Major League Soccer handed us a staggering 14 games on Saturday night, and plenty went down across the United States.
What happened?
Talk about upsets!
Supporters’ Shield leaders FC Cincinnati lost 3-1 at home against an impressive Charlotte FC side. A missed penalty and red card compounded their nightmares.
They weren’t the only giants to tumble, either. FC Dallas beat LA Galaxy 2-0 and Portland Timbers blasted three past Real Salt Lake. Then, in shocking fashion, nine-man LAFC were handed a thumping 5-1 loss by 10-man Columbus Crew.
#LAGalaxy, #LAFC and Real Salt Lake began the night tied on 43 points in the West and they’re still tied because they all lost tonight
— Damian Calhoun (@DamianCalhoun) July 14, 2024
Looking at the Canadian cohort, Toronto FC finally returned to winning ways over Philadelphia (2-1) while Montréal beat 10-man Atlanta United 1-0 and Vancouver thumped St. Louis City 4-1 on the road.
Elsewhere, Orlando City beat New England 3-1, D.C. United defeated Nashville 2-1, Seattle survived 1-0 against 10-man Austin and Sporting KC beat San Jose 2-1.
The teams that split the points were Chicago and New York City (0-0), Houston and Minnesota (1-1), and Colorado and the NY Red Bulls (1-1).
Moments of the night
It could have been oh-so different if goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina hadn’t denied Luciano Acosta from the spot.
A super strike from Cristian Dájome helped secure a brace for D.C. United and all three points to move further away from the bottom.
Then, we must include the goal of the matchday from Cucho Hernández. What. A. Goal!
Stats of the night
Midfielder Facundo Torres moved closer to cementing his status as an Orlando City legend with 49 goal contributions.
Thanks to his three assists, Westwood was the magician Charlotte needed to cause one of the biggest upsets of the matchday.
With three assists on the night against the Supporters’ Shield-leading FC Cincinnati, Ashley Westwood became the first player in @CharlotteFC history to record a trio of assists in a single regular season game. pic.twitter.com/ele0C0Ojwk
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) July 14, 2024
Brian White’s surge in form also continues to steer the Whitecaps north! He’s now scored in four games in a row.
With his first-half brace tonight, @WhitecapsFC forward Brian White is the first player in club history to score in four consecutive MLS regular season games twice in a single season. pic.twitter.com/jkiM6CiLJA
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) July 14, 2024
Then finally, Hernández hit 20 goal contributions in yet another season with that brilliance against LAFC.
Cucho Hernández (2023-24) joined Jeff Cunningham (2001-02) and Stern John (1998-99) as the only @ColumbusCrew players to record at least 20 goal contributions in consecutive seasons with his goal and assist against LAFC tonight. pic.twitter.com/KvgWn58S0Y
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) July 14, 2024
What this means
It doesn’t change the tables too much, but it sure keeps things interesting!
Cincinnati remains top in the East, but now only with a one-point lead. The Crew is six points back in third with two games in hand. Further down, Orlando sits seventh, while Toronto (eighth) and Montréal (10th) look to represent Canada in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Philadelphia Union currently occupies the bottom.
All three West leaders failed to earn three points and remain tied on 43. Portland (fifth) and Vancouver (sixth) continue creeping up the table. FC Dallas could make a push for a play-off spot now, while San Jose remains bottom of the table.
What comes next
We have another 14 games slated for Wednesday; buckle up!
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