Around the League: Matchweek 17
Besides pretty much every soccer fan on the planet’s social media being filled with Messi-to-Miami content midweek being later paired with Miami getting thrashed by the New England Revolution, MLS fans saw Montréal beat Minnesota 4-0 in their first game in their new kits, SKC beat Austin 4-1, Charlotte and the Sounders tied three-all, and my personal favorite result came when the Houston Dynamo beat LAFC 4-0. Here is a recap of some of the league’s most recent actions.
Minnesota Fail to Brace for Impact
CF Montréal hosted Minnesota United on the weekend, then proceeded to put four goals past them while donning their new home jerseys. The result could have come down to the beauty of these new kits, but this match more likely ended this way due the brilliance of Montréal’s performance. Mason Toye scored a brace, Zachary Brault-Guillard netted within 13 minutes, and Rudy Camacho put the cherry on top at the 76th minute mark. Statistically speaking, it was a very even match that doesn't do Minnesota much justice, but the difference between the two sides ultimately came down to clinical finishing. Montréal were simply just four times as clinical.
https://twitter.com/cfmontreal/status/1667684706450563072?s=20
SKC Can Mean Business
Sporting Kansas City continue to build a reputation as Major League Soccer’s biggest wildcard as they beat Austin FC 4-1 courtesy of goals from Alan Pulido and Robert Castellanos Khiry Shelton, as well as a brace from Alan Pulido. Sebastián Driussi scored for Austin, but that was about all the fight the Verde put up, as their goal was one of two shots on target. With this result, SKC move into ninth place in the West, which is the last playoff spot available. Sporting Kansas City’s season has been quite the rollercoaster so far, as they were winless ten games into the season but now have five wins total and a pair of 4-0 results in their favor.
https://twitter.com/SportingKC/status/1667721053022371840?s=20
The 3-3 Draw is MLS’ New Staple
I feel like I see a 3-3 draw every other week nowadays. Regardless, Charlotte FC and the Seatle Sounders went three goals-a-piece in their matchup in North Carolina. Cristian Roldan scored 11 minutes in, but Jaylin Lindsey equalized just six minutes later. Raúl Ruidíaz scored at the 35th minute and later in the 70th, but Ashley Westwood and Patrick Agyemang each equalized on two separate occasions, with the latter being in the 89th minute. With this result, Seattle remain in second place in the West, while Charlotte move equal on points with Montréal for ninth in the East.
https://twitter.com/CharlotteFC/status/1667705991004127233?s=20
Post CCL Woe for LAFC
Following their elimination from the CONCACAF Champions League by Club León, it just has not been the same for LAFC. After a 1-1 draw against Atlanta midweek, LAFC went out to Houston and proceeded to lose 4-0. Nelson Quińónes scored in the 11th minute, Amine Bassi scored a penalty in the 50th, Corey Baird netted in the 69th, and Franco Escobar sealed the deal with one of his own in the 89th. Credit goes to the Houston Dynamo for scoring eight times over two games and only conceding once over that span.
https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1667909552363442178?s=20
