MLS Weekly Wrap Up: Coaching changes as the season inches closer to the end

This weekend was a very positive one for Toronto FC, but a not so bright one for other teams. The San Jose Earthquakes fell short to Sporting Kansas City, leading to a change in coaching staff. Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted his career 500th goal, the LA Galaxy continue to struggle while coach Sigi Schmid steps down. Here’s how the league shaped up this weekend.

Saturday

Colorado Rapids 0-3 Atlanta United

Atlanta United continues to dominate, taking down the Colorado Rapids. Atlanta’s Miguel Almiron slipped two early goals past Tim Howard, the first at 10’ and the second at 18’. All three goals came early in the first half, the winner scored by Hector Daniel Villalba at 37’. Although Colorado took 18 shots while Atlanta only had 8, they couldn’t get anything past Brad Guzan.

Philadelphia Union 1-4 Montreal Impact

The Montreal Impact took down the Philadelphia Union this weekend. The Union started the match out strong with a goal from Auston Trusty at 11’, but that would be as good as it got for them. The Impact’s Alejandro Silva Gonzalez quickly responded, scoring his first goal of the match at 28’. Saphir Taider gave Montreal the lead with his goal at 39’. New acquisition Quincy Amarikwa got on the board at 63’. Gonzalez’s second goal would be the match winner at 76’.

FC Dallas 0-0 Columbus Crew SC

This match was a boring one. Neither FC Dallas nor Columbus Crew got on the board. FC Dallas had 10 shots, while Columbus had 16. Dallas controlled ball possession at 54%. There were only two yellow cards shown during this match, both given to Columbus. That was about it.

Houston Dynamo 4-1 Portland Timbers

The Portland Timbers suffered a loss at the hands of the Houston Dynamo this weekend. The first goal of the match went in Portland’s favour although they didn’t actually score it. Alejandro Fuenmayor scored an unfortunate own goal in the opening minutes of the match (9’). The Dynamo’s luck would change. Alberth Elis got the Dynamo on the board in a more favourable fashion at 32’. Mauro Manotas quickly responded, giving them the lead at 39’. He would score a second goal at 71’. Alejandro Fuenmayor would redeem himself with the final goal of the match at 81’.

Real Salt Lake 1-1 Minnesota United

Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United faced off on Saturday and the game ended in a draw. The two goals of the match were spaced out, one coming early, the other coming late. Real Salt Lake scored the opening goal of the match thanks to Damir Kreilach at 11’. Minnesota United weren’t going to go down without a fight, though, tying it up with a goal from Miguel Ibarra at 84’.

Vancouver Whitecaps 1-2 Seattle Sounders

Raul Ruidiaz would score both goals for the Seattle Sounders this weekend in their victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. He had the opening goal of the match at 21’. His second would come at 42’. The Whitecaps would attempt a comeback shortly thereafter with a goal from Kei Kamara in stoppage time in the first half (45+4’). The second half remained goalless. The Seattle Sounders are the Cascadia Cup champions! This was the Sounders’ 9th straight win.

Los Angles Football Club 1-1 New England Revolution

Yet another 1-1 draw this weekend. The dominant LAFC couldn’t land a win against the New England Revolution. Though they maintained ball possession at 58%, New England took more shots with 20, eight of them on target. Marco Urena had the opening goal of the match for LAFC at 52’. New England would tie it up at 82’ with a goal from Brandon Bye.

San Jose Earthquakes 1-5 Sporting KC

Sporting KC absolutely dominated the Earthquakes this weekend, which ultimately led to a coaching staff change for the Quakes. Felipe Gutierrez had the opening goal of the match at 18’. Gerso Fernandes would bring the Sporting lead to 2-0 with his first goal of the match at 23’. Ike Opara scored next at 42’, followed by Krisztian Nemeth at 67’. Danny Hoesen got San Jose on the board at 80’, but Sporting would put the nail in the coffin when Fernandes scored his second goal of the match at 86’. On September 17, the Earthquakes announced they had cut ties with head coach Mikael Stahre and assistant coach Alex de Crook. Assistant coach Steve Ralston will take over as head coach for the remaining six games of the season.

Sunday

D.C. United 3-3 New York Red Bulls

D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls had a fun back and forth match this weekend. Paul Arriola had the first goal of the match at 25’. Bradley Wright-Phillips had all three of the goals for the Red Bulls, his first at 41’. Wayne Rooney gave D.C. the lead back at 64’, but Wright-Phillips responded with his second goal at 76’. Luciano Acosta thought he had sealed a D.C. United victory with his goal at 87’, but Wright-Phillips wasn’t done yet. He completed his hat trick at 90’.

Chicago Fire 4-0 Orlando City

Chicago Fire put on a show for their home crowd this weekend against Orlando City. Nemanja Nikolic scored his first goal of the match within the opening minutes (3’). Aleksandar Katai brought their lead to 2-0 at 28’. Michael de Leeuw scored at 56’. Nikolic’s second goal was the final of the match at 70’.

Here’s how the table looks with six games to go, courtesy of MLSsoccer.com.