MLS Weekly Wrap Up: LAFC are still undefeated

I don’t blame you if you swore off all MLS matches after that disappointing Toronto FC loss this weekend. In case you dropped the ball on your soccer viewing, I got you covered. Here’s how the league is looking as we say farewell to week five.

Friday

Chicago Fire 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

The first draw of the week came early between the Chicago Fire and Vancouver Whitecaps. Yordy Reyna gave Vancouver the lead with his goal at 53’. Chicago maintained possession and took 23 shots compared to Vancouver’s nine. Chicago were bound to get a goal and found it on a penalty shot from Nemanja Nikolic at 84’.

Saturday

Montreal Impact 1-0 Columbus Crew SC

Though Columbus controlled the ball more, the Montreal Impact took more shots and saw results from it. Harry Novillo scored the lone goal of the match at 55’.

Houston Dynamo 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes

The San Jose Earthquakes have lost the luck they had last week, falling short to the Houston Dynamo. Alberth Elis scored the first goal of the match at 52’, giving Houston the lead just after halftime. San Jose tied it up with a goal scored by Jackson Yueill shortly after at 56’. All three goals came quickly, as Houston’s Tomas Martinez found the net at 60’ for the winning goal. San Jose’s Marcos Lopez was shown a red card at 87’, but Houston couldn’t capitalize on the man advantage.

Minnesota United 3-3 New York City FC

Draw two of the week came between Minnesota United and NYCFC, but at least there were six goals scored. Four of those goals came early. The first scored by Minnesota’s Osvaldo Alonso at 13’. NYC FC would respond quickly, first from Valentin Castellanos at 16’, the second from Ismael Tajouri at 18’. Minnesota would tie it up by 20’ with a goal from Angelo Rodriguez. Minnesota would be given the lead from a NYC FC own goal scored by Sean Johnson at 32’. Tajouri would go on to find the net for his second of the match, scoring at 64’ and tying it up.

New England Revolution 0-2 Atlanta United

Atlanta United took home a win over the New England Revolution thanks to one man in particular. Ezequiel Barco had both of their goals. The first came at 29’. The second came just before half time at 49’. Like we’ve seen in earlier matches, ball possession doesn’t always matter. Atlanta United took more shots and reaped the benefits.

FC Dallas 2-1 Portland Timbers

FC Dallas came hot out the gate this weekend against the Portland Timbers. Jesus Ferreira had them up by one at the 9’ mark. Reto Ziegler boosted FC Dallas 2-0 with his goal on a penalty shot at 60’. Cirsthian Paredes got Portland on the board at 67’, but nothing more came of it.

Colorado Rapids 2-3 D.C. United

Old friends Wayne Rooney and Tim Howard hit the pitch against each other with their new clubs. The Colorado Rapids struck first thanks to Benny Feilhaber at 11’. Luciano Acosta got D.C. United at 35’ to tie it up. That didn’t last long, Chris Durkin brought United’s lead up 2-1 with his goal at 38’. Lucas Rodriguez made it 3-1 with his goal at 43’. Kei Kamara attempted to revive his team when he scored at 66’, the effort was futile.

Real Salt Lake 2-1 Orlando City

An early Sam Johnson goal put Real Salt Lake on the board at the 17’ mark. They would be up 2-0 by 55’, thanks to Damir Kreilach. Orlando City wouldn’t get on the board until new acquisition Nani found the back of the net at 81’. Orlando City maintained ball control and took more shots, but couldn’t finish this one off.

LAFC 2-0 FC Cincinnati

LAFC haven’t lost a match yet and maintained that record by taking down FC Cincinnati, the expansion team that’s not doing so bad! LAFC outshot them and controlled ball possession, FC Cincinnati didn’t stand a chance. The two goals were scored by Mark-Anthony Kaye (32’) and Carlos Vela (90+3).

LA Galaxy 2-0 Philadelphia Union

The other LA team also pulled off a win this weekend against the Philadelphia Union. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had both of the LA Galaxy goals. The first came at 27’, while the second came on a penalty shot. Philadelphia’s Auston Trusty was shown a red card at 76’, but the game was over at that point.

Sunday

Sporting KC 2-2 New York Red Bulls

Johnny Russell got Sporting KC on the board early with his goal at 24’. The New York Red Bulls would go on to dominate the match, netting goals at 52’ (Daniel Royer) and 75’ (Brian White). Sporting KC didn’t back down and it paid off. Gianluca Busio found the net at 88’ to tie it up. New York’s Alejandro Romero was shown a red card at 90+4’, but the game was over at that point.