1. D.C. United – 35 pts. | 2-1 loss at FC Dallas; this week: vs. Philadelphia Union
A stoppage-time goal from FC Dallas’ Fabian Castillo left D.C. United empty handed and winless on the road since June 24. D.C. has earned just one point since then, a 0-0 draw at Toronto FC on June 27.
2. Columbus Crew SC – 30 pts. | 1-0 win at Chicago Fire, 3-1 win vs. Chicago Fire; this week: vs. Toronto
After winning at Chicago on Wednesday, the Black & Gold kept the momentum rolling in Columbus, defeating the Fire 3-1 on Sunday, making it six points in five days for Crew SC. Sunday’s match witnessed the fastest awarded penalty kick in MLS history, with Columbus earning a spot kick just 12 seconds into the first half. Kei Kamara, Ethan Finlay and Federico Higuain made the score sheet for Columbus while David Accam buried a free kick for Chicago.
3. New York Red Bulls – 29 pts. | 2-0 win at Orlando City SC; this week: vs. Philadelphia Union (U.S. Open Cup)
Sacha Kljestan let loose a screamer in the 21st minute for the game-winning goal, while Mike Grella tacked on an insurance goal in the 91st minute to come out of Orlando with three points. The Red Bulls have surged up the Eastern Conference table as of late, winning four of their last five regular season matches.
4. Toronto FC – 27 pts. | 2-1 win vs. Philadelphia Union; this week: at Columbus Crew SC
With U.S. Men’s National Team striker Jozy Altidore back in the line-up, Toronto FC kept within a win’s reach of second place in the East thanks to goals from Marco Delgado and Sebastian Giovinco. Toronto now has scored six goals in its last two matches. Of those six, Giovinco has scored or assisted five of them, bringing his goal-scoring total this season to 12, on top of nine assists.
5. New England Revolution – 27 pts. | 1-0 win vs. NYCFC; this week: at Chicago Fire
Lee Nguyen’s 12th-minute goal was the difference for New England, as the Revs snapped their season-high five-game losing streak. It was the first win for the Revolution in over a month, with the last victory coming against Chicago on June 13. Despite the spell, the Revs remain only three points behind Columbus Crew SC.
6. Orlando City SC – 24 pts. | 2-0 loss vs. New York Red Bulls; this week: at Chicago Fire (U.S. Open Cup), at NYCFC
The Lions played with 10 men for the third consecutive game after Orlando’s Cyle Larin received a red card in the 32nd minute. Despite enjoying the bulk of possession in the first half, Orlando couldn’t connect on a handful of promising scoring opportunities. With the loss, Orlando is winless in its last three matches, including two straight 2-0 losses at the Citrus Bowl.
7. Philadelphia Union – 22 pts. | 2-1 loss at Toronto FC; this week: NYRB (U.S. Open Cup), at D.C. United
Substitute striker Conor Casey got Philadelphia on the score sheet in the first minute of stoppage time, but it proved to be too late for a comeback as the Union lost for the first time in four matches. Philadelphia held the advantage in possession and passing accuracy throughout the game, but couldn’t curtail a three-minute, two-goal surge from Toronto.
8. Montreal Impact – 21 pts. | 2-1 loss at Sporting Kansas City; this week: vs. Seattle Sounders FC
The Impact ended Sporting’s MLS shutout streak of 355 minutes, but came away empty handed after Dom Dwyer and 2015 All-Star Benny Feilhaber each tallied a goal to keep SKC undefeated at Sporting Park this season. A goal from Ignacio’s Piatti was enough for Montreal, which now has won just one of its last five matches.
9. New York City FC – 21 pts. | 1-0 loss at New England Revolution; this week: vs. Orlando City SC
The blue side of New York was reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute after Ned Grabavoy was given a straight red card for a studs-up challenge. Despite the loss, New York has won four of its last seven matches as the team eagerly awaits the first match appearance of Italian international and newly-signed Designated Player Andrea Pirlo.
10. Chicago Fire – 18 pts. | 1-0 loss vs. Columbus Crew SC, 3-1 loss at Columbus Crew SC; this week: vs. Orlando City SC (U.S. Open Cup), vs. New England Revolution
After a 1-0 loss against Columbus Crew SC at Toyota Park, the Chicago Fire found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline again on Sunday. After conceding a penalty kick within the first minute of Sunday’s match, the Fire’s lone goal came from David Accam, who saw his free kick go in after it deflected off a Crew SC defender. Chicago now has lost seven of its last eight regular-season matches.
