With the MLS is Back Tournament groups are set, the return of live matches inches closer with each passing day. Until then, our FIFA 20 simulations continue to provide an alternate reality of how games could have gone.
Check out the video and recaps below, and don't miss the standings at the bottom of this page to see which teams have been kings of the virtual pitch.
Portland Timbers 0, Sporting Kansas City 1
A Felipe Gutierrez goal in the 17th minute was all it took for Sporting to take down Portland during Week 16’s first match. In a stellar defensive performance, SKC only allowed four shots the entire game as Portland dropped their 10th match of the season.
Columbus Crew SC 2, Chicago Fire FC 1
Talk about a turnaround. The Crew, who were once within the league’s bottom three teams, have yet another win and are within touching distance of the Eastern Conference’s top spot. Lucas Zelarayan and Gyasi Zares provided the goals during this 2-1 victory.
Orlando City SC 4, New York Red Bulls 0
The Lions recorded a massive 4-0 win, powered by a Mauricio Pereyra brace and several great saves from Pedro Gallese. Orlando’s supporters have to be hoping that this virtual form carries into the MLS is Back Tournament.
Toronto FC 0, Montreal Impact 3
Montreal has struggled in these simulations, but that didn’t matter in this Canadian Classique meeting. Bojan bagged a brace, which included a beautiful free kick in the 29th minute, and the Impact got another from Saphir Taider.
D.C. United 1, FC Cincinnati 2
Yet another surprising club from Ohio, FC Cincinnati are within five points of the Eastern Conference’s top spot. FCC have been carried by offseason signing Jurgen Locadia, who scored twice in the 2-1 win.
Houston Dynamo 0, Atlanta United 1
Atlanta United made this one difficult, as they should've won by three or four goals. They managed two shots, with one being Josef Martinez’s winner in the 83rd minute. But a win is a win and Atlanta are two points out of the East’s pole position.
Colorado Rapids 0, LAFC 0
Not much to say here. No highlights, no action, no result. A game that produced four total shots went exactly you might expect: a 0-0 draw.
La Galaxy 0, San Jose Earthquakes 1
San Jose’s struggled this virtual season, but an own goal gave them a 1-0 win in the California Clasico. LA center back Nick DePuy bundled an attempted clearance into his own net, creating heartbreak for his club.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0, Seattle Sounders 2
The Whitecaps have been on a tear as of late, but it ended against Seattle. Nicolas Lodeiro and Will Bruin each scored in this Cascadia Cup match, powering the Sounders back to their winning ways in the Western Conference.
NYCFC 3, New England Revolution 2
A match filled with back-and-forth action ended with an incredible 89th-minute game-winner from Maxi Moralez. NYCFC’s midfielder, who stands at 5-foot-3, headed home at the back post to break New England hearts.
Philadelphia Union 2, Real Salt Lake 0
Orlando City needed a loss from the Union to take over the top spot alone in the Eastern Conference, but Philadelphia thwarted Orlando’s attempts by beating RSL, 2-0. Ilsinho scored a highlight-reel belter from atop the 18-yard box.
Eastern Conference Standings
- Philadelphia Union (28 points)
- Orlando City (28 points)
- Atlanta United (26 points)
- Columbus Crew SC (24 points)
- FC Cincinnati (23 points)
- NYCFC (18 points)
- Toronto FC (16 points)
- Montreal (15 points)
- New England Revolution (15 points)
- New York Red Bulls (14 points)
- D.C. United (14 points)
- Chicago Fire (11 points)
- Inter Miami CF (0 points)
Western Conference Standings
- Minnesota United (39 points)
- Real Salt Lake (33 points)
- Seattle Sounders (31 points)
- Colorado Rapids (27 points)
- LA Galaxy (23 points)
- Sporting Kansas City (22 points)
- FC Dallas (21 points)
- LAFC (20 points)
- San Jose Earthquakes (16 points)
- Portland Timbers (14 points)
- Houston Dynamo (13 points)
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC (11 points)
- Nashville SC (0 points)
* = unable to simulate matches
