MLS: Red Bulls Dominate Caps, Clinch Playoff Berth; Loons and SKC Battle To 1-1 Draw; Likewise Rapids and Hoops; Loons Eliminated From Playoff Contention

Three games were contested in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Daniel Royer (33'), Bradley Wright-Phillips (58'), and Felipe (72') each scored once as the New York Red Bulls locked up the Eastern Conference's last remaining available playoff berth with a 3-0 home domination of the Vancouver Whitecaps, preventing the guests from locking up a first-round playoff bye.

The Red Bulls' win eliminated Montreal, New England, Philadelphia, and Orlando City from playoff contention.

At Minneapolis:

Brent Kallman's equalizer in the 84th minute carried Minnesota United to a 1-1 home draw with Sporting Kansas City.  Diego Rubio scored in the second minute of first-half stoppage time for the guests, who were once again prevented from locking up a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Atiba Harris delivered the equalizer in the 54th minute to cary FC Dallas to a 1-1 road draw with the Colorado Rapids.  Stefan Ainger scored for the visitors in the 15th minute.  The draw mathematically eliminated Minnesota United from playoff contention.



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   s-Toronto FC (GP: 32; GD: +36; PTS: 65)
2.   x-New York City FC (GP: 32; GD: +14; PTS: 56)
3.   x-Atlanta United FC (GP: 32; GD: +30; PTS: 53)
4.   x-Chicago (GP: 32; GD: +16; PTS: 52)
5.   x-Columbus (GP: 32; GD: +3; PTS: 50)
6.   x-New York Red Bulls (GP: 32; GD: +5; PTS: 46)
7.   z-Montreal (GP: 32; GD: -4; PTS: 39)
8.   z-New England (GP: 32; GD: -10; PTS: 39)
9.   z-Philadelphia (GP: 32; GD: -1; PTS: -39)
10. z-Orlando City SC (GP: 32; GD: -13; PTS: 39)
11. z-DC United (GP: 32; GD: -24; PTS: 32)

s-Won Supporters' Shield

x-Clinched MLS Cup playoff berth

z-Eliminated from playoff contention

NOTES:  With Montreal, New England, Philadelphia, and Orlando City level on points with 39 points, the Impact and Revolution each have 11 wins, compared to 10 each for the Union on Lions; Montreal had the superior goal differential vis-a-viv New England (-4 to -10); Philadelphia has the superior goal differential vis-a-viv Orlando City (-1 to -13).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   x-Vancouver (GP: 32; GD: +2; PTS: 51)
2.       Sporting Kansas City (GP: 31; GD: +13; PTS: 48)
3.       Portland (GP: 32; GD: +5; PTS: 47)
4.       Seattle (GP: 32; GD: +6; PTS: 47)
5.       Houston (GP: 31; GD: +8; PTS: 43)
6.       FC Dallas (GP: 32; GD: 0; PTS: 43)
7.       Real Salt Lake (GP: 32; GD: -6; PTS: 42)
8.       San Jose (GP: 32; GD: -22; PTS: 42)
9.    z-Minnesota United FC (GP: 32; GD: -19; PTS: 36)
10.  z-Colorado (GP: 32; GD: -18; PTS: 30)
11.  z-Los Angeles (GP: 32; GD: -21; PTS: 29)

x-Clinched MLS Cup playoff berth

z-Eliminated from playoff contention

NOTES: Wit Portland and Seattle level on points with 47, the Timbers have more wins than the Sounders (13-12); with Houston and FC Dallas level on points with 43, the Dynamo have more wins than the Hoops (11-10); with Real Salt Lake and San Jose level on points (42) adn wins (12), RSL have the superior goal differential (-6, compared to the Earthquakes' -22).