The game in 100 words (or less): Just when we were oh so sure the Vancouver Whitecaps had solidified themselves as the cream of the Western Conference crop, Carl Robinson’s side lands flat on its collective face in suffering a 3-0 defeat away to the New York Red Bulls a week later. A win would have put Vancouver seven points clear (for the time being) of everyone in the West. Instead, Sporting Kansas City feature in one of two games in hand later on Saturday with a chance to close the gap to one. New York, meanwhile, needed just three more points to clinch the sixth and final playoff place in the Eastern Conference, which they did thanks to another standout, two-assist performance by Sacha Kljestan. The 32-year-old set up goals scored by Daniel Royer and Felipe to take his average to 17 assists per season for the last three years. Bradley Wright-Phillips bagged the other goal (assisted by 18-year-old stud Tyler Adams).
[ MORE: USMNT routs Panama to boost WC dreams in a big way ]
Three moments that mattered
33' — Kljestan feeds Royer to make it 1-0 — Kljestan tallied his 50th assist in just under three seasons since returning to MLS, which positions him among pristine company. Royer still has plenty of work to do after getting on the end of Kljestan’s ball.
What a move.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 7, 2017
1-0 @NewYorkRedBulls! #NYvVAN https://t.co/yxVo1u7yAD
58' — BWP dinks it past Ousted for 2-0 — Wright-Phillips should be lauded for the cheeky finish after carrying the ball 40 yards, but the real story here is the ball from Adams. Watch it and feel safe in knowing he’s ready for the call, USMNT fans.
BWP being BWP.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 7, 2017
2-0 @NewYorkRedBulls! #NYvVAN https://t.co/VVsC7WrsJ9
72' — Felipe hits a laser for 3-0 — Make that 51 assists for Kljestan, who still had lots of work to do once inside the penalty area. The ball back for Felipe looks simple enough after all he did to keep it in bounds and create a bit of separation for himself.
🚀 @FeliMartins8 🚀
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 7, 2017
3-0 @NewYorkRedBulls! #NYvVAN https://t.co/5bmxW1xwDO
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Man of the match: Sacha Kljestan
Goalscorers: Royer (33'), Wright-Phillips (58'), Felipe (72')