Matchday 25 in Major League Soccer saw some big results with just one more round of matches before Leagues Cup 2023. Both of the conference leaders were in action, with contrasting results, while two of the league’s form teams – Chicago and Real Salt Lake – continued to climb the standings.
New England Revolution 2-1 Atlanta United FC
Djordje Petrovic had ten saves and Giacomo Vrioni scored in a rare start as New England took advantage of a rare loss by Nashville SC to move into second place. The visitors dominated possession and more chances, but were only be able to score through Machop Chol in added time.
New York Red Bulls 1-2 FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati shook off a three-match winless run in style by getting the better of New York Red Bulls on the road. Recently named captain of the MLS All-Stars, Luciano Acosta scored from the penalty spot before Obinna Nwobodo struck a winner in added time.
Houston Dynamo FC 0-3 Minnesota United FC
Teemu Pukki marked his first start in MLS with a goal as Minnesota notched a rare road win. Houston started strong, and Amine Bassi hit the woodwork, but the hosts ultimately had no answer for a team who have been one of the league’s best on the road this season.
Sporting Kansas City 2-2 Real Salt Lake
Johnny Russell scored and set up Dániell Sallói in the span of six minutes in the first half, but Real Salt Lake battled back to extend their unbeaten run to eight games. Chicho Arango came off the bench with an assist, and fellow substitute Anderson Julio struck the equalizer twenty minutes from time.
Nashville SC 0-2 Philadelphia Union
In a feisty affair that saw the hosts finish with nine men, Philadelphia had a pair of penalties from Dániel Gazdag to hand Nashville just their second home loss of the season. Nashville have now lost four of five, while the win allows the Union to pull within a point of their opponents.
Colorado Rapids 0-0 Portland Timbers
Franck Boli struck the woodwork, but neither side would come any closer to a goal as these two sides struggled to shake off their respective slumps.
Chicago Fire FC 3-0 CF Montréal
Chicago opened up the throttle in a big way against CF Montréal, getting their fourth win in five matches in style at home. Xherdan Shaqiri and Maren Haile-Selassie each had a goal and an assist, while Chris Brady added four saves, the win seeing the hosts move into the play-in positions.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-1 Austin FC
Pedro Vite scored virtually from kickoff, but Austin would battle back to level the match through Rodney Redes. Sergio Córdova would come off the bench with the winner, though, allowing the ‘Caps to move to within a point of the evening’s opponents.
Los Angeles Football Club 3-0 St. Louis CITY SC
José Cifuentes scored and added an assist as LAFC scored three times in the space of twenty second half minutes to get a big win over Western Conference leaders St. Louis. With the win, LA moves ahead of Seattle and to within just two points of the expansion side.
San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 Seattle Sounders FC
Cristian Espinoza continues to state his case as an MVP candidate this season, scoring a penalty and setting up Miguel Trauco. The Argentine now has 11 goals and five assists on the season as San Jose moved ahead of Austin FC and into fifth place.
