Major League Soccer, Week 27: As Playoff Race Heats Up, Five Teams Get Big Wins

It is getting to be some serious crunch time for the 18 Major League Soccer clubs. Another week down, and another week where the playoff races just get a little more interesting.

Galaxy too much for Whitecaps

Just before full time, Jordan almost added to his great night with a goal, but he was whistled for offside and the goal was waved off. The goal wouldn’t have done much though. The Galaxy had already made their statement. They are in cruise control, dominating teams and making it 13 points from their last five MLS matches as they look to wrap up the league’s best record.

United defense was dreadful from the beginning. They allowed Fernandez to get to the back post completely unmarked and the only thing that kept him from putting the Sounders up early was about six inches as he just missed getting to the cross in time. It didn’t matter much though because in the 35th minute Fucito was able to turn his defender and get into a foot race. It was a race that Fucito was always going to win so he was in behind the DC defendse and all alone for a simple finish and 1-0 lead.

The lone goal of the match came on a free kick played in by Kyle Beckerman. The midfielder hit the dead ball from about 40 yards away and with Kansas City stepping forward to try and draw Salt Lake offside, Borcher slipped in behind and was unmarked from eight yards. Someone has good with his head as Borchers isn’t going to miss from there and he did, heading home what would prove to be the winner.

It was the strongest of defensive performances for Salt Lake though. Yes, they kept the cleansheet, but that was due more to spectacular keeping by Nick RImando than good defending by Real. Sporting had more than double the shots of Salt Lake and they forced Rimando to make five saves, several of which were tremendous. He was up to everything Kansas City threw at him though and as easily the Man of the Match for a surging Salt Lake team.

After that, it was just good defending. It’s strange to hear that about the Union considering their play at the back of late, but they were just flat out good at the back. Not only did they keep a cleansheet, but they kept the Crew from generating many chances at all as they stayed organized and timed nearly every tackle well.

Rost made several good saves in his return to the starting eleven for New York. With the make-shift back four for the Red Bulls, they really kept Dallas at bay.

The long winless streak for the Red Bulls finally came to an end at the right time for them as they are now back in the playoff hunt with 36 points.

Le Toux did the finishing and made the good run, but it was Torres’ pass that got Philadelphia the goal. Le Toux made a run from the midfield circle right down the middle of the field and Torres spotted him, playing a perfect ball from the right into the streaking Le Toux. It was an easy finish for Le Toux and Philadelphia were in front.

Over the course of the next month-plus, followers of the MLS playoff race are likely to hear a lot about how exciting the race has become. A lot of credit will undoubtedly be given to the 10-team playoff format, while people note how so many teams are still alive in the playoff race. Here’s the thing, though: As it sits right now, on Saturday morning of Sept. 17, an eight-team playoff field would be yielding just as much, if not more excitement.

All of this is a long way of simply pointing out that there are a lot of teams still in the playoff race -- and would be even if there were fewer teams making it.

With just six matches left in their very first season, Portland are right in the mix for a playoff spot. While it is easy to use that as an example of bad playoff system, there is the positive of a possible playoff game at Jeld-Wen Field, which would surely be spectacle. They’ll have to play as well as they did against the Revolution the rest of the way to sneak into that final playoff spot though.

The Revolution may be down 2-0, but it feels worse. They are better than the Timbers in the center of the midfield so Portland is going everywhere but the center. Guess what? It’s working. Other team better somewhere, don’t go there. Really intensive soccerball tactic things.

Friday, 11:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm local

TV: FOX Soccer Channel