MLS Monday: Everything you need to know about the weekend’s games

The international break made it a quiet weekend for MLS with only three games played— that’s more than enough for MLS Monday, the weekly feature that covers one of North America’s two biggest leagues.

Charlotte FC 2 - 0 FC Cincinnati

Nobody had much time to settle into the game, as Charlotte’s Karol Swiderski scored in just the 6th minute. Little happened until the 55th minute, when Swiderski scored a golazo to make it 2-0 Charlotte. (See Goal of the Week, below.) That's Swiderski’s second brace in as many games.

Sporting Kansas City 1 - 0 Real Salt Lake

Salt Lake City nearly had a 6th-minute goal, but a Save of the Week by Kansas City keeper Tim Melia kept the ball out of the net. There were multiple chances for each team, but nobody could provide the finish until the 81st minute, when Kansas City's Johnny Russel scored what was the winning goal.

Portland Timbers 1 - 1 Orlando City SC

A not-exciting first half: Portland had more possession, but Orlando had more shots on goal. Early into the second half, 33-year-old Junior Urso scored for Orlando to give them the lead. Portland went down a player in the 76th minute when Jose Van Rankin received a second yellow card and was sent off the field, but the Timbers were thrown a lifeline in the 80th minute when they earned a penalty. Christian Paredes converted to even the game.

The Timbers are languishing in sixth place in the Western Conference with six points, while Orlando is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with eight points, just two points behind first-place Philadelphia Union.

Goal of the Week

Karol Swidersk’s second goal for Charlotte FC was a howitzer of a free kick from outside the box:

MLS scoreboard for the March International Break

Saturday, March 26

Charlotte FC 2 - 0 FC Cincinnati

Sporting Kansas City 1 - 0 Real Salt Lake

Sunday, March 27

Portland Timbers 1 - 1 Orlando City SC