The last day of the MLS season defines the playoffs and the race for the scoring title. Plus, it marks the end of the career of the league’s most prolific scorer.
Chris Wondolowski announced his retirement on Sunday, shortly after the San Jose Earthquakes closed the regular season with a 1-1 draw against Dallas FC, both eliminated from the playoffs. Wondolowski ended his 17-year career with 171 goals in the regular season, including one in his last game.
“It was an incredible ride,” Wondolowski said while holding back tears during a speech to San Jose fans. “I can’t be more grateful to you.”
Heading into the final matchday, there were three playoff spots to be defined in each conference.
New England Revolution had already secured the best record in the Eastern Conference with 73 points. Although the team lost in the last game of the season at home 1-0 against Inter Miami, they had already been eliminated. New England will rest in the first round and will face the winner of the duel between NYCFC and Atlanta.
The playoffs start on November 20, after the FIFA date, and the schedule had not been announced until Sunday night.
NYCFC, undefeated in their last five games, earned their playoff berth with a draw against the Philadelphia Union. The Union had secured second place in the standings and will play the Red Bulls in the opening round.
NYCFC’s Taty Castellanos was crowned top scorer with 19 goals, including the one he scored on Sunday.
Atlanta defeated Cincinnati 2-1 to finish fifth and return to the playoffs after being missed last season.
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The Paraguayan Paredes and the Argentine Blanco, the scorers of the match together with Niezgoda.
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Nashville secured third place with a 1-1 draw against Red Bulls and will host sixth place Orlando City in the opening round. Orlando beat Montreal 2-0.
DC United defeated Toronto 3-1, but did not advance to the playoffs thanks to a tie between Nashville and Red Bulls. United’s Ola Kamara scored two goals to equal Castellanos, who won the Golden Boot for the tiebreaker: his eight assists.
The defending champions Crew of Columbus were eliminated from the postseason. They beat the Chicago Fire 2-0, but needed help to qualify.
In the Western Conference, Colorado Rapids lead the standings with a 5-2 win over LAFC, which was eliminated. After a week off, the Rapids will play the victor between Portland Timbers and Minnesota United.
The Timbers closed the regular season with a 3-0 victory against expansion team Austin FC, while the Loons drew 3-3 against the LA Galaxy, which was eliminated.
The Seattle Sounders took second place in the standings with a 1-1 draw against Vancouver. Seattle will play Real Salt Lake FC, which beat Kansas City Sporting 1-0 in a key game in a game to win or die. Sporting will face Whitecaps.
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