MLS Takeaways: Week 15
Photo from St. Louis City SC
Once again, a double match week in MLS.
Once again, too many games to type out.
So Saturday it is!
New York City FC draws New England 0-0
After a 3-3 draw which was rescued for New England mid week and a 0-0 draw where they were outplayed by NYCFC, these will be two welcome away points for the Revs.
Seattle draws Portland 0-0
This game was not exciting at all, but after 4 straight losses to Portland, I think Seattle is fine with a 0-0 draw, even if it doesn’t ease the minds of fans who are frustrated with the lack of scoring at the moment.
Cincinnati defeats Chicago 1-0
Cincy continues their record pace season, and they continue it with solid defense.
This is a title contending team. No doubts about it.
DC United defeats Miami 2-1
On Wednesday, Miami fired coach Phil Neville for a lack of solid performances, but the new coach bump never came.
Miami continues to not only struggle, but now they sit dead last in the East.
Not great!
Orlando defeats New York Red Bulls 3-0
The Red Bulls have been hard to score against this year, while Orlando has struggled to score.
So an Orlando 3-0 win makes total sense!
Philadelphia defeats Montreal 3-0
The Union’s early season CCL struggles are behind them.
They’re back and they’re ready to fight for trophies.
Columbus defeats Charlotte 4-2
Charlotte is what I thought they would be this season, a middling playoff team.
They’re good, but they just aren’t good enough to beat the top tier East opponents.
Real Salt Lake defeats Austin 2-1
Austin just can not get any traction going this year.
We’re almost halfway through the season. If they haven’t gotten it going yet, they aren’t going to.
They’re still in a playoff spot due to the expanded playoffs, but don’t count on them making any noise unless something drastic changes.
Nashville defeats Dallas 2-1
Would you believe me if I told you that Hany Mukhtar scored the winning goal?
Shocking, I know.
Minnesota draws Toronto 1-1
Toronto is getting better?
I guess?
They still aren’t very good, though.
St. Louis defeats Houston 3-0
The first part of the season, I thought St. Louis was for real.
Then they went through a gigantic slump, and I thought it was an opening mirage.
Now, they’re red hot again and are first in the West.
So I have no idea what they are or what they aren’t.
Just enjoy the ride. They’re fun.
Colorado draws San Jose 0-0
Someone please give Robin Fraser some quality players.
He’s trying so hard to make this team good and it just can’t happen.
Vancouver draws Sporting Kansas City 1-1
SKC, who I said should fire their coach earlier this year, is 2 points out of a playoff spot.
Which shows their solid turn around so far but also shows that MLS has too many teams making the playoffs there is just no reason the 9th ranked team should make the postseason.
Club Leon defeats LAFC 3-1 on aggregate
LAFC’s CCL run ends in the final with a loss to Mexican side Club Leon, and it sure felt like a wake up call for LA.
Club Leon bullied them around in Mexico, and then used typical CONCACAF time wasting tactics to piss off LAFC in leg 2, and LAFC did not handle it well.
This loss doesn’t hurt LAFC in MLS play, where they are still comfortably the best team, but it is something to keep an eye on.
In 2018, Toronto went all the way to the Finals and lost, and the added miles on their legs tanked their season.
Last year, Seattle won the whole thing and it cost them their season to do so. It was the first time they ever missed the playoffs.
LAFC are in good shape standings wise, but those extra miles add up, especially with Leagues Cup play as well this summer.
It’ll be interesting to see how the defending champs respond to the adversity they now face.
