MLS Takeaways: Week 19
Photo by Matt Krohn from USA Today Sports
There’s only a few short weeks before MLS takes a break for the League’s Cup, because we all desperately need MORE games in the middle of a season!
Regardless, let’s dive into another weird weekend of MLS.
Cincinnati draws New England 2-2
The two top teams in the East ending up finishing 2-2.
Fitting, and a good result for Cincy after the disaster in DC last week.
Columbus defeats New York Red Bulls 2-1
This is a harsh result for the Red Bulls, who played well on the road and are fighting for a playoff spot.
But if they play like that against most opponents, they’re going to get results.
Miami draws Austin 1-1
Miami didn’t lose!
Let’s go!
That draw ends a 7 game losing streak.
However, they still didn’t win, and neither did Austin, whose miserable season is refusing to improve.
Still in a playoff spot, but not by much!
Orlando defeats Chicago 3-1
This game was super, super fun, and maybe Chicago deserved a point, but that’s soccer.
When the game is evenly matched and one side is more talented than the other, they’re the ones who leave with all 3 points.
Real Salt Lake defeats Toronto 1-0
It’s the 4th straight road win for the xDawg boys in Utah, and Toronto clearly doesn’t understand the concept of a new manager bounce back.
What a disastrous season.
Dallas defeats LAFC 2-0
Uhhh.
LAFC’s post CCL slide is officially concerning.
It won’t tank their season as they have so much leeway in the standings, but there are clear cracks here, particularly in the goal scoring department.
Kansas City defeats Vancouver 3-0
SKC’s turnaround continues with a dominating performance against a playoff quality side.
Minnesota defeats Portland 4-1
I’ve stopped trying to figure out Portland.
They’re talented. They’re well coached. They just can’t seem to get results.
At some point, you have to wonder about the future of Gio Savaresse.
Nashville defeats DC United 2-0
A clean sheet and goals built from Hany Mukhtar.
The Nashville way.
St. Louis defeats Colorado 2-0
St. Louis, a good team, beat Colorado, a bad team.
But hey, while Colorado still begs and pleads for players, Stan Kroenke spends 105 million dollars on a defensive midfielder for Arsenal.
I’m sure Rapids fans love that!
NYCFC defeats Montreal 1-0
It’s not easy to beat Montreal in Montreal this year, and NYCFC has struggled this year, so you take the 3 points however you get them.
But don’t be too fooled. It took one moment of individual brilliance to give them the 3 points.
San Jose defeats LA Galaxy 2-2
Imagine going back like, 5-10 years or so, and telling someone that the Galaxy and Earthquakes sharing a point would be more disappointing for the Quakes.
Sign of this season, I guess.
Seattle defeats Houston 1-0
Once again, the Sounders dominated the xG component of the game.
Once again, they didn’t have a ton to show from it.
But at least they got something from it, and that’s not a bad win over a good Houston team.
Baby steps!
Atlanta defeats Philadelphia 2-0
This is a very, very good win for Atlanta over a revitalized, if not shorthanded, Union side.
But it was due to the great play of Thiago Almada, who may not be around much longer as European clubs come sniffing.
But Atlanta may have been given just enough of a buffer to be ok for the full season, and can hopefully retool as well.
Time will tell.
