MLS Matchday 31 recap: Four draws in six matches as Decision Day looms

MLS Matchday 31 provided us with six matches during the FIFA International Break. Of those six matches, four ended in draws. Huge points were earned for a few clubs looking to solidify a spot in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs as Decision Day is just over a month away.

Both Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati had the chance to clinch spots in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, but will have to wait a little bit longer! Inter Miami remains the only club in MLS to clinch a playoff berth.

Let’s jump into the results and highlights from MLS Matchday 31:

Rusnák scores hat-trick as Seattle blanks Columbus, 4-0

A Columbus win over Seattle would’ve clinched a playoff berth for the reigning MLS Cup Champions, but the Sounders had a different idea.

In the 45’+3′, Columbus goalkeeper Abraham Romero was given a red card and sent off. The keeper charged out of his net and collided with Seattle forward Jordan Morris and after VAR review, Romero was sent off. Due to other injuries, Columbus head coach Wilfried Nancy elected to put midfielder Sean Zawadski in goal for the rest of the match.

Without having another available, Columbus paid the price. Seattle midfielder Albert Rusnák put the Sounders up 1-0 in the 45’+6′, right before the halftime whistle. His goal would open the floodgates and Seattle would dominate 10-man Columbus for the entirety of the second half. The Sounders would leave Columbus with a 4-0 win courtesy of a Rusnák hat-trick. The defending MLS Cup Champions will have to wait another matchday to clinch their 2024 playoff berth.

New England and St. Louis draw 2-2 at Gillette Stadium

FC Cincinnati had their eyes on this match. Despite having the matchday off, if New England lost to St. Louis, Cincinnati would’ve clinched a playoff spot. Instead, St. Louis scored an equalizer in the 73rd minute to pick up a 2-2 draw and one point.

New England head coach Caleb Porter did not mince words in his post-match press conference. After a potential handball was not called during the match, Porter sounded off on the officials in his presser. Whether it was the right call or not, both clubs walked away with one point each regardless.

Hall equalizes for Red Bulls in the final minutes against Kansas City

FC Cincinnati had their eyes on this match too, as a Red Bulls loss would’ve clinched them a playoff berth, but Red Bulls struck in the final minutes to push off Cincy’s chances of clinching.

The second draw of the night, Red Bulls found a late goal to avoid a second straight loss at home this season. Julian Hall pulled off a shot with his right foot in the box, and Kansas City keeper Tim Melia completely lost track of the ball that ended up behind him.

Red Bulls lost their first home match of the season against the Philadelphia Union on Aug. 31 and narrowly avoided a second straight home defeat against Kansas City. Red Bulls remain in fourth in the Eastern Conference with 43 points.

D.C. United take down Chicago and move up to ninth

D.C. United and Chicago Fire threwdown in the Windy City on Saturday night. Chicago sits 14th in the Eastern Conference and is way out of playoff contention, but D.C. wants every point possible to sit in a safer position as the season winds down.

After 90 minutes, D.C. United came out on top to move into ninth in the East, 2-1. Christian Benteke got the goal-scoring started in the 26th minute with his league-leading 18th goal of the season. Gabriel Pirani doubled the lead in the 29th minute and three huge points were picked up for D.C. United in their playoff push.

Now sitting with 32 points, D.C. jumped both Atlanta United and Philadelphia Union in the standings.

Houston vs. LAFC ends in a stalemate

Another draw during the evening, Houston and LAFC both walked away with one point toward the standings. LAFC are currently sitting in second with 48 points in the West, just one ahead of Real Salt Lake. Houston sits in seventh with 41 points.

Houston dominated in possession, 63.5% – 36.5%, but couldn’t find the back of the net on four shots on target. The 0-0 draw gave Houston their seventh shutout of the season.

Vancouver and Dallas end…scoreless

In the fourth and final draw of the evening, Vancouver Whitecaps hosted FC Dallas in an exciting game despite no goals being scored. There were multiple instances throughout the match when both sides nearly found the back of the net, but strong defending displays, and some luck from the posts and crossbars, kept the match level.

The draw meant a lot to Dallas who are fighting for a playoff spot as the season winds down. They currently sit in 10th in the West with 34 points while Vancouver sits in sixth with 42 points.

Both sides were nearly even in possession – Vancouver finished with 51.6% compared to Dallas’ 48.4% – but Vancouver owned the shot department 20-6 with five shots on target.

Updated League Standings:

Eastern Conference:
(X) Inter Miami – 59 pts
FC Cincinnati – 51 pts
Columbus Crew – 49 pts
New York Red Bulls – 43 pts
NYCFC – 39 pts
Charlotte FC – 38 pts
Orlando City – 37 pts
Toronto FC – 33 pts
D.C. United – 32 pts
Atlanta United – 31 pts
Philadelphia Union – 30 pts
New England Revolution – 27 pts
CF Montreal – 27 pts
Chicago Fire – 26 pts
Nashville SC – 26 pts

Western Conference:
LA Galaxy – 52 pts
LAFC – 48 pts
Real Salt Lake – 47 pts
Colorado Rapids – 44 pts
Seattle Sounders – 43 pts
Vancouver Whitecaps – 42 pts
Houston Dynamo – 41 pts
Portland Timbers – 40 pts
Minnesota United – 36 pts
FC Dallas – 34 pts
Austin FC – 34 pts
Sporting Kansas City – 28 pts
St. Louis City SC – 28 pts
San Jose Earthquakes – 17 pts

Matchday 32

Fourteen matches are on deck for MLS Matchday 32 this weekend! Thirteen matches will be played on Saturday and one on Sunday.

Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images