MLS Decision Day is behind us, and the league has a new single season goalscoring king and a complete lineup for the MLS Cup playoffs.
One goal short of breaking Josef Martinez’s record set last season, Carlos Vela erupted for a hat trick in LAFC’s 3-1 win over the Colorado Rapids on Decision Day, lifting the single season goalscoring record to 34 goals.
The best in @MLS. 🕯️🇲🇽@11carlosV with the hat trick! 🎩#LAFCvCOL 3-1 pic.twitter.com/nwBC1XHo43
— LAFC (@LAFC) October 6, 2019
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In 31 games, LAFC’s captain recorded a total of 34 goals and 15 assists, an average of 1.62 goals plus assists per game.The Mexican finished four goals above LA Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic (30) and seven above former record holder Martinez (27). In other words, the 30-year-old placed his foot firmly on the pedal and never let go.
Following the game, Bob Bradley, as expected, was full of praise for the Mexican, who more than doubled his goal count of 14 last season and was crucial in the team’s historic season, which saw them lift the Supporter’s Shield and set the most points in a single season.
“At the end of this incredible season, to see @11carlosV finish off like that is special. Everyone is so happy for him because he’s such a nice guy. Positive to everyone around him. He’s had a special, special year.” #LAFCvCOL #MLS #DecisionDay pic.twitter.com/s9M38LkHRT
— Amelia Lopez (@AztecaAmeliaaa) October 6, 2019
Some may say it’s up for debate (it’s really not), but Vela’s season should be considered as the league’s best ever.
FC Dallas, Portland Timbers clinch spot in MLS Cup playoff field
In convincing fashion, FC Dallas and the Portland Timbers punched their tickets into the the MLS Cup playoffs.
In Frisco, specifically, first-year coach Luchi Gonzalez and company took the “win and your in” motto to heart, drilling a helpless Sporting Kansas City 6-0. Every player in Dallas’ front four bagged goals, with defender Matt Hedges contributing one of his own in the 12th minute.
Over in Portland, the Timbers sent Matias Almeyda and the San Jose Earthquakes packing, edging past them 3-1 with to second-half goals from Dairon Asprilla and Sebastian Blanco.
After conceding a goal in the 29th minute, the Quakes responded within 10 minutes when Chris Wondolowski header home his 15th goal of the season. It wasn’t enough for the Black-and-Blue, however, as a ghost of the past hunted them once again: second-half meltdowns.
After placing as high as second in the Western Conference over the summer, the Quakes ended their season on a six-game losing streak and four points short of the cut.
Tim Howard, DaMarcus Beasley say goodbye to the beautiful game
Decision Day also saw the illustrious careers of Tim Howard and DaMarcus Beasley come to a close - two U.S. soccer legends and trailblazers.
Howard hangs up the boots after a 22-year journey that saw him play in the United States and England, where he featured for Manchester United and Everton. At Everton, the New Jersey native recorded 414 appearances in a decade-long career. The 40-year-old also recorded 121 caps with the U.S. men’s national team, eighth in the all-time list.
It's been a pleasure, @TimHowardGK.#Rapids96 | #ThankYouTim https://t.co/bol6ya6AoN
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) October 6, 2019
At 37 years of age, Beasley, too, is riding off into the sunset.
The longtime fullback completes a career that started 20 years ago, and saw him play in Holland, England, Scotland, Germany, Mexico and the United States. Throughout that stretch, Beasley won multiple titles with Rangers, two Eredivisie’s with PSV and three U.S. Open Cups with the Chicago Fire and, most recently, with the Houston Dynamo.
On an international level, the Indiana native featured 126 times for the USMNT, scoring on 17 occasions. Like Howard, Beasley hoisted multiple Gold Cup’s with the Stars and Stripes.
.@HoustonDynamo with a proper send off for #LegenDMB #HOUvLA // #DecisionDay by @att pic.twitter.com/IObedlcR94
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 6, 2019