PBP: MLS 2017 Week 32 Continuous PBP Thread [Multiple R]

I'm currently catching up with the condensed matches as I was stuck at work all evening so I'm compiling my thoughts here:

CHI v PHI: Fun game. Tried to pay as much attention as I could. As long as Nikolic keeps scoring, the Fire are a contender, but if the offense dries up like it did earlier this year, they don't have the defense to compete.

NE v NYC: Good red card to Harrison. Not every referee is going to go red there, especially when it was the first misconduct issued in the match, but he slid through the opponent with a straight leg, studs up. Mitigating factor would be the distance from the opponent when he started the slide, it certainly wasn't a flying lunge or anything, but IMO the contact he made with that straight leg was too severe to call it just reckless. Vieira's comments were out of line.

NY v ATL: Zzzzzzz oh shit they called a foul throw on someone? LOL. Worthless finishing from both teams.

ORL v CLB: I've watched this league for a long time, and right now, Columbus is the team that to me most resembles the late surge to MLS Cup teams from seasons past. I wouldn't want to face them in the playoffs. Orlando, meanwhile, has been an unmitigated disaster this year. The damage done by not making the playoffs after their strong start in their new stadium is severe. They need something more than just a coach who isn't Jason Kreis. Jettisoning most of the front office would be a start. Then again, considering their misfortunes really started after the referee doxxing incident, maybe it's just karma?

TOR v MTL: The thing about Ted Unkel is that he's a little too symmetrical. Seriously, go look at his picture on the PRO website and tell me that isn't a little uncanny valley. I'm really glad we get to watch the Shield being handed over in the condensed match because that's definitely what I tuned in to see. Of course the lone goal comes off what probably should have been a foul on the other end of the pitch, but unlike a similar situation earlier this year, this one wasn't a part of the attacking phase of play that led to the goal, I guess. I don't think Toronto ever lost possession after the missed foul call, though. Good call on the penalty and the retake IMO. Surprised Unkel appeared to make the call without a flag from the AR, who looked to be backing up into position for dynamic play

COL v RSL: I've predicted Colorado wins their final two games so I'm feeling pretty good after this one. Except for the part where I watched even 20 minutes worth of this garbage. I did appreciate the subtle homoeroticism of Gatt's goal celebration, however. Horst could have easily picked up a second yellow just before halftime, but he was always really nice to me when he came into the restaurant so he can throw a few bows for all I care. What was the potential video review that didn't happen? I wasn't paying attention.

SKC v HOU: Zzzzzzzzzzz Tyler Deric had a great game.

LA v MIN : Poor Minnesota. This is going to drop them back behind Chivas USA on PPG. Cobi Jones thinks unseasonably warm weather in the fall is an "Indian summer." He is wrong. The term traditionally refers to a mid-winter thawing, typically in January. Didn't see a good enough replay angle on the condensed match to be sure the second goal was over the line, but I'm assuming the VAR did. Understandable miss from the AR, and a positive, fairly unintrusive use of video review to correct the error.

SEA v DAL: PRO has had some recent training sessions that involved examining video review situations and discussing not just accuracy of the decisions but whether it was appropriate to use video review at all. It really shows. A couple of weeks ago, that tackle from Javier Morales almost certainly would have triggered a video review. Now they're practically tripping over themselves not to review for serious foul play. It's really glaring. Yay for the Comb.

VAN v SJ: The West truly is awful, or at best horribly inconsistent, this season.

POR v DC: DC makes the West look good. The biggest point of debate here is whether the referee could have known the severity of Birnbaum's injury and stopped play before the last goal. I'm not sure who would have had the best angle on it. 4th official, probably, but again, I'm not sure he would have been able to tell immediately, either. Any update on the injury?