MLS: Play-offs set as Galaxy miss out to RSL in dramatic finale, Red Bulls extend streak and Wondolo

The 2021 MLS Cup play-offs are set following a wild final round of the regular season which saw LA Galaxy dramatically eliminated from the post-season picture by Real Salt Lake.

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez scored twice for the Galaxy in a 3-3 draw with Minnesota United on Decision Day, but RSL’s last-gasp 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City changed the landscape of the Western Conference.

RSL pipped the Galaxy – without post-season football for the second straight campaign – to the seventh and final play-off spot on victories for the season via a 95th-minute winner, having finished level on 48 points at the end of 34 rounds.

Minnesota finished fifth to clinch a post-season berth in the west, along with sixth-placed Vancouver Whitecaps, who drew 1-1 against Seattle Sounders.

90’+5′ GOAL!!

DAMIR KREILACH SENDS #RSL TO THE POSTSEASON!#SKCvRSL // #DecisionDay pic.twitter.com/Cns97LSmX9

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 8, 2021

Seattle’s stalemate and Sporting KC’s late loss allowed Colorado Rapids to secure top seed in the Western Conference following a 5-2 rout of Los Angeles FC, who were eliminated as a result.

In the Eastern Conference, Orlando City beat Montreal 2-0 for a spot in the play-offs, along with Atlanta United (2-1 over FC Cincinnati) and New York Red Bulls – the latter using a 1-1 draw against Nashville to extend their post-season streak to 12 years.

Supporters’ Shield winners New England Revolution lost 1-0 to already eliminated Inter Miami, Portland Timbers eased past lowly Austin 3-0, DC United defeated Toronto 3-1, 10-man New York City drew 1-1 with Philadelphia Union and reigning champions Columbus Crew – who will not defend their title – beat Chicago Fire 2-0.

He proved everyone wrong.

He captured the hearts of so many.

There will never be another.

Chris Wondolowski. Thank you.#WondoForever pic.twitter.com/gGMAEGECX6

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) November 8, 2021

Chris Wondolowski scored in the San Jose Earthquakes’ 1-1 draw against Dallas before the league’s all-time leading scorer announced his retirement.