Updated as of: 9:56 pm ET
On to Decision Day...
Today was wild, with six hours of chaos as six Eastern Conference matches kicked off at 5 pm ET then six Western Conference clashes at 7:30 pm ET. Just imagine what Decision Day will be like with all 12 games starting at 4 pm ET. We're set for another wild day, too.
The seven playoff teams out East are all decided, as is first place with NYCFC clinching the Round One bye and home-field advantage, but seeding throughout the rest of the conference is still in the balance.
Out West, it's even more fluid.
The final two playoff spots are up for grabs, with Portland and Dallas currently above the playoff line followed by San Jose, who are a point below, as well as the Rapids, who are still mathematically alive, three points back.
Portland host San Jose as a de facto elimination game: If San Jose win, they're in no matter what. Portland need just a point. Dallas host SKC needing a win to ensure playoff qualification.
Meanwhile, LAFC can set the league record for points and Vela can set a league record for goals. The battle for seeding and a Round One home playoff game are very much on for the Minnesota, Seattle, the Galaxy and RSL.
We'll run it back Sunday. See you then, fellow internet-goers.
Final whistle blows
What. A. Day.
All six Western Conference games are now over, here are the results:
- Minnesota United 1-1 LAFC
- LA Galaxy 3-4 Vancouver Whitecaps
- Real Salt Lake 2-1 Houston Dynamo
- Colorado Rapids 3-0 FC Dallas
- Sporting KC 2-2 Portland Timbers
- San Jose Earthquakes 0-1 Seattle Sounders
There were five red cards in those games. It was pure, utter chaos.
Minnesota remain in second place, though tied with Seattle. The Galaxy slipped to fourth, just a point ahead of RSL. Portland snuck to 6th place, a point ahead of San Jose and Dallas, tied for the final playoff place out West. The Colorado Rapids are still alive, too.
Vela tied Josef's single-season record for goals, LAFC are now a win away from setting the single-season league record for points.
Let's do it again next weekend with Decision Day, yeah? Cool.
More heartbreak for San Jose
The Seattle Sounders scored deep into stoppage time at Avaya Stadium as Jordan Morris gave his side a late winner against San Jose. The Quakes are one point below the playoff line and need to win against Portland on Decision Day to make the playoffs.
Timbers get late equalizer
And guess what? There's been another red card! Ilie Sanchez pulled down Jeremy Ebobisse in the box, giving up a penalty and getting sent off in the process. Up stepped... Dairon Asprilla? Yep. And he buried it.
The Timbers now are alone in sixth place, one point ahead of Dallas and San Jose, who are tied for seventh.
It's all happening now
Another red card? Check. Minnesota equalizer? Check. San Jose hitting the post? Check. LAFC hitting the post? Check. Real Salt Lake taking the lead? Check. Kei Kamara scoring against Dallas and mimicking his son's tumble roll celebration? Check. It's all happening. I can't keep up.
What do I do with my hands?
As things stand with about 15 minutes left: Three-way tie at the playoff line, Rapids still alive, Minnesota still in second with the Galaxy and Sounders tied for third two points behind.
Carlos Vela does it!
Carlos Vela has tied the league-record for goals, scoring his 31st of the season to give LAFC the lead over Minnesota United.
It couldn't have been more fitting: A left-footed curling effort into the side-netting, just like he's done all season long. He's got 20 minutes and Decision Day to break the record.
What a season.
Galaxy, Whitecaps trade goals
The Galaxy equalized against Vancouver via a golazo from Uriel Antuna....
... but then the Whitecaps took the lead back a few minutes later. The Galaxy are currently tied for third place in the West with Seattle.
Tommy Thompson sees red
Another twist in the playoff race.
San Jose's Tommy Thompson has been sent off against Seattle, with the score currently leveled 0-0. Can they get a result down a man?
Salloi break his drought
Daniel Salloi has scored his first MLS goal of 2019, after more than 1400 minutes and 47 shots. His teammates piled on him in celebration, showing how much it meant to that locker room. It meant a lot to the playoff race, too, as the goal gives SKC the lead over Portland 2-1.
We currently have a three-way tie for sixth place out West now, with Portland, Dallas and San Jose all on 45 points if these results hold.
We're back!
Just 45 minutes left today, with tons to play for and a bunch of different ways the standings can wind up. Here we go...
Halftime
And, breathe.
After a whirlwind first 45 minutes, with red cards, goals, penalties and, as always, a little bit of chaos, here are the scores:
- Minnesota United 0-0 LAFC
- Colorado Rapids 2-0 FC Dallas
- Sporting KC 1-1 Portland Timbers
- LA Galaxy 1-2 Vancouver Whitecaps
- Real Salt Lake 1-1 Houston Dynamo
- San Jose Earthquakes 0-0 Seattle Sounders
As things stand, Portland are in sixth place, San Jose in 7th and Dallas the first team below the playoff line. Reminder: Portland host San Jose on Decision Day.
A pause from the reds for...
... a Zlatan elastico.
Timbers, SKC trade red cards
Less than 10 minutes after trading goals, Portland and SKC have traded red cards. Both Brian Fernandez and Roger Espinoza were sent off following a scuffle between the two teams.
Felipe Gutierrez fouled Fernandez then said something to him which kicked off the kerfuffle. Espinoza put his hands around Sebastian Blanco's throat while Fernandez was involved in the fracas as well.
It's the third red card of the season for Espinoza and the 11th of his MLS career, the most in league history. Red card Roger.
Timbers, SKC trade goals
The Portland Timbers took a lead on the road against Sporting KC, a huge goal in their race for the playoffs, only to concede within the next minute.
As you were...
Zlatan one back in Golden Boot race
He's coming.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalized for the LA Galaxy against the Vancouver Whitecaps, scoring his 29th goal of the season. He's now one behind Carlos Vela in the Golden Boot race and two behind Josef Martinez's single-season record.
We're spoiled for goalscorers this year, folks.
NYCFC clinch first place out East
With the Union's 2-0 loss to Columbus, NYCFC have clinched first place in the Eastern Conference. Now with a Round One bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs, things are coming together for the Cityzens.
Dallas trail Colorado
The Rapids are mathematically alive out West and now they lead FC Dallas.
Jack Price's goal drops Dallas below the playoff line, spelling good news for both Portland and San Jose. Dallas entered the day tied for sixth place with Portland on 45 points with San Jose just below the line on 44 points.
That didn't take long...
The first group of games took more than 30 minutes to find the first goal, but the second group barely took longer than 30 seconds thanks to Corey Baird. Real Salt Lake leads Houston 1-0, putting pressure on the top four out West.
Meanwhile, the Crew have gone 2-0 up on Philly. If that result holds, NYCFC will clinch first place out East.
Thank you, Nick Rimando
West underway
After a bit of a break between timeslots, six Western Conference games are underway. Reminder: We've got playoff places up for grabs, seeding as well LAFC's chase of history, including the single-season points record and Carlos Vela one goal away from tying Josef Martinez's single-season record of 31.
And I'm on cup number two of coffee. If you took the over 2.5, well, it's looking good. Vamos!
First fives games all over; East playoff field set
The final whistle has blown on all of the early kick offs, with the exception of Columbus vs. Philly which was held up for a severe weather delay. Here are the final scores:
- New York Red Bulls 0-0 D.C. United
- New England Revolution 2-0 NYCFC
- Montreal Impact 1-1 Atlanta United
- Chicago Fire 2-2 Toronto FC
- FC Cincinnati 1-1 Orlando City
The Revs clinch the conference's final playoff berth while D.C. enter Decision Day, presented by AT&T, with the inside track for fourth place in the East.
New England clinch playoff berth
Gustavo Bou: Take a bow. An audacious chip sealed a playoff berth for the Revs, after a 2-0 win over NYCFC. The Chicago Fire, Montreal Impact and Orlando City SC have all been eliminated.
But let's not lose sight of Bou's finish, what a goal. Sean Johnson strayed only a few yards off his goal line and that's all La Pantera needed: You reach, I teach.
The Revs started the season with just two wins in their first 12, made a coaching change and made an improbable climb above the playoff line behind new boss Bruce Arena, with Carles Gil and Bou leading the way on the field.
Goals flying in late
Chicago and Toronto traded goals, leaving their match at 2-2. Meanwhile, Montreal grabbed an equalizer vs. Atlanta through Bojan and hung on for a tie after Tito Villalba's strike for the 2018 MLS Cup winners was called back by VAR.
Here comes BWP...
Bradley Wright-Phillips is on for the Red Bulls with 10 minutes left against D.C. United. That game remains 0-0, a big game for the race for fourth out East.
Also: Wayne Rooney picked up a yellow card and he will be suspended for D.C.'s Decision Day clash against FC Cincinnati. It potentially was set to be his last game at Audi Field, pending if D.C. get a home playoff game or not.
Updates from Ohio
Still at halftime thanks to a severe weather delay, we've got a time for Columbus vs. Philly to resume: 7:10 pm ET.
Also, The Union have updated Bedoya's situation, saying the midfielder exited with a right quad strain.
Revs close to playoffs
With a fine finish at the near post, Teal Bunbury gives New England the 1-0 lead over NYCFC in the 66th minute.
New England are less than a half hour away from clinching a playoff berth. Meanwhile, Chicago equalized against Toronto though if New England hang on for the win, Chicago's result won't matter.
Bill Hamid says no
What a save!
Even the Red Bulls appreciated that one.
Jozy fires TFC ahead
This one ain't being called back, either.
Jozy Altidore spun, took contact from Francisco Calvo and stayed on his feet to score through Kenneth Kronholm's legs. It's Jozy's 11th goal of the season and now TFC are in fourth place on a tiebreaker, level on points with D.C. United and one ahead of the Red Bulls. Those two are playing each other, where it's currently 0-0.
The goal also puts the Revs on the brink of playoff qualification, with Chicago, Montreal and Orlando all trailing.
Atlanta take the lead
Julian Gressel has given Atlanta the lead over Montreal, courtesy a one-touch assist from Emerson Hyndman.
Atlanta have now moved ahead of Philly for second place in the East.
Controversial call?
You know that Jozy Altidore goal which was called back we discussed before? Here's a replay.
Methinks Bobby Warshaw and Andre Wiebe will have something to say about that on Instant Replay this week.
And we're back!
Well, all games except for Columbus vs. Philly, which is now in a severe weather delay. Mother Nature cares not for your timing.
Halftime
All games have hit halftime with just one goal in the books, courtesy of Allan Cruz and FC Cincinnati. Here's where things stand:
- New York Red Bulls 0-0 D.C. United
- New England Revolution 0-0 New England Revolution
- Columbus Crew SC 0-0 Philadelphia Union
- Chicago Fire 0-0 Toronto FC
- Montreal Impact 0-0 Atlanta United
- FC Cincinnati 1-0 Orlando City SC
If these results hold, New England will clinch the final playoff place out East, NYCFC would clinch first place and D.C United would keep hold of fourth heading into Decision Day.
A lot more #soccer to come, of course.
Bad news for Philly
Alejandro Bedoya has exited Philly's game against Columbus with an apparent injury.
Bedoya has started 32 of his side's 33 games this season, one of their most vital players. Stay tuned for updates.
Cincy strike first
Nearly 40 minutes gone in every game, and we've finally got our first goal: FC Cincinnati. Just like we all guessed. One would imagine the wait for the second goal won't be as long as the first.
It was Allan Cruz's first-time finish that put Cincy ahead of Orlando City SC. The Costa Rican now has seven goals across 22 appearances in his first year in MLS, a quietly strong season for the young DP.
If that result holds, Orlando will officially be eliminated from the playoffs.
#ManDown
Still no goals, but, Fafa Picault is channeling his inner Ilsinho.
Strong use of hashtags by Philly.
NYCFC, TFC nearly break through
There has yet to be any goals after around 15 minutes of action in the six matches in the East, though NYCFC and Toronto came close.
The East leaders broke forward with a four-on-one break but Alexandru Mitrita's left-footed shot was dealt with easily by Matt Turner. Reminder: NYCFC can clinch first place in the East, and with it, home field advantage plus a Round One bye.
As for Toronto, Jozy Altidore's header found the back of the net but it was ruled back for a foul on the would-be goal scorer. TFC are currently in fifth place, though a win could see them jump into the top four, in line for a home Round One match.
And we're off!
Strap it in, sports people, we've got soccer balls on the move in each of the six games out East.
Lineup news...
Michael Parkhurst, who announced he will be retiring at the end of the season, is back in the Atlanta United starting lineup for the first time since July 17. It also will be his 300th MLS appearance, the 43rd field player to do so in league history. Josef Martinez isn't in the matchday squad, though, as he remains out injured. He did, however, post on Instagram a video of him jogging on a treadmill accompanied by music from Rocky, so, there's that.
Heber is making his first start for NYCFC in a month after he returned from a quad injury last week.
Good afternoon, folks
Welcome to the day before Decision Day. Think that'll catch on?
Anyway. We've got six Eastern Conference games kicking off at 5 pm ET and six Western Conference games kicking off at 7:30 pm ET. Keep it locked here for running updates on everything that happens today in the world of MLS.
We've got playoff places on the line and all four remaining spots up for grabs could be clinched today.
FC Dallas can get in with a win over the Colorado Rapids and one of San Jose or Portland losing. Portland can get in with a win and one of Dallas or Portland losing. The New England Revolution can get in with a win against NYCFC. The Cityzens, meanwhile, can clinch first place in the East with a win. There's a bunch of other, more complicated, scenarios as well, be sure to check all them out.
Seeding, of course, is on the line. The West remains tight, with second through fourth separated by just two points. Second and third in the East is separated by a point.
We've also got history on the line. LAFC can match the single-season record for points of 71, set by the New York Red Bulls last year, with a win against Minnesota United today. Carlos Vela can level the league's single-season goal record of 31, set last year by Josef Martinez, with a goal. Zlatan Ibrahimovic can do the same with a hat trick.
Lastly, we have home farewells for two of the country's greatest ever between the sticks. Both Tim Howard and Nick Rimando will play their final home regular season matches.
