MLS Matchday 34 recap: Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids punch tickets to playoffs

Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids clinched spots in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs during Matchday 34. In 2023, Colorado finished dead last in the Western Conference with only 27 points. Now, in 2024, they finished third overall in Leagues Cup and have punched their ticket for playoffs.

Real Salt Lake have clinched their fourth consecutive playoff berth and are sitting second in the Western Conference behind leaders LA Galaxy.

MLS Matchday 34 provided some thrilling entertainment over the weekend. Here are some of the best highlights:

Real Salt Lake clinches in draw against Portland

Thanks to an Austin FC loss against the Houston Dynamo earlier in the day, Real Salt Lake clinched a fourth consecutive playoff berth.

Salt Lake grabbed a quick 2-0 lead within the first 25 minutes of the first half. In the second half, Portland stormed back. Antony put Portland on the scoreboard in the 62nd minute after confusion from the Salt Lake defense in the box. In the 76th minute, Evadner scored a rocket of a free kick to make the match level.

Diogo Gonçalves took the lead back for Salt Lake in the 90th minute, but Jonathan Rodríguez equalized for Portland in the 90’+2′ to cap off one of, if not, the best match of the matchday.

Colorado clinches MLS playoff spot in an incredible turnaround season

Colorado Rapids being one of the top teams in the Western Conference wasn’t on many bingo cards entering 2024. With a 2-0 win over Toronto FC, Colorado clinched a playoff berth and currently sits in third place in the West.

In the 52nd minute, Reggie Cannon scored his first goal for the club. From the top of the box, Cannon managed to just get enough of the ball and saw it go into the back of the net.

Djordje Mihailovic converted on a PK in the 90’+1′ to double the lead and send Colorado back into the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Union dominates D.C. United, 4-0

The lone match on Sunday was a big one between Philadelphia Union and D.C. United. Two teams battling for every point possible for a playoff spot, the Union blanked D.C. United, 4-0, to take three points. Now ninth in the East, the Union are two points ahead of CF Montreal and D.C. United dropped to 13th.

Mikael Uhre opened the scoring in the 13th minute, Daniel Gazdag finished the night with a brace, and Tai Baribo added another goal to his excellent 2024 campaign. With 17 goals on the year, Gazdag is tied for second overall in MLS.

Miami draws 1-1 to NYCFC

Lionel Messi made his first appearance at Yankee Stadium in his MLS career. After an eventful welcome from NYCFC supporters before the start of the match, Miami escaped New York City with only one point.

Leo Campana scored the first goal of the match in the 75th minute, but before the final whistle was blown, James Sands equalized in the 90’+5′ to give NYCFC a much-needed point. NYCFC has been sliding in the standings recently and they were pummeled by the Union earlier in the week, 5-1.

Columbus takes down Orlando City in MLS Eastern Conference showdown

Two Eastern Conference powerhouses went at it on Saturday evening. Columbus, who are third in the East, have already clinched a playoff spot. Orlando City sits fifth and is still waiting to clinch.

In a thrilling match that ended 4-3 in Columbus’ favor, Cucho Hernández scored in the 71st minute to continue his run of dominance. With his 15th goal of the season, Hernández has become the third player in Columbus Crew history to score at least 15 goals in consecutive seasons.

As the playoffs inch closer each week, Columbus is ready to defend their MLS Cup crown.

MLS Eastern Conference Standings:
x – Inter Miami – 64 pts
x – FC Cincinnati – 56 pts
x – Columbus Crew – 56 pts
New York Red Bulls – 44 pts
Orlando City – 43 pts
Charlotte FC – 41 pts
NYCFC – 41 pts
Toronto FC – 36 pts
Philadelphia Union – 36 pts
CF Montreal – 34 pts
Atlanta United – 33 pts
Nashville SC – 33 pts
D.C. United – 33 pts
Chicago Fire – 29 pts
New England Revolution – 28 pts

MLS Western Conference Standings:
x – LA Galaxy – 58 pts
x – Real Salt Lake – 51 pts
x – Colorado Rapids – 50 pts
LAFC – 49 pts
Houston Dynamo – 48 pts
Seattle Sounders – 47 pts
Vancouver Whitecaps – 46 pts
Portland Timbers – 44 pts
Minnesota United – 42 pts
FC Dallas – 42 pts
Austin FC – 35 pts
e – Sporting Kansas City – 31 pts
St. Louis City SC – 31 pts
e – San Jose Earthquakes – 18 pts

Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-Imagn Images