Given the excitement of recent weeks, it was no surprise that the MLS play-off picture remained undecided until the closing minutes of the final weekend’s action. Ultimately, Real Salt Lake triumphed over Colorado Rapids in the Western Conference, while Kansas City Wizards and New York Red Bulls held off D.C. United in the East.
Thursday’s ESPN game provided New York with the first opportunity to clinch their post-season place as they faced Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. For Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio, it ended up being a miserable return to the city where he managed last year as Chicago wrapped up all nine points from the teams’ three encounters this season.
The brilliance of Chris Rolfe destroyed the visitors. The Fire forward notched a first half hat-trick before turning provider as Chicago ran out commanding 5-2 winners.
The hosts took an 11th minute lead with a fine passing move initiated, as always, by Cuauhtemoc Blanco. The Mexican’s intricate back-heel released Justin Mapp who in turn found Stephen King breaking on the right wing. King’s early cross was finished at the near post by a determined Rolfe.
Juan Pablo Angel converted Dave van den Bergh’s perfect delivery on 32 minutes to level the score before Rolfe took control. Firstly on 38 minutes, the American international controlled Gabriel Cichero’s headed clearance on his chest at the edge of the penalty area before firing an unstoppable volley beyond Danny Cepero. One minute before half-time, another extravagant Blanco back-heel sent Rolfe clear on Cepero and he slotted coolly beyond the advancing goalkeeper.
Rolfe is not the most prolific forward in the league but his contribution is exceptional. His sharp turn on 53 minutes created space for him to find the overlapping Diego Gutierrez. The left-back’s early cross was swept home by Brian McBride as the Fire continued to rage at New York’s beleaguered defence. Rolfe’s final contribution was to find Daniel Woolard for the fifth goal before Macoumba Kandji netted a late consolation for New York.
After the Red Bulls failed dismally to seal their own fate, there was to be no repeat by Kansas City. The Wizards travelled to Foxborough to face New England Revolution and emerged with a 3-1 win to wrap up the East’s fourth seed.
The Revs were already assured of their play-off spot but head coach Steve Nicol must have serious concerns over their form ahead of their two-legged tie with Chicago. Since winning Superliga on August 5, New England gathered only 10 points from 13 league games and suffered a humiliating 6-1 aggregate defeat to Trinidad’s Joe Public FC in the CONCACAF Champions’ League qualifying round.
New England’s early implosion handed victory to the grateful Wizards. A defensive error released Claudio Lopez on 26 minutes before the Argentine was hauled down in the penalty area by Gabriel Badilla. Lopez remained cool to slot home the resultant kick after the Costa Rican defender had been dismissed. Khano Smith’s mindless lunge at Herculez Gomez minutes before the break saw him join Badilla in the dressing room, allowing Kansas to easily secure the win with a two-man advantage.
Lopez’ unexpected returned to form signals an end to his recent fall from grace. The former Valencia and Lazio striker was ignominiously dropped from Curt Onalfo’s starting eleven recently after a series of undistinguished displays: a bold move by the youthful head coach but one that resulted in an unlikely turnaround. Lopez returned for last week’s vital win against San Jose with a goal and two assists and he played a part in Davy Arnaud’s decisive second goal on 53 minutes.
Onalfo will need Lopez to be at his best as the Wizards progress to meet Supporters’ Shield winners Columbus Crew.
D.C. United, Supporters’ Shield winners for the last two years, were left with the final challenge: win in Columbus or go home. The visitors dominated, twice hitting the post in the first half before substitute Thabiso Khumalo thumped an effort against the bar from six yards. That proved to be United’s final chance as Brad Evans scored the game’s only goal on 77 minutes for Columbus. Play-off elimination married with the capital side’s dismal Champions’ League form may cost head coach Tom Soehn his position during the extended off-season.
New York, by virtue of finishing eighth overall, now slide over to the Western Conference and will play Houston Dynamo, the back-to-back defending champions.
The West housed the weekend’s most dramatic events as Colorado Rapids needed to beat Real Salt Lake to overtake their Rocky Mountain rivals for the conference's third automatic place. Rapids’ striker Conor Casey gave the home side a 19th minute lead as the action swung from end to end before Salt Lake began a late push to save their campaign. With time almost expired, Yura Movsisyan pounced on a rebound after Rapids’ goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul denied Andy Williams and steered the loose ball over the line to spark wild celebrations among the visitors’ bench and small band of travelling fans.
Salt Lake reach the play-offs for the first time in their four-year existence and will be guaranteed a sell-out crowd at their new Rio Tinto stadium for the visit of Chivas on Saturday.
Week 31 Results
Chicago 5 New York 2
New England 1 Kansas City 3
Colorado 1 Salt Lake 1
San Jose 2 Toronto 0 (Quakes end a respectable first season on a high note)
Chivas 1 Houston 1 (Late Curtin goal earns share of points for ten-man Chivas)
L.A. Galaxy 2 Dallas 2 (Donovan penalty ensures Galaxy avoid finishing dead last)
Columbus 1 D.C. United 0
Final Standings (30 matches)
Eastern Conference
1) Columbus 57 points
2) Chicago 46
3) New England 43
4) Kansas City 42
5) *New York 39 (join Western Conference as 4th seed)
6) D.C. United 37
7) Toronto 35
Western Conference
1) Houston 51
2) Chivas 43
3) *Salt Lake 40
4) Colorado 38
5) Dallas 36
6) L.A. Galaxy 33
7) San Jose 33
*Lines show teams occupying play-off positions.
Thursday’s ESPN game provided New York with the first opportunity to clinch their post-season place as they faced Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. For Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio, it ended up being a miserable return to the city where he managed last year as Chicago wrapped up all nine points from the teams’ three encounters this season.
The brilliance of Chris Rolfe destroyed the visitors. The Fire forward notched a first half hat-trick before turning provider as Chicago ran out commanding 5-2 winners.
The hosts took an 11th minute lead with a fine passing move initiated, as always, by Cuauhtemoc Blanco. The Mexican’s intricate back-heel released Justin Mapp who in turn found Stephen King breaking on the right wing. King’s early cross was finished at the near post by a determined Rolfe.
Juan Pablo Angel converted Dave van den Bergh’s perfect delivery on 32 minutes to level the score before Rolfe took control. Firstly on 38 minutes, the American international controlled Gabriel Cichero’s headed clearance on his chest at the edge of the penalty area before firing an unstoppable volley beyond Danny Cepero. One minute before half-time, another extravagant Blanco back-heel sent Rolfe clear on Cepero and he slotted coolly beyond the advancing goalkeeper.
Rolfe is not the most prolific forward in the league but his contribution is exceptional. His sharp turn on 53 minutes created space for him to find the overlapping Diego Gutierrez. The left-back’s early cross was swept home by Brian McBride as the Fire continued to rage at New York’s beleaguered defence. Rolfe’s final contribution was to find Daniel Woolard for the fifth goal before Macoumba Kandji netted a late consolation for New York.
After the Red Bulls failed dismally to seal their own fate, there was to be no repeat by Kansas City. The Wizards travelled to Foxborough to face New England Revolution and emerged with a 3-1 win to wrap up the East’s fourth seed.
The Revs were already assured of their play-off spot but head coach Steve Nicol must have serious concerns over their form ahead of their two-legged tie with Chicago. Since winning Superliga on August 5, New England gathered only 10 points from 13 league games and suffered a humiliating 6-1 aggregate defeat to Trinidad’s Joe Public FC in the CONCACAF Champions’ League qualifying round.
New England’s early implosion handed victory to the grateful Wizards. A defensive error released Claudio Lopez on 26 minutes before the Argentine was hauled down in the penalty area by Gabriel Badilla. Lopez remained cool to slot home the resultant kick after the Costa Rican defender had been dismissed. Khano Smith’s mindless lunge at Herculez Gomez minutes before the break saw him join Badilla in the dressing room, allowing Kansas to easily secure the win with a two-man advantage.
Lopez’ unexpected returned to form signals an end to his recent fall from grace. The former Valencia and Lazio striker was ignominiously dropped from Curt Onalfo’s starting eleven recently after a series of undistinguished displays: a bold move by the youthful head coach but one that resulted in an unlikely turnaround. Lopez returned for last week’s vital win against San Jose with a goal and two assists and he played a part in Davy Arnaud’s decisive second goal on 53 minutes.
Onalfo will need Lopez to be at his best as the Wizards progress to meet Supporters’ Shield winners Columbus Crew.
D.C. United, Supporters’ Shield winners for the last two years, were left with the final challenge: win in Columbus or go home. The visitors dominated, twice hitting the post in the first half before substitute Thabiso Khumalo thumped an effort against the bar from six yards. That proved to be United’s final chance as Brad Evans scored the game’s only goal on 77 minutes for Columbus. Play-off elimination married with the capital side’s dismal Champions’ League form may cost head coach Tom Soehn his position during the extended off-season.
New York, by virtue of finishing eighth overall, now slide over to the Western Conference and will play Houston Dynamo, the back-to-back defending champions.
The West housed the weekend’s most dramatic events as Colorado Rapids needed to beat Real Salt Lake to overtake their Rocky Mountain rivals for the conference's third automatic place. Rapids’ striker Conor Casey gave the home side a 19th minute lead as the action swung from end to end before Salt Lake began a late push to save their campaign. With time almost expired, Yura Movsisyan pounced on a rebound after Rapids’ goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul denied Andy Williams and steered the loose ball over the line to spark wild celebrations among the visitors’ bench and small band of travelling fans.
Salt Lake reach the play-offs for the first time in their four-year existence and will be guaranteed a sell-out crowd at their new Rio Tinto stadium for the visit of Chivas on Saturday.
Week 31 Results
Chicago 5 New York 2
New England 1 Kansas City 3
Colorado 1 Salt Lake 1
San Jose 2 Toronto 0 (Quakes end a respectable first season on a high note)
Chivas 1 Houston 1 (Late Curtin goal earns share of points for ten-man Chivas)
L.A. Galaxy 2 Dallas 2 (Donovan penalty ensures Galaxy avoid finishing dead last)
Columbus 1 D.C. United 0
Final Standings (30 matches)
Eastern Conference
1) Columbus 57 points
2) Chicago 46
3) New England 43
4) Kansas City 42
5) *New York 39 (join Western Conference as 4th seed)
6) D.C. United 37
7) Toronto 35
Western Conference
1) Houston 51
2) Chivas 43
3) *Salt Lake 40
4) Colorado 38
5) Dallas 36
6) L.A. Galaxy 33
7) San Jose 33
*Lines show teams occupying play-off positions.
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