MLS Weekly Wrap Up: Atlanta United shine, Seattle Sounders stumble

We’re already three weeks into the season and things are heating up across the table. Though they were off this week, expansion team Los Angeles FC continues to hold dominance in the West while usual giants Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers sit in the bottom. New York City FC won their third straight game, and Toronto FC haven’t found their groove yet, sitting in last place in the East. Here are the highs and lows of this weekend’s matches.

Saturday:

D.C. United 2-2 Houston Dynamo

Although D.C. United maintained 61% possession, both they and the Houston Dynamo had 12 shots, two of which found the back of the net for each. Houston had two goals within a minute of each other. Alberth Elis put the first on the board at 30’, and teammate Mauro Manotas scored at 31’. D.C. responded with a goal from Darren Mattocks (50’). Luciano Acosta scored a last-ditch equalizer for D.C. at 90+7’, and the game ended in a draw.

Minnesota United 2-1 Chicago Fire

Another evenly matched game on Saturday. Minnesota United and the Chicago Fire each had 11 shots, with five of them on target. Minnesota struck first with a goal from Ibson (55’). Elliott Collier responded for Chicago with a goal at 59’. Sam Nicholson had the game-winner for Minnesota at 66’.

Philadelphia Union 0-0 Columbus Crew SC

A rather uneventful game in Philly this weekend. Neither team was able to find the net at Talen Energy Stadium. Columbus maintained 52% possession but only had three shots on target. Philadelphia also only had three shots on target and 48% possession. Each team had two yellow cards apiece.

Montreal Impact 1-0 Toronto FC

I really don’t want to talk about this, but I guess I have to. The Reds fell short this weekend to rivals Montreal Impact. Despite Toronto maintaining 63% of possession, they just couldn’t capitalise on the net. Both teams had 14 shots each, with only three of Montreal’s on target to Toronto’s five. Montreal had a total of FIVE yellow cards. This was a frustrating one for Toronto fans for sure. Jeisson Vargas had the lone Montreal goal (41’).

New York City FC 2-0 Orlando City

New York continued their dominance this weekend at home against Orlando. They had ten shots, two of which led to goals. They also had 60% possession. Ismael Tajouri scored the first goal at the 62nd minute, and Maxi Moralez had his second goal of the season (74’) giving NYCFC the win.

Atlanta United 4-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

Atlanta got their second straight win against Vancouver at home this weekend. They had 21 shots to Vancouver’s five. They dominated the game, holdin 73% possession. Josef Martinez had a hat trick, scoring at 15’ on a penalty, 60’, and 88’. The only one not scored by Martinez was an own goal by Vancouver’s Aaron Maund. Erik Hurtado had the lone Vancouver goal (85’). Vancouver’s Kendall Waston was sent off at 13’, leading to Martinez’s 15’ penalty goal.

Sporting Kansas City 3-2 San Jose Earthquakes

Sporting KC had 61% possession when San Jose came to town. The game was fairly evenly matched; Sporting had 13 shots goal while the Quakes had 11. Ilie Sanchez struck first for Sporting (25’). Valeri Qazaishvili responded for San Jose shortly after (34’), but Graham Zusi (56’) and Felipe Gutierrez (68’) also had goals for Sporting. Chris Wondolowski scored in extra time (90+1’), but it wasn’t enough. Sporting KC took the W.

Real Salt Lake 1-0 New York Red Bulls

Real Salt Lake took six shots, while NY Red Bulls had nine with 60% possession. The Red Bulls struggled, and couldn’t find the back of the net. Real Salt Lake capitalized on a penalty; Albert Rusnak had the lone goal early in the game at 4’.

Sunday:

FC Dallas 3-0 Seattle Sounders

The lone Sunday game this week was certainly an eventful one. Seattle’s Clint Dempsey got shown the red card early in the game (37’) which was certainly a factor in their demise. FC Dallas’ Roland Lamah had two goals (20’ and 63’), and former TFC player Maximiliano Urruti had the third and final goal at 58’.

Here’s what the table currently looks like, through three weeks of play (via Soccerway)

Be sure to leave your thoughts on this week’s matches in the comments below!