MLS: Captain Jack Helps Timbers Win Cascadia Cup; Whitecaps Clinch Playoff Berth Despite Loss; Hoops Eliminated; Galaxy and Quakes Draw

Three games were contested in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

At Santa Clara, California:

Marvin Chavez (61') and Chris Wondolowski (73', his 26th goal of the season) each delivered a goal for the San Jose Earthquakes as the newly-crowned Supporters Shield winners gained a 2-2 home draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Robbie Keane (58') and Edson Buddle (69') each scored once for the visitors from downstate.  With Seattle's later home win over FC Dallas, the Galaxy will finish in fourth place in the Western Conference and will host a one-match playoff against Vancouver.

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Jack Jewsbury scored the only goal of the match in the 39th minute as the Portland Timbers, on their final try, picked up their first road win of the season, 1-0 over the Vancouver Whitecaps.  With the win, the Timbers also won the Cascadia Cup, their first piece of silverware as an MLS franchise.  The loss prevented the Whitecaps from clinching their first playoff berth, but only temporarily (see below).

At Seattle:

Brad Evans scored twice (32', 60') as the Seattle Sounders assured themselves of no worse than a third-place in the Western Conference and clinched a berth in the conference semifinals with a 3-1 home win over FC Dallas.  The Hoops were eliminated from playoff contention, handing over the final Western Conference playoff berth to the Vancouver Whitecaps (first time for a Canadian-based club)---and an opening round one-match encounter with the Los Angeles Galaxy on the road.

MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. x-Kansas City (GP: 33; GF: 40; GD: +14; PTS: 60)
2. x-DC United (GP: 33; GF: 52; GD: +10; PTS: 57)
3. x-Chicago (GP: 33; GF: 45; GD: +5; PTS: 56)
4. x-New York (GP: 33; GF: 54; GD: +8; PTS: 54)
5. x-Houston (GP: 33; GF: 48; GD: +9; PTS: 53)
6. z-Columbus (GP: 33; GF: 42; GD: -1; PTS: 49)
7. z-Montreal (GP: 33; GF: 45; GD: -5; PTS: 42)
8. z-Philadelphia (GP: 32; GF: 36; GD: -4; PTS: 36)
9. z-New England (GP: 33; GF: 38; GD: -6; PTS: 32)
10z-Toronto FC (GP: 33; GF: 35; GD: -25; PTS: 23)

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. s-San Jose (GP: 33; GF: 71; GD: +29; PTS: 65)
2. x-Seattle (GP: 33; GF: 51; GD: +19; PTS: 56)
3. x-Real Salt Lake (GP: 33; GF: 46; GD: +11; PTS: 56)
4. x-Los Angeles (GP: 33; GF: 58; GD: +11; PTS: 51)
5. x-Vancouver (GP: 33; GF: 35; GD: -6; PTS: 42)
6. z-FC Dallas (GP: 33; GF: 40; GD: -5; PTS: 38)
7. z-Colorado (GP: 33; GF: 42; GD: -8; PTS: 34)
8. z-Portland (GP: 33; GF: 33; GD: -22; PTS: 33)
9. z-Chivas USA (GP: 33; GF: 22; GD: -34; PTS: 29)

s-Won Supporters Shield
x-Clinched playoff berth
z-Eliminated from playoff contention