WELCOME TO THE FINAL MLS 10 of the regular season. As usual, we’ve got all the news and highlights you’ll need to catch up on the action. Let's dig in.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. Seattle Takes the Shield

In a brutally physical game—which also included a lengthy melee in the second half involving several players from both the Galaxy and the Sounders—Seattle emerged victorious behind two late goals from substitute Marco Pappa. His first, a smooth 85th minute finish after an Obafemi Martins quick free kick, effectively sealed the game (as well as the Supporters’ Shield). The Shield represents a huge achievement for Seattle and manager Sigi Schmid, who can finally cast aside the demons brought about by huge late-season collapses in the previous two campaigns. This time around Seattle played consistently from start to finish, never going more than two games in a row without a win on its way to a club record 64-point haul.

2. Timbers Secure Impressive Win…

Realistically needing a win to keep its playoff hopes alive, Portland went out and got exactly that, beating FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium behind goals from Darlington Nagbe and Maxi Urruti. FC Dallas was unlucky to have two goals disallowed—one for handball and one for narrowly crossing the end line before the decisive cross was played—but Portland was the better side on the night and deserved the three points.

Urruti’s slammed finish was the pick of the bunch, as he received a pass from Gaston Fernandez before turning and firing into the roof of the net.

3. …But Whitecaps Take Care of Business

After the offseason drama involving Marco di Vaio, few expected Vancouver to make the playoffs for the second time in three years. But the Whitecaps had other ideas, keeping four straight clean sheets to close out the season and picking up a vital win against the Colorado Rapids on the final day of the season. Kendall Waston headed in the only goal of the game on a 70th-minute corner.

4. Sounders Treble Watch

Seattle’s lifting of the Supporters’ Shield is actually its second piece of silverware already this season, which sets the Sounders up nicely for a run at a historic U.S. Open Cup, Supporters’ Shield, and MLS Cup treble. No team has ever won all three trophies in the same season. If Seattle were to do so, it would put the biggest possible exclamation point on an already superb season.

5. Playoff Picture Set

In the tightly knit Western Conference, no playoff position was decided entering the final weekend. Wins for Seattle, Real Salt Lake, and Vancouver leave the playoff picture as follows:
1) Seattle Sounders
2) L.A. Galaxy
3) Real Salt Lake
4) F.C. Dallas
5) Vancouver Whitecaps

Vancouver heads to Dallas on Wednesday at 9 pm ET for the chance to square off with Seattle in the conference semifinals.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

6. BWP Ties Record

Bradley Wright-Phillips needed two goals to tie Roy Lassiter and Chris Wondolowski’s MLS single-season goal-scoring record, and he was up to the task at Sporting Park on Sunday night in New York’s 2-0 win. He opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a clinical finish after some questionable defending. The record-tying goal came in the second half after he manhandled Aurelian Collin before finishing with a nifty near post strike. It’s a stunning achievement for Wright-Phillips, who scored just once in seven league appearances last season.

7. Revs Nguyen Again

Brutal pun aside, Lee Nguyen has finished the MLS regular season in sensational fashion. He scored yet another goal in New England’s 1-0 win over Toronto FC, this time with some controversy. His neatly finished effort seemed to be preceded by a clear offside on the Revolution in the buildup. Nevertheless, the goal counted and New England got its ninth win in its last 11 games.

8. MVLee?

Entering the final weekend, the well-established leading MVP candidates in MLS were Robbie Keane, Obafemi Martins, and Nguyen. Keane may have been the frontrunner heading into this weekend, but he missed the crucial clash against the Sounders through injury and may have cost himself the MVP in the process.

Martins picked up a game-winning assist, which will strengthen his candidacy, but Nguyen did his part as well, scoring his 18th goal and second straight game winner. We’ll see which of the three very deserving candidates comes out on top.

9. Columbus Wins Again

The Crew clinched third place in the East with a dramatic late winner against the Philadephia Union. After Jairo Arrieta and Zach Pfeffer traded goals, (a potentially offside) Bernardo Anor struck in the 90th minute to give the Crew a massive 2-1 win. The win—combined with SKC’s loss—leaves the Crew in third. The final Eastern Conference playoff picture is as follows: 1) D.C. United
2) New England Revolution
3) Columbus Crew
4) New York Red Bulls
5) Sporting K.C.

New York faces SKC on Thursday in a rematch of Sunday night’s game, except this time the game will be at Red Bull Arena.

10. Toronto Finishes with a Whimper

Lost in the shuffle over the weekend was the end to Toronto FC’s deeply disappointing season. The drab 1-0 loss was, to be quite honest, a rather fitting way to end a season that promised so much but ultimately delivered so little.

Long-suffering fans will be forced to watch the playoffs without their team in it yet again, and with the club somewhat in turmoil, the prospects don’t look all that much brighter for next season. But if there’s anything this season’s Eastern Conference table has taught us, it’s that you never know what can happen from one season to the next—just ask the stunning worst-to-first D.C. United.

What stood out to you the most from the MLS weekend that was? Let us know in the comments section below.

Blake Thomsen is a frequent ASN contributor. Follow him on Twitter.