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).

MLS: Andre Blake's Heroics Help Philly Gain Scoreless Draw With Red Bulls IN Jersey

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Goalkeeper Andre Blake came up with eight saves (seven of them in the first half) as the Philadelphia Union gained a 0-0 road deadlock with the New York Red Bulls in the lone Sunday Major League Soccer contest.



MLS STANDINGS:



EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. x-Toronto FC (GP: 29; GD: +37; PTS: 62)
2.     New York City FC (GP: 29; GD: +13; PTS: 51)
3.     Chicago (GP: 29; GD: +15; PTS: 48)
4.     Columbus (GP: 30; GD: 0; PTS: 44)
5.     Atlanta United FC (GP: 27; GD: +22; PTS: 43)
6.     New York Red Bulls (GP: 28; GD: +5; PTS: 42)
7.     Montreal (GP: 28; GD: -2; PTS: 36)
8.     New England (GP: 29; GD: -6; PTS: 35)
9.     Orlando City SC (GP: 29; GD: -15; PTS: 35)
10.   Philadelphia (GP: 29; GD: -2; PTS: 33)
11.   DC United (GP: 29; GD: -26; PTS: 28)

NOTE:  With New England and Orlando City level on points with 35, the Revolution have won more games than the Lions (10-9).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.       Vancouver (GP: 28; GD: +6; PTS: 45)
2.       Portland (GP: 20; GD: +3; PTS: 44)
3.       Kansas City (GP: 28; GD: +13; PTS: 44)
4.       Seattle (GP: 29; GD: +7; PTS: 44)
5.       San Jose (GP: 29; GD: -16; PTS: 39)
6.       Real Salt Lake (GP: 30; GD: -8; PTS: 38)
7.       Houston (GP: 28; GD: +7; PTS: 38)
8.       FC Dallas (GP: 28; GD: +1; PTS: 38)
9.       Minnesota United FC (GP: 28; GD: -22; PTS: 29)
10.     Los Angeles (GP: 28; GD: -16; PTS: 27)
11.     Colorado (GP: 28; GD: -16; PTS: 26)

NOTES:  With Portland, Kansas City, and Seattle all level on points with 44, the Timbers have more wins (12) than Sporting KC and the Sounders (11 each); Sporting Kansas City have the superior goal differential vis a viv Seattle (+13, compared to the Sounders' +7); with Real Salt Lake, Houston, and FC Dallas level on points with 38, RSL have more wins (11) than the Dynamo (10) and Hoops (9).

MLS: Union And Lions Draw In Orlando

At Orlando, Florida:

In the lone Wednesday Major League Soccer contest, Tranquillo Barnetta (52') and Ken Tribbett (75') each scored once to lift the Philadelphia Union to a 2-2 road draw with Orlando City.  Kevin Molino (68') and Cyle Larin (71') delivered the goals for the Lions.

MISL Goes Belly-UP

It was revealed Monday that the Major Indoor Soccer League ceased operations this past Saturday and is planning on restructuring. This past season, this version of the MISL had teams in nine cities in the US and Mexico.

This current MISL emerged in 2001 out of the wreckage of the old National Pro Soccer League (which began life in 1984 as the American Indoor Soccer Association).

This MISL should not be confused with the original MISL, which began play in 1978, and had at one time as many as 14 teams. The league changed its name to the Major Soccer League in 1990 and folded in 1992.