MLS Weekly Wrap Up: Zlatan is back

Toronto FC hit the field on Friday for the first match of the week and had an incredible game. They played such good soccer you may have ignored the rest of the games around the league. Here’s what you missed while celebrating that big 4-0 win.

Saturday

Chicago Fire 1-0 New York Red Bulls

A somewhat boring game with a positive result for Chicago Fire, who didn’t actually score their own goal. The New York Red Bulls gave Chicago a gift when Tim Parker tipped the ball in the net. The own goal was scored at 48’ and that was all that happened in this match.

New England Revolution 2-1 Minnesota United

Minnesota United suffered their second straight loss, both within a goal. The New England Revolution struck first with a goal from Jalil Anibaba early on (10’). Darwin Quintero scored an equalizer on a penalty shortly after (26’). Brandon Bye came back in the second half (62’) to secure a New England victory.

Sporting Kansas City 7-1 Montreal Impact

There were a few high scoring games this weekend, but the biggest one resulted in a Montreal Impact loss, so that’s cool. Sporting KC went crazy against the Impact; Johnny Russell scored two (10’, 50’). Krisztian Nemeth had himself a hat trick, scoring at 43’, 68’, and 84’. Felipe Gutierrez (45+2’) and Gianluca Busio (78’) had a goal each. The lone Montreal goal was scored by Saphir Taider at 89’.

San Jose Earthquakes 0-5 Los Angeles Football Club

Another high scoring game came at the expense of the San Jose Earthquakes, who have yet to find a win this season. LAFC scored five unanswered goals. Carlos Vela netted a hat trick (8’, 45+3’, and 66’). The other two goals came off the boots of Steven Beitashour (26’) and Diego Rossi (68’).

FC Cincinnati 0-2 Philadelphia Union

The Philadelphia Union kept their win streak alive while snapping FC Cincinnati’s. The two Philadelphia goals came within ten minutes of each other. Marco Fabian scored first at the 47th minute, followed shortly by David Accam’s shot at 58’.

Columbus Crew SC 2-0 Atlanta United

Atlanta United were shut out this weekend by a Columbus Crew team that were looking to bounce back after a loss. Pedro Santos kicked things off, scoring the first goal of the match two minutes in. The final goal would come in the first half as well, scored by Gyasi Zardes at 39’. Although the heavy rain delayed the match, league officials eventually (controversially) decided to allow it to be played on an extremely water-logged pitch.

Real Salt Lake 2-4 FC Dallas

You thought that Columbus goal came quickly? FC Dallas’ Carlos Gruezo scored at 1’ exactly. Real Salt Lake’s Damir Kreilach would be shown a red card at 17’. Jefferson Savarino then tied it up at 31’. FC Dallas quickly responded with a goal from Paxton Pomykal at 32’. He would score his second at 64’, which Real Salt Lake would respond to quickly themselves. Marcelo Silva found the net at 66’. Jesus Ferreira gave Dallas the win with his goal at 69’.

Colorado Rapids 1-4 Houston Dynamo

This game was an absolute disaster for the Colorado Rapids. The Houston Dynamo got on the board first when Memo Rodriguez scored at 4’. Colorado would go on to give Houston two own goals, one at 15’ and another at 34’. I’m not sure I remember a match that had two own goals in such a short time frame and things just continued to go downhill for Colorado. Houston scored again with a shot from Alberth Elis at 67’. The Rapids regained composure and got on the scoreboard with a goal from Kei Kamara at 81’ on a penalty shot. Colorado would seal their coffin with a red card given to Tommy Smith at 89’. Man, what a match!

Vancouver Whitecaps 0-0 Seattle Sounders

The final game on Saturday went scoreless between the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Seattle Sounders. Seattle outshot the Whitecaps 14 to 12, but each team only put three decent shots on net apiece. Seattle also controlled possession and had better pass accuracy, but couldn’t find the net. This one was pretty uneventful, especially when compared to some of the chaos that went down this weekend.

Sunday

Orlando City 1-2 D.C. United

Wayne Rooney struck again for D.C. United, securing them a victory over Orlando City. Steven Birnbaum got D.C. on the board first, netting one at 6’. Rooney’s goal came at the 30th minute. Dom Dwyer scored for Orlando at 63’, but D.C. had it in the bag.

LA Galaxy 2-1 Portland Timbers

LA Galaxy are now undefeated at home after Sunday’s win. Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned to the pitch and scored not one, but two goals for the Galaxy. He netted his first on a penalty shot at 33’. Jeremy Ebobisse tied it up for the Portland Timbers at 44’. Zlatan was given another penalty opportunity and struck one home again. The final penalty goal came at 65’.