While this round may have lacked some of the spice of the rivalries of the previous matchday, Major League Soccer had no shortage of drama or excitement, and even saved the best for last in that regard, with Atlanta keeping up the pressure in the Eastern Conference with a late winner. Read on for our recap of Matchday 9 in MLS...
CF Montréal 2-0 New York Red Bulls
The hosts survived a sending off to record just their second win of the season. Mathieu Choinière scored the hosts’ second in injury time to leave New York winless on the road and three points off the playoff spots.
Charlotte FC 1-0 Columbus Crew
In one of the shock results of the weekend, Karol Swiderski’s goal made the difference as the in-form Crew were stymied in Charlotte. The hosts have now lost just once in six, shaking off a tough start to the season.
FC Cincinnati 2-1 Portland Timbers
The hosts raced out to a 2-0 lead through Sérgio Santos and Brandon Vázquez and held on despite a consolation from Dairon Asprilla. Despite the draw, Pat Noonan’s side remain level on points with New England atop the Eastern Conference.
New England Revolution 2-1 Sporting Kansas City
A brace from Giacomo Vrioni was all the hosts needed against hapless Sporting Kansas City, who are now the league’s only winless team. With the win, the Revs are now level with Cincinnati on 20 points, good for first place in the Eastern Conference.
New York City FC 3-1 FC Dallas
The hosts’ uneven start to the city came to an end with a commanding win over FC Dallas. Santi Rodríguez hit a brace before Talles Magno added a third, the win lifting the hosts into fourth place.
Orlando City SC 1-3 D.C. United
Wayne Rooney’s side continued their strong away form with a vital win in Orlando. Goals from Taxi Fountas, Donovan Pines and Christian Benteke were enough to seal the result, the win edging D.C. ahead of Orlando and into eighth place.
Philadelphia Union 4-2 Toronto FC
The return of Lorenzo Insigne was of little use for the visitors, as a hat trick from Mikael Uhre was more than enough to power the hosts past Toronto, who saw a six-match unbeaten run halted.
Houston Dynamo 1-0 Inter Miami CF
Houston continued their perfect start to the season at home with Daniel Steres’ second half goal the difference between the two sides. With four wins from four and no goals conceded, only LAFC have a better record at home in Major League Soccer ahead of next weekend’s visit from Real Salt Lake.
Nashville SC 1-1 LAFC
A battle between two of the league’s top sides saw the spoils shared as reigning MVP Hany Mukhtar’s first half goal was canceled out by Dénis Bouanga. The LAFC attacker now has seven goals on the season as his side remain unbeaten and a point off top spot in the Western Conference.
Colorado Rapids 1-1 St. Louis City SC
Roman Bürki made twelve saves to keep the visitors level with Seattle atop the Western Conference. Colorado needed a late equalizer from Michael Barrios to keep their unbeaten run alive at five matches.
Real Salt Lake 3-1 San José Earthquakes
A stunner from Jefferson Savarino was the pick of the hosts’ three goals as they notched their first home win of the season. Cristian Espinoza scored his sixth of the season, but the ‘Quakes were unable to build on it as they remain winless on their travels.
LA Galaxy 2-0 Austin FC
The Galaxy are finally off the mark with a superb finish from Javier Hernández early in the second half and another goal from Riqui Puig. Austin continue to reel following their Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League elimination – Josh Wolff’s side is now five games without a win in MLS.
Seattle Sounders 1-0 Minnesota United
The hosts were able to knock off a resolute Minnesota side thanks to a second-half goal from Albert Rusnák, his first of the season. The win helps the Sounders stay level with St. Louis City SC atop the Western Conference before their trip to Real Salt Lake this weekend.
Atlanta FC 2-1 Chicago Fire
The visitors thought they had snatched a point thanks to Kacper Przbylko, but a late own goal turned the tide for the hosts. Giorgos Giakoumakis scored for the fourth game in a row for the hosts, who remain two points off the top in the Eastern Conference.
