Week 7 simulated on FIFA 20: Here's how MLS games could have gone

Jake Barford

With Week 7 of the 2020 MLS season unable to be played as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on, our FIFA 20 simulations provide a glimpse into how things could’ve unfolded.

There were 11 matches scheduled across last Wednesday through Sunday, but those involving expansion sides Nashville SC and Inter Miami aren’t included. Neither club is available for selection in FIFA 20, so you'll also see their respective Week 7 opponents, Sporting Kansas City and Houston Dynamo, absent.

New England Revolution vs. Seattle Sounders

This midweek clash was the first of two Week 7 home games for the New England Revolution. Jordan Morris opened the scoring early for the Sounders with a back-post header to make it 1-0. New England equalized in the second half, but Cristian Roldan scored the game-winner to give Seattle a 2-1 win and keep them tied for 3rd place in the Western Conference standings.

Philadelphia Union vs. Montreal Impact

The Union piled on the goals in this 4-2 win over Montreal to remain undefeated in our FIFA 20 simulations. Jamiro Monteiro got the game started with a curling free kick from just outside the 18-yard box. Philadelphia stays tied atop our simulated Eastern Conference table with Orlando, but has a game at hand.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. D.C. United

In desperate need of a win, San Jose instead had to settle for one point. D.C. United jumped out to an early lead courtesy of Edison Flores, but the Earthquakes found some late-game heroics after an 81st minute equalizer via Cristian Espinoza. Stretching back to the end of 2019, Matias Almeyda’s group continues to struggle.

Orlando City SC vs. Columbus Crew SC

Coming off a 4-2 win over Montreal last week, Orlando repeated that scoreline when facing Columbus on the road. Once again, four different goalscorers for Orlando kept them tied atop our simulated Eastern Conference standings. Columbus fell to a minus-eight goal differential..

New England Revolution vs. FC Cincinnati

The Revolution’s second match of the week saw them bounce back with a win over FC Cincinnati courtesy of a towering Andrew Farrell header. The 1-0 victory pushes New England from 10th to 6th place in the Eastern Conference standings, the biggest jump of any club this week.

Toronto FC vs. New York Red Bulls

There are four clubs in the league that haven’t won during our FIFA 20 simulations, and the New York Red Bulls are one of them. This streak continued into Week 7 with a 2-2 draw on the road at Toronto. A late goal from center back Chris Mavinga sealed the points as Toronto stayed at 4th in the East and New York dropped to 10th.

Minnesota United FC vs. LA Galaxy

In a rematch of last year’s Western Conference quarterfinal, Minnesota took down LA, 1-0. Osvaldo Alonso scored on a looping header from range, as the Loons stayed atop the West with a league-leading 16 points. Out of every simulated game Minnesota have played thus far, they’ve only conceded one goal.

Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids

It took five weeks of simulated games to see our first penalty kick, and RSL midfielder Albert Rusnak didn’t squander it in the Rocky Mountain Cup. His goal from the spot was his second of the game, as Real Salt Lake continued their hot streak by beating Colorado, 3-1. Real Salt Lake remains 2nd in the Western Conference standings, and they now prepare to face LAFC next weekend.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. LAFC

The Whitecaps dropped their third straight game, and LAFC grabbed a 3-2 win on the road. Lucas Cavallini shined for Vancouver with two goals, but Brian Rodriguez’s 81st-minute strike stood as the game-winner. LAFC scored three second-half goals to keep the Whitecaps at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.

Portland Timbers vs. FC Dallas

Felipe Mora scored twice for the Timbers to take a 2-1 lead, but then it was all downhill from there with Dallas piling on three unanswered second-half goals. Ultimately, Luchi Gonzalez’s team beat Portland 4-2 on the road, and rookie Homegrown midfielder Tanner Tessmann even got on the scoresheet.

NYCFC vs. Chicago Fire

The lone Sunday matchup of the week came between two clubs looking to jump into the Eastern Conference’s top half. But an opener from NYCFC winger Ismael Tajouri-Shradi was cancelled out by a Mauricio Pineda equalizer in the 84th minute, and they settled for a 1-1 draw.