MLS returned to action on Saturday with another packed schedule of matches, with rivalries taking center stage.
what happened
Portland Timbers defender Miguel Araujo (2) and LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig (10) compete for the ball during an MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, USA on July 20, 2024. Credit: Kelvin Kuo – USA Today Sports
The Eastern Conference continued to be full of drama as leaders Inter Miami maintained their three points lead with a 2-1 win over Chicago Fire, thanks to a strong performance from Jordi Alba.
Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati’s nightmare continues as they stumbled for the third straight game, losing 3-1 to the New York Red Bulls.
Philadelphia Union scored three goals against Nashville with a hat trick, Columbus lost away to Atlanta United (2-1) and in Canada, Toronto beat Montreal 1-0.
In the Western Conference, Minnesota United beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0, but there was some confusion late in the game.
LAFC shut out Seattle 3-0, Vancouver lost 4-3 to the Houston Dynamo without injured Ryan Gauld, Riqui Puig helped the LA Galaxy hold on to beat Portland 3-2, and then a late Cole Bassett penalty helped the Colorado Rapids beat Real Salt Lake 3-2.
The teams that shared the points were Orlando City and New York City (1-1), New England and FC Dallas (1-1), Sporting Kansas City and St. Louis (1-1) and Austin and Charlotte (2-2).
Tonight’s Stats
One of the shocks of the night came inside the fortress that is Red Bull Arena.
After beating FC Cincinnati 3-1 tonight, New York Red Bulls The team’s unbeaten home streak since the start of a season (12 games) is now the second longest in the club’s history (13 games in 2012).
Only the Red Bulls remain @MLS The team is unbeaten at home this season (7-0-5). pic.twitter.com/s2Rb3PJ18H
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) July 21, 2024
Tonight’s Player
Hat-trick hero Daniel Gazdag demolished the Nashville defense to earn the honor.
The 28-year-old attacking midfielder has 14 goals and one assist in 20 MLS games this season.
He became just the second player in Union history to reach 80 goals, joining Sébastien Le Toux (100).
What this means
Commerce City, Colorado, USA, July 20, 2024. Real Salt Lake forward Carlos Andres Gomez (11) celebrates after scoring during the second half of a game against the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
NYRB is coming off a major upset over No. 2 Cincinnati for the biggest win in the East, and while a two-game losing streak isn’t typical for Columbus, with two games remaining the Crew could eventually catch up with first-place Inter Miami.
Meanwhile, Toronto is in the playoff final series after two wins over Montreal this season, while New England is in last place.
Meanwhile in the West, the Galaxy have won consecutive games to move into first and second place in the Supporters’ Shield race, while rivals LAFC recorded their first league win since the Fourth of July.
RSL were the biggest losers, dropping further down the Supporters’ Shield ladder, dropping points from three straight games, while Houston and Minnesota now have three vital points to secure playoff spots, while San Jose remain bottom of the table.
What’s next?
Let’s take a break from MLS action and focus on the League Cup, which resumes on August 24th.
Feature Image Credit: Sam Navarro – USA TODAY Sports
