GAME 19: Monarchs stay alive and take lead for playoffs and Majors

BOXSCORES

What a week it was. With their backs against the wall, Montgomery County was in a must-win situation for both the playoffs and qualifying for the Majors Cup. Omar Cummings came through with 3 assists and Steve Ralston added a goal to build the Monarchs a 4-0 lead on Saturday. Then the Kickers showed why they are still in the race for the Majors Cup as well, as a goal by Findley and assist by Ekpo cut the lead in half by the end of the day. Chris Rolfe's goal in the 46th minute on Sunday made it even closer at 4-3, but Montgomery held on for the win.

D.C. Forever was in a battle of its own against the league's leader Capital District. Early on in the game D.C. lost Brad Davis to a red card. However, a Alejandro Moreno goal gave the Bandits a 1-0 lead at the end of Saturday. On Sunday, the Gunners used a Blanco assist and Holden goal to come from behind and win 2-1 and sweep the season series. The loss is a big one for D.C. Forever who was in control of its own destiny. Now the team has fallen to fourth place in the standings and D.C. will need to win next week and have Montgomery County lose to make the playoffs.

Gateway United keeps winning thanks to a 3 goal performance by Conor Casey defeating Gaithersburg City 5-2. Scoring again for the Saints was Jeff Cunningham and Landon Donovan chipped in what should be the goal of the week. Gaithersburg City will have one last chance to avoid finishing in last place.

Union S.C. got a goal from Ching and an assist from Kamara on Sunday to break a scoreless game and win 2-0. The win guarantee's the Blues a winning record but will do nothing to clinch a playoff spot as the team was eliminated from contention. However, the Blues last game of the season does have meaning as the team still has an outside chance at reaching the Majors Cup.

Match Preview #20 will give all the breakdowns of what has to happen to decide the final spots.