Sunday, September 18, 2016

MLS: Jozy Helps Reds Battle Back From Two-Goal Deficit To Gain Home Draw And Lock Up Playoff Berth; Galaxy Gain Road Draw With SKC As LD Tallies; Hoops In Postseason Too

Two games were contested in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

At Kansas City, Kansas:

Alan Gordon (7') and Landon Donovan (76', his first post-retirement goal) each scored once as the Los Angeles Galaxy gained a 2-2 road draw with Sporting Kansas City.  Jacob Peterson (50') and Dom Dwyer (69') delivered the goals for the hosts. The draw locked up a playoff berth for FC Dallas.

At Toronto:

Jozy Altidore scored twice (69', 86') as Toronto FC, whom on two occasions trailed by as many as two goals, battled back to gain a 3-3 home draw with the New York Red Bulls and clinch a playoff berth.  Michael Bradley contributed to the Reds' coffers in the 41st minute.  Bradley Wright-Phillips became the first player in MLS history to scored 20 or more goals in two different seasons after tallying in the 31st and 48th minutes for the Red Bulls.  The other New York tally was an own goal charged to the Reds' Steven Beitashour in the 12th minute.



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   x-Toronto FC (GP: 29; GD: +12; PTS: 47)
2.      New York Red Bulls (GP: 30; GD: +12; PTS: 45)
3.      New York City FC (GP: 30; GD: -1; PTS: 45)
4.      Philadelphia (GP: 30; GD: +2; PTS: 41)
5.      Montreal (GP: 29; GD: -3; PTS: 38)
6.      New England (GP: 30; GD: -12; PTS: 36)
7.      DC United (GP: 29; GD: -1; PTS: 34)
8.      Orlando City SC (GP: 29; GD: -5; PTS: 34)
9.      Columbus (GP: 28; GD: -6; PTS: 29)
10.    Chicago (GP: 28; GD: -9; PTS: 27)

x-Clinched playoff berth

NOTES:  With the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC level on points (45) and wins (12), the Red Bulls have the superior goal differential (+12, in contrast to the Citizens' -1); with DC United and Orlando City level on points (34) and wins (7), DCU have the superior goal differential (-1, to the Lions' -5).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   x-FC Dallas (GP: 30; GD: +8; PTS: 52)
2.      Los Angeles (GP: 30; GD: +17; PTS: 48)
3.      Colorado (GP: 28; GD: +5; PTS: 47)
4.      Real Salt Lake (GP: 30; GD: 0; PTS: 44)
5.      Portland (GP: 30; GD: 0; PTS: 41)
6.      Kansas City (GP: 30; GD: 0; PTS: 40)
7.      Seattle (GP: 28; GD: -3; PTS: 35)
8.      Vancouver (GP: 30; GD: -9; PTS: 34)
9.      San Jose (GP: 28; GD: -3; PTS: 34)
10.    Houston (GP: 28; GD: -4; PTS: 29)

x-Clinched playoff berth

NOTE:  With Vancouver and San Jose level on points with 34, the Whitecaps have more wins than the Earthquakes (9-7).

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