MLS Sunday: Everything you need to know about Matchweek 24

You heard right: The 57 goals scored this Matcheweek is an MLS record. While LAFC rolled to another win (can we just give them the shield now and move on), the other teams at the top of the table stumbled. Philadelphia Union and New York City FC suffered losses, while Austin FC was pinned back at home after giving away the lead three times. Things are even more interesting at the bottom of the playoff zone, where Portland Timbers edged Seattle Sounders in the West, and Cincinnati FC and Chicago climbed above the cutoff in the East.

Top Games

Cincinnati FC 3 - 1 Philadelphia Union
A resurgent Cincinnati handed Philadelphia just their third loss this season with a decisive home win. After a tense first half, Brandon Vazquez opened the scoring in the 50th minute, then Cincinnati went on to score two more before Paxten Aaronson notched a 77’ consolation goal. Other MLS teams take note that Cincinnati let the normally possession-adverse Union keep the ball. Cincinnati climb into the playoff picture with this win.

DC United 0 - 0 New Jersey Red Bulls
Talk about the gang that can’t shoot straight: New Jersey took 13 shots but just one landed on target. But what they lacked in the attack they more than made up for with their hacks: The Red Bulls were called for a healthy 17 fouls, and now comfortably lead all MLS teams with 373 fouls on the season. Well done, gentlemen.

Austin FC 3 - 3 San Jose Earthquakes
In one of their few misfires this season, Austin gave away the lead three times as the lowly San Jose Earthquakes earned a point on the road. The draw gives LAFC a six-point lead over Austin in the Western Conference with one game in hand, and it’s hard to see that gap closing in the next 10 to 11 games.

Goal of the Week

The goalmouth scramble in the Real Salt Lake vs LAFC match was a bit of a mess, but all is forgiven after it was resolved by this exquisite back heel from Chicho Arango:

Scoreboard

Friday, August 5

Vancouver Whitecaps 2 - 2 Houston Dynamo

Saturday, August 6

Atlanta United 2 - 1 Seattle Sounders

Charlotte FC 2 - 3 Chicago Fire

Cincinnati FC 3 - 1 Philadelphia Union

Columbus Crew 3 - 2 NYCFC

DC United 0 - 0 New Jersey Red Bulls

CF Montréal 2 - 2 Inter Miami

Orlando City 0 - 3 New England Revolution

Nashville SC 3 - 4 Toronto FC

Kansas City 3- 0 LA Galaxy

Austin FC 3 - 3 San Jose Earthquakes

Colorado 3 - 2- Minnesota United

Real Salt Lake 1 - 4 LAFC

Portland Timbers 1 - 1 FC Dallas

Tables