With the Major League Soccer season two weeks from its end, we were treated to another exciting round of action on Saturday. Several sides sealed a place in the MLS Cup Playoffs, and we had one of the standout performances of the season as Teemu Pukki netted four times for Minnesota. Read on to look back on all the weekend’s action.
Atlanta United 1-1 Columbus Crew
A matchup between two sides who have already punched their playoff tickets saw the hosts leave it late. Cucho Hernández scored his fifteenth goal of the season, but Atlanta snatched a point in the sixth minute of stoppage time as Thiago Almada set up Miles Robinson for a late equalizer.
Orlando City 3-2 New England Revolution
Surging Orlando won their third straight to secure second place in the Eastern Conference. Iván Angulo had a goal and an assist as the hosts overcame a brace for Carles Gil and a spirited performance from the Revs.
Inter Miami CF 0-1 FC Cincinnati
The return of Lionel Messi in the second half wasn’t enough to prevent Miami from losing at home to Supporters’ Shield winners Cincinnati. Benjamin Cremaschi and Josef Martínez both hit the woodwork, but Álvaro Barreal scored the game’s only goal late on.
D.C. United 2-0 New York City FC
In what proved to be Wayne Rooney’s final match in charge, the Englishman having joined Birmingham City, United got a win which keeps them alive in the playoff race pending next week’s matches.
CF Montréal 4-1 Portland Timbers
Montréal pulled off what was one of the shock results of the weekend with a comprehensive win over a Portland side who had been in strong form. With one match to play, the Canadian side now occupy one of the two play-in spots ahead of their trip to Columbus to end the season.
New York Red Bulls 3-0 Toronto FC
The Red Bulls don’t control their own destiny, but their impressive victory over Toronto – thanks to a brace from Luquinhas – helped them move level with D.C. United in ninth place.
Philadelphia Union 0-0 Nashville SC
Stymied by the league’s best defence at home, the Union saw their hopes of overtaking Orlando for second place ended as Joe Willis made five saves to lead Nashville.
Minnesota United 5-2 LA Galaxy
Teemu Pukki made it ten goals in just thirteen appearances for the hosts by scoring four times in the space of half an hour. Minnesota remain a point off the play-in places, but will face Sporting Kansas City in their final match in a de facto elimination match.
Chicago Fire FC 0-2 Charlotte FC
Ashley Westwood hit a stunning volley and Karol Swiderski scored his twelfth goal of the season to help visiting Charlotte continue to control their own destiny ahead of two matches against Miami to end the season.
Austin FC 2-4 Los Angeles Football Club
Dénis Bouanga continued his stunning form with a brace and an assist as LAFC moved ahead of Seattle and into second place.
Houston Dynamo FC 5-1 Colorado Rapids
In a tightly-packed Western Conference, Houston’s big win over bottom side Colorado helped them climb into fourth place following Vancouver and Real Salt Lake dropping points.
FC Dallas 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes
The hosts drew their fourth match in a row as Jáder Obrian canceled out an early strike from Jeremy Ebobisse to give Dallas a good chance at reaching the playoffs.
Real Salt Lake 2-3 Sporting Kansas City
The hosts put on a spirited display despite losing Justen Glad to a red card just three minutes into the match, but with goals from Alan Pulido, Erik Thommy and Johnny Russell, SKC have just about kept their playoff hopes alive.
Seattle Sounders FC 0-0 Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Yohei Takaoka made five saves as a vital point on the road helped Vancouver clinch a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
