13</p> |
<p>8</p> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<strong>x - MTL</strong> |
<strong>45</strong> |
<strong>1 (away)</strong> |
<strong>11</strong> |
<strong>10</strong> |
<strong>12</strong> |
<strong>-1</strong> |
<p>6</p> |
<p>PHI</p> |
<p>42</p> |
<p>1 (home)</p> |
<p>11</p> |
<p>13</p> |
<p>9</p> |
<p>-1</p> |
<p>7</p> |
<p>NE</p> |
<p>39</p> |
<p>1 (home)</p> |
<p>10</p> |
<p>14</p> |
<p>9</p> |
<p>-13</p> |
Wild Wild West
The picture is totally different in the Western Conference, where only two points split Real Salt Lake, in fourth, and holders Portland Timbers, in seventh, with Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City also above the infamous red line. It is assured that one or the other of Sounders and RSL will be in the playoffs as they face each other. At the top, FC Dallas only need one point against LA Galaxy to clinch the Supporters’ Shield, the trophy given to the regular season champ.
The games
Sporting Kansas City v. San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders FC v. Real Salt Lake
Colorado Rapids v. Houston Dynamo
Vancouver Whitecaps FC v. Portland Timbers
LA Galaxy v. FC Dallas
The standings after the 33rd round
POS |
CLUB |
PTS |
TO PLAY |
W |
L |
D |
DIFF. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
<p>1</p> |
<p>x - DAL</p> |
<p>59</p> |
<p>1 (away)</p> |
<p>17</p> |
<p>8</p> |
<p>8</p> |
<p>10</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>x - COL</p> |
<p>57</p> |
<p>1 (home)</p> |
<p>15</p> |
<p>6</p> |
<p>12</p> |
<p>7</p> |
<p>3</p> |
<p>x - LA</p> |
<p>51</p> |
<p>1 (home)</p> |
<p>12</p> |
<p>6</p> |
<p>15</p> |
<p>15</p> |
<p>4</p> |
<p>RSL</p> |
<p>46</p> |
<p>1 (away)</p> |
<p>12</p> |
<p>11</p> |
<p>10</p> |
<p>-1</p> |
<p>5</p> |
<p>SEA</p> |
<p>45</p> |
<p>1 (home)</p> |
<p>13</p> |
<p>14</p> |
<p>6</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>6</p> |
<p>SKC</p> |
<p>44</p> |
<p>1 (home)</p> |
<p>12</p> |
<p>13</p> |
<p>8</p> |
<p>-1</p> |
<p>7</p> |
<p>POR</p> |
<p>44</p> |
<p>1 (away)</p> |
<p>12</p> |
<p>13</p> |
<p>8</p> |
<p>-2</p> |
Reminder of the positions in the standings
First and second: knockout round bye, semi-final berth
Third and fourth: knockout game at home
Fifth and sixth: knockout game away
