5 things we learned in MLS this weekend: King Drogba reigns, Giovinco breaks records
With another weekend of MLS action in the books, we take a look back at some of what we learned from the latest slate of matches.
King Drogba's reign paints MLS blue
Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba is the king of goal scorers in Major League Soccer.
There. We said it. Sure, the former Chelsea man hasn't scored as many as Columbus Crew striker Kei Kamara and yes, his goals may not all be as pretty as the ones being scored by the Italian fellow over in Toronto, but it doesn't matter: Drogba is an unstoppable force, even at 37 years old.
Related: Didier Drogba scores twice as Montreal Impact brush aside D.C. United
If there is one striker that defenders should fear, it's Drogba, whose seven goals in his first six games has revived the playoff hopes for Montreal's faithful. His physicality is a nightmare to defend; his skill set, well rounded. If Drogba were playing in MLS 10 years ago, he would probably shatter every league scoring record there is. Speaking of ...
Prince Giovinco challenges for the MLS throne
Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco is doing special, special things in his first year in MLS. The Atomic Ant recorded a goal and an assist against the Chicago Fire on Saturday, bringing his overall tally to 20 goals and 15 assists for the season.
That, folks, is a new MLS record.
Giovinco has a combined 35 points in MLS, overtaking San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski's combined 34 points recorded in 2012 after a 27-goal, seven-assist season. Giovinco has four games left in 2015, too.
Matias Laba made into an unwilling court jester
The Vancouver Whitecaps needed a win in order to qualify for the playoffs with a few games in hand, and against expansion outfit New York City FC, that result looked quite doable at BC Place.
Related: David Villa's controversial penalty gives New York City win over Whitecaps
But, Vancouver's Matias Laba, the league's little interceptor and perhaps finest defensive midfielder, was on the receiving end of a great disservice from a comical, controversial call by referee Ricardo Salazar.
Watch around the three-minute mark as Laba puts a foot in on Frank Lampard and delivers a brilliant, beautiful intercepting tackle in the box in the 94th minute, getting all ball. His delight turns to utter bemusement as the ref points to the spot for a penalty.
But, to be fair, Vancouver was given a pretty soft penalty call earlier, too, so maybe it all just evened out in the end.
Playoffs loom as MLS elite are denied early entry
Vancouver wasn't the only team denied early qualification for the MLS playoffs; each of the league's elite outfits faltered against their lower-table opposition, too. Take, for example, the Columbus Crew, needing just a win or a draw to qualify for the playoffs three games early: A loss to the Portland Timbers denied them early glory.
Related: Crew has to wait for MLS post-season berth after loss to Timbers
The New England Revolution, riding high on eight wins in its last 10 games, also stumbled against the Philadelphia Union, the two teams splitting the points in a 1-1 draw. With a win, the Revs would have booked their ticket for some late October soccer.
The MLS elite will need to wait their turn like the rest of the league.
Bonus: Forget Kings and Princes, jesters and elites - the General has arrived
Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley is staking his claim for the MLS throne by force, sending a message of his intentions via this comic-book style video.
Bradley's soldiers include "The Beast" and "The Atomic Ant," though no big-budget crossover Hollywood blockbuster is in the works (as far as we know).