EDITORIAL – The MLS Eastern Conference seedings 1-4 have been finalized. There were no changes for the top four as all four teams took care of business either at home or on the road.
MLS Eastern Conference Seedings 1-4 did not change
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Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia Union dominated the game, the minute it started. Philadelphia Union’s number 15 made a terrific defensive play to prevent Mark Anthony-Kaye from scoring and reducing the lead to one goal. However, Toronto did not have a shot on goal in the first half.
63’ #DOOP’s Dániel Gazdag gets his hat trick! It looks like Philadelphia will be finishing first in the Eastern Conference. #PhiladelphiaUnion#PHIvTOR | 4-0 | #DecisionDaypic.twitter.com/YEcwQHDRfx
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) October 9, 2022
The early goal by Dániel Gazdag set the tone for the Union. Then late in the second half, Gazdag assisted in Mikael Uhre’s goal late in the game. The Union then continued to dominate scoring two more goals in the first half. Gazdag converted a penalty in the 60-minute and then scored his hat-trick in the 63-minute to seal the deal at Subaru Park. As a result, the Union will finish with the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second-best record in the league. They will also have a bye from the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
This will be the Union’s fifth-straight MLS Cup Playoff appearance as they took care of business, unlike the game against Charlotte FC last week.
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CF Montreal
CF Montreal was unable to move up in the Eastern Conference. However, they too also look in good form heading into the MLS Cup Playoffs. This included scoring two goals within the first 10 minutes of the game. This played a big role in Montreal winning the game
Miami did not do themselves any favour. A goalkeeping error led to a Đorđe Mihailović goal. From there it was downhill for Inter Miami CF in the first half. Lassi Lappalainen and Kei Kamara were the other two goalscorers in the first half for the team.
Miami did get one back thanks to an own goal committed by Montreal’s Joel Waterman, still, it was not enough as Montreal advances to the MLS Cup Playoffs after narrowly missing out on the MLS Cup Playoffs last year. This will also be the first time CF Montreal has hosted a MLS Cup Playoffs game since 2016 in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Finals against Canadian Classique rivals, Toronto FC.
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New York City FC
New York City FC had a very impressive first half on the road. Gabriel Pereira scored in the ninth minute of play on the road. Then, Héber got what ended up being the game-winning goal in the 60-minute thanks to a Héber goal.
However, when Atlanta United FC scored in the 67-minute thanks to an Andrew Gutman goal. Things were tight. Atlanta kept pressing and was looking for the goal-ahead goal. After that goal, Atlanta had four shots looking to tie or even win the game. However, Atlanta could not score as the defending MLS Cup champions return to the MLS Cup Playoffs. This will be NYCFC’s sixth-straight appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
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New York Red Bulls
With Inter Miami CF losing, the Red Bulls did not need a win to keep the fourth place. However, they could not play the game knowing that all the Eastern Conference games were taking place at the same time.
55’ A game #RBNY’s Elias Manoel will never forget.
He scored his first two #MLS goals today, this time with a fantastic shot that beat the #ForTheCrown goalkeeper. Frankie Amaya was credited with the assist. #NewYorkRedBulls#RBNYvCLT | 2-0 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/lwysexLQLe
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) October 9, 2022
The story of this game was Elias Manoel. He scored his first two MLS goals in his career on Decision Day. It was a great moment for the 20-year-old Brazilian. This game was actually pretty even in stats, with both teams statistically almost tied in shots on goal. However, it was the Red Bulls who came out on front. They have been a familiar face in the MLS Cup Playoffs, making the playoffs every time since 2010.
The Eastern Conference Playoff seedings did not change
IF THIS MAN ISN'T MVP THEN IDEK#DOOP pic.twitter.com/jtdOerlmSi
— X – Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) October 9, 2022
The summary of the first four seedings is that nothing changed. There was not much drama on the top side of the MLS Eastern Conference picture as all four teams got the job on the road. CF Montreal will host Orlando City SC, New York City FC will host Inter Miami CF, and the New York Red Bulls will host FC Cincinnati.
Miami was the only other team who could have climbed into the top four today but lost to Montreal 3-1 at home, which dropped them into sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference.
Photo Credit: Philadelphia Union’s Twitter Account on October 9, 2022.
