The 2022 MLS annual season has reached Decisive Day, with many playoff spots still up for grabs and teams vying for seed in the conference standings. Here’s a look at Sunday’s games:
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Atlanta United FC compare to New York City FC
Atlanta United’s playoff hopes died last weekend in New England, making a fart end to an unstable season, but NYCFC still has some work to do to beat the 3rd seed in the East. The Red Bulls are two points behind, but a draw would be enough for NYCFC to take third place. The last time NYCFC lost to Atlanta was in 2019, which lasted 5 games, so the visitors will love their chance.
Chicago Fire FC compare to New England Revolution
As the great Don Meredith once sang, “Turn off the lights, the party’s over.” Both teams were eliminated from the playoffs.
DC United compare to FC Cincinnati
DC’s playoff hopes are long gone, but Cincinnati still has a lot of work to do. A win or a draw against the cellar residents of the East will secure a first post-season stop for the club. The nightmare scenario would be a loss in the nation’s capital and a draw in the Columbus-Orlando game, as both teams would be ahead of Cincy.
Inter Miami CF compare to CF Montreal
Inter Miami earned its place in the post-season with an impressive 4-1 win over Orlando City on Wednesday. People who are about to retire Gonzalo Higuain is a scoring machine with six goals in the past four games, Miami has won. Phil Neville’s side could even still finish fourth and the playoffs at home with a win and loss for the Red Bulls. As for Montreal, hopes for the Eastern Conference top seed remain intact. A win in South Florida and Philly dropping points against Toronto would be possible.
New York Red Bulls compare to Charlotte FC
Charlotte’s hopes of a playoff spot in Grade 1 ended in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Columbus. Still, a solid season from the new franchise. The Red Bulls need a win to ensure Miami doesn’t overtake them in the home playoffs. They could also advance to the three-seeded pool with a win and NYCFC loss in Atlanta.
City of Orlando SC compare to Columbus Crew
In the end, it looked like Columbus lost a late goal every time he put on the field. It happened again on Wednesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Crew took a 2-0 lead in the second half and then saw a 2-1 advantage in burning injury time. However, a draw or win in Orlando would be enough to go post-season. It’s a similar story for Orlando. If it wins, it’s in, but a draw could also be enough if Cincinnati loses to DC Orlando in their first encounter this year, a 2-0 final in Columbus.
Philadelphia Union compare to Toronto FC
Philly’s tightening at the Eastern Conference has waned in recent weeks after picking up just one point in four games, including a dull 4-0 loss in Charlotte last weekend. Montreal is only 2 points behind and owns their first win, so Union can only think of winning against the 13th ranked team and eliminating TFC if they want to secure the top of the table and home advantage in the East. However, Toronto won the previous meeting earlier this year, with a final score of 2-1 in April.
Austin FC compare to Colorado Rapids
Austin FC nailed in second place, but there’s still an MVP race involving the attacker Sebastian Driussiwho can pass Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar in the Golden Boot race with a hat-trick against Rapids was disqualified. Driussi scored in a game he played against Colorado.
FC Dallas compare to Kansas Sports City
FC Dallas still has some work to do to secure the West 3 seed. Galaxy are taking back three points and could go ahead with a win along with a loss to Dallas. A draw against Sporting Kansas City that was knocked out was enough for Dallas to get that third place, but Dallas has lost three of its past four games to SKC in all competitions.
Seattle Sounders FC compare to San Jose earthquake
The record has ended. The Seattle Sounders won’t be in the MLS knockouts for the first time ever. It’s time to start thinking about the Club World Cup.
Houston Dynamo FC compare to LA Galaxy
Houston has a knack for spoilers. Who can forget how broken it was Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Galaxy playoffs hopefully on Decisive Day 2019. Dynamo are out again, but the Galaxy has plenty to play with, starting with a potential third place in the West if they win and FC Dallas lose. They could also fall to Saturday with a defeat and say goodbye to the home playoffs. Their only previous encounter this season was a 3-0 win for Houston in LA
LAFC compare to Nashville SC
LAFC won the Supporters trophy last weekend, so they can kick back, relax and maybe let Gareth Bale play a quick nine game at the Riviera before heading to the stadium. Nashville, however, is right in the middle of that Western Conference logjam.
Losing to Houston last weekend meant Nashville was no longer in control of home playoff fortunes. There will be great interest in trying to capitalize on any slip from the Galaxy, while also fending off challenges from those below, like Portland and Minnesota. Another thing: Nashville has never beaten LAFC. Although it was just one match, the final 2-1 last July, but history is history.
Minnesota United FC compare to Vancouver Whitecaps
Monster game. The Loons continued to swoon with a lousy performance in their 0-2 loss in San Jose last week. That’s now just a point from their past six games while trailing 14-2. Sorry. Minnesota is in 7th place with 45 points and faces a confident Vancouver team after three consecutive wins.
A win for the Caps would be enough to get to the post-season. At the same time, Minnesota can still rise to 4th place and play in the home playoffs in Round 1 with wins and losses against Galaxy, Nashville and Portland. I told you the West is wild.
Real salt lake compare to Portland Wood
Portland have been on this late run, with four wins and one draw in the past five, and they can claim a playoff spot with at least one draw, as they’re sixth with 46 points. There is also a chance to move into fourth place and a home playoff with wins and losses against Galaxy (47) and Nashville (47). However, a win for Real Salt Lake and a draw for Minnesota against Vancouver would leave the Timbers out after the season and take the RSL in sixth place.
