1. D.C. United — 48 pts. | 3-3 draw at Chicago Fire; Week 29: vs. Philadelphia Union
By virtue of a 3-3 draw in Chicago, it got a little tighter at the top for D.C. United, but the Black-and-Red are still three points clear of Sporting Kansas City on a level number of games played.
2. Sporting Kansas City — 45 pts. | Bye; Week 29: vs. New England Revolution
Sporting had a chance to rejuvenate with a late-season bye week, but the defending champions must get back in the swing of things with a crucial match against New England.
3. New England Revolution — 42 pts. | 1-0 loss at Columbus Crew; Week 29: at Sporting Kansas City
New England was the only club in the entire Conference to not gain any points last weekend, besides idle Sporting KC.
4. New York Red Bulls — 41 pts. | 4-1 win vs. Seattle Sounders FC; Week 29: at LA Galaxy
The Red Bulls got a statement win at home over a Western power, but now New York must go on the road to face another at LA.
5. Columbus Crew — 40 pts. | 1-0 win vs. New England Revolution; Week 29: vs. Montreal Impact
Consider what three points this weekend could mean for Columbus: D.C. United plays Philadelphia and Sporting plays New England, so by default, the Crew would gain ground on at least two of its five closest competitors.
6. Philadelphia Union — 38 pts. | 0-0 draw vs. Houston Dynamo; Week 29: at D.C. United
Besides New England, the Union was arguably the Eastern Conference club hurt most last week, even though it didn't actually lose. That's because a 0-0 draw with Houston not only dropped home points, but also gave Philadelphia zero additional goals for, which could be a pivotal tiebreaker down the stretch.
7. Toronto FC — 37 pts. | 3-0 win vs. Chivas USA; Week 29: vs. Portland Timbers FC
Toronto FC took advantage of a weakened Chivas USA side and must now prove its resurgence against a Portland squad that has just one loss in its last seven matches.
8. Houston Dynamo — 33 pts. | 0-0 draw at Philadelphia Union; Week 29: vs. Chicago Fire
9. Chicago Fire — 31 pts. | 3-3 draw vs. D.C. United; Week 29: at Houston Dynamo
Houston and Chicago square-off this weekend in what is a de facto elimination match; with the gap widening between Toronto FC and these two sides, it would be difficult to see the loser of this clash making a late move.
10. Montreal Impact —24 pts. | 2-0 win vs. San Jose Earthquakes; Week 29: at Columbus Crew
Gregg Berhalter warned that Montreal would win some matches down the stretch, and he was right: the Impact has won three of its last seven after winning that same amount over its first 22 contests.
