MLS Tuesday: Everything you need to know about Matchweek 18

MLS had a full dance card over the holiday weekend: LAFC stumbled but remain on top of the table, while New Jersey turn winning dirty into an art form and take over first place in the East. New York City FC are still looking for their first win under interim head coach Nick Cushing — a discussion for another time.

Top Games

Toronto FC 0 - 2 Seattle Sounders
A “heavily rotated” Seattle Sounders put up a clinical road win against a Toronto FC still waiting to field Lorenzo Insigne. Will the marquee signing of the 2022 season come through for Bob Bradley’s underperforming Toronto FC? The benchwarmers certainly came through for Brian Schmetzer’s Sounders: Seattle ceded possession but was ruthless and professional in front of goal. These Sounders are deep — hard to see another club’s youth prospects put up a performance like this one.

Vancouver Whitecaps 1 - 0 LAFC
MLS is wilding: LAFC might still be the oddsmaker’s favorite to win the MLS Cup and are in pole position to win the Supporters’ Shield, but they couldn’t manage a goal on the plastic grass at BC Palace in Vancouver. But Whitecaps midfielder Adrián Cubas snuck in an 89’ goal to steal the win — it was the 26-year-old’s first goal in four appearances for Vancouver.

Sporting KC 0 - 1 New Jersey Red Bulls
Ugly but effective New Jersey bludgeon Kansas City with a road win to take over first place in the Eastern Conference. It was a classic Red Bulls win: Twenty fouls, one red card, two shots on target, 37% possession. New Jersey not only leads the East, they’re #1 in all of MLS for fouls committed with 299.

Orlando City 3 - 5 DC united
It was a hot, sticky goalfest in Central Florida: United sprinted to a two-goal lead behind when Taxis Fountas scored in the fifth and eighth minutes. But the fireworks didn't start until the second half, when Fountas scored his third, Orlando managed three of their own, but two more DC goals sealed the game for United. It was an impressive performance for a United team that nonetheless sit at the bottom of the table with 17 points after 16 games.

Goal of the Week

NYCFC alum Jonathan Lewis scored with an elegant chip over the goalkeeper to give Colorado Rapids a two-point lead at home over Austin FC in a game they would go on to lose 2-3. No matter: The Lewis goal is pure class.

Scoreboard

Saturday, July 2

Toronto FC 0 - 2 Seattle Sounders

Vancouver Whitecaps 1 - 0 LAFC

Sunday, July 3

NYCFC 2 -2 Atlanta United

New England Revolution 2 - 2 FC Cincinnati

Columbus Crew 0 - 0 Philadelphia Union

Sporting KC 0 - 1 New Jersey Red Bulls

Minnesotas United 3 - 2 Real Salt Lake

Nashville SC 2 - 2 Portland Timbers

Houston Dynamo 1 - 2 FC Charlotte

San Jose Earthquakes 2 - 1 Chicago Fire 1

Monday, July 4

Orlando City 3 - 5 DC united

FC Dallas 1 - 1 Inter Miami

Colorado Rapids 2 - 3 Austin FC

LA Galaxy 4 - 0 CF Montréal

Tables