Across The Pond
We are now approaching the final game in the MLS and are at the business end of the season. Since our last correspondence there have been two games for each club to report on in the MLS. Chicago Fire and Brian McBride are the most likely to have post season success having qualified for the play-offs with Galaxy and Toronto languishing at the bottom of their respective standings.
Danny Dichio/Toronto FC
We will begin with Toronto FC's game on the 12th October where the Reds had an outside chance of reaching the postseason play-off games. Toronto needed to build on their impressive win over the New York Red Bulls the week previous if they were to have any chance of doing so.
Going into the last two minutes of play, and to the delight of the Toronto supporters, it looked like the Reds had done just that after coming back from 1-0 down to lead 2-1 against FC Dallas. Danny Dichio was credited with an assist for Marco Velez' equaliser before Marvell Wynne put the Canadian outfit ahead in the 88th minute. With 3 minutes of added time played, Toronto conceded a penalty which Kenny Cooper stepped up to convert. The game finished 2-2, denying Toronto a victory in the closing seconds. Dichio playing the full ninety minutes.
Danny Dichio/Toronto FC & Brian McBride/Chicago Fire
More recently, Danny Dichio was again in from the start as Toronto FC saw off Brian McBride's Chicago Fire in a thrilling encounter. Neither of the former Preston strikers got themselves on the score sheet but Brian McBride was credited with an assist for Chicago's second goal in a 3-2 defeat.
In Fire's game the week before however Brian McBride did get himself on the score sheet - twice in fact. The former Fulham and Everton striker put his side ahead against another one of his former clubs Columbus Crew before netting a late equaliser after the Ohio side had put themselves ahead.
The results mean that Chicago Fire have clinched a play-off place after finishing second behind Columbus Crew.
David Beckham & Eddie Lewis/LA Galaxy
Beckham was absent for LA Galaxy's 3-2 win over Colorado Rapids on 12th October due to him being back across this side of the pond representing England. LA Galaxy have been left with nothing to play for and are languishing at the bottom of the Western Standings going into the final games of the MLS season.
The former Manchester United winger was also left out of LA's 3-0 defeat to Houston Dynamo due to international commitments. Eddie Lewis however wasn't and was in from the start as Dynamo outclassed an LA Galaxy side who were devoid of ideas in front of goal.
Forthcoming MLS Fixtures
The final games of the regular MLS season are due to take place this week. First up is Chicago Fire who welcome the visit of the New York Red Bulls on Thursday 23rd October.
Meanwhile the LA Galaxy have Texans FC Dallas visiting the Home Depot Centre on Sunday 26th October whilst Toronto travel to California to take on the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday 25th.
Even though the final fixtures will take place in the MLS this week, we will be keeping you up to date on Brian McBride and Chicago Fire's progress in the post season as well as the All Star match up should any of the former Lilywhites feature.
Next week we will bring you a full round-up of the whole MLS season with up-to-date stats of all three of the former Preston North End players.