MLS Decision Day Preview: Crew face Orlando City, RSL hosts Timbers, and more
There are four spots for the 2022 MLS Cup playoffs left up for grabs. Inter Miami's 4-1 win over Orlando City on Wednesday clinched a spot in the playoffs. FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew are fighting for two spots in Eastern Conference. In Western Conference, four teams are still in contention for playoff berths. Philadelphia Union and Montreal are chasing the No. 1 seed in East. L.A. Galaxy and Nashville SC are not guaranteed the third seed.
Orlando City play Columbus Crew at Exploria Stadium on Sunday. The Crew are currently in the final playoff spot in Eastern Conference. Orlando City have lost four of their last five matches. They are eighth in league table. Ercan Kara leads the team with 11 goals. Facundo Torres has eight goals and nine assists.
Only two points separate Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers heading into Sunday's head-to-head showdown at Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL has failed to win any of its last six matches in all competitions, scoring three goals in the last 450 minutes. The Timbers have failed in their last two matches, most recently conceding a 95th minute winner to LAFC in a 2-1 loss on Sunday.
FC Cincinnati is closing in on a first-ever involvement in the MLS Cup playoffs. FC Cincy lost 3-2 to the Chicago Fire on July 17. D.C. United is winless in five-straight under Wayne Rooney. Christian Benteke will likely lead the attack for FC Cincinnati.
Minnesota United are two points behind the Whitecaps in the Western Conference standings. Adrian Heath's team has lost five of its last six matches and scored just two goals in that time. Vancouver Whitecap's are on a three-game winning streak. Ryan Gauld, Pedro Vite and Tristan Blackmon have scored for the team recently. Thomas Hasal has been the star goalkeeper for Vancouver.
MLS Decision Day schedule includes games between Crew and Orlando City, RSL against Timbers and more.
Austin FC vs. Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas vs Sporting KC, Houston Dynamo vs L.A. Galaxy, LAFC vs Nashville SC, Minnesota United vs Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders vs San Jose Earthquakes, and Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers are on Decision Day.
