MLS

MLS News and Notes — Week 9/10

Chris Asbrock looks at Daryl Dike’s return to Orlando City, a clash between Austin FC and the Columbus Crew and more in this week’s MLS News and Notes.

After an international break, MLS returned to full play with a heavy slate of games, both midweek and on the weekend. It started on Tuesday night with Orlando City delivering a 5-0 blowout loss to the San Jose Quakes. San Jose, who started off relatively well this season, has seen its season go into a tailspin. Orlando City scored three times in the first half before adding two in the second half. Both Benji Michel and Daryl Dike scored twice while Nani added one from the spot in the seventh minute. Orlando City followed it up with a solid 2-1 road victory over rival Inter Miami CF. After conceding to Gonzalo Higuain in the 67th minute, Orlando City scored twice in a matter of eight minutes to hand Inter Miami the loss. The victory kept Orlando City unbeaten in the month of June and moved it to second place in the Eastern Conference.

One of the most anticipated matchups of the weekend was between the Columbus Crew and Austin FC. As you know, the history between the two clubs is one that will never be forgotten. The match failed to provide much excitement as it ended in a scoreless draw. Just prior to this matchup, both sides failed to score in their respective matches. Columbus fell to the Philadelphia Union, 1-0, in a match that gave the Union some breathing room over Columbus. Austin went on the road to Minnesota and lost 2-0 to the Loons. Despite the loss, Austin stayed above Vancouver for the final spot in the Western Conference.

New York City FC stayed hot, snagging all six points this week with a 1-0 clean sheet victory over Atlanta United and a 2-1 victory over D.C. United. The victories vaulted NYCFC into the fourth spot in the East, two points behind the Union and two points ahead of Columbus and Nashville. The biggest shock of the weekend saw FC Dallas secure a massive 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution. The Revs, who sit atop the East, failed to get the road victory as 18-year-old FC Dallas star Ricardo Pepi netted a brace to sink the East leaders. Pepi was a thorn in the side of the Revs all night before coming off with an injury in the 61st minute. Staying out West, Sporting Kansas City continues to show why it is one of the top clubs in MLS. Home cooking has been solid for Peter Vermes’ men. Midweek, they knocked off the Colorado Rapids 3-1 on Wednesday and followed it up with a big 2-1 victory over Los Angeles FC. The victories kept Sporting unbeaten at Children’s Mercy Park. Daniel Salloi netted a brace against the Rapids midweek before adding the game-winner in the 87th minute to knock off LAFC. Salloi put himself into third in the league in goals scored with seven, just three behind league-leader Chicharito.

Other results around the league saw Atlanta United and New York Red Bulls battle to a 0-0 draw. The only other scoreless draw took place between Montreal and D.C. United. Otherwise, goals were scored in other draws throughout the league. The Houston Dynamo and the Portland Timbers each scored twice in their midweek matchup. On the weekend, the Dynamo drew 1-1 with Real Salt Lake, while Nashville and Montreal saw the same result. With the playoff picture starting to take shape, clubs can look back on these results and opportunities missed or gained.

Below is the schedule for MLS clubs in action, this 11th week of play.

Upcoming schedule (Subject to Change)

Thursday
Austin FC vs. Portland Timbers – 9:30 p.m. (FS1)

Saturday
Columbus Crew vs. New England Revolution – 5 p.m. (ESPN)
D.C. United vs. Toronto FC – 5:30 p.m.
Orlando City vs. New York Red Bulls – 7:30 p.m.
CF Montreal vs. Inter Miami CF – 7:30 p.m.
Nashville SC vs. Philadelphia Union – 8 p.m.
Minnesota United vs. San Jose Quakes – 8 p.m.
Chicago Fire vs. Atlanta United – 8 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. FC Cincinnati – 8:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake vs. LAFC – 10 p.m.

Sunday
FC Dallas vs. Vancouver Whitecaps – 8:30 p.m.
Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders – 9 p.m.
LA Galaxy vs. Sporting Kansas City – 10:30 p.m.

As always, stay tuned to Cincinnati Soccer Talk as we take a look at the upcoming match for FC Cincinnati it heads to Texas to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

@iamchrisasbrock for @CincySoccerTalk

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