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Curtain Comes Down on Regular Season with Much to Play for - This Week in MLS

October 20, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


With one game left for teams in the MLS regular season, there is much still to be played for. One of the marquee matches will see the Seattle Sounders host the LA Galaxy in a game that will determine the winner of the 2014 Supporters' Shield (2:30 p.m. ET, NBC, TSN2). It will be the second meeting for the two teams in under a week and the third this season. The Sounders and Galaxy drew 2-2 at the StubHub Center in a pyrotechnic clash on Sunday which saw the visitors rally back from a two-goal deficit. A win or a tie on Saturday will award Sigi Schmid's men the Supporters' Shield for the first time in club history. The LA Galaxy will require a win to secure the franchise's fifth Shield. Earlier this year, Landon Donovan and Co. were able to come away with all three points against the Sounders at CenturyLink Field following a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Gyasi Zardes, Donovan and Stefan Ishizaki.

In the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs hunt, there is only one spot left and it will belong to either the Vancouver Whitecaps FC or the Portland Timbers in the Western Conference. First up will be the Timbers who travel to play fourth-place Real Salt Lake on Saturday and will be looking for a positive result to put pressure on their Cascadia rivals. Vancouver, who sit one point ahead of Portland, will welcome the Colorado Rapids already knowing the result necessary to proceed (10:00 p.m. ET, TSN2, RDS2). A win by Vancouver will secure their playoff berth regardless of Portland's result.

Be sure to check out the final edition of the PLAYOFF SCENARIOS section below for all possible outcomes.

CONCACAF Champions League Returns

Before the last week of MLS regular season action takes center stage, the CONCACAF Champions League returns. All four of the MLS teams involved in the competition will take the field this week, including a must-win match when Group 5 leaders the Portland Timbers travel to Honduras to play Olimpia on Tuesday, October 21 (10:00 p.m. ET, FOX Soccer Plus, UDN). The Timbers sit three points ahead of their opponents and will clinch a place in the next round with a tie or a win. D.C. United, who have also qualified for the Quarterfinals, host Panamanian club, Tauro FC (8:00 p.m. ET, FOX Soccer Plus, UDN). In an all-MLS match, the New York Red Bulls host already-qualified Montreal Impact on Wednesday (8:00 p.m. ET, FOX Sports 2, UDN).

National MLS Broadcasts

Friday, October 24

Chicago Fire vs. Houston Dynamo, 8:00 p.m. ET (NBCSN, TSN2)

Saturday, October 25

Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy, 2:30 p.m. ET (NBC, TSN2)

New England Revolution vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. ET (TSN2)

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 10:00 p.m. ET (TSN2, RDS2)

Sunday, October 26

Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union, 4:00 p.m. ET (UniMas)

Sporting Kansas City vs. New York Red Bulls, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, TSN2)

Sweet Tweets

@DaxMcCarty11 - October 17 - Dax McCarty, New York Red Bulls

If Nat Borchers doesn't have a nest of baby birds living in that beard like Peter Griffin from Family Guy did, I'll be really upset.

@yedlinny - October 18 - DeAndre Yedlin, Seattle Sounders FC

@chopchop_15 @DougBaldwinJr let the feasting begin. Bon appetit. #Calstatetaxsucks #BallinOnABudget @LamarNeagle https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0RR8xUCEAAyVMl.jpg

@AJD_20 - October 19 - AJ DeLaGarza, LA Galaxy

GAMEDAY!!! https://vine.co/v/OKtw2uF7TYO

@raygaddis - October 19 - Ray Gaddis, Philadelphia Union

Thank you @Oreo for making doubled stuffed cookies to enjoy for this new episode of @WalkingDead_AMC . #SundayFunday #TWDSeason5

@clade5 - October 19 - Connor Lade, New York Red Bulls

On a scale of 1 to the discontinuation of 3D Doritos, how disappointed are Giants fans tonight?

Quotables

"I've gotten to a level where I'm comfortable in my role...and I am playing at a very good level, I'm hoping that every single game that I play, I play even better."

Portland Timbers midfielder Rodney Wallace on getting as much playing time as possible

"Obviously we want to finish in a certain spot in our conference, which is key, but we also want to get in the right mindset heading into the playoffs. This is a great way to finish up with an away game and a home game, which is exactly the way it's going to set up in the playoffs.''

Real Salt Lake head coach Jeff Cassar on finishing the regular season with positive momentum

"You have to roll up your sleeves and keep going forward. It's awful and tough, but at the same time, you have to keep a perspective and keep going forward. We have a really young team and we know we can win games in this league; it's just a matter of finding a way quickly."

New England Revolution head coach Jay Heaps on the turnaround his team has made since the beginning of the season

"Thierry is arguably one of the top players in the history of this game. The prestige that he's brought over here, the recognition back in Europe just from him being here and coming here in his prime. Just to be able to witness him on a daily basis over his entire stay here in MLS is something I'll never forget. He is one of the greatest soccer minds, to be honest with you. We can talk all we want about what he does on the field and what he can do, which is amazing."

New York Red Bulls head coach on the impact Thierry Henry has made since coming to MLS

"I'm the type of guy who thinks he can always improve and always get better, and am never going to be completely satisfied with where I'm at, but looking over the full year and the full progression, I'm pleased."

Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei on his progression this season

"We've had people doubting us, saying we can't do it, we can't make the playoffs that's fine. People can say what they want. People can doubt us, people can question us. But no one is questioning each other in this locker-room. We believe in each other. When you have every single guy giving everything they have - playing with heart, playing with desire - nobody wants to play you. We're a tough team to beat right now."

Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Russell Teibert on the mindset of the team in the locker room

"We've been playing really well, and I think that third spot is definitely within reach. We definitely don't want to just be content with making the playoffs or squeaking by and getting in fourth place. We want to keep moving up the table, and we still think it's really possible to move up. Any slip up from Salt Lake and we can be right there."

FC Dallas defender Matt Hedges on the team pushing to finish third in the standings

Week 33 Game Previews

Wednesday, Oct. 22

Real Salt Lake vs. Chivas USA, 9:30 p.m.

- Real Salt Lake have to win and hope FC Dallas does not defeat the Portland Timbers to claim third place in the Western Conference. Nick Rimando recorded a second consecutive shutout and his sixth of the season as RSL played to a scoreless draw at Portland on Friday.

- Chivas USA have won back-to-back games for the first time since mid-July - when they won four in a row - following their 2-1 win against the Colorado Rapids in their last match on Oct. 11.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and Chivas USA have won both by 1-0 scorelines. Felix Borja scored the game's only goal in the Chivas USA victory Oct. 5 at StubHub Center; Erick Torres scored the game's lone goal, June 28 in Carson.

- Real Salt Lake have won the last two home meetings with Chivas USA. Real had a five-game winning streak at StubHub Center vs. Chivas USA before the two wins for the rojiblancos this season.

Friday, Oct. 24

Chicago Fire vs. Houston Dynamo, 8 p.m.

- The Fire saw their winless streak extended to eight games as Harry Shipp scored his seventh goal - leading all rookies this season - in a 2-1 loss at D.C. United on Saturday. If the Fire do not win vs. Houston, they will become the first team in MLS history to garner more points from draws than from victories over the course of a single season; the Fire have five wins and 18 draws this year.

- Dominic Kinnear will coach his final game in charge of the Dynamo in the match at Chicago. Kinnear will be leaving Houston to take over the San Jose Earthquakes following the completion of the season. Giles Barnes scored in a third consecutive game as the Dynamo suffered a second consecutive loss in a 2-1 home defeat by New England on Thursday.

- The teams are meeting for the second time this season, both over the final month of the campaign. Goals from Omar Cummings and Boniek Garcia gave the Dynamo a 2-0 victory, Sept. 28 at BBVA Compass Stadium.

- In league play, the Dynamo last won in Bridgeview in 2009. The Fire won at Robertson Stadium in 2006 and 2007 in their first two trips ever to Houston - and have not won there since.

Saturday, Oct. 25

Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy, 2:30 p.m.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season, the back end of a home-and-home series over the final two weeks which concludes the regular season and decides the Supporters' Shield winner for 2014. Sounders FC came back for a 2-2 draw Sunday at StubHub Center; on July 28 at CenturyLink Field, Landon Donovan scored once and added two assists as the Galaxy stormed to a 3-0 win.

- Clint Dempsey scored his 15th goal of the season - tied for seventh in MLS this season - and Obafemi Martins recorded a pair of assists to give him 12 this year (tied for fifth in MLS) as Sounders FC came back for a 2-2 draw at StubHub Center and the upper hand for the Supporters' Shield.

- The Galaxy will be without a key member of their team for the return match after U.S. national team defender Omar Gonzalez was sent off late in Sunday's contest.

- The draw on Sunday ended a three-game Galaxy winning streak vs. Sounders FC at StubHub Center. The Galaxy victory in the first meeting this season was their first in Seattle since 2011.

Montreal Impact vs. D.C. United, 4 p.m.

- Felipe Martins scored his first goal in league play since April 26 as the Impact concluded their road campaign without a victory following a 1-1 draw at Toronto FC. The Impact ended the season 0-12-5 on their travels, becoming the sixth team in MLS history to go the year without winning away from home.

- Chris Pontius scored his first goal since Sept. 14 of last season as D.C. United won a second consecutive game and extended their undefeated streak to four games, completing the biggest turnaround in points from one season to the next with their 2-1 home win against the Chicago Fire on Saturday.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Luis Silva scored a hat trick before halftime as United recorded a 4-2 win June 11 at Stade Saputo. On May 17 at RFK Stadium, second-half goals from Montréal's Jack McInerney and United's Eddie Johnson left the teams in a 1-1 draw.

- United won for the first time on three trips to Québec with the victory in the last meeting. United have never lost to the Impact at RFK Stadium.

New England Revolution vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.

- Lee Nguyen scored a pair of goals, including his league-leading eighth game-winning goal of the season, to bring the Revolution back for a 2-1 win at the Houston Dynamo on Thursday evening. Nguyen has scored four goals in the last three matches; the Revs are undefeated in their last four games and have lost once in 11 games since mid-August.

- Toronto FC ended their three-game losing slide but still saw their playoff hopes dashed for the eighth time in the club's eight-year history, following their 1-1 draw with the Montréal Impact on Saturday at BMO Field.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and the Revolution have won both. Lee Nguyen, Kelyn Rowe and Teal Bunbury scored as the Revolution took a 3-0 win Aug. 30 at BMO Field; Nguyen's penalty kick in the 84th minute snapped a late deadlock and gave the Revs a 2-1 win May 3 in Toronto.

- New England's 2-0 win at Gillette Stadium last year was their first against Toronto FC since 2010. The wins at BMO Field this season were the first ever there for the Revolution, after two losses and five draws in their first seven all-time visits, though they've taken points on five straight trips to Toronto.

FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers, 8:30 p.m.

- Blas Perez scored his 11th goal - his second consecutive season with 11 goals - as FC Dallas moved back into third place in the Western Conference with their 1-0 win against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. FCD can clinch the third spot with just a tie and the failure of Real Salt Lake to win in their match against Chivas USA.

- The Timbers recorded a second consecutive shutout and extended their undefeated streak - but still find their backs against the wall following a home scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake on Friday. The Timbers enter the final weekend a point behind Vancouver for fifth place and the final playoff spot in the Western Conference; they must win and hope Whitecaps FC does not to reach the postseason for a second consecutive year.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Pa Modou Kah's goal deep in second-half stoppage time completed a two-goal comeback for the Timbers to leave the teams in a 2-2 draw June 11 at Providence Park. A late Blas Perez goal gave FC Dallas a 2-1 victory, March 29 at Toyota Stadium.

- The road team has never won in the series, in 10 meetings all-time. FC Dallas have won three of the five meetings all-time in Frisco.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 10 p.m.

- Whitecaps FC extended their shutout streak to 303 minutes - the third-longest in the club's MLS history - following their scoreless draw at San Jose on Saturday evening. Whitecaps FC extended their undefeated streak to four games - they can claim the final playoff berth with a win, or the failure of the Portland Timbers to defeat FC Dallas.

- The Rapids saw their club-record winless streak reach 13 games - matching the seventh-longest in MLS history - following their 1-0 home loss against FC Dallas on Saturday. The Rapids have gone 0-11-2 since their last win on July 25.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and the Rapids have won both. Dillon Powers and Vicente Sánchez each scored in the first half in a 2-0 Colorado win, June 28 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park; José Mari scored a pair of goals two minutes late in the second half to haul the Rapids back for a 2-1 win April 5 at BC Place.

- The win in the first meeting was the second victory ever for the Rapids at BC Place. Whitecaps FC won in 2012 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park for their lone triumph on the Rapids' home ground.

Sunday, Oct. 26

Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union, 4 p.m.

- Ethan Finlay scored for a fourth consecutive match and Aaron Schoenfeld scored a pair of goals in a game for the first time in his MLS career as the Crew won a second consecutive game with a 3-1 defeat of the New York Red Bulls on Sunday. The Crew have seven wins in their last 10 games.

- Union snapped a five-game winless streak with their 2-1 win against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday afternoon at PPL Park. Cristian Maidana set up both goals and now has 11 for the season, one shy of the single-season club record and tied for seventh-most in MLS this season.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season, the second meeting over the final three weeks of the campaign. The Crew hit for a record three goals in four minutes to storm back for a 3-2 victory Oct. 11 at PPL Park; Bernardo Anor scored a pair of first-half goals to lead the Crew to a 2-1 victory March 22 at Crew Stadium.

- The Crew have never lost at home to Union, with four victories and a draw in five meetings all-time in Columbus. The Crew have won three times on their six trips to Chester.

Chivas USA vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 4:30 p.m.

- The Earthquakes saw their winless streak extended to a club-record 14 games - matching the fifth-longest in MLS history - in their scoreless draw with the Portland Timbers. The Quakes last won on Aug. 2.

- Felix Borja scored his first two MLS goals in Chivas USA's back-to-back wins vs. Real Salt Lake and Colorado on Oct. 5 and 11.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Erick Torres scored the game's only goal in the 57th minute to give Chivas USA the victory July 2 at Buck Shaw Stadium; Yannick DjalÃ" scored the game's only goal in the 66th minute to lead the Quakes to a victory April 26 in Santa Clara.

- The victory in the last meeting was the first for Chivas USA in the series since July 6, 2011. San Jose had a seven-game undefeated streak (5-0-2) in the all-time series before the result.

Sporting Kansas City vs. New York Red Bulls, 8:30 p.m.

- Dom Dwyer scored for a second consecutive match, his sixth goal in the last eight games, though Sporting KC lost 2-1 to Philadelphia Union on Saturday at PPL Park.

- Bradley Wright-Phillips has one final chance to reach the MLS single-season goalscoring mark. Wright-Phillips sits on 25 goals this season - two shy of the all-time mark - following the Red Bulls' 3-1 loss to the Columbus Crew on Sunday afternoon at Red Bull Arena which snapped the club-record seven-game home winning streak.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Bradley Wright-Phillips and Thierry Henry scored to send the Red Bulls on their way to a 2-1 win, Sept. 6 at Red Bulls. Antonio Dovale scored early in the first half to put SKC ahead, but Wright-Phillips equalized early in the second half to leave the teams in a 1-1 draw, May 27 at Sporting Park.

- The Red Bulls have come away with points on their last three visits to Sporting Park. Sporting had come away with points on their last three visits to Red Bull Arena before the New York win in the last meeting.

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

Seattle Sounders FC will win the Supporters' Shield IF

- Seattle Sounders FC win or tie vs. LA Galaxy on Sunday

LA Galaxy will win the Supporters' Shield IF

- LA Galaxy win vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday

Vancouver Whitecaps FC will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs (and fifth place in the Western Conference) IF

- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. Colorado Rapids on Saturday

OR

- Portland Timbers lose vs. FC Dallas on Saturday

OR

- Vancouver Whitecaps FC tie vs. Colorado Rapids on Saturday AND

- Portland Timbers tie vs. FC Dallas on Saturday

Portland Timbers will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs (and fifth place in the Western Conference) IF

- Portland Timbers win vs. FC Dallas on Saturday AND

- Vancouver Whitecaps FC tie or lose vs. Colorado Rapids on Saturday

OR

- Portland Timbers tie vs. FC Dallas on Saturday AND

- Vancouver Whitecaps FC lose vs. Colorado Rapids on Saturday

FC Dallas will clinch third place in the Western Conference IF

- FC Dallas win vs. Portland Timbers on Saturday

OR

- Real Salt Lake tie or lose vs. Chivas USA on Wednesday

Real Salt Lake will clinch third place in the Western Conference IF

- Real Salt Lake win vs. Chivas USA on Wednesday AND

- FC Dallas tie or lose vs. Portland Timbers on Saturday

Sporting Kansas City will clinch third place in the Eastern Conference IF

- Sporting Kansas City win vs. New York Red Bulls on Sunday

OR

- Sporting Kansas City tie vs. New York Red Bulls on Sunday AND

- Columbus Crew tie or lose vs. Philadelphia Union on Saturday

Columbus Crew will clinch third place in the Eastern Conference IF

- Columbus Crew win vs. Philadelphia Union on Saturday AND

- Sporting Kansas City tie or lose vs. New York Red Bulls on Sunday

OR

- Columbus Crew tie vs. Columbus Crew on Saturday AND

- Sporting Kansas City lose vs. New York Red Bulls BY FEWER THAN SIX GOALS on Sunday

New York Red Bulls will clinch third place in the Eastern Conference IF

- New York Red Bulls win vs. Sporting Kansas City on Sunday AND

- Columbus Crew lose vs. Philadelphia Union on Saturday

OR

- New York Red Bulls win vs. Sporting Kansas City BY SIX GOALS OR MORE on Sunday AND

- Columbus Crew tie vs. Philadelphia Union on Saturday

D.C. United have clinched first place in the Eastern Conference

New England Revolution have clinched second place in the Eastern Conference

Check out the Major League Soccer Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from October 20, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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