MLS Recap, Sounders awaken while Red Bulls, NYCFC & TFC clinch playoff spot

Article by Matt Lichtenstadter   As can only happen in MLS, just when you think the playoff picture is clear and the races have taken a turn for the “normal”, the opposite happens. Teams that were once left for dead now are legitimate contenders to sneak into the postseason dance despite the odds, and teams that once looked like postseason locks now find themselves in some serious trouble. You can’t take your eyes off of MLS from the end of September onwards. Let’s get to some recappin’…   Slumbering Sounders Awaken: After Sigi Schmid was fired at the end of July, it seemed that the Sounders were pretty much done when it came to making the playoffs. For a franchise that had consistent MLS Cup expectations, as well as having made the playoffs in every season since joining MLS in 2009, this was a major blow. But with Brian Schmetzer, Nicolas Lodeiro and the cohesion of a team that had none up until then, from the first game under Schmetzer until now, the Sounders have completely transformed. Coincidentally, that first game for Schmezter was against the Galaxy, and the Sounders probably should have won that game. Under Schmetzer, the Sounders are 5-1-3 and with Jordan Morris becoming a legitimate MLS #9, this team is now only three points behind rival Portland for the sixth playoff spot in the West, and they have two games at hand. While those games aren’t given wins, the way the Sounders are performing right now you wouldn’t doubt them jumping the Timbers or even Sporting KC by the time those two games are played. A 4-2 win in LA against the Galaxy should be a warning sign to the rest of the West: the Sounders aren’t to be messed with anymore.   Rest of the West: While the Sounders convincing win against the Galaxy may have been the most notable result in the playoff race out West this weekend, there were some other notable results that should be explored. Sporting KC ended a long streak of struggles by winning at Avaya Stadium against the San Jose Earthquakes, whose playoff dreams are probably over. The Vancouver Whitecaps probably needed a win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, and they could only settle for a last-second draw with Colorado (who only gave up multiple goals for the fifth time this season). RSL and FC Dallas drew 0-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium, meaning both they and Colorado ended up spurning a chance to take advantage of a LA misstep. And most notably, Portland lost 3-1 in Houston against the Dynamo to a Mauro Manotas hat trick. With Portland facing a huge trip to El Salvador in CONCACAF Champions League on Tuesday, here is the opening for the Sounders to take advantage and jump their rivals in the playoff race. FC Dallas was also helped out by some results out East as they try to maintain their edge for the Supporter’s Shield.   Red Bulls, NYCFC and TFC Clinch Playoff Spots: All three of these teams now have a small x by their name in the standings, which means they are officially in the MLS playoff dance. NYCFC is in for the first time in their history after a convincing demolition of the Chicago Fire Friday night, and even though recently they haven’t been as impressive as at other times this season, they are a favorite to win the East when they’re on form. The Red Bulls were able to hold onto a lead this week after just edging out the plummeting Montreal Impact, who lost their cool after the game when Didier Drogba got into a bit of a spat with some Red Bulls fans unnecessarily. Finally Toronto FC officially clinched their playoff spot with a 1-1 draw against Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon, meaning they are in the postseason for the second straight season. All three of those teams are individually impressive on their day, but right now all are tied on 48 points each. Seeding is a big deal in the playoffs not only because of home field advantage but also because of potentially having to play a play-in game, so finishing first and second is critical. Elsewhere in the East Playoff Race: DC United, led by Patrick Mullins (one of the best summer acquisitions in the league), thrashed Orlando City 4-1 to give themselves an inside look at sixth place in the East. The Lions have been de-clawed and de-fanged in recent weeks, because when they lose, they lose big. While DCU isn’t by any means a playoff lock, they might be looking more and more like it every day. Montreal’s loss mean that they’re only one point ahead of DC in fifth and two ahead of New England in seventh, and speaking of the Revs… their loss to Columbus on Sunday was a big moment for the Crew as they try to pull off the seemingly improbable and make the playoffs despite their rough season. Jay Heaps’ Revs have their incredible positive and negative runs of form each year, and this year their positive run wasn’t quite long enough it seems, though they still are contenders to finish in the playoff places. Five teams are in contention for two spots, and the only thing separating fifth from ninth is six points. At most, the Crew have five games left to play and New England has only three. This race is going to get better and better as the calendar continues to turn.   Goal Scorers: Strikers propelling their teams to new heights is one of the stories of the 2016 season, and this week was no different. Ola Kamara’s brace for the Crew propelled them to a critical 2-0 win, while on the other side Kei Kamara was held off the scoresheet and hasn’t really been a hit in New England. Did Gregg Berhalter make the right decision in the end? David Villa has 19 goals on the season, only one behind Bradley Wright-Phillips for the league lead, and his goals continue to be some of the most beautiful you’ll see anyone in the league score. Jordan Morris’ brace against the Galaxy propelled the Sounders to a critical victory, and now he has 12 on the season. He is dang close to fulfilling all of the hype that surrounded his arrival to the league if he hasn’t already, and have the Sounders needed that in the worst way. He’s also the leading American goal scorer in the league, which is remarkable in of itself.   What to watch for this week: There’s so much to look out for this week that it’s crazy, and this is just midweek. CONCACAF Champions League play continues with the Red Bulls and FC Dallas both looking to finally secure their spots in the knockout stage, while Portland needs a win in El Salvador against Dragon in order to keep their knockout stage hopes alive. How much rotation does Caleb Porter use with the playoff race in MLS also looming over his head? In MLS midweek play, Columbus and DC United play in what might be one of the most important games of the Eastern Conference season. DC can begin to consolidate a playoff spot, or the Crew can potentially get within two of sixth place, amazingly. Montreal hosts San Jose and Toronto FC also hosts Orlando at the same time, meaning some clarity might come to the Eastern Conference playoff race by the end of Wednesday night. Also, the Sounders host Chicago in one of their critical games in hand.