The MLS season is well underway as we are nearing the half-way point in the 2018 campaign. It has been an exciting season so far as there are 11 games scheduled for this week-end. The action began last night, Friday June 29, as Minnesota took on FC Dallas (0-1, full-time). Saturday will be packed with action as the Seattle Sounders take on Portland, the Montreal Impact take on Sporting FC, Atlanta take on Orlando City, Columbus face off against Real Salt Lake, New England will be playing against DC United, Chicago (Schweinsteiger's team) take on NYCFC (David Villa's team), LAFC play against Philadelphia and finally San José takes on the LA Galaxy. Sunday won't be as packed as Toronto take on NY Red Bulls and Vancouver play against Colorado. Let's take a look at how the standings look at the moment.
In the Eastern Conference, Atlanta are currently first as they have a three point lead on second placed NYCFC. The NY Red Bulls, Columbus, New England and Philadelphia are the other clubs who are currently in a playoff position. It is very close as 6th placed Philly only have a one point lead over 7th placed Chicago. In the Western Conference, Sporting KC are first as they are now tied on points with second placed FC Dallas. LAFC, Real Salt Lake, Portland and Vancouver hold the remaining playoff spots as 6th place Vancouver have a two point lead over 7th placed Houston.
Things are also quite close in the MLS top scorer standings as Atlanta's Josef Martinez is currently leading the way with 14 goals. NY Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips is second with 11 goals where as Danny Hoesen and Gyasi Zardes are joint third with 10 goals each. There is still a lot of football to go and teams like Toronto FC, the Seattle Sounders, the LA Galaxy and even the MTL Impact could still catch up to the playoff teams but they will really have to go on impressive runs from now up until the end of the season.
Toronto Fc and the Seattle Sounders both reached the MLS cup final last season but they have been very disappointing so far this season. Even so, they have a lot of talent and they can surely go on an impressive streak at any moment in time. Toronto are currently 6 points off a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference where as Seattle are 9 points off a playoff spot in the Western Conference. It certainly won't be easy for them but never say never.With all the attention (rightfully so) focused on the World Cup, the MLS season is slowly approaching it's most entertaining point. We are in for a fun summer...
Jean-Luca Mascaro (@Calcionews89)
