Photo by Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports
By AARON CRANFORD
Entering MLS’ penultimate week of regular season competition, the New York Red Bulls are just a few steps and kicks of the ball away from claiming the Supporters’ Shield once again.
After an important 2-1 victory against a Didier Drogba-led Montreal Impact at Red Bull Area, the Eastern Conference leader can clinch the regular season title with two wins in Week 33, as they will meet Toronto FC on Wednesday and the Philadelphia Union on Sunday.
While the Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas both remained steadfast and fought to a 0-0 tie last Wednesday, the result seemingly only benefited the Red Bulls, as both contenders lost crucial ground.
FC Dallas now sits three points behind with only three games to play, while the Whitecaps need to see the Red Bulls drop points on more than one occasion, being four points behind with two games to play as well.
The LA Galaxy sit three points behind their East Coast rivals, but with only two games to play, which includes tough matchups against the Portland Timbers and Sporting KC, the Red Bulls look all but certain to lift the trophy for the second time in three years.
Here are the current MLS Supporters’ Shield standings, and the upcoming matches that will have the biggest impact on that race:
MLS SUPPORTERS’ SHIELD STANDINGS
KEY WEEK 33 MATCH-UPS
WEDNESDAY
Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls
FC Dallas vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
SATURDAY
Real Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas
SUNDAY
New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union
LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers
REMAINING SCHEDULES
at Toronto FC (10/14), vs. Philadelphia Union (10/18), at Chicago Fire (10/25)
vs . Portland (10/18), at Sporting Kansas City (10/25).
at FC Dallas (10/14), vs. Houston Dynamo (10/25)
Vancouver Whitecaps (10/14) at Real Salt Lake (10/17), vs. San Jose Earthquakes (10/25)
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Who do you see winning the Supporters’ Shield? What match are you most looking forward to this week?
Share your thoughts below.
One win for the RedBull and 2 wins for Dallas and LA in the remaining games would lead to a 3-way tie on points. LA could win on goal difference.
RBNY could basically wrap it up before the CHI game with a tie and a win in their next two games, putting them at 58 pts. Dallas would have to win all three games to beat them at 60 pts.
RBNY fans will be dreading a trip to Chicago to try to get the points they need for the Shield. Not a lot of success there for RBNY in the past and Chicago is a speedy counterattacking team which gives RBNY a lot of trouble.
The Red Bulls are the only team in MLS that’s won more games than its lost+tied. Dallas is the only other team that even has a chance to do that, and its possible that no team will do that this year. That’s too much parity, especially when the reward for actually being a winning team is to get thrown into the designed randomness of a playoffs with a bunch of teams that are mediocre by definition. The EPL’s top four teams last year won more often than not. La Liga had five teams. The Bundesliga and Serie A had 3 teams. And the winning teams have to push each other for the top of the table and limited Champions League spots. That’s more like it. MLS needs to figure out a way to better reward teams for winning games during the regular season if its going to load a playoff with teams that have not won the majority of their games.
This article has been published too early. To be on the verge of the Supporters Shield, New York needs to win at Toronto and that is no easy task. Giovinco and Bradley are game changers.
Is Bradley (and Altidore) not playing for the USA vs Coast Rica the day before the RedBull-Toronto game? Still Giovinco is dangerous even with out the other two and for the RedBull, Miazga is with the U-23s
I think Bradley released from USMNT duty whereas Altidore is still with the USMNT and may play tonight. Miazga is serving a red card suspension.
RBNY clearly have the best chance of the four, but it is hardly a cakewalk. The difference between the best team and the worst team in MLS is much less than in major European leagues. Just look at the stomping Orlando recently gave RBNY–at RBA.
I wouldn’t call Orlando one of the worst teams. They have some pretty good players and have little drama unlike Chicago , Philly, and NYCFC. Plus they aren’t that far from playoffs.
RB “clearly” have the best of the four? I beg to differ. They’re a very good team this season, but they play in the lower quality Eastern Conference. If LA, Seattle, or Dallas played in the East, I’m not sure RBNY would be 6 points clear of the 2nd place spot. They might even be in the 2nd place spot. I’m not saying they don’t deserve the Shield, but I am saying they’re the tallest man at a midget convention.
Ian, you’re right that the SS is unfair because the East is the weaker division and the schedule is unbalanced. However, RBNY’s *CHANCE* of winning the SS is highest–they start with the highest point total, they have 3 games to play, not 2, and they play Philadelphia and Chicago.
I stand corrected. I misread your comment. 🙂
IF the MLS went to a single table format there would be no discussion of “conference” schedules and who is the best team in MLS. Alas, it isn’t to be.
When Jesse Marsch is hired as the next USA coach, do you think he will bring in Sacha Klejstan?
Awesome comment
If Jesse Marsch was coach Sasha Klesjan, Dax McCarthy and Mike Grella (3 Americans responsible for NYRB explosive success) will be on the 35-man provisional roster.
They are too slow for international soccer.
Miazga will be. Sasha maybe, Dax and Grella not so much.