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4 talking points from MLS Decision Day

Reuters

MLS Decision Day is finally over and the focus now shifts to the playoffs as eight teams gear up for a mid-week Knockout Round, a wild-card single match that will make up the competitors of the Conference Semi-Finals.

There were a number of season-long storylines wrapped up on this day, the final round of regular-season action. Here are four talking points from MLS Decision Day:

Shorthanded FC Dallas tops table

FC Dallas claimed the 2016 MLS Supporters' Shield courtesy of a 0-0 draw against the LA Galaxy and the Colorado Rapids' 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo, finishing the season with 60 points unrivaled at the top of the table.

While Oscar Pareja's side celebrates this end-of-season trophy, they'll have one eye on the MLS Cup as Dallas - also winners of the U.S. Open Cup - looks to complete the domestic treble.

It won't be easy, however, as influential playmaker Mauro Diaz is out for the rest of the year with a torn Achilles tendon. His absence was felt as Dallas mustered only two shots on target, and Tesho Akindele and Michael Barrios were unable to replicate Diaz's penchant for key passes, either.

Wright-Phillips beats David Villa

New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips and crosstown rival David Villa of New York City FC went into Decision Day with one final opportunity to add to their goal tallies, and while both found the back of the net Sunday, it was the former who emerged triumphant in the end.

Wright-Phillips' goal against the Philadelphia Union - a cheeky and cleverly crafted chip effort - marked his 24th strike of the year and proved enough to secure his second MLS Golden Boot trophy.

It's an impressive figure, especially considering that Villa notched five of his 23 goals from penalties; all 24 of Wright-Phillips' goals came from open play.

2015 MLS Cup finalists crash out

For the first time in league history, the two MLS Cup finalists from the previous season both missed out in the postseason of the following year, as the Portland Timbers failed to clinch a playoff berth and join the eliminated Columbus Crew in their respective conference basements.

Not that either side deserved a spot in the 2016 after-party.

The Timbers crumbled to a 4-1 defeat away from home against the Vancouver Whitecaps - the team's seventh consecutive away loss - and simultaneously handed the Caps the 2016 Cascadia Cup. Columbus also lost 4-1 to New York City FC, leaving these two mighty teams licking their wounds in 2016.

Toronto FC set for historic home match

Win, lose, or draw, Toronto FC is now set to make history at BMO Field as hosts of a playoff match, the first in the franchise's decade-long history. Unfortunately, the match won't be a Conference Semi-Final, but rather, a Knockout Round fixture as NYCFC secured a second-place finish in the end.

Toronto FC did its job in dispatching the Chicago Fire 3-2 to round off the 2016 regular season, and finished the year with a franchise-high 53 points, too.

However, the Reds can look back at a miserable five-game stretch before this match and find the single point needed to earn a playoff first-round bye, a measly point that this side could rue if the Philadelphia Union best them on Oct. 26.

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