1. D.C. United – 35 pts. | 1-0 win at Chicago Fire, 0-0 draw at Toronto FC; this week: at Philadelphia Union, at Seattle Sounders FC
D.C. United continued stretching its first-place lead after two tough road battles, including a 1-0 win at the Chicago Fire and a 0-0 draw at Toronto FC. Forward Conor Doyle was United’s hero against Chicago, connecting on a perfect one-touch shot from outside the 18-yard-box for the game-winning goal.
2. New England Revolution – 24 pts. | 2-1 loss at Columbus Crew SC, 2-1 loss vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC; this week: at FC Dallas
Lee Nguyen’s goal within the first minute wasn’t enough to sway the game in the Revs’ favor in Columbus. New England failed to bounce back against visiting Vancouver Whitecaps FC, as a defensive mistake and a red card proved to be the nail in the coffin for the Revolution, whose 17-match unbeaten streak at home came to an end.
3. Toronto FC – 23 pts. | 3-1 win vs. Montreal Impact, 0-0 draw vs. D.C. United; this week: at LA Galaxy
Rivalry week started off well for Toronto FC as Designated Players Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco all found the back of the net over Canadian rival Montreal. Though the offensive showcase didn’t continue, Toronto held on for a well-earned draw against East-leading D.C. United, shifting into third place in the East.
4. New York Red Bulls – 23 pts. | 1-0 win vs. Real Salt Lake, 3-1 win at NYCFC; this week: vs. New York Cosmos, at Columbus Crew SC
A two-win week sees the Red Bulls catapulting themselves into fourth place in the East. After a fourth-minute goal from forward Mike Grella sealed a win against visiting RSL, the Red Bulls took it to Yankee Stadium four days later, defeating New York City FC 3-1 in front of a sellout crowd of 48,047.
5. Orlando City SC – 23 pts. | 2-0 win vs. Colorado Rapids FC; this week: vs. Columbus Crew SC, at Real Salt Lake
With only one game this week, Orlando City stays in the Eastern Conference’s top three thanks to a comfortable 2-0 home victory against Colorado Rapids FC. With the game's final goal – his eighth of the season – Kaká is tied for third place in goals scored .
6. Columbus Crew SC – 21 pts. | 2-1 win vs. New England Revolution, 2-2 draw at Real Salt Lake; this week: at Orlando City SC, vs. New York Red Bulls
After a come-from-behind victory against the New England Revolution on Wednesday, Crew SC extended its unbeaten streak to three games after another comeback result on Saturday, this time taking shape in 2-2 draw at Real Salt Lake.
7. Philadelphia Union – 19 pts. | 1-0 win vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 2-2 draw vs. Montreal Impact; this week: vs. D.C. United
After handing Seattle its third shutout loss in four matches, Philadelphia came out of this week unbeaten, as midfielders Eric Ayuk and Maurice Edu helped the Union preserve a much-needed point to stay within playoff-striking distance midway through the season.
8. Montreal Impact – 18 pts. | 3-1 loss at Toronto FC, 2-2 draw at Philadelphia Union; this week: vs. New York City FC
Despite striking first, Montreal couldn’t withstand the pressure of Toronto's Designated Player trio. Three days later, Montreal played through wind, rain and being one man down to come out of Philadelphia with a point as the Impact dropped to the eighth spot in the East.
9. New York City FC – 17 pts. | 3-1 loss vs. NY Red Bulls; this week: at Montreal Impact
NYCFC saw its four-match unbeaten streak come to an end, while the Red Bulls made it two wins in a row over the blue side of New York. The New York City derby will take place one more time this regular season on August 9 in Harrison, New Jersey.
10. Chicago Fire – 14 pts. | 1-0 loss vs. D.C. United; this week: vs. Charlotte Independence, at Houston Dynamo
Chicago played with a less-than-optimal lineup, missing three players due to injury or suspension, as theey lost to East-leading United 1-0 at Toyota Park. The Fire have tallied 14 points in 15 games this season, having gone through June without an MLS victory.
