Another weekend of results, and there’s still not much clarity in the Eastern Conference playoff race. A draw on the road against Chicago kept the Dynamo right in the middle of that mix; let’s look around at the other results from the weekend and how they impacted the standings.
Toronto FC 1, New England Revolution 1
New England could only come up with a draw in Toronto on Friday night, which keeps them level with the Dynamo at 37 points for fifth in the conference. Still, the Dynamo hold a game in hand on the Revs and could leapfrog them into sole possession of the final playoff spot with a result on Wednesday against the Columbus Crew.
Columbus Crew 0, Seattle Sounders 1
At home and up a man for over 80 minutes, the Crew could not get past the Sounders and wound up with a devastating loss that could just about end their playoff hopes. Columbus is now eight points adrift of the last playoff spot with just eight games left to play (and seven of those coming against teams above them in the Eastern Conference).
Columbus announced Monday morning that they have parted ways with head coach Robert Warzycha and appointed technical director Brian Bliss as his interim successor in an effort to push the team into the playoffs over the last few weeks of the season.
Philadelphia Union 0, Montreal Impact 0
A week after hanging five goals on the Dynamo, the Montreal Impact were held scoreless by the Philadelphia Union. The draw kept Montreal at the top of the standings with 42 points, but their lead over the Dynamo remains only five points.
Philadelphia remains in fourth place and only two points ahead of the Dynamo with two more games played than Houston. A Dynamo win on Wednesday evening would push them into sole possession of fourth place and only two points behind the conference leaders.
New York Red Bulls 2, D.C. United 1
D.C. United nearly pulled out a draw in this Atlantic Cup match, but Dwayne De Rosario’s penalty was saved by Luis Robles and the Red Bulls came out unscathed and with three points. The win pushed them into a tie for the top spot in the East, but Montreal still holds two games in hand over New York.
Sporting Kansas City 2, Colorado Rapids 1
Graham Zusi struck in the 88th minute to break the deadlock and give Sporting KC the win. Like the New York Red Bulls, Sporting is now tied with Montreal on points for the conference lead, but have played two more games at this point.
Sunday’s late draw keeps the Dynamo well within striking distance to move up in the standings, and they could do so as early as Wednesday against the Crew with an eye to do even more damage at home next Sunday against the New York Red Bulls (TICKETS). The draw also kept Chicago two points behind the Dynamo. Both teams have played the same amount of games.
