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MLS Rewind: LAFC wins Supporters’ Shield, NYCFC slams Atlanta United, and more

Los Angeles FC shook off a recent slump to earn the victory that helped secure its first piece of silverware, while New York City FC continued Major League Soccer’s longest current hot streak, moving a step closer to securing the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

The league’s top two teams secured impressive home victories to headline Wednesday’s MLS action. LAFC’s 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo secured the Supporters’ Shield, while NYCFC’s 4-1 hammering of Atlanta United pushed NYCFC to the brink of securing first place in the East.

The Philadelphia Union prevented NYCFC from clinching first place with their dramatic comeback win against San Jose. Some VAR decisions went against the Earthquakes, who now find themselves outside the playoff places in the West.

History was made in the Western Conference, with Minnesota United booking its first trip to the playoffs. Hassani Dotson’s late winner secured the post-season berth for the third-year team.

Here’s a closer look at Wednesday’s action:

NYCFC 3, Atlanta United 1

(Mitrita ’14, ’23, ’34), (Martinez ’54)

Alexandru Mitrita’s first-half hat-trick helped NYCFC steamroll Atlanta United.

Mitrita dribbled past Leandro Gonzalez Pirez before unleashing a shot from the top of the box in the 14th minute. Nine minutes later, Mitrita abused Gonzalez Pirez again, cutting past the Atlanta defender and hitting a low shot off the inside of the near post to make the score 2-0.

Mitrita’s third goal was his easiest, with Ismael Tajouri-Shradi running at Gonzalez Pirez and hitting a shot at Guzan that Guzan parried into the path of a wide-open Mitrita.

Pity Martinez converted a second-half penalty, but 3-1 was as close as Atlanta could get, with Heber netting an insurance goal in the 87th minute.

NYCFC travels to New England on Sunday needing a draw or win to secure first place in the East. Atlanta United heads to Montreal on Sunday sitting in third place in the East and needing a win to keep pressure on the Union for second place.

Earthquakes 1, Union 2

(Yueill 35′) – (Bedoya 70′, Przybylko 76′)

Chris Wondolowski played a different kind of role Saturday night for the San Jose Earthquakes  – supporter.

The Earthquakes could’ve used his energy in the second half, however, as the Union scored a pair of second-half goals to hand the Earthquakes their fourth-straight loss and, at the moment, knock them out of the playoff scene, dropping them just under the red line from sixth to eighth.

San Jose created a few chances on goal in the first half but was stopped by Union goalkeeper Andre Blake. They finally pulled through in the 35th minute when Jackson Yueill first-timed a shot off of a back pass from Danny Hoesen who was by the post.

VAR took away a second goal for San Jose to open the second half after Hoesen was determined offside on a would’ve-been goal by Magnus Erikkson in the 46th minute. Erikkson knocked in a ball that was deflected off of Blake on an initial shot by Yueill.

That non-goal would become a crucial missed opportunity for the Earthquakes.

Philadelphia pulled even in the 70th minute off of a goal by Alejandro Bedoya, then took the lead just sixth minutes later as Kacper Przybylko headed in a perfect cross from Jamiro Monteiro to put the Union up 2-1.

The Earthquakes thought they earned a penalty and a chance to pull even after the 80th minute as Aurelien Collin shoved out Andres Rios going for the ball in the box, however, VAR took away another potential Earthquakes’ goal, determining that Collin committed no penalty after all.

San Jose was unable to respond in the final 10 minutes, sealing their fate. They had a last-second shot go just wide of the net in stoppage time as Hoesen couldn’t fully connect on a cross from Shea Salinas.

Now, at 44 points, San Jose needs wins against Seattle on Sunday and at Portland the week after if they want a shot at a return to the playoffs.

Real Salt Lake 1, Galaxy 2

(Onuoha 89′) – (Pavon 50′, Ibrahimovic 80′)

The LA Galaxy secured their return to the playoffs by posting their third straight victory, posting a key win at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Christian Pavon raced onto a headed pass from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and beat Nedum Onuoha in the 50th minute. RSL struggled to put together dangerous chances in the second half, leaving the door open for the Galaxy to add an insurance goal in the 80th minute when Ibrahimovic converted a Pavon pass for his 27th goal of the season.

Onuoha pulled RSL back with an 89th-minute redirected shot, but RSL couldn’t find an equalizer, suffering their third loss in five matches.

The good news for RSL is that it closes out the season with matches against Houston and Vancouver, two teams out of the playoff race.

The Galaxy are in third place in the West after Wednesday’s win, and will look to try and catch second-place Minnesota United with wins against Vancouver and Houston in their final two regular-season matches.

Minnesota United 2, Sporting KC 1

(Alonso 70′, Dotson 90′) – (Barath 7′)

Minnesota United are heading to the playoffs for the first time after a come from behind win over Sporting Kansas City.

The Loons didn’t look like they were going to seal their place in the postseason for much of the match. It took SKC all of six minutes to get on the board. Botond Barath scored his first goal of the season with a flying finish off a Johnny Russell cross.

The visitors continued to dominate much of the game after the early goal. Minnesota goalkeeper Vito Mannone was called to make several big saves, Gianluca Busio floated a first-time hit off the corner of the goal just after half time, and Kansas City looked to be in full control of the game from a possession standpoint.

Minnesota did carve out an equalizer off a set piece in the 70th minute when Ozzie Alonso headed home a Jan Fergus corner, but SKC weren’t done peppering Manonne’s goal with dangerous shots. None of those found the back of the net, however, which allowed Hassani Dotson to get a shot to deflect off Barath into the back of the net in the 90th minute for the winner.

Minnesota United are in the playoffs for the first time in their short MLS history and will host LAFC on Sunday, looking to clinch home field in the first round. SKC, on the other hand, are out of the playoffs after making it for the previous eight years and have their home finale on Sunday against the Portland Timbers.

LAFC 3, Dynamo 1

(Vela 23′ PK, Rossi 70′, Atuesta 82′) – (Miller 28′ OG)

Los Angeles FC snapped a five-match winless skid in time to lift the Supporters’ Shield at home, beating the Houston Dynamo to secure the best record in the MLS regular season.

Carlos Vela scored his 30th goal of the season in the 23rd minute when he converted a penalty kick drawn by Brian Rodriguez, who was fouled by Aljaz Struna.

A Tyler Miller own goal tied things up in the 28th minute when Mohamed El-Munir’s failed clearance attempt hit Miller and wound up in his own net.

The second half was all LAFC, with Diego Rossi giving the home side the lead in the 70th minute with a diving header to convert a deflected clearance off the crossbar.

Eduard Atuesta delivering a beautiful free kick in the 82nd minute to give LAFC the 3-1 lead and set off celebrations for the Supporters’ Shield triumph.

LAFC will now have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Timbers 2, Revolution 2

(Ebobisse 49′, 81′) – (Bou 87′, Gil 90’+7 PK)

The Timbers were three minutes of regulation away from an important victory to help boost their faltering playoff chances, but a late New England rally, and last-second penalty kick decision helped the Revolution escape Providence Park with a draw.

Jeremy Ebobisse’s second-half brace looked to put the Timbers in prime position to grab all three points, bot Gustavo Bou’s 87th-minute finish made things interesting, and extended stoppage time left time for a last-gasp penalty call when Portland’s Larrys Mabiala was called for pulling New England’s Wilfried Zahibo in the penalty area.

Carles Gil converted the penalty kick to give the Revs a draw and precious point as they moved closer to securing a place in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

New England is four points ahead of the Chicago Fire with two matches remaining, though those two matches are against New York City FC and Atlanta United.

The Timbers edged ahead of FC Dallas and the San Jose Earthquakes into sixth place in the Western Conference, and now face Sporting Kansas City before taking on San Jose in a match that could have a playoff berth riding on it.

Comments

  1. Just for clarification in how the Timbers vs Rev’s game finished.
    -After the 88 minute the sideline official flashes 4 minutes to each bench
    -Timbers have two players waiting to sub
    -Subs are allowed on at the 90 and 91 minutes
    -Play continues beyond 4 minutes with no injuries or time wasting
    -Timbers defend two consecutive corners and eventually the Rev’s win a foul about 10 yards outside the 18. My stop watches reads 5:36 of extra time
    -Timbers defend the cross into the 6 box and play resumes up field off of a goal kick.
    – I believe the ball goes out of bounds and stops play.
    -Referee blows whistle while making the VAR sign?
    -Reviews cross into the box and calls a pk on Timbers CB
    – Soft penalty given after a Rev’s player feels his jersey being held and his arms go skyward and goes limp.
    You can call this a penalty at any other time in the match and does not call it? Yet, closing on 6 minutes of extra time, two minutes beyond what the sideline official showed the benches a pk is called? Futbol is a cruel game and PRO continues to make it untenable in MLS

    Reply
  2. The most interesting thing here to me, being a big fan of the national team, is that Ebobisse had a brace. When I have seen him he has looked like a pretty promising young player. Watching results since, it seems as if he is improving as his goal tally increases. I think he should be looked at in the future by Berhalter,.

    Reply
    • Gary, Ebobisse has steadily improved but still has a lot more work prior to getting a call up. His first goal last night was a seismic step in the right direction. Last year he would have gone feet first on the cross but this year he goes head first. Getting there faster and able to finish with his head. Yet, he still get the ball taken from him when he should win the ball and hold it. Also, since acquiring Fernandez the Timbers have put Ebobisse on the wing. I’m not to keen on this move and think Ebobisse is a better hold up target guy.
      The kid has a great attitude and always plays hard. Playing with Blanco, Valeri, and Fernandez is making Ebobisse a way more dynamic player. Also, those guys demand accountability when passes are not made or shots are missed!

      Reply
      • In the article about camp in Qatar, Ives mentons Ebobissee as a potential January camp call up.That’s the kind of thing I was talking about.

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