Week 16 saw most MLS teams getting back to action after the “international break”. A full weekend of action ensued. Lets take a look at all the action. This week around MLS, week 16:
NYCFC 2 Seattle Sounders 1
A rainy afternoon in New York City was the back drop for this clash. Seattle took the lead late in the first half. Things were going swimmingly for Seattle until a bad penalty call from the referee. A penalty was called by the ref, contact was made in the box, but it wasn’t a penalty. Never the less David Villa stepped up and put NYCFC level. Villa then gave NYCFC the lead and the eventual three points. NYCFC will love the comeback effort, while Seattle will hate coming across the country for no points.
Atlanta United 3 Columbus Crew 1
United welcomed the Crew to Atlanta. Within 15 minutes Atlanta had the lead. 10 minutes later Columbus found the equalizer. The teams stayed deadlocked until the second half. Miguel Almiron put Atlanta up and Josef Martinez put the game away. All three designated players scored for Atlanta in their win. Columbus will be upset not to find the late equalizer, while Atlanta will love getting the three points thanks to their DP’s.
Orlando City SC 3 Montreal Impact 3
Montreal went to Orlando and played a thriller. Orlando scored in the first eight minutes to take the lead. Not 10 minutes later Montreal found the equalizer. Orlando scored a goal to take the lead before the half. Montreal came back again, and then found the lead in the 59th minute. Orlando fought and found the late equalizer in second half stoppage time. Montreal will be upset not to come out of this match with a win, while Orlando will be happy to salvage a point from the match.
New England Revolution 1 Chicago Fire 2
Chicago came to Foxboro and didn’t waste any time. They scored the opener in the first 15 minutes of the match. They kept the lead and doubled it in the second half. New England went on determined to get back into the match. They got a goal in the 70th minute, and pushed for the rest of the match. They unfortunately couldn’t find the equalizer. New England will be mad they out shot Chicago and couldn’t win at home, while Chicago will be happy to get three points on the road.
Toronto FC 2 Dc United 0
DC went up to Toronto looking to get their first win in a long winless stretch. They kept Toronto in check for most of them match. However in the second half, Bradley found Giovinco, Giovinco found Altidore and he found the back of the net. A second goal was soon to follow. DC couldn’t find a chance after going down. United will be upset not getting out of their slump, while Toronto will be happy to extend their lead on the rest of the east.
San Jose Earthquakes 0 Sporting Kansas City 0
This game had many chances but none found the back of the net. Kansas city dominated the first half. They had chance after chance after chance. two chances were cleared off the line by San Jose. San Jose had one really good chance in the second half, but it was saved. Both keepers played exceptionally well in the lat stages of the game. San Jose will be unhappy not to get more than a point at home. Kansas City will upset not to score after having so many chances.
Colorado Rapids 2 Portland Timbers 1
Colorado took on Portland in a western conference match. Portland took the lead early on a blast from Blanco. As the match went on, Tim Howard kept Colorado in the match. In the 51st minute Badji tied the game. Colorado kept fighting off Portland, and in the 90th minute Alan Gordan scored securing the three points for Colorado. Portland will be upset they couldn’t hold onto an early lead, while Colorado will love getting three points at home vs a conference opponent.
Real Salt Lake 1 Minnesota United 0
Salt lake hosted the Loons from Minnesota. This match was all RSL. They had chance after chance, but Minnesota found ways to keep the ball out of the back of the net. It wasn’t until the last ten minutes of the match that a goal was scored. An RSL corner was sent in and looked to be handled by a Minnesota player. Everyone stopped except Yura Movsisyan who put the loose ball into the net. RSL will love getting the three points at home, while Minnesota will wish they hadn’t given up on a late play.
Vancouver Whitecaps 1 FC Dallas 1
Vancouver welcomed Dallas to Canada. A back and forth match saw both teams go into halftime scoreless. In the second half Dallas found the opener. Urruti made a great run and finished off a chance he created himself. Later in the half Vancouver won a free kick in a dangerous area. Christian Techera hit it into the top corner of the net. His effort was enough to salvage a point from the match. Vancouver will be happy they fought back to get a point, while Dallas will be mad they couldn’t get the three points.
LA Galaxy 2 Houston Dynamo 2
LA and Houston played a great match late Saturday night. Houston took the lead early. LA equalized it before the half. Major drama occurred in the second half. Houston retook the lead, and LA fought to get back on level terms. In second half stoppage time Alessandrini leveled the match, but on a second look he appears to be offside. However, the match ended 2-2. LA will be happy to come back to get a point from the match, while Houston will be upset they couldn’t hold on to two separate leads.
Philadelphia Union 0 New York Red Bulls 2
Full analysis of this match here: 10 man Union couldn’t Hold off New York Red Bulls: what we learned.
Here’s where all the teams stand after week 16!
Standings:
Eastern Conference
| Points | Overall | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | PTS | PPG | GP | W | L | T | ||||
| Toronto FC | 32 | 2 | 16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | ||||
| Chicago Fire | 31 | 1.94 | 16 | 9 | 3 | 4 | ||||
| New York City FC | 27 | 1.69 | 16 | 8 | 5 | 3 | ||||
| Orlando City SC | 25 | 1.56 | 16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | ||||
| New York Red Bulls | 23 | 1.44 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 2 | ||||
| Columbus Crew SC | 22 | 1.29 | 17 | 7 | 9 | 1 | ||||
| Atlanta United FC | 21 | 1.4 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 3 | ||||
| New England Revolution | 20 | 1.25 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 5 | ||||
| Montreal Impact | 18 | 1.29 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 6 | ||||
| Philadelphia Union | 16 | 1.07 | 15 | 4 | 7 | 4 | ||||
| D.C. United | 15 | 1 | 15 | 4 | 8 | 3 | ||||
Western Conference
| Points | Overall | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | PTS | PPG | GP | W | L | T | ||||
| Sporting Kansas City | 27 | 1.59 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | ||||
| Houston Dynamo | 24 | 1.5 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 3 | ||||
| Portland Timbers | 24 | 1.5 | 16 | 7 | 6 | 3 | ||||
| FC Dallas | 24 | 1.6 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 6 | ||||
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 20 | 1.43 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 2 | ||||
| San Jose Earthquakes | 20 | 1.25 | 16 | 5 | 6 | 5 | ||||
| LA Galaxy | 19 | 1.36 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | ||||
| Seattle Sounders FC | 19 | 1.19 | 16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | ||||
| Real Salt Lake | 17 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 10 | 2 | ||||
| Colorado Rapids | 16 | 1.14 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 1 | ||||
| Minnesota United FC | 14 | 0.93 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 2 | ||||
Take a look at the goals, saves and team of week 16.
Goals of the week:
Five choices, only one winner.
VOTE for #ATTGotW: https://t.co/ED32vSJIEL https://t.co/Px3wz75k7u
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 20, 2017
Saves of the week:
Five big saves. One Save of the Week.
VOTE: https://t.co/5PlkHDSFAK https://t.co/7RtJ58RcV6
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 20, 2017
Team of the week:
BENCH: Bobby Shuttleworth, MIN; Mohammed Saeid, COL; Dax McCarty, CHI; Matias Perez Garcia, ORL; Gonzalo Veron, NY; Justin Meram, CLB; Sebastian Giovinco, TOR
Week 17 has a lot of action, here’s a look at the fixtures:
Wednesday, June 21:
DC vs Atlanta
Minnesota vs Portland
Colorado vs LA
Seattle vs Orlando
Friday, June 23:
Toronto vs New England
Houston vs Dallas
Saturday, June 24:
NY Red Bulls vs NYCFC
Atlanta vs Colorado
Philadelphia vs DC
Columbus vs Montreal
Minnesota vs Vancouver
Chicago vs Orlando
San Jose vs Salt Lake
LA vs Kansas City
Sunday June 25:
Portland vs Seattle
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Follow me on twitter @TGing21 for Soccer Twitter fun! Coming soon: An in-depth look at the Union’s defensive lapses, a look at the problems the offense is having, and a preview of the Union’s match vs DC. Until then, peace out!
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
