MLS 2012, Week 31: LA tops Seattle to close out regular season

Finally, Magee came off the bench and delivered the winner seven minutes from time. He and Keane combined well at the top of the box and Keane eventually laid the ball off for Magee, who perfectly curled his left-footed shot into the side netting for what would prove to be the match-winner.

On the last play of the game, it looked like Seattle scored to earn a draw, but the referee waved off the Sounders’ goal. He ruled that in the scrum in front of goal that eventually led to the Sounders goal, Montero handled the ball while on the ground. It was a justifiable call because the ball did hit his arm, but it was very harsh. The ball hit the Colombian’s arm while he was on the ground and his arm wasn’t outstretched so there was clearly no intent. The hand ball didn’t affect much either, but the referee blew his whistle and LA walked away 1-0 winners.

Chivas were done. They had no chance. It was over.

Chivas then did the unthinkable and found an equalizer in stoppage time. Courtois got the ball near the endline on the left before awkwardly knocking it towards the middle. It found Agudelo, who did well to settle the ball behind him then poke it across the line to complete the comeback. Chivas’ awful season at least ends on a happy note.

Higuain drew a penalty halfway through the second half and then converted the penalty for his fifth goal of the season and the win.

The Dynamo are now winless on the road since July 28. That’s especially bad news considering that they open the playoffs on Wednesday at Chicago, where a loss will end their season.

This match had no real consequence for each team. The Quakes had already clinched the Supporters’ Shield and The Timbers’ season has been over for months, but neither team will be too upset with a point.

The first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs is set. It is the Wild Card Round, which pairs the fourth and fifth places teams from each conference in a single match, and sends the winners to the conference semifinals.

Eastern Conference Wild Card Match

The Fire mostly dominated the first half, but only had Nyarko’s goal to show for it. That came in the 16th minute when Nyarko controlled a ball from Sherjill MacDonald at the top of the penalty area, made a spin around his defender and quickly fired a shot that gave Hamid no chance to stop the ball inside the far post.

MacDonald had a couple chances to get the Fire a second goal. Late in the first half, he made a diving stop of MacDonald’s shot on a breakaway. In the 64th minute, he again foiled MacDonald from close range, this time stopping a shot from eight yards out.

To say that the Revs never showed any inclination to attack would be an understatement. They were completely devoid of options and dominated in the midfield as the Impact played fantastic. They were able to use the flanks to get crosses in and went right down the middle on a few occasions to turn the Revs defense inside out. New England was left to just clear their lines, which proved effective, but it always felt like a goal was coming for Montreal.

It’s the final weekend of the regular season and it is going to get testy! The Supporters’ Shield is on the line, and so are the final playoff spots. Can’t you just smell the drama?

Oh, wait. None of that is up for grabs.