3M: Ant-Man and the crowded western ceiling run the weekend.

Toronto’s Greg Vanney used terms like “crazy” and “hectic” in a ESPN match that scored eight goals despite both teams playing without two of the designated players.

And he’s right!

Still, the scorching 4-4 affair could have–heck, should’ve been even more. Referee Ted Unkel set an MLS-record when he issued four penalties, and only two were converted.

With NYCFC up 2-0, Sebastian Giovinco missed one of those penalties, striking the left post.

The next nine minutes though, Giovinco was simply sublime.

Jul 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York City FC forward David Villa (7) celebrates with teammates after scoring a first half goal against Toronto FC at Yankee Stadium. NYCFC and Toronto FC played to a 4-4 draw. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

He successfully converted 34th-minute penalty (this time just inside the right post). Six minutes later, Giovinco sent home a brilliant back-heel pass from Jackson. And followed up with a chip in the 43rd with which Giovinco became the first player in TFC history to record a hat trick.

Giovinco’s three-goals in a nine-minute span are tied for the third fastest hat trick in MLS history and two other players have scored three faster.

Yet, the win eluded Toronto who despite scoring four goals on the road, were forced to split the points with NYCFC.

Meanwhile, it’s getting crowded at the top of the Western Conference.

Seattle has been feeling the blues. With Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey missing, their offense has been MIA. The normally high octane offense has scored a feeble two goals over the course of five games, including Saturday’s loss in Chicago.

With Seattle bleeding points, there was ample opportunity for Seattle’s Cascadia rivals to take the lead.

Jul 12, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Whitecaps defender Kendall Watson (4) exchanges words with Sporting KC forward Dom Dwyer (14) during the first half at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland could have wrested the top spot in the Western Conference with a win over Philadelphia. The Union not only have never beaten Portland, but entering the match Philadelphia had fewer wins this season (5) than the Timbers have had in the last seven games (6).

It was not to be as the Union ran out a 3-0 win against a Timbers side using what coach Caleb Ported called, “a depleted roster.” The Timbers were without some of their regulars and had three players making their season debut on Saturday.

Vancouver meanwhile was tied on points with Seattle at 32. Even a draw would put them on top as they returned to play at home for the first time in six week to take on Sporting Kansas City.

Sporting was defensively sound and was able to make Kevin Ellis’s goal stand up as Tim Melia preserved a shutout with six saves.

Sporting, with the win, now have thirty points and are above the red-line. Over the last three years, the final Western conference berth with won with 43, 51, and 50 points. Just over the midway point, the lowest seeded team is well over halfway there.

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Ahead of Sporting are the Galaxy who were stagnant only playing a friendly (but hey Stevie G made his Galaxy debut!). With their win over Orlando City, FC Dallas also got to 32.

In fact, the top six teams are separated by two whole points. Meanwhile, losses by Real Salt Lake (to Colorado) and San Jose (Houston) entrenched them (at least temporarily) below the red line.

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