MLS Matchday 33 Recap: Hats off for Sharp, St. Louis clinch and more!
A busy day of midweek action provided drama aplenty across Major League Soccer. From heartbreak to sealing a playoff berth, here’s our recap of all of Wednesday’s action.
CF Montréal 1-1 FC Cincinnati
Kwadwo Opoku scored one of the goals of the round, but Lucho Acosta’s stoppage time equalizer was enough to snatch a point for the visitors, who retained top spot in the Eastern Conference. Montréal, meanwhile, still have work to do to qualify for the playoff, as they currently are in ninth place.
Inter Miami CF 4-0 Toronto FC
The Leagues Cup champions lost Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba to injury in the first half, but Robert Taylor, on for the Argentine, scored a brace and set up Benjamin Cremaschi in a comprehensive win. Miami crucially now control their own destiny, while Toronto are all but eliminated from playoff contention.
Charlotte FC 2-2 Philadelphia Union
The hosts blew a vital chance to move closer to the playoff places, letting a two-goal lead slip at home. Philadelphia will be happy with the point in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race.
New York City FC 2-0 Orlando City
Nick Cushing’s side shook off a penalty save from Pedro Gallese to get a surprising win over visiting Orlando, who remained second. NYCFC, for their part, moved within two points of D.C. United in ninth place.
New York Red Bulls 1-1 Austin FC
Austin shook off an early own goal from Emi Rigoni to earn an important point as they hoped to stay in contention in the Western Conference as Sébastian Driussi struck an equalizer just before halftime.
D.C. United 1-1 Atlanta United
The visitors, fresh off thumping Miami at the weekend, turned in a more muted performance in the nation’s capital. Saba Lobjanidze scored in a rare start, but Gabriel Pirani struck ten minutes from time to rescue a point for the hosts.
Columbus Crew 3-0 Chicago Fire FC
Cucho Hernández’s first half hat trick included two penalties, and it was more than enough for the Crew to get another win, burnishing what’s been the second-best record at home in the Eastern Conference.
St. Louis CITY SC 0-0 Los Angeles Football Club
Roman Bürki made two saves, including denying Giorgio Chiellini an overhead kick, and Maxime Crépeau had four for the visitors as a clash between the top two sides in the Western Conference ended goalless.
Sporting Kansas City 0-3 Nashville SC
League-leading scorer Hany Mukhtar was at it again, scoring and setting up Jack Maher as the Leagues Cup finalists earned a comprehensive win in Kansas City.
Houston Dynamo FC 4-1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Houston warmed up for next week’s U.S. Open Cup final with a fine victory to end the Whitecaps’ four-match unbeaten run.
Real Salt Lake 1-3 FC Dallas
Jesús Ferreira’s brace helped power the visitors to a vital win over RSL, who have now lost four of five. Dallas snapped a four-match winless run, and moved to within two points of the playoff spots.
Colorado Rapids 1-2 Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle took advantage of LAFC’s draw in St. Louis to move into second place in the Western Conference, beating bottom side Colorado.
Portland Timbers FC 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes
Former U.S. international Matthew Hoppe scored for San Jose but it wasn’t enough to prevent them from losing to the surging Timbers, who have four wins from five and are just a point off the top seven.
LA Galaxy 4-3 Minnesota United FC
Billy Sharp continued his strong form for LA – the Englishman now has six goals in as many appearances – with a hat trick as the hosts came back from a 3-1 deficit over Minnesota, who finished with ten men.
