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Teams Hit Crossroads En Route to Playoffs - This Week in MLS

September 29, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


Teams Hit Crossroads En Route to Playoffs

Cascadia rivals, Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, will be paying particular attention to the other's results this weekend as both teams push for the fifth place in the Western Conference and a spot in the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs presented by AT&T. Vancouver play host to a streaking a FC Dallas team, who could clinch a playoff spot with a win, on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET (UDN, TSN2). The Whitecaps will look to captain Pedro Morales to get the team off to a positive start against a potent FC Dallas attack. The Timbers will hit the road to take on Chris Wondolowski and the San Jose Earthquakes later in the evening (11:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN) as Caleb Porter's men look to keep pace. Following the season-ending injury to captain Will Johnson and the loss to Toronto FC, the Timbers will look to get back on track with a win over the Earthquakes.

Following a loss to the red-hot New England Revolution, it will be another telling encounter for Sporting KC as they take on another Eastern Conference heavyweight. The reigning MLS Cup champions will welcome leaders D.C. United on Friday night (8:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN, TSN2). The New York Red Bulls will also be looking to reverse their fortunes after they sustained a heavy loss at the hands of the LA Galaxy. New York will play a Houston Dynamo team who went unbeaten in September and are forcefully hanging on to hopes of a playoff berth (October 4, 6:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN).

The Philadelphia Union will be looking to keep pace with the rest of the East in their Thursday game against the Chicago Fire at 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and TSN5). Both teams will be looking to keep their playoff hopes alive in this match and the Union will be hoping to get back to their winning ways following a tough 1-0 loss to D.C. United. Chicago will lean on the talents of Quincy Amarikwa, Harry Shipp and Sean Johnson to get a crucial three points.

With the playoff season in full effect - check out the PLAYOFF SCENARIOS section of This Week in MLS below.

History Beckons for Landon Donovan

While the MLS regular season may be winding down, Landon Donovan continues on his hunt for more regular season records. With his three assists over the weekend, the California-native is one away from becoming the league's all-time assist leader ahead of current Houston Dynamo assistant coach, Steve Ralston. Donovan holds the all-time MLS record for regular-season goals scored. The Galaxy will host Toronto FC on Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET (TSN, RDS2). Toronto FC rallied to secure a come from behind win over the Portland Timbers that put them right back in the thick of the playoff race. Michael Bradley and Co. will be looking to continue their upward trend following a skittish patch over the last several weeks.

National MLS Broadcasts

Thursday, October 2

Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire, 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, TSN5)

Friday, October 3

D.C. United vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8:00 p.m. ET (NBCSN, TSN2)

Saturday, October 4

New York Red Bulls vs. Houston Dynamo, 6:00 p.m. ET (NBCSN)

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. FC Dallas, 7:00 p.m. ET (UDN, TSN2)

LA Galaxy vs. Toronto FC, 10:30 p.m. ET (TSN, RDS2)

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers, 11:00 p.m. ET (NBCSN)

Sunday, October 5

Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 3:00 p.m. ET (UniMas)

Sweet Tweets

@yedlinny - September 23 - DeAndre Yedlin, Seattle Sounders FC

" @xbailey_17 : Son you got some wheels on FIFA @yedlinny "

@bbknighton - September 25 - Brad Knighton, New England Revolution

I can't stand the Yankees but what #2 has done is incredible. What a way go out in your last game at Yankee Stadium. #DerekJeter #RE2PECT

@EthanWhite15 - September 25 - Ethan White, Philadelphia Union

My Uber driver is wearing a doo-rag in his profile pic. This is about to be a hell of a ride. Lol

@SoonySaad - September 27 - Soony Saad, Sporting Kansas City

Winner winner! @Applebees see you soon. Lots of food to be ordered from @lausydwyer and @ChrisDwyer5 @Ddwyer14 pic.twitter.com/Z6T8SSWa6Y

@ZacMacMath - September 28 - Zac MacMath, Philadelphia Union

RIP Ryder Cup

@mattwatson8 - September 28 - Matthew Watson, Chicago Fire

@lovelpalmer7 you're here in spirit mate! pic.twitter.com/e0ZHIfr3IX

@HeathGPearce - September 28 - Heath Pearce, Montreal Impact

So looking forward to winter fashion. http://instagram.com/p/tgk1FENzMh/

Quotables

"David has had three great weeks and has been participating for the way we want him to do things much more, he has been growing with the group, his intensity and the rhythm that we wanted from him was there and tonight we decided to bring him in and join that spot with Blas Perez. The way he executed was all him. He gave us a lesson today in persistence, he gave us a lesson in patience and today he was a big part of the points."

FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja on the performance of David Texeira

"It's not easy when you miss a penalty. I think last week we felt sorry for ourselves; not for want of trying. We're talking about leaders. I've lost a few leaders this year but it's time for these guys to step up. And I challenged them this week to step up. In big games you need big players. And today we had some big players."

Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson on the teams' response to the loss to Portland

"We're scouting on all sorts of fronts right now, we're scouting on the international front very heavily. We're scouting in college very heavily. We're scouting in the NASL - because the USL just finished - very heavily. We're scouting MLS very heavily."

NYCFC head coach Jason Kreis on the organizations efforts to getting players for next season

"I'm not really a big fan of doing interviews, sometimes I feel like you can toot your own trumpet too much. I don't really like that. I like to just be humble. The more interviews, the more embarrassed I kind of get."

New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips on his feelings about interviews

"I'm not the same player I used to be, the young player, the rookie, I think MLS has helped me to mature and grow as a player. I think it has made me a more valuable player, a more important player, a player capable of taking a bigger role. Whether that means I'll stay here or go back to the Mexican league, we'll wait and see."

Chivas USA forward Erick Torres on how MLS has helped him develop as a player

"These are the kind of days that can make a season, if you use this kind of afternoon the right way, they can give you a real boost."

Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley on the team building from their win over the Timbers

"We're giving up easy goals, and we definitely have to lock it down, defense wins championships. We know we're going to be able to score goals because we have the talent on the field to do that."

Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Lamar Neagle on the importance of defense in winning an MLS Cup

Week 30 Game Previews

Thursday, Oct. 2

Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire, 8 p.m.

- Union had their winless streak reach three games with a second consecutive shutout in their 1-0 loss to D.C. United on Saturday - a game where leading scorer Sebastien Le Toux suffered an ankle injury which forced him out of the game in the first half.

- The Fire had their winless streak extended to four matches in a 2-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo on Sunday afternoon, leaving them on the brink of playoff elimination.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Sebastien Le Toux converted a penalty kick in stoppage time to pull Union back into a 1-1 draw July 19 at Toyota Park; Juan Luis Anangono scored the equalizer four minutes from the end to bring the Fire back for a 2-2 draw April 5 at Toyota Park.

- The Fire have won each of the last two seasons at PPL Park, including a 2-1 win last Aug. 3 in Chester. Union have now taken points from the last four meetings at Toyota Park, with three wins and a draw.

Friday, Oct. 3

D.C. United vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8 p.m.

- Luis Silva scored his third goal in the last two matches to lead United to a 1-0 win against Philadelphia Union on Saturday afternoon. It was their fifth consecutive win at RFK Stadium.

- Sporting Kansas City lost their third consecutive home game, suffering their fifth loss in the last six contests overall, in a 3-2 defeat by the New England Revolution on Friday evening. It's the first time since 2006 Kansas City has lost three home games in a row.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and United have won the first two. Fabian EspÃ-ndola, Chris Rolfe and Perry Kitchen scored seven minutes apart in the first half to lead United to a 3-0 win Aug. 23 at Sporting Park; EspÃ-ndola scored the game's only goal in the first half in a United victory May 31 at RFK Stadium.

- United's two wins this year came after a seven-game undefeated streak for SKC in the series, dating back to 2010. United's win in the last match was their first in Kansas City since 2007, going nine visits without a victory.

Saturday, Oct. 4

New York Red Bulls vs. Houston Dynamo, 6 p.m.

- The Dynamo extended their season-long undefeated streak to five games with a 2-0 victory against the Chicago Fire on Sunday afternoon.

- Brad Davis recorded an assist on the second Dynamo goal in the victory, his 10th assist of the season, the sixth time in his 13 MLS seasons he's had 10 or more assists.

- The Red Bulls had their road winless streak extended to seven games in a 4-0 defeat at the LA Galaxy on Sunday afternoon, ending a four-game undefeated streak overall.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. A Giles Barnes goal in the first minute and a late Brad Davis penalty kick canceled out a pair of goals from New York's Bradley Wright-Phillips to leave the teams in a 2-2 draw July 4 at BBVA Compass Stadium. Wright-Phillips netted a hat trick to lead the Red Bulls to a 4-0 win April 23 at Red Bull Arena.

- The Red Bulls have not lost in the last six league contests between the teams, outscoring the Dynamo 17-3. The Red Bulls are 7-0-3 all-time at home vs. Houston.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. FC Dallas, 7 p.m.

- Whitecaps FC rebounded from back-to-back losses with a huge 2-1 win against Real Salt Lake on Saturday afternoon. Pedro Morales scored two goals in a game for the third time this season - and had a penalty kick saved - in the victory.

- FC Dallas set a club record with their seventh consecutive home victory in their last match, a 3-1 win vs. Seattle Sounders FC. Blas Perez scored his 10th goal of the season and has four goals in the last three matches; David Texeira scored two goals, his first in MLS since April 12, when he also netted vs. Seattle.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Blas Perez scored a pair of goals, the game-winner in the 78th minute, to give FC Dallas a 2-1 win Sept. 20 at Toyota Stadium. On July 27 at BC Place, Perez and Michel scored for FC Dallas, but Darren Mattocks and Pedro Morales netted for Whitecaps FC to leave the teams in a 2-2 draw.

- FC Dallas have won seven of the 10 meetings all-time between the clubs, including all five encounters all-time in Frisco. Whitecaps FC's lone victory in the all-time series came in 2012 at BC Place.

New England Revolution vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.

- Jermaine Jones scored his first career MLS goal, giving the Revolution a 3-2 win at Sporting Kansas City on Friday evening. Jones has a goal and three assists in six appearances with the Revolution since coming to MLS.

- Federico HiguaÃ-n scored for a second consecutive match as the Crew extended their undefeated streak to four games with a 2-0 win against the Montréal Impact on Saturday evening. HiguaÃ-n matched his MLS single-season career-high with his 11th goal this season; the Crew have shut out their opponents in four of the last six games.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and the Crew have won both. Federico HiguaÃ-n scored the game's lone goal from a free kick to give the Crew a victory Sept. 20 at Crew Stadium; Ethan Finlay scored in the 84th minute to snap a deadlock and give the Crew the 2-1 victory July 26 at Gillette Stadium.

- The win in the first meeting was the Crew's first win vs. New England since Aug. 25, 2012, and snapped a four-game Revolution winning streak in the series.

LA Galaxy vs. Toronto FC, 10:30 p.m.

- Landon Donovan recorded three assists, tying Steve Ralston for the all-time MLS career lead, as the Galaxy defeated the New York Red Bulls 4-0 on Sunday afternoon. Donovan now has 135 assists for his league career; his 18 assists this season are a new single-season career-high, and the most assists by a player in an MLS season since Guillermo Barros Schelotto had 19 in 2008 for Columbus.

- Robbie Keane scored two goals in the Galaxy victory and now has 17 goals this season, a new yearly high in his four MLS campaigns. Keane has scored three goals in the last two matches as the Galaxy extended their undefeated streak to nine games, the club's longest since a 14-game run in 2011.

- Toronto FC won their second consecutive match in dramatic fashion, coming back from a 2-0 halftime deficit for a 3-2 win against the Portland Timbers on Saturday afternoon. Michael Bradley scored his second league goal this season, the 89th-minute game-winner directly from a free kick.

- Toronto FC have not defeated the LA Galaxy in league play since 2008, when they swept the season series. The Galaxy have won three of the eight meetings since, with five draws, including a 2-2 result last March 30 at BMO Field.

- Toronto FC have not won in Carson vs. the Galaxy in league play since 2008, the Galaxy having won two of the four meetings there since (with two draws). But TFC did defeat LA in 2012 in a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal second-leg at StubHub Center.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers, 11 p.m.

- The Earthquakes had their winless streak extended to 10 games - matching the second-longest in club history and the longest since 2011 - despite coming back for a late 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids on Saturday evening.

- Fanendo Adi scored his third goal in the last two games - the first time this season he's scored just one goal in an MLS game - but the Timbers saw their four-game undefeated streak come to an end in a 3-2 loss at Toronto FC on Saturday afternoon.

- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Kalif Alhassan's goal in the 86th minute answered a Chris Wondolowski goal for the Quakes just a minute earlier, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw Sept. 7 at Providence Park.

- The first meeting was the opener of three meetings between the teams over a 31-day period. The teams meet on the back end of a home-and-home series next Wednesday in Portland.

- The teams are undefeated at home in the all-time league series. When the Quakes won 2-1 last July 27 at home, it was the first San Jose victory at Buck Shaw Stadium; the first three encounters all ended in draws The Timbers have won two of five matches in Portland, with three draws.

Sunday, Oct. 5

Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 3 p.m.

- The Rapids saw their winless streak reach 10 games - matching the club record set in 2007 - in their late 1-1 draw vs. San Jose on Saturday evening. The Rapids have had two draws and a loss since setting a club record with a seven-game losing run July 30-Sept. 5.

- Obafemi Martins scored a pair of goals - his fourth two-goal game this season - to lead Sounders FC to a 4-2 win against Chivas USA on Saturday. Martins now has 15 goals this season, a single-season record for Sounders FC in their MLS history; Clint Dempsey scored his 13th goal of the season in the game.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and Sounders FC have won the first two. Clint Dempsey scored the game's lone goal for an Aug. 30 victory at CenturyLink Field; Dempsey scored twice and Lamar Neagle and Obafemi Martins also added goals as Sounders FC rolled to a 4-1 win April 26 in Seattle.

- When the Rapids took a 5-1 win last year at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, it snapped a three-game home losing skid vs. Sounders FC, dating back to 2010, and matched the most goals allowed in a game in Seattle's MLS history. Sounders FC have not lost to the Rapids in Seattle, in 10 meetings in all competitions.

Chicago Fire vs. Montreal Impact, 5 p.m.

- The Impact remained winless away from Stade Saputo following their 2-0 defeat at the Columbus Crew on Saturday evening. The Impact are 0-12-3 on the road this season with road games remaining at Chicago and Toronto FC (Oct. 18); now with an 18-game road winless streak in league play, they are trying to avoid becoming the sixth team to finish a season without a road win.

- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Marco Di Vaio scored the game's lone goal in the 84th minute for an Impact home victory on Aug. 16; Montréal's Jack McInerney and Chicago's Quincy Amarikwa scored on either side of halftime as the teams played to a 1-1 draw April 12 at Stade Saputo.

- The visiting team has never won in the series in seven all-time meetings. The last two meetings at Toyota Park have ended in draws.

Chivas USA vs. Real Salt Lake, 7 p.m.

- Erick Torres scored his first goal since July 20, his 15th goal of the season, setting the Chivas USA single-season club record, but saw his team's winless streak reach 12 games in their 4-2 loss at Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday afternoon.

- RSL goalkeeper Jeff Attinella saved the second penalty kick of his MLS career (in seven attempts) in his club's 2-1 defeat at Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Attinella was deputizing for Nick Rimando - who has saved 17 of 64 penalties he's faced in his MLS career (and seen five others missed).

- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Erick Torres scored the game's lone goal in a Chivas USA victory June 28 at StubHub Center.

- The victory in the first meeting snapped a five-match winning streak for Real Salt Lake against Chivas USA. It also ended a five-game winning streak at StubHub Center for RSL vs. Chivas; the rojiblancos had last defeated their expansion brothers at home in 2009.

PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

D.C. United will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF

- D.C. United win or tie vs. Sporting Kansas City on Friday

OR

- New York Red Bulls and Houston Dynamo tie on Saturday

OR

- Toronto FC lose or tie vs. LA Galaxy on Saturday

Real Salt Lake will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF

- Real Salt Lake win vs Chivas USA on Sunday

OR

- Vancouver Whitecaps FC lose vs. FC Dallas on Saturday

OR

- Portland Timbers lose or tie vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday

FC Dallas will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF

- FC Dallas win vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday

OR

- Portland Timbers lose vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday

OR

- FC Dallas tie vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday

AND

- Portland Timbers tie vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday

Colorado Rapids will be eliminated from playoff contention IF

- Colorado Rapids lose vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday

AND

- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. FC Dallas on Saturday OR

- Portland Timbers win vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday

OR

- Colorado Rapids tie vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday

AND

- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. FC Dallas on Saturday

San Jose Earthquakes will be eliminated from playoff contention IF

- San Jose Earthquakes lose vs. Portland Timbers on Saturday

OR

- San Jose Earthquakes tie vs. Portland Timbers on Saturday

AND

- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. FC Dallas on Saturday

Chicago Fire will be eliminated from playoff contention IF

- Chicago Fire lose vs. either Philadelphia Union on Thursday or Montreal Impact on Sunday

AND

- New York Red Bulls win vs. Houston Dynamo on Saturday OR

- Toronto FC win vs. LA Galaxy on Saturday

Seattle Sounders FC have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs

LA Galaxy have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs

Montréal Impact have been eliminated from playoff contention

Chivas USA have been eliminated from playoff contention

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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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