It was a busy weekend again in Major League Soccer, as 13 games were played out across Saturday and Sunday. FC Dallas’ matchup against St. Louis City SC was postponed due to weather, but the other 26 teams in action provided us with plenty of thrills.
Charlotte FC 3-2 New York City FC
Enzo Copetti notched a double for the hosts in the first half before NYCFC battled back to level the match at two-all. However, an own goal from Richy Ledezma allowed the hosts to pick up the win and move off the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
FC Cincinnati 2-1 D.C. United
A stoppage-time goal from Taxi Fountas made for some jangling nerves for the hosts, but they were able to hold on for the win to stay top of the Eastern Conference, with Luciano Acosta and Alvaro Barreal netting the goals.
Inter Miami CF 2-1 Atlanta United
Josef Martínez opened his account for the hosts, scoring a brace off the bench against his former side. Inter Miami now have three wins in a row in all competitions as they prepare to take on leaders New England next weekend.
New York Red Bulls 0-1 Philadelphia Union
Daniel Gazdag scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot as Philadelphia won their second straight match, shaking off their Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League elimination in midweek.
San José Earthquakes 2-1 Los Angeles FC
Cristian Espinoza’s brace saw him become the league’s leading scorer as the hosts handed LAFC their first loss of the season. Dénis Bouanga kept pace with Espinoza with a goal of his own, but it wasn’t enough for the visitors to earn a result.
Toronto FC 0-2 New England Revolution
The Revs’ trip north of the border resulted in another win, despite the absences of Dylan Borreo and Gustavo Bou. Bobby Wood led the line, the veteran netting the opener before DeJuan Jones sealed the result in the second half.
CF Montréal 2-0 Orlando City SC
The hosts rode an own goal and another from Romell Quioto to their third straight win, the longest active streak in the league. Ahead of a pair of matches against derby rivals Toronto FC, Hernán Losada’s side are rounding into form in impressive fashion.
Houston Dynamo 0-0 Real Salt Lake
It was honors even in Texas as the hosts kept their four-match unbeaten run alive. Houston now have the league’s second-best defence, after Nashville, and look as dangerous a side as any in the league.
Nashville SC 3-0 Chicago Fire
Hany Mukhtar’s hat trick was all the hosts needed to move into third place in the Eastern Conference. The reigning league MVP struck twice from the penalty spot before adding a third from open play in stoppage time as Nashville continued their good run.
LA Galaxy 1-3 Colorado Rapids
The Rapids had one of the league’s poorest attacks ahead of the weekend, but woke up in a big way on their trip to Los Angeles. They scored three goals without reply, with the hosts nicking a consolation just before the full-time whistle.
Portland Timbers 2-2 Austin FC
Neither of these sides has been at their best this season, but that didn’t stop them from delivering one of the weekend’s best matches. Veteran Will Bruin notched a fine equalizer off the bench for his first goal for Austin, after the hosts had twice taken the lead.
Vancouver Whitecaps 3-2 Minnesota United
The ‘Caps streak of not conceding is over, but not their unbeaten run. A double from Brian White was enough to keep the hosts’ noses ahead of the Loons, who remain winless in five.
Seattle Sounders FC 1-2 Sporting Kansas City
Sunday’s only match saw a shock result as Alan Pulido scored his first goal of the season in Seattle. The Sounders retained first place thanks to other results, but SKC’s first win of the season was a special result, and could foreshadow more to come from Peter Vermes’ side as they round into fitness.
