Los Angeles Galaxy lost the top spot in the Western Conference on the final matchday of the regular MLS season. In addition to city rivals LAFC, Atlanta United was also a big winner.
Inter Miami had already secured the top spot in the Eastern Conference and the most points in the regular season, but in the end, Lionel Messi and his teammates also took the MLS points record. By contrast, the battle for first place in the West was still exciting before the last matchday – in the end it was decided in injury time.
The result: Los Angeles Galaxy, who were previously in pole position with a three-point and two-goal lead, lost first place with a surprising 2-1 defeat at Houston Dynamo, because city rivals Los Angeles FC defeated San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 at the same time. Trailing after going into the break, the team of Marco Reus, who played until the 69th minute, looked to have achieved their goal when Gabriel Pecs scored a penalty in the 90th minute to make it 1-1, but Daniel Steres headed in the winner for Houston in the 102nd minute.
LAFC, in turn, scored the 3-1 final score in the first minute of stoppage time through substitute Marlon. Without this goal, Galaxy would have retained first place despite the 2-1 defeat thanks to the more goals scored, but LAFC, which had the same number of points and wins, moved ahead with a goal difference of 63:43 over Reus & Co. (69:50).
This also means that Galaxy will play in the first round of the playoffs against the Colorado Rapids, who finished seventh in the West. LAFC will face the Vancouver Whitecaps or the Portland Timbers, who will play each other for a playoff wild card.
In the East, Atlanta United are in with a chance of catching the play-off spot after beating fourth-placed Orlando City 2-1 to leapfrog DC United (0-3 at Charlotte FC) and Toronto FC, who did not play, into ninth place. Atlanta now have a play-off place at stake in the Wild Card Games against CF Montreal – the winners will face Inter Miami.
The play-offs at a glance:
Eastern Conference:
Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal or Atlanta United
Orlando City vs. Charlotte FC
FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC
Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls
