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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| New York Red Bulls win MLS Supporters' Shield – as it happened | New York Red Bulls win MLS Supporters' Shield – as it happened |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| 9.29pm ET01:29 | |
| Final thoughts | Final thoughts |
| So after a year that started in acrimony in New York, the Red Bulls take the regular season title and a shot at hosting MLS Cup. Plenty of twists remain before anything like that can happen of course, and New York will still have the scars from their early exit against Houston after winning the Shield in 2013. But congratulations to Jesse Marsch on a significant first year achievement.In the West, LA were the big losers on the night as all the other teams in the playoff slots got the job done. It’s hard to bet againt the MLS Cup specialists in the playoffs, but if they’re going to defend their title they’ll have to do it the hard way, by first going on the road and winning in Seattle. LA have been poor on the road in general this year, and a must win road game againt the Sounders is not what they were hoping for at the start of the day. The Cascadia teams had a great day — piling in ten goals between them this evening, in a sequence that pushes Vancouver directly into the Conference semi-finals, while Seattle and Portland both have home games.Over in the East Montreal are looking ominous behind Drogba’s 11 goals in 11 games. Now they have to do the same thing they did tonight in beating Toronto at home. Columbus looked awesome in their dismantling of D.C. who were second at the start of the day but now face a New England side who confirmed their own playoff spot by seeing off a lackluster NYCFC on the road. D.C. must now recover their confidence on a short turnaround.It was a fun climax to the season in the end — but now we begin again with the playoffs. We’ll see you for those in a few days, and Graham Ruthven and I will be back in the morning to pick over what we saw tonight. Thanks for joining me tonight. Good night. | So after a year that started in acrimony in New York, the Red Bulls take the regular season title and a shot at hosting MLS Cup. Plenty of twists remain before anything like that can happen of course, and New York will still have the scars from their early exit against Houston after winning the Shield in 2013. But congratulations to Jesse Marsch on a significant first year achievement.In the West, LA were the big losers on the night as all the other teams in the playoff slots got the job done. It’s hard to bet againt the MLS Cup specialists in the playoffs, but if they’re going to defend their title they’ll have to do it the hard way, by first going on the road and winning in Seattle. LA have been poor on the road in general this year, and a must win road game againt the Sounders is not what they were hoping for at the start of the day. The Cascadia teams had a great day — piling in ten goals between them this evening, in a sequence that pushes Vancouver directly into the Conference semi-finals, while Seattle and Portland both have home games.Over in the East Montreal are looking ominous behind Drogba’s 11 goals in 11 games. Now they have to do the same thing they did tonight in beating Toronto at home. Columbus looked awesome in their dismantling of D.C. who were second at the start of the day but now face a New England side who confirmed their own playoff spot by seeing off a lackluster NYCFC on the road. D.C. must now recover their confidence on a short turnaround.It was a fun climax to the season in the end — but now we begin again with the playoffs. We’ll see you for those in a few days, and Graham Ruthven and I will be back in the morning to pick over what we saw tonight. Thanks for joining me tonight. Good night. |
| Updated at 9.36pm ET | |
| 9.19pm ET01:19 | |
| What it means | What it means |
| So San Jose miss the playoffs after losing 2-1 to Dallas, who also miss out on the Supporters Shield, after New York claim it in Chicago.Vancouver’s win gives them the second automatic bye in the Western Conference, behind Conference winners Dallas. | So San Jose miss the playoffs after losing 2-1 to Dallas, who also miss out on the Supporters Shield, after New York claim it in Chicago.Vancouver’s win gives them the second automatic bye in the Western Conference, behind Conference winners Dallas. |
| LA’s two losses to end the season could prove expensive — they now have to go to Seattle and get a result on turf, after the Sounders beat Houston. Portland grab third in the West and will host Sporting in the other game this week. | LA’s two losses to end the season could prove expensive — they now have to go to Seattle and get a result on turf, after the Sounders beat Houston. Portland grab third in the West and will host Sporting in the other game this week. |
| Wild card games in full: | Wild card games in full: |
| East:Montreal vs TorontoD.C. vs New EnglandWest:Portland vs Sporting KCSeattle vs LA Galaxy | East:Montreal vs TorontoD.C. vs New EnglandWest:Portland vs Sporting KCSeattle vs LA Galaxy |
| 9.14pm ET01:14 | |
| Final scores | Final scores |
| Vancouver 3-0 Houston (Earnshaw got a late goal to extend Vancouver’s lead)Sporting KC 2-1 LA GalaxyFC Dallas 2-1 San JoseSeattle 3-1 Real Salt LakePortland 4-1 Colorado RapidsChicago Fire 1-2 New York Red Bulls | Vancouver 3-0 Houston (Earnshaw got a late goal to extend Vancouver’s lead)Sporting KC 2-1 LA GalaxyFC Dallas 2-1 San JoseSeattle 3-1 Real Salt LakePortland 4-1 Colorado RapidsChicago Fire 1-2 New York Red Bulls |
| 9.12pm ET01:12 | |
| New York Red Bulls win the Shield! | New York Red Bulls win the Shield! |
| It was tense at the end but New York hold on for a first ever win at Toyota Park and a second Supporters Shield in three years. | It was tense at the end but New York hold on for a first ever win at Toyota Park and a second Supporters Shield in three years. |
| 9.10pm ET01:10 | |
| LA just had a free kick wide left and it was only cleared as far as a driving shot from Zardes at the edge of the box — parried clear brilliantly by Melia. As you were. Just. Deep into injury time now... | LA just had a free kick wide left and it was only cleared as far as a driving shot from Zardes at the edge of the box — parried clear brilliantly by Melia. As you were. Just. Deep into injury time now... |
| 9.08pm ET01:08 | |
| Chicago just had a free kick to the right of the Red Bulls box in the 90th minute, that was just about worked clear, but now they must defend a corner......and a shot through traffic is blocked by a lunge from Damien Perinelle! There’ll be 4 minutes of stoppage time at Toyota Park. | Chicago just had a free kick to the right of the Red Bulls box in the 90th minute, that was just about worked clear, but now they must defend a corner......and a shot through traffic is blocked by a lunge from Damien Perinelle! There’ll be 4 minutes of stoppage time at Toyota Park. |
| 9.07pm ET01:07 | |
| Portland 4-1 Colorado (Adi) | Portland 4-1 Colorado (Adi) |
| Told you they’d score more later on...Adi makes it 4-1 for the Timbers, who will host Sporting as it stands | Told you they’d score more later on...Adi makes it 4-1 for the Timbers, who will host Sporting as it stands |
| 9.04pm ET01:04 | |
| Very tense over in Chicago, as New York try to balance their fairly recent reserves of self-belief against their historic reserves of heartbreak. They’re sitting deep to try and see out the game now. | Very tense over in Chicago, as New York try to balance their fairly recent reserves of self-belief against their historic reserves of heartbreak. They’re sitting deep to try and see out the game now. |
| At Sporting Park, Leonardo just hooked over the bar as the ball broke to him from an LA corner. | At Sporting Park, Leonardo just hooked over the bar as the ball broke to him from an LA corner. |
| 9.01pm ET01:01 | |
| So the two goal swing means that a Chicago goal now would give Dallas the Shield. New York may be paying the price for trying to manage the game in Chicago with too long still to go. | So the two goal swing means that a Chicago goal now would give Dallas the Shield. New York may be paying the price for trying to manage the game in Chicago with too long still to go. |
| 9.00pm ET01:00 | |
| FC Dallas 2-1 San Jose (Ulloa) | FC Dallas 2-1 San Jose (Ulloa) |
| And suddenly it’s all up for grabs at the top! Dallas get the breakthrough in the 80th minute! | And suddenly it’s all up for grabs at the top! Dallas get the breakthrough in the 80th minute! |
| 8.57pm ET00:57 | |
| Chicago 1-2 New York (Gilberto) | Chicago 1-2 New York (Gilberto) |
| Now then...nervous finish for New York as Gilberto halves the deficit in Chicago. Still needs a goal for Dallas and another goal for Chicago to change the Shield’s destination, but from looking comfortable, NEw York’s players might be looking at the clock right now. | Now then...nervous finish for New York as Gilberto halves the deficit in Chicago. Still needs a goal for Dallas and another goal for Chicago to change the Shield’s destination, but from looking comfortable, NEw York’s players might be looking at the clock right now. |
| 8.54pm ET00:54 | |
| 15 minutes of the regular season to go and San Jose are the odd team out right now — but LA in particular will be very unhappy with where their final couple of games have left them. They need to do something at Sporting Park, but are pinned back at the moment. | 15 minutes of the regular season to go and San Jose are the odd team out right now — but LA in particular will be very unhappy with where their final couple of games have left them. They need to do something at Sporting Park, but are pinned back at the moment. |
| 8.52pm ET00:52 | |
| Vancouver 2-0 Houston (Waston) | Vancouver 2-0 Houston (Waston) |
| Vancouver get some insurance for their current automatic bye slot as Waston doubles their league over Houston... | Vancouver get some insurance for their current automatic bye slot as Waston doubles their league over Houston... |
| 8.50pm ET00:50 | |
| David Accam has just hit the bar for Chicago, who’ve been pressing the Red Bulls a little in the most recent period of that game. A glimmer of hope for Dallas? | David Accam has just hit the bar for Chicago, who’ve been pressing the Red Bulls a little in the most recent period of that game. A glimmer of hope for Dallas? |
| 8.49pm ET00:49 | |
| San Jose’s Garcia sent off in Dallas | San Jose’s Garcia sent off in Dallas |
| Some hope for Dallas, who realistically need a big goal swing up in Chicago for it to matter. But they’ll see out the remainder of the game against ten men after Perez Garcoa sees red for San Jose, whose own playoff hopes are fading fast now. Dom Kinnear’s habit of nursing sides into the playoffs might not extend to his return to the Earthquakes. | Some hope for Dallas, who realistically need a big goal swing up in Chicago for it to matter. But they’ll see out the remainder of the game against ten men after Perez Garcoa sees red for San Jose, whose own playoff hopes are fading fast now. Dom Kinnear’s habit of nursing sides into the playoffs might not extend to his return to the Earthquakes. |
| 8.46pm ET00:46 | |
| So as it stands, Vancouver remain in second, then it’s Portland (3) vs Sporting KC (6) and LA (5) are back on the road in Seattle (4). New York still on course for the Shield and the potential MLS Cup hosting slot. | So as it stands, Vancouver remain in second, then it’s Portland (3) vs Sporting KC (6) and LA (5) are back on the road in Seattle (4). New York still on course for the Shield and the potential MLS Cup hosting slot. |
| 8.44pm ET00:44 | |
| Sporting KC 2-1 LA Galaxy | Sporting KC 2-1 LA Galaxy |
| Brilliant threaded pass from Feilhaber puts in Dwyer to score from a narrow angle and it’s all change again in the standings! Portland goal being credited to Villafana by the way. | Brilliant threaded pass from Feilhaber puts in Dwyer to score from a narrow angle and it’s all change again in the standings! Portland goal being credited to Villafana by the way. |
| 8.42pm ET00:42 | |
| Portland 3-1 Colorado | Portland 3-1 Colorado |
| Portland have extended their lead over Colorado. More on that in a moment, but first, some big news from Sporting Park... | Portland have extended their lead over Colorado. More on that in a moment, but first, some big news from Sporting Park... |
| 8.39pm ET00:39 | |
| As it now stands Portland will host Sporting KC this week, while LA, who faced a trip to Seattle earlier on, are currently set to host the Sounders in the other one-0ff game. | As it now stands Portland will host Sporting KC this week, while LA, who faced a trip to Seattle earlier on, are currently set to host the Sounders in the other one-0ff game. |
| 8.38pm ET00:38 | |
| Vancouver take the lead over Houston | Vancouver take the lead over Houston |
| Was about to write that after 12 goals in the first half, there’d been none in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. But then Vancouver made the breakthrough via a Kekuta Manneh goal. They’ve been quietly working away all evening, and now they’ve jumped into second place in the West if these scores hold. | Was about to write that after 12 goals in the first half, there’d been none in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. But then Vancouver made the breakthrough via a Kekuta Manneh goal. They’ve been quietly working away all evening, and now they’ve jumped into second place in the West if these scores hold. |
| 8.34pm ET00:34 | |
| Sporting living a little dangerously as they try to force the issue at Sporting Park. They’re being stretched on the counter at times, and LA looking more comfortable as the game goes on. In Chicago, New York looking very comfortable against a forlorn looking Fire side. Dallas having to deal with some pressure from San Jose, who still have playoff hopes as things stand, but also threatening with their own speed as they try to make a race of it with New York. | Sporting living a little dangerously as they try to force the issue at Sporting Park. They’re being stretched on the counter at times, and LA looking more comfortable as the game goes on. In Chicago, New York looking very comfortable against a forlorn looking Fire side. Dallas having to deal with some pressure from San Jose, who still have playoff hopes as things stand, but also threatening with their own speed as they try to make a race of it with New York. |
| 8.30pm ET00:30 | |
| Feilhaber’s got his chance for redemption in Sporting, and is on for the second half. He just drove a low free kick from a shallow angle that forced Gerrard into a lunging clearance at LA’s near post. | Feilhaber’s got his chance for redemption in Sporting, and is on for the second half. He just drove a low free kick from a shallow angle that forced Gerrard into a lunging clearance at LA’s near post. |
| 8.27pm ET00:27 | |
| LA are making the better chances at Sporting Park, but can’t get a second goal — Sebastian Lletget just fired a shot wide from the edge of the box after some neat set up play from Keane. | LA are making the better chances at Sporting Park, but can’t get a second goal — Sebastian Lletget just fired a shot wide from the edge of the box after some neat set up play from Keane. |
| 8.23pm ET00:23 | |
| Sporting have come out on the front foot against LA. Mind you, they’ve just had to deal with another Gerrard shot from the edge of the box. It’s another one straight at Melia though. | Sporting have come out on the front foot against LA. Mind you, they’ve just had to deal with another Gerrard shot from the edge of the box. It’s another one straight at Melia though. |
| Updated at 8.24pm ET | |
| 8.21pm ET00:21 | |
| Second half kicks off | Second half kicks off |
| More standing around while TV staffers count down with their fingers on the sidelines...and we’re off again! 45 more minutes left in the regular MLS season. | More standing around while TV staffers count down with their fingers on the sidelines...and we’re off again! 45 more minutes left in the regular MLS season. |
| 8.20pm ET00:20 | |
| Here’s Robbie Keane’s potentially vital equalizer for LA: | Here’s Robbie Keane’s potentially vital equalizer for LA: |
| Who dat?! Goal King for #LAGalaxy. 1-1 SKC v Robbie Keane #SKCvLA pic.twitter.com/1SpAFee9a9 | Who dat?! Goal King for #LAGalaxy. 1-1 SKC v Robbie Keane #SKCvLA pic.twitter.com/1SpAFee9a9 |
| 8.18pm ET00:18 | |
| Dallas have been scintillating for much of the year though, and few players more so than Mauro Diaz, who drew Dallas level after San Jose took the lead. | Dallas have been scintillating for much of the year though, and few players more so than Mauro Diaz, who drew Dallas level after San Jose took the lead. |
| MLS: Diaz goal -- FC Dallas (38'): MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER: Mauro Diaz (38') FC Dallas 1-1 San Jose https://t.co/vh4HfYjBio #FIFA #WorldCup | MLS: Diaz goal -- FC Dallas (38'): MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER: Mauro Diaz (38') FC Dallas 1-1 San Jose https://t.co/vh4HfYjBio #FIFA #WorldCup |
| 8.15pm ET00:15 | |
| Jesse Marsch is on course to land New York their second trophy in three years, if his New York team can wrap up a first ever victory in Chicago. After the upheaval of his arrival with the team following the controversial sacking of Mike Petke, and the departures of Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill in the off-season, it’s been a remarkable run for Marsch to potentially emulate what Petke did as a first year coach with the team. Still 45 minutes to go though. | Jesse Marsch is on course to land New York their second trophy in three years, if his New York team can wrap up a first ever victory in Chicago. After the upheaval of his arrival with the team following the controversial sacking of Mike Petke, and the departures of Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill in the off-season, it’s been a remarkable run for Marsch to potentially emulate what Petke did as a first year coach with the team. Still 45 minutes to go though. |
| .@NewYorkRedBulls 13-2-0 when leading at halftime and 14-4-0 when scoring first. #RBNY leads 2-0 at the half. #CHIvNY #DecisionDay | .@NewYorkRedBulls 13-2-0 when leading at halftime and 14-4-0 when scoring first. #RBNY leads 2-0 at the half. #CHIvNY #DecisionDay |
| Updated at 8.16pm ET | |
| 8.12pm ET00:12 | |
| We’ve not talked a lot about the Vancouver game so far. They’ve been such a solid side all year that you can’t imagine Seattle will be too thrilled at the prospect of facing them in a single game, no matter the weight of home advantage. They’ve hit the bar so far against Houston, but it’s still 0-0 at BC Place. | We’ve not talked a lot about the Vancouver game so far. They’ve been such a solid side all year that you can’t imagine Seattle will be too thrilled at the prospect of facing them in a single game, no matter the weight of home advantage. They’ve hit the bar so far against Houston, but it’s still 0-0 at BC Place. |
| 8.10pm ET00:10 | |
| Half-time | Half-time |
| Vancouver 0-0 HoustonSeattle 3-0 RSLDallas 1-1 San JosePortland 2-1 ColoradoSporting KC 1-1 LA GalaxyChicago 0-2 New York Red Bulls | Vancouver 0-0 HoustonSeattle 3-0 RSLDallas 1-1 San JosePortland 2-1 ColoradoSporting KC 1-1 LA GalaxyChicago 0-2 New York Red Bulls |
| Current standings:New York on course to win Supporters Shield by two points over Dallas.Western Conference standings: | Current standings:New York on course to win Supporters Shield by two points over Dallas.Western Conference standings: |
| DallasPortlandLASeattleVancouverSporting KCSan JoseAs it stands, the single play-in games will be LA vs Sporting and Seattle vs Vancouver | DallasPortlandLASeattleVancouverSporting KCSan JoseAs it stands, the single play-in games will be LA vs Sporting and Seattle vs Vancouver |
| 8.06pm ET00:06 | |
| ...Robbie Keane levels the game in Kansas City! | ...Robbie Keane levels the game in Kansas City! |
| In fairness to Gerrard he’s making the forward runs to open up space and LA get their reward as he and Keane burst through, with the latter just dinking the ball over Melia from near the edge of the six yard box. | In fairness to Gerrard he’s making the forward runs to open up space and LA get their reward as he and Keane burst through, with the latter just dinking the ball over Melia from near the edge of the six yard box. |
| 8.04pm ET00:04 | |
| Terrible miss by Steven Gerrard — LA break and Dos Santos squares the ball to his team mate on the edge of the box. Gerrard has lots of space, but pauses before driving a low shot too close to Tim Melia. Since a fantastic debut for LA, Gerrard’s not done a lot for the champions. You know who has though...? | Terrible miss by Steven Gerrard — LA break and Dos Santos squares the ball to his team mate on the edge of the box. Gerrard has lots of space, but pauses before driving a low shot too close to Tim Melia. Since a fantastic debut for LA, Gerrard’s not done a lot for the champions. You know who has though...? |
| 8.01pm ET00:01 | |
| Dallas level against San Jose | Dallas level against San Jose |
| And some even better news for Sporting KC as Mauro Diaz has pulled Dallas level against San Jose. So as it stands the playoff spots are: | And some even better news for Sporting KC as Mauro Diaz has pulled Dallas level against San Jose. So as it stands the playoff spots are: |
| DallasPortlandSeattleVancouverLASporting | DallasPortlandSeattleVancouverLASporting |
| San Jose below the red line again, while LA currently facing a single game road trip to Seattle if they want to defend their title. | San Jose below the red line again, while LA currently facing a single game road trip to Seattle if they want to defend their title. |
| 7.58pm ET23:58 | |
| Sporting KC take the lead over LA | Sporting KC take the lead over LA |
| And it looks a dodgy one. A little pinball in the LA box from a set piece, then Chance Myers shoots against the legs of his own player, Kevin Ellis, standing in a clear offside position as he puts the ricocheting ball into the net. That is a huge break for Sporting. | And it looks a dodgy one. A little pinball in the LA box from a set piece, then Chance Myers shoots against the legs of his own player, Kevin Ellis, standing in a clear offside position as he puts the ricocheting ball into the net. That is a huge break for Sporting. |
| 7.56pm ET23:56 | |
| New York double their lead... | New York double their lead... |
| Mike Grella is fouled in the box and Sacha Kljestan converts the penalty. The Shield in touching distance now... | Mike Grella is fouled in the box and Sacha Kljestan converts the penalty. The Shield in touching distance now... |
| 7.55pm ET23:55 | |
| Portland go 2-1 up... | Portland go 2-1 up... |
| Of course, spirited resistance is no match for a liveblogger tempting fate, and Portland have just gone 2-1 up over Colorado. Nagbe with another goal... | Of course, spirited resistance is no match for a liveblogger tempting fate, and Portland have just gone 2-1 up over Colorado. Nagbe with another goal... |
| 7.52pm ET23:52 | |
| Portland encountering spirited resistance from Colorado, whose playoff hopes may be long over, but not their say in how the playoff places look — in fact their counterpunching victory in Kansas City this week, has currently left Sporting on the outside looking in.Portland meanwhile, are yet to look like the side who swept aside the Galaxy last week, but then again they didn’t score the first of those five goals until well into the second half. | Portland encountering spirited resistance from Colorado, whose playoff hopes may be long over, but not their say in how the playoff places look — in fact their counterpunching victory in Kansas City this week, has currently left Sporting on the outside looking in.Portland meanwhile, are yet to look like the side who swept aside the Galaxy last week, but then again they didn’t score the first of those five goals until well into the second half. |
| 7.48pm ET23:48 | |
| In Shield news, Dallas still losing to San Jose at home and New York winning 1-0 against Chicago at a stadium they’ve never won in. Dallas would now need to score 9 goals to take the Shield if the New York result holds. If it does New York will be grateful for a great save by Luis Robles a few minutes ago — getting down to push away a shot from Gilberto, who was free on a ball over the top. | In Shield news, Dallas still losing to San Jose at home and New York winning 1-0 against Chicago at a stadium they’ve never won in. Dallas would now need to score 9 goals to take the Shield if the New York result holds. If it does New York will be grateful for a great save by Luis Robles a few minutes ago — getting down to push away a shot from Gilberto, who was free on a ball over the top. |
| Updated at 7.49pm ET | |
| 7.46pm ET23:46 | |
| Big miss by Dom Dwyer! Nemeth whipped a perfect cross to the edge of the LA six yard box and Donovan Ricketts was just able to get out far enough in time to block Dwyer from turning the ball home. That was close to opening the scoring. | Big miss by Dom Dwyer! Nemeth whipped a perfect cross to the edge of the LA six yard box and Donovan Ricketts was just able to get out far enough in time to block Dwyer from turning the ball home. That was close to opening the scoring. |
| 7.43pm ET23:43 | |
| Seattle 3-0 Real Salt Lake | Seattle 3-0 Real Salt Lake |
| Seems that talk of missing the playoffs has stuck in the Sounders’ collective craw — Dempsey just got his second. LA Galaxy’s AJ DeLaGarza just got booked for a foul in Kansas City by the way, but Sporting couldn’t make anything of the resulting free kick. | Seems that talk of missing the playoffs has stuck in the Sounders’ collective craw — Dempsey just got his second. LA Galaxy’s AJ DeLaGarza just got booked for a foul in Kansas City by the way, but Sporting couldn’t make anything of the resulting free kick. |
| 7.40pm ET23:40 | |
| Bit of a goalmouth scramble in the Sporting box right now, but LA can’t find a decisive touch. Now Dos Santos has blazed over from a narrow angle, but it’s still very muted in that game compared to what’s going on elsewhere. Speaking of which... | Bit of a goalmouth scramble in the Sporting box right now, but LA can’t find a decisive touch. Now Dos Santos has blazed over from a narrow angle, but it’s still very muted in that game compared to what’s going on elsewhere. Speaking of which... |
| 7.38pm ET23:38 | |
| Colorado equalize in Portland | Colorado equalize in Portland |
| It’s 1-1 in Portland. Dominique Badji sends Portland from a bye to the semis to a road game in the wild card round as it stands. They’re back down to 5th in the live table:DallasLASeattleVancouverPortlandSan Jose | It’s 1-1 in Portland. Dominique Badji sends Portland from a bye to the semis to a road game in the wild card round as it stands. They’re back down to 5th in the live table:DallasLASeattleVancouverPortlandSan Jose |
| Sporting out of the playoffs as it stands... | Sporting out of the playoffs as it stands... |
| 7.35pm ET23:35 | |
| Seattle double their lead | Seattle double their lead |
| Marco Pappa has made it 2-0 for Seattle | Marco Pappa has made it 2-0 for Seattle |
| 7.33pm ET23:33 | |
| ...and San Jose lead in Dallas | ...and San Jose lead in Dallas |
| The Red Bulls firmly in command in the Shield race right now, as San Jose have taken the lead against Dallas in Texas. Quincy Amarikwa got the goal. | The Red Bulls firmly in command in the Shield race right now, as San Jose have taken the lead against Dallas in Texas. Quincy Amarikwa got the goal. |
| Updated at 7.38pm ET | |
| 7.32pm ET23:32 | |
| New York lead in Chicago... | New York lead in Chicago... |
| Bradley Wright-Phillips has put New York into the lead in Chicago — he was terribly marked on a corner and scored from point blank range... | Bradley Wright-Phillips has put New York into the lead in Chicago — he was terribly marked on a corner and scored from point blank range... |
| 7.31pm ET23:31 | |
| Nagbegol™ | Nagbegol™ |
| That was a lovely free kick from Nagbe to put Portland ahead. He looks in a good mood these days — possibly due to encountering the relentless positivity of Jurgen Klinsmann “enquiring” about him for the US team. | That was a lovely free kick from Nagbe to put Portland ahead. He looks in a good mood these days — possibly due to encountering the relentless positivity of Jurgen Klinsmann “enquiring” about him for the US team. |
| 7.29pm ET23:29 | |
| Goals in Portland and Seattle | Goals in Portland and Seattle |
| Darlington Nagbe has given Portland the lead over Colorado after five minutes, while almost simultaneously Clint Dempsey was putting Seattle 1-0 up over RSL. As it stands, Portland would nudge LA out of second place. | Darlington Nagbe has given Portland the lead over Colorado after five minutes, while almost simultaneously Clint Dempsey was putting Seattle 1-0 up over RSL. As it stands, Portland would nudge LA out of second place. |
| 7.26pm ET23:26 | |
| Feilhabercam™ | Feilhabercam™ |
| First inevitable shots of a brooding Benny Feilhaber sitting on the Sporting bench — Sporting KC have not looked the same since Roger Espinoza got injured, and Feilhaber in particular looks to have missed Espinoza’s industry, and the time it bought him on the ball. | First inevitable shots of a brooding Benny Feilhaber sitting on the Sporting bench — Sporting KC have not looked the same since Roger Espinoza got injured, and Feilhaber in particular looks to have missed Espinoza’s industry, and the time it bought him on the ball. |
| 7.24pm ET23:24 | |
| Cagey start in Kansas City | Cagey start in Kansas City |
| Zardes just hoofed one over from 40 yards, but it’s been a little cautious to start this game from both sides. Still 0-0 everywhere... | Zardes just hoofed one over from 40 yards, but it’s been a little cautious to start this game from both sides. Still 0-0 everywhere... |
| 7.21pm ET23:21 | |
| Red Bulls slumping... | Red Bulls slumping... |
| Many seconds have passed since kick off and they haven’t scored. They were 1-0 up against Philadelphia after 7 seconds last week. They have had the ball in the net already, but it was one of those kick-it-lazily-into-the-net-after-the-offside-flag-has-gone-up jobs, so it doesn’t count. | Many seconds have passed since kick off and they haven’t scored. They were 1-0 up against Philadelphia after 7 seconds last week. They have had the ball in the net already, but it was one of those kick-it-lazily-into-the-net-after-the-offside-flag-has-gone-up jobs, so it doesn’t count. |
| 7.19pm ET23:19 | |
| Kick off in every game | Kick off in every game |
| Stopwatch buttons are pressed, and we’re off... | Stopwatch buttons are pressed, and we’re off... |
| 7.19pm ET23:19 | |
| Columbus day... | Columbus day... |
| Whatever happens tonight, that Columbus result was a big marker for the East — they’ve been dangerous up front all season, and as we’ve noted (we being me and highly trained team of expert stat minions, and definitely not me, some cut and paste and an affectation), they did the job without Kamara and Higuain. They’ve not been the most reliable defensively at times, but Steve Clark was fantastic in goal tonight when called upon, and they may be achieving that crucial playoff status of “Getting hot at the right time™” — and hopefully not the less desired state of “Peaking too early™” | Whatever happens tonight, that Columbus result was a big marker for the East — they’ve been dangerous up front all season, and as we’ve noted (we being me and highly trained team of expert stat minions, and definitely not me, some cut and paste and an affectation), they did the job without Kamara and Higuain. They’ve not been the most reliable defensively at times, but Steve Clark was fantastic in goal tonight when called upon, and they may be achieving that crucial playoff status of “Getting hot at the right time™” — and hopefully not the less desired state of “Peaking too early™” |
| 7.13pm ET23:13 | |
| Some interesting selections tonight | Some interesting selections tonight |
| No Benny Feilhaber for Sporting KC, which might make things marginally easier for an LA Galaxy team who’ve struggled to balance their midfield in recent weeks. And for New York, Matt Miazga returns to the defense after his absences for international duty and suspension — he may be a necessary stabilizing influence given the way the Red Bulls have struggled against speedy counters from Chicago twice already this season. | No Benny Feilhaber for Sporting KC, which might make things marginally easier for an LA Galaxy team who’ve struggled to balance their midfield in recent weeks. And for New York, Matt Miazga returns to the defense after his absences for international duty and suspension — he may be a necessary stabilizing influence given the way the Red Bulls have struggled against speedy counters from Chicago twice already this season. |
| 7.10pm ET23:10 | |
| The Eastern Conference playoff slots are finalized | The Eastern Conference playoff slots are finalized |
| Here are the final scores: | Here are the final scores: |
| NYCFC 1-3 New EnglandColumbus 5-0 D.C. UnitedPhiladelphia 1-0 OrlandoMontreal 2-1 TorontoThe tightest of the relevant games was the All-Canadian affair between Montreal and D.C. where the visitors took a 1-0 lead into half-time, only for a Didier Drogba brace to turn that game on its head — that means both teams will be back at Stade Saputo in a few days. Meanwhile D.C. slip behind Columbus and Montreal after that hammering in Ohio, and may take scant consolation in having a home playoff game against New England coming off their equal worst ever loss. Here are the Eastern Conference wild card line ups: | NYCFC 1-3 New EnglandColumbus 5-0 D.C. UnitedPhiladelphia 1-0 OrlandoMontreal 2-1 TorontoThe tightest of the relevant games was the All-Canadian affair between Montreal and D.C. where the visitors took a 1-0 lead into half-time, only for a Didier Drogba brace to turn that game on its head — that means both teams will be back at Stade Saputo in a few days. Meanwhile D.C. slip behind Columbus and Montreal after that hammering in Ohio, and may take scant consolation in having a home playoff game against New England coming off their equal worst ever loss. Here are the Eastern Conference wild card line ups: |
| Montreal vs TorontoD.C. United vs New England | Montreal vs TorontoD.C. United vs New England |
| New York, Columbus— byes to Conference semi-finals | New York, Columbus— byes to Conference semi-finals |
| 7.02pm ET23:02 | |
| Seattle vs Real Salt Lake team news | Seattle vs Real Salt Lake team news |
| Lineup time: your @SoundersFC XI for #DecisionDay: Frei Mears Evans Marshall Gonzalez Pappa Alonso Friberg Ivanschitz Dempsey Martins | Lineup time: your @SoundersFC XI for #DecisionDay: Frei Mears Evans Marshall Gonzalez Pappa Alonso Friberg Ivanschitz Dempsey Martins |
| #RSL XI: Attinella; Beltran Maund Olave Mansally; Stertzer Gil Morales; Martinez Sandoval… https://t.co/I1iAZdNasK | #RSL XI: Attinella; Beltran Maund Olave Mansally; Stertzer Gil Morales; Martinez Sandoval… https://t.co/I1iAZdNasK |
| 6.59pm ET22:59 | |
| Vancouver vs Houston team news | Vancouver vs Houston team news |
| #VWFC Starting XI: Ousted; Beitashour, Waston, Parker, Harvey; Laba, Teibert; Techera, Koffie, Manneh; Rivero https://t.co/wgHyT9u7cC | #VWFC Starting XI: Ousted; Beitashour, Waston, Parker, Harvey; Laba, Teibert; Techera, Koffie, Manneh; Rivero https://t.co/wgHyT9u7cC |
| Tonight's @GEICO starting XI and bench for #VANvHOU. Catch the final Dynamo match of 2015 on @ROOTSPORTSSW at 6pm! pic.twitter.com/RuUEPO8NHm | Tonight's @GEICO starting XI and bench for #VANvHOU. Catch the final Dynamo match of 2015 on @ROOTSPORTSSW at 6pm! pic.twitter.com/RuUEPO8NHm |
| 6.58pm ET22:58 | |
| Chicago Fire vs New York Red Bulls team news | Chicago Fire vs New York Red Bulls team news |
| Here's your #cf97 Starting XI and bench presented by @UIHealth for #CHIvNY. Kickoff in one hour on @CSNChicago. pic.twitter.com/ylSGyN9HSo | Here's your #cf97 Starting XI and bench presented by @UIHealth for #CHIvNY. Kickoff in one hour on @CSNChicago. pic.twitter.com/ylSGyN9HSo |
| STARTING XI vs @ChicagoFire: Robles, Zizzo, Perrinelle, Miazga, Lawrence, Sam, Felipe, Kljestan, McCarty, Grella, Wright-Phillips #CHIvNY | STARTING XI vs @ChicagoFire: Robles, Zizzo, Perrinelle, Miazga, Lawrence, Sam, Felipe, Kljestan, McCarty, Grella, Wright-Phillips #CHIvNY |
| 6.56pm ET22:56 | |
| Portland Timbers vs Colorado Rapids team news | Portland Timbers vs Colorado Rapids team news |
| Timbers XI vs. COL: Kwarasey, Powell, Borchers, Ridgewell ©, Villafaña, Chara, Fochive, Wallace, Nagbe, Melano, Adi #RCTID #DecisionDay | Timbers XI vs. COL: Kwarasey, Powell, Borchers, Ridgewell ©, Villafaña, Chara, Fochive, Wallace, Nagbe, Melano, Adi #RCTID #DecisionDay |
| Your #Rapids96 Starting XI for #PORvCOL #COYR #DecisionDay pic.twitter.com/uJaWAQo6A4 | Your #Rapids96 Starting XI for #PORvCOL #COYR #DecisionDay pic.twitter.com/uJaWAQo6A4 |
| In Montreal, Didier Drogba just went close to grabbing a hat trick. He’s quite important for Montreal... | In Montreal, Didier Drogba just went close to grabbing a hat trick. He’s quite important for Montreal... |
| 6.54pm ET22:54 | |
| FC Dallas vs San Jose team news | FC Dallas vs San Jose team news |
| Your final 2015 regular season @FCDallas Starting XI and bench, powered by @txuenergy! #FCDvSJ #DecisionDay pic.twitter.com/iAdKgiOvwU | Your final 2015 regular season @FCDallas Starting XI and bench, powered by @txuenergy! #FCDvSJ #DecisionDay pic.twitter.com/iAdKgiOvwU |
| Starting XI: Bingham, Wynne, Bernardez, Goodson, Francis, P. Garcia, Alashe, Pelosi, Salinas, Wondolowski, Amarikwa pic.twitter.com/2Ub2zE98wv | Starting XI: Bingham, Wynne, Bernardez, Goodson, Francis, P. Garcia, Alashe, Pelosi, Salinas, Wondolowski, Amarikwa pic.twitter.com/2Ub2zE98wv |
| 6.51pm ET22:51 | |
| Sporting KC vs LA Galaxy team news | Sporting KC vs LA Galaxy team news |
| #SportingKC starting XI vs #LAGalaxy. Coverage begins at 6pm on @ESPN! #SKCvLA pic.twitter.com/JTBNZgra3o | #SportingKC starting XI vs #LAGalaxy. Coverage begins at 6pm on @ESPN! #SKCvLA pic.twitter.com/JTBNZgra3o |
| #LAGalaxy XI: Ricketts; DLG, Gonzalez, Leonardo, Rogers; Zardes, Juninho, Gerrard, Lletget; Keane, Dos Santos pic.twitter.com/xr3A9V1tRq | #LAGalaxy XI: Ricketts; DLG, Gonzalez, Leonardo, Rogers; Zardes, Juninho, Gerrard, Lletget; Keane, Dos Santos pic.twitter.com/xr3A9V1tRq |
| 6.50pm ET22:50 | |
| Twitter stirs: | Twitter stirs: |
| Champagne football in Columbus. @KidWeil | Champagne football in Columbus. @KidWeil |
| It looks pretty good. Bear in mind also that Higuain and Kamara aren’t playing for Columbus tonight... | It looks pretty good. Bear in mind also that Higuain and Kamara aren’t playing for Columbus tonight... |
| 6.48pm ET22:48 | |
| What's at stake tonight? | What's at stake tonight? |
| Here are the standings at the start of this evening’s play — with Dallas confirmed as Conference winners, but needing to at least match New York to take the Shield. As it stands San Jose are outside the playoff spots. | Here are the standings at the start of this evening’s play — with Dallas confirmed as Conference winners, but needing to at least match New York to take the Shield. As it stands San Jose are outside the playoff spots. |
| FC Dallas 57pts GD +12LA Galaxy 51pts GD +11Vancouver 50pts GD +6Portland 50pts GD -1Seattle 48pts GD +6Sporting KC 48pts GD +2San Jose 47pts GD +3 | FC Dallas 57pts GD +12LA Galaxy 51pts GD +11Vancouver 50pts GD +6Portland 50pts GD -1Seattle 48pts GD +6Sporting KC 48pts GD +2San Jose 47pts GD +3 |
| Here are tonight’s games: | Here are tonight’s games: |
| East:Chicago Fire vs New York Red Bulls | East:Chicago Fire vs New York Red Bulls |
| West:Sporting KC vs LA GalaxyVancouver vs HoustonSeattle vs Real Salt LakeFC Dallas vs San JosePortland vs Colorado | West:Sporting KC vs LA GalaxyVancouver vs HoustonSeattle vs Real Salt LakeFC Dallas vs San JosePortland vs Colorado |
| The top two teams in the Conference (Dallas and A.N. Other) will have a first round bye. The next four teams will play a single game elimination this week: 3rd vs 6th, 4th vs 5th | The top two teams in the Conference (Dallas and A.N. Other) will have a first round bye. The next four teams will play a single game elimination this week: 3rd vs 6th, 4th vs 5th |
| Columbus are still putting an absolute tormenting onto D.C. by the way. Aaron Schoenfeld has just made it 5-0... | Columbus are still putting an absolute tormenting onto D.C. by the way. Aaron Schoenfeld has just made it 5-0... |
| 6.45pm ET22:45 | |
| The East | The East |
| Here’s how the Eastern playoff spots stood stood before kick off this afternoon: | Here’s how the Eastern playoff spots stood stood before kick off this afternoon: |
| New York Red Bulls 57 pts GD +18D.C. United 51pts GD +3Columbus 50pts GD 0Toronto 49pts GD +1Montreal 48pts GD +3New England 47pts GD -1All those teams have qualified for the playoffs barring a big goal swing for Orlando in Philadelphia combined with a New England loss — Orlando have 44 pts but -9 GD | New York Red Bulls 57 pts GD +18D.C. United 51pts GD +3Columbus 50pts GD 0Toronto 49pts GD +1Montreal 48pts GD +3New England 47pts GD -1All those teams have qualified for the playoffs barring a big goal swing for Orlando in Philadelphia combined with a New England loss — Orlando have 44 pts but -9 GD |
| That’s not going to happen though. Here’s how the scores stand right now with around 15 minutes left:Columbus 4-0 D.CPhiladelphia 1-0 OrlandoMontreal 2-1 TorontoNYCFC 0-3 New England | That’s not going to happen though. Here’s how the scores stand right now with around 15 minutes left:Columbus 4-0 D.CPhiladelphia 1-0 OrlandoMontreal 2-1 TorontoNYCFC 0-3 New England |
| So as it stands, D.C. will be hosting New England and Montreal hosting Toronto in the single game play-in round, while Columbus will have a first round bye for finishing second in the Conference. And that’s a pretty emphatic way to seal their spot — handing D.C. their biggest defeat since their terrible 2013 season. And if Montreal hold on they’ll have a two minute / two goal second half burst from Didier Drogba to thank, having fallen behind in their game just before half-time. | So as it stands, D.C. will be hosting New England and Montreal hosting Toronto in the single game play-in round, while Columbus will have a first round bye for finishing second in the Conference. And that’s a pretty emphatic way to seal their spot — handing D.C. their biggest defeat since their terrible 2013 season. And if Montreal hold on they’ll have a two minute / two goal second half burst from Didier Drogba to thank, having fallen behind in their game just before half-time. |
| 6.41pm ET22:41 | |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| Evening all, and welcome to our coverage of MLS Decision Day — we hope you’ll stay with us for the rest of the evening. But it’s your choice. You decide. Make a decision. | Evening all, and welcome to our coverage of MLS Decision Day — we hope you’ll stay with us for the rest of the evening. But it’s your choice. You decide. Make a decision. |
| We’re already nearly through one round of “Choose your own adventure” games this afternoon, which kicked off at 5pm ET to determine the Eastern Conference playoff places (more on those in a moment). And now we’re going to the West to try and settle the wide open array of playoff places still up for grabs beneath Conference winners FC Dallas. | We’re already nearly through one round of “Choose your own adventure” games this afternoon, which kicked off at 5pm ET to determine the Eastern Conference playoff places (more on those in a moment). And now we’re going to the West to try and settle the wide open array of playoff places still up for grabs beneath Conference winners FC Dallas. |
| Dallas are at home this evening against the team currently just below the red line, San Jose, but even though they’ve won the Conference, Dallas are still playing for more in that game. Currently behind New York Red Bulls in the Supporters Shield race, a Dallas win tonight coupled with New York drawing or losing in Chicago, would hand Dallas the regular season title. That Chicago v Red Bulls game has been moved to the evening to coincide with the Dallas kick off, and we’ll keep you informed of what’s going on there as well. | Dallas are at home this evening against the team currently just below the red line, San Jose, but even though they’ve won the Conference, Dallas are still playing for more in that game. Currently behind New York Red Bulls in the Supporters Shield race, a Dallas win tonight coupled with New York drawing or losing in Chicago, would hand Dallas the regular season title. That Chicago v Red Bulls game has been moved to the evening to coincide with the Dallas kick off, and we’ll keep you informed of what’s going on there as well. |
| Some tense games beckoning in the playoff race — especially the one at Sporting Park, where Sporting KC inexplicably slipped up in midweek against Colorado Rapids, and must now face LA Galaxy, themselves humiliated last week in a 5-2 home loss to Portland Timbers. As it stand Sporting could finish anywhere from second, avoiding a one game play-in round, to out of the playoffs altogether, depending on results. | Some tense games beckoning in the playoff race — especially the one at Sporting Park, where Sporting KC inexplicably slipped up in midweek against Colorado Rapids, and must now face LA Galaxy, themselves humiliated last week in a 5-2 home loss to Portland Timbers. As it stand Sporting could finish anywhere from second, avoiding a one game play-in round, to out of the playoffs altogether, depending on results. |
| Dallas, Vancouver (home to the eliminated Houston Dynamo) and LA have already clinched playoff spots, but Seattle (home to eliminated RSL), Portland (home to very eliminated Colorado), and Sporting, will all be very wary of leaving the door open for San Jose, should they somehow get a result in Dallas. | Dallas, Vancouver (home to the eliminated Houston Dynamo) and LA have already clinched playoff spots, but Seattle (home to eliminated RSL), Portland (home to very eliminated Colorado), and Sporting, will all be very wary of leaving the door open for San Jose, should they somehow get a result in Dallas. |
| More on the current standings and results so far in a minute. For now, get your tweets and emails coming in to @KidWeil or graham.parker@theguardian.com and I’ll be back shortly with more DECISIONS. It’s that kind of DAY. | More on the current standings and results so far in a minute. For now, get your tweets and emails coming in to @KidWeil or graham.parker@theguardian.com and I’ll be back shortly with more DECISIONS. It’s that kind of DAY. |
| 6.30pm ET22:30 | |
| Graham will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Richard Whittall on the permutations for the playoffs and the Supporters’ Shield: | Graham will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Richard Whittall on the permutations for the playoffs and the Supporters’ Shield: |
| Related: MLS previews: 'Decision Day' for Seattle, Sporting and San Jose | Related: MLS previews: 'Decision Day' for Seattle, Sporting and San Jose |