MLS: Philly Blanks Sounders, Keep Playoff Chances Alive

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

In the lone Sunday Major League Soccer contest, Marcus Epps (28') and Roland Alberg (88') each scored a goal while goalkeeper Andre Blake delivered a shutout as the Philadelphia Union blanked the visiting Seattle Sounders 2-0 to keep their playoff chances alive (while keeping the defending MLS Cup champs from locking up a postseason berth).



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: 31; GD: +31; PTS: 53)
4.   x-Chicago (GP: 32; GD: +16; PTS: 52)
5.   x-Columbus (GP: 32; GD: +3; PTS: 50)
6.      New York Red Bulls (GP: 31; GD: +2; PTS: 43)
7.      Montreal (GP: 32; GD: -4; PTS: 39)
8.      New England (GP: 32; GD: -10; PTS: 39)
9.      Philadelphia (GP: 32; GD: -1; PTS: 39)
10.    Orlando City (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 all level on points (39), the Impact and Revolution have each won 11 games (compared to 10 wins each for the Union and Lions); Montreal had the superior goal differential vis a viv New England (-4 to -10); Philadelphia had the superior goal differential vis a viv Orlando City (-1 to -13).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   x-Vancouver (GP: 31; GD: +5; PTS: 51)
2.       Portland (GP: 32; GD: +5; PTS: 47)
3.       Kansas City (GP: 30; GD: +13; PTS: 47)
4.       Seattle (GP: 32; GD: +6; PTS: 47)
5.       Houston (GP: 31; GD: +8; PTS: 43)
6.       Real Salt Lake (GP: 32; GD: -6; PTS: 42)
7.       San Jose (GP: 32; GD: -22; PTS: 42)
8.       FC Dallas (GP: 31; GD: 0; PTS: 42)
9.       Minnesota United FC (GP: 30; GD: -20; PTS: 32)
10.  z-Colorado (GP: 31; GD: -18; PTS: 29)
11.  z-Los Angeles (GP: 32; GD: -21; PTS: 29)

x-Clinched MLS Cup playoff berth

z-Eliminated from playoff contention

NOTES:  With Portland, Kansas City, and Seattle all level on points (47), the Timbers have won 13 games, while Sporting KC and the Sounders each have 12; Sporting Kansas City have the superior goal differential (+13) compared to Seattle's (+6); with Real Salt Lake, San Jose, and FC Dallas all level on points (42), RSL and the Earthquakes have each won 12 games, compared to 10 for the Hoops; Real Salt Lake have the superior goal differential compared to San Jose (-6 to -22); with Colorado and Los Angeles level on points with 29, the Rapids have won more games than the Galaxy (8-7).