Around the League: Matchday 7

In the seventh matchday of the 2023 MLS season, there was plenty of action all across the league. Six matches had three or more total goals, and there was only one 0-0 draw the entire weekend. Here is a summary of all of the league’s action from matchday seven!

Houston go Galactic

The Houston Dynamo grabbed three points in a 3-0 win over the LA Galaxy that saw three players sent off. A lot of threes there. Martín Cáceres was shown a second yellow for touching the referee while he was analyzing VAR, Héctor Herrera ran through Chicharito in the 95th minute for his second yellow, and Douglas Costa now has as only more goal than red cards for the Galaxy as he was shown a straight red for throwing Brooklyn Raines to the ground over a throw-in. As impressive as Houston was, the Galaxy are in shambles as they still have yet to win a game this season. Goals came from a brace by Amine Bassi and Héctor Herrera, moving the Dynamo up to a 3-0-3 record.

This is the second time Douglas Costa has gotten himself a pointless red card at the very end of a match for the #LAGalaxy .

Not trying to sound like a complete Kevin Cabral apologist, but at least he tried and wanted to play. This is unacceptable.pic.twitter.com/IC2EZ4YKT3

— Eli Lesser (@thisweekinmls) April 9, 2023

Salt Lake get Their Win

For their first win since opening day, Real Salt Lake beat a struggling Charlotte FC side 3-1 at home. Goals for RSL came from Pablo Ruíz, Anderson Julio, and Jefferson Savarino following the opener from Karol Świderski for Charlotte. Real Salt Lake notably put 10 of their 18 shots on target despite only holding 39% possession. This result pushed RSL into 10th in the West with a 2-0-4 record, while Charlotte fall to 1-2-4 and 14th place in the East.

BANGERS ONLY ?️ pic.twitter.com/3soytpQK2e

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) April 9, 2023

A New King of the West

The Seattle Sounders would take first place in the Western Conference from Saint Louis after beating them 3-0 with goals from Josh Atencio (a banger I should note), Raúl Ruidíaz, and an own goal from Jake Nerwinski. Besides their 1-0 loss against FC Cincinnati, Seattle has won five and drew one of their other matches in Major League Soccer. This result put Seattle at 16 points and in first place in the West, with Saint Louis CITY now falling into second place at 15 points after back-to-back losses for the first time in their history.

What a hit!

Josh Atencio's first MLS goal is a memorable one. #Sounders pic.twitter.com/WI6WzmnhWo

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 9, 2023

Montréal Turn Into Clam Chouder

The New England Revolution beat Montréal 4-0 in a dominant attacking display with goals from Dylan Borrero, Carles Gil, Bobby Wood, and Giacomo Vrioni. This win helps keep the Revs in pace with FC Cincinnati for first place in the Eastern Conference, while Montréal hit rock bottom in 15th place with a goal difference of -13. The post-Wilfried Nancy era has not been kind to Montréal so far.

Dylan Borrero hit it top bins ?

The Colombian's second goal of the season put the New England Revolution up 1-0 vs. CF Montréal

(via @MLS) pic.twitter.com/p1VqOAKX6I

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 9, 2023

Bouanga Bags in Bunches

LAFC have quite the striker on their hands with Denis Bouanga, as the Gabonese forward would score a hattrick in their 3-0 win over Austin FC. This is actually Bouanga’s second hat trick of the year, with his first coming in the CONCACAF Champions League against L.D. Alajuelense. Bouanga has six goals in MLS which put him in second place in the golden boot race, but the forward also is the current top scorer of the CONCACAF Champions League with five goals as well. LAFC now sits in third place in the West with 14 points, but do hold a game in hand as well.