MLS: LAFC Wrap Up Supporters Sheild; Galaxy, Loons, Sounders Lock Up Playoff Berths; Crew, SKC, Dynamo Eliminated

Six games were contested in Major League Soccer on Wednesday.

At New York:

Alexandru Mitritra produced a natural first-half hat trick (14', 23', 34') as New York City dominated visiting Atlanta United 4-1. 

At St. Paul, Minnesota:

Ozzie Alonso (70') and Hassani Dotson (90') each scored once as Minnesota United locked up their first-ever playoff berth by overcoming visiting Sporting Kansas City 2-1 as the guests will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2010, when they were still known as the Kansas City Wizards. 

At Sandy, Utah:

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the game winner in the 80th minute as the Los Angeles Galaxy held off Real Salt Lake 2-1 on the road to punch their ticket to the MLS Cup Playoffs. 

At Los Angeles:

Carlos Vela (PK-23'), Diego Rossi (70'), and Eduard Atuesta (82') each scored a goal as the Los Angeles Football Club defeated the visiting Houston Dynamo to win the Supporters' Shield for the best record in MLS, the first major trophy in the club's two-year history.

The Dynamo were eliminated from playoff contention with the defeat. 

At Portland, Oregon:

Gustavo Bou (87') and Carles Gil (PK-90'+7) each scored once in the waning minutes as the New England Revolution came back from two goals down to gain a 2-2 road draw with the Portland Timbers, eliminating the Columbus Crew from playoff contention in the process.

Jeremy Ebobisse scored both goals (49', 81') for the Timbers. 

At San Jose, California:

Alejandro Bedoya (70') and Kacper Przybylko (76') each scored once as the Philadelphia Union upended the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 on the road.

One other consequence of the Wednesday results was that the Seattle Sounders qualified for the playoffs for the eleventh straight season.





MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.     x-New York City FC (GP: 32; GD: +22; PTS: 61)'
2.     x-Philadelphia (GP: 32; GD: +11; PTS: 55)
3.     x-Atlanta United FC (GP: 32; GD: +13; GD: 54)
4.     x-DC United (GP: 32; GD: +4; PTS: 48)
5.     x-New York Red Bulls (GP: 32; GD: +5; PTS: 47)
6.     x-Toronto FC (GP: 32; GD: +4; PTS: 46)
7.         New England (GP: 32; GD: -7; PTS: 42)
8.         Chicago (GP: 32; GD: +5; PTS: 38)
9.         Montreal (GP: 32; GD: -16; PTS: 37)
10.       Orlando City SC (GP: 32; GD: -5; PTS: 36)
11.    z-Columbus (GP: 32; GD: -9; PTS: 35)
12.    z-FC Cincinnati (GP: 32; GD: -44; PTS: 22)



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.     s-Los Angeles Football Club (GP: 32; GD: +46; PTS: 68)
2.     x-Minnesota United FC (GP: 32; GD: +10; PTS: 52)
3.     x-Los Angeles Galaxy (GP: 32; GD: +2; PTS: 51)
4.     x-Seattle (GP: 32; GD: +1; PTS: 50)
5.        Real Salt Lake (GP: 32; GD: +3; PTS: 47)
6.        Portland (GP: 32; GD: +1; PTS: 45)
7.        FC Dallas (GP: 32; GD: +5; PTS: 45)
8.        San Jose (GP: 32; GD: 0; PTS: 44)
9.        Colorado (GP: 32; GT: -6; PTS: 39)
10.   z-Houston (GP: 32; GD: -11; PTS: 37)
11.   z-Kansas City (GP: 32; GD: -12; PTS: 37)
12.   z-Vancouver (GP: 32; GD: -22; PTS: 31)

NOTES:  With Portland and FC Dallas level on points with 45, the Timbers have won more league games than the Hoops (13-12); with Houston and Sporting Kansas City level on points with 37, the Dynamo have won more league games than SKC (11-10).

s-Won supporters shield for highest point total in MLS, clinched berths in MLS Cup Playoffs and 2020 CONCACAF Champions League

x-Clinched berth in MLS Cup Playoffs

z-Eliminated from playoff contention