New York City FC v Houston Dynamo
After losing two of their last five games, Houston Dynamo had it all to. In their previous competitive meeting New York came out 2-0 winners away at Houston Dynamo. Now, playing at New York City FC, they did what they could and earned a well fought out 1-1 draw. New York City, being at home, had 62% of the possession and made it count in the 5th minute, with a cross from Andraz Sturna finding 5’3” midfielder Maximiliano Moralez and his header found the back of the net. New York kept on applying the pressure, with a shot from Englishmen, Jack Harrison, hitting the crossbar in the 10th minute.
A foul committed just outside the box allowed advantaged to be played, which gave Vicente Sanchez a chance to assist Mauro Manotas for his goal in the 15th minute.
After this, both teams had chances to win the game, in the 34th minute a superb save from Tyler Deric kept out David Villa and a shot just wide from Houston goal-scorer, Manotas, in the 55th minute. After that chances weren’t flowing, with an 88th-minute header from Rodney Wallace, caught by Deric and a 90+5th minute clear-cut chance from Alexander Callens not coming to anything.
Honours even which was fair, New York City have to face a trip away in their next match, whereas Houston Dynamo are at home to LA Galaxy.
New England Revolution v Toronto FC
This was a confidence-building win for New England, after losing their last two games 3-1 and staggering 7-0. Despite having 42% of the possession, they managed to come out with a 2-1 win. Toronto thought they opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Tosaint Ricketts’ goal was ruled out for offside. The first half had chances but neither team could find the back of the net. However, in an exciting 5-minute spell we saw three goals. Nguyen opened the scoring in the 82nd from a Chris Tierney pass, but there was a quick response from Toronto as they equalised in the 84th minute. Michael Bradley’s delightful long pass reached Nicolas Hasler and he brilliantly side-footed it into the net. Goals were coming quick and fast and New England found the winner in the 87th minute when Kei Kamara heading in from Nguyen’s cross.
Next up New England are away at Orlando City, whilst Toronto host NY Red Bulls.
DC United v San Jose Earthquakes
DC United came out with a comfortable 4-0 win against San Jose Earthquakes, whilst having 49% of possession. United had a great chance to open to scoring when Russel Canouse’ header hit the post and when Paul Arriola’s rebound shot hit the ground it went just over the bar. They finally opened the scoring with Arriola’s cross reaching Patrick Mullins and he slotted it in right in front of goal. That partnership showed again for their second goal, as Arriola’s chipped cross gave Mullins a simple header to finish. Earthquakes had a sniff of goal when Tommy Thompson just shot wide in the 63rd minute.
However, it was all DC as on fire Mullins got his hat-trick after Zoltan Stieber’s brilliant free kick was saved by Earthquakes goalkeeper, Andrew Tarbell, then Mullins was on hand to slot in at close range to secure his perfect hat-trick. Not finished there, Mullins scored a free-kick from just outside the box to add more joy to his game.
Winners DC face an away trip to NY Red Bulls, whilst San Jose are at home to Chicago Fire.
Philadelphia Union v Chicago Fire
Philadelphia came out 3-1 winners at home to Chicago Fire, despite only having 41% of possession. In their last league meeting, Chicago were 3-0 winners, but that wasn’t going to happen this time as Philadelphia took the lead in the 10th minute – Chris Pontius’ diving header opening the scoring at the Talen Energy Stadium.
Pontius scored again after a spilled save from Matt Lampson gave Pontius an easy tap-in They went 3-0 up in the 64th minute when Fabinho’s low cross found C.J. Sapong and he finished in front of goal. Chicago finally got a goal in the 67th minute when Luis Solignac slotted in from close range.
And that’s how it finished, 3-1 to Philadelphia, with Philadelphia travelling to Atlanta United in the next game and Chicago Fire away to San Jose Earthquakes.
Columbus Crew SC v New York Red Bulls
In their last two previous meeting, Red Bulls have won both times so they would’ve been looking to do the same again. It didn’t start well as in the 6th minute as Federico Higuain’s cross was headed in by Jonathan Mensah. The Red Bulls got an equaliser, as Bradley Wright-Phillips netted in, in the 14th minute. Sean Davis brought out a brilliant save from Zack Steffen as his fingertips just saw the ball over the bar.
Columbus, again, took the lead, as Justin Meram spectacularly curled one to make it 2-1 in the 54th minute. Josh Williams added a third when he headed in the 66th minute from a corner from Higuain. The use of the video review was used when a penalty claim for Red Bulls that wasn’t given in the 69th minute was finally given, with the decision going Red Bulls way. Gonzalo Veron slotted it in comfortably in the 72nd minute.
That’s how it finished, 3-2 to home side Columbus Crew, with their next match being at home to DC United and New York Red Bulls at home to DC United.
Minnesota United FC v FC Dallas
Winning their last away match, Minnesota were on a high and that showed in their 4-1 win at home to FC Dallas, who were looking to end their nine-match winless streak. Dallas took the lead in the 13th minute as Michael Barrios’ low cross was met by Tesho Akindele. Minnesota equalised in the 23rd minute as Kevin Molino’s lovely ball played in Christian Ramirez, who calmly finished.
In the 35th Ibson played an exquisite pass over the top to assist Ramirez for his amazing volley, his second and Minnesota’s second in the game. There was a penalty for Dallas, as Mauro Diaz was brought down by Collin Martin. In a manic few minutes, Diaz’s penalty was saved by Bobby Shuttleworth. Lovely team play from Minnesota led to their third, as Ramirez’ pass to Ethan Finlay gave him the opportunity to score, which he did. A red card was given to Akindele as he collided with Shuttleworth in the 81st minute. A mistake from Maynor Figueroa and going down with injury gave Abu Danladi a chance to round the keeper and score to make it 4-1 and that’s how it ended at the TCF Bank Stadium.
Minnesota now face an away trip to Houston Dynamo next, whilst FC Dallas are at home to Colorado.
Real Salt Lake v Seattle Sounders
With the home team having 3 wins from their previous five games and two losses, you can say that it has been quite stop and go. However, they managed to beat Seattle Sounders who have won all three of their last three encounters. In the 3rd minute, Albert Rusnak hit the bar with an audacious shot. In the 51st minute, Real Salt Lake opened the scoring with a goal from Jefferson Savarino. They made it 2-0 when Savarino’s cross found Luke Mulholland and he easily slotted in, in the 65th minute. A huge save from Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando kept out ex-Fulham man, Clint Dempsey.
2-0 is how it finished at the Rio Tinto Stadium, Salt Lake travel to LA Galaxy in their next game whilst unfortunate Seattle Sounders are at home to Vancouver.
Vancouver Whitecaps v Colorado Rapids
In their last five matches together they both have a win each, with the match prior to this one resulting in a 2-2 draw. Vancouver came out of the blocks quicker, with a goal in the 4th minute from Fredy Montero, a header from the cross of Yordy Reyna, his 13th goal of the season.
Cristian Techera whipped in a fierce cross from the edge of the box, but it just about evaded all of the Whitecap players in the box. The Rapids equalised in the last minute of the first half, with Dominique Badji getting his 9th goal of the season. Goalscorer Montero, provided his provider, when his chipped pass found Reyna and he converted to give them the lead and the winner. They could’ve had a third if Techera managed to get his shot on target in the 59th minute.
However, Vancouver Whitecaps got the win and they’re going to have to travel to play the Seattle Sounders, whilst Colorado are at home to Montreal Impact.
Sporting Kansas City v LA Galaxy
At a sunny Children’s Mercy Park, the first chance from Giovani dos Santos came to nothing in the 13th minute. The opening goal coming in the 18th minute from Sporting Kansas City player Daniel Salloi, a tidy close-range finish. 1-0 became 2-0, when Seth Sinovic squared it for Diego Rubio to score an easy tap-in. LA Galaxy had a glimmer of hope when Romain Alessandrini scored a first free-kick, which is the first one Kansas City have conceded this year.
Kansas City had a great chance to make it 3-1, but his close-range shot was saved by LA Galaxy keeper, Clement Diop.
So it finished 2-1 to Kansas City, in their next match they are at home to Vancouver Whitecaps, whilst LA Galaxy are away to Houston Dynamo.
Atlanta United FC v Montreal Impact
Opening with an absolutely fantastic long range effort from Hector Villalba in the 28th minute, Atlanta took the lead in some style. Atlanta player, Josef Martinez was toying with the defence before his shot was blocked and Villalba’s rebound effort was fantastically saved by Montreal keeper, Evan Bush in the 61st minute.
Atlanta finally gave themselves breathing space after Julian Gressel’s cross found Jeff Larentowicz and he headed in from close range, to wrap up the points for Atlanta.
Atlanta are hosting Philadelphia Union in the next game, whilst Montreal Impact are playing host to New York City FC.
Portland Timbers v Orlando City
There was an early chance for Portland Timber’s forward Darren Mattocks as his close range shot was saved by Orlando City keeper Joe Bendik. A penalty was given in 12th minute as Mattocks was tackled by Orlando City’s Jonathan Spector. Diego Valeri calmly slotted it home to put Portland 1-0 up.
In the 29th minute they scored a sublime goal, with a lovely through ball from Diego Chara reaching Dairon Asprilla and he put in a low cross for Mattocks to find the back of the net. A strong challenge on Valeri from Spector gave him his second yellow of the match and he was off in the 46th minute.
Portland got their third when Mattock’ attempted chip was saved by Bendik, however, Valeri was on hand to score his second of the game and complete the victory.
Portland’s next match is away at San Jose Earthquakes, whilst Orlando are at home to New England Revolution.
