The Daily Dirt, September 26: The Phoenix and The Turtle

You’ll hear it said a lot — “Major League Soccer is a crazy league.”

But you never can really grasp just how true that statement is until you see it for yourself. The 2016 Portland Timbers are a perfect example. They are the defending MLS Cup champions and on paper have one of the most talented rosters in the league. However, as we sit with basically one more month to play in the season, they are in danger of missing the playoffs entirely.

Jordan Morris’ brace in a 4-2 win over the LA Galaxy has the Seattle Sounders just three points behind their rivals Portland for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern conference. Not only that, but the Sounders have two full games in hand on their Cascadia foes.

It very much appears that the last playoff spot will come down to the two bitter rivals. Many had written off the Sounders’ season about midway through as they were really struggling. After firing Sigi Schmid and adding Nicolas Lodeiro before the close of the transfer window, the Rave green portion of Cascadia rose like a Phoenix. While the Timbers are slowly descending into their own shell as the playoffs approach.

Domestic

Jordan Morris ends LA’s home undefeated streak (Sounder At Heart)

Revolution 0, Crew SC 2: New England winning streak stalls at 3 (The Bent Musket)

International

FIFA says it fixed racism in Russia, so you can stop worrying about that now (SB Nation)

Kevin De Bruyne could be out four weeks (ESPNFC)

Local

Atlanta United U-18’s won their second match of the weekend, 3-2. (Recap by our Jason Longshore)

UGA women fall to Auburn, 4-2.

West Georgia women lost 3-0 to West Florida. (Recap)

Georgia State women held to a scoreless tie by App State.

Georgia Southern men beat Texas State 1-0.