MLS Review: Red Bulls move clear of NYC, Dallas go top in west

Bradley Wright-Phillips moved a step closer to the MLS Golden Boot as New York Red Bulls pulled clear of New York City in the race for top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Wright-Phillips scored twice to lead the Red Bulls to a 3-2 victory over Columbus Crew on Sunday, taking his tally to 23 goals for the season.

The Englishman is one ahead of David Villa, whose New York City slumped to a 3-1 loss at DC United.

BW#dare2BWP#NYvCLB#REDTogether#RBNY pic.twitter.com/PwIB7iCdYS

— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 16, 2016

Despite Villa scoring a late penalty, New York City could not deny a rampant DC outfit the win and a play-off berth in the penultimate round of the season, leaving the former three points adrift of the Red Bulls.

Montreal Impact also booked their spot in the post-season following a 2-2 draw against third-placed Toronto, albeit with some help from New England Revolution.

Ignacio Piatti’s brace had the Impact on track for all three points until Tosaint Ricketts’ 86th-minute equaliser but the draw was still enough after the Revolution – who sit three points behind the sixth and final play-off spot in the east – lost 2-1 at Chicago Fire.

Philadelphia Union occupy the remaining post-season position, despite going down 2-0 to Orlando City.

Dallas leapfrogged Colorado Rapids atop the Western Conference after seeing off Seattle Sounders 2-1.

What a return to Toyota Stadium!#FCDvSEA pic.twitter.com/nIMTgHw2Zy

— X – FC Dallas (@FCDallas) October 16, 2016

Goals from Maximiliano Urruti and Carlos Ruiz cancelled out Nicolas Lodeiro’s opener as Dallas moved to the summit at the expense of Colorado, who were beaten by play-off chasing Portland Timbers 1-0.

Reigning champions the Timbers are seventh in the west but level on points with sixth-placed Sporting Kansas City, who drew 0-0 at Real Salt Lake – a result that left both teams sweating on their post-season hopes.

The Sounders are only a point better off in fifth.

LA Galaxy – third in the standings – edged lowly Houston Dynamo 1-0, while San Jose Earthquakes and Vancouver Whitecaps played out a goalless stalemate.