You may be able to assume from the absolutely hilarious and not forced at all title that Inter Miami lost once again, this time 4-1 to the Philadelphia Union. Although it remains entirely possible they make the playoffs with the additions of Messi and friends, Miami continues to make that objective more and more difficult for themselves week after week. Besides that, the Whitecaps beat LAFC 3-2 at BMO Stadium, NYRB demolished Atlanta 4-0, D.C. beat hosted and beat Cincinnati 3-0, and Austin ended the Dynamo’s hot streak. Here is a recap of some of the league’s most recent actions.
Allegedly, the Whitecaps are the Best in the League
It is not very often that a team in ninth place in an arguably weaker conference claims they have a case as the best team in MLS, but after beating LAFC 3-2 Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini said just that despite it being the team’s first away win this season. Vancouver got ahead just two minutes in thanks to a goal from Ranko Veselinović, with Brian White also netting in the 23rd minute. Directly after halftime Denis Bouanga scored LAFC’s first, but Ryan Gauld got the Whitecaps two goals ahead once more in 63rd minute. Carlos Vela scored five minutes later to come back within touching distance, but the final whistle came before the comeback could be completed.
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) June 26, 2023
Atlanta Looked low on Energy
Despite having 66% of possession, Atlanta were completely toothless in attack as they only managed to get in five shots total. Take away one, and you’d have the number of goals the New York Red Bulls scored in this match. Daniel Edelman scored a scorcher in the 32nd minute, Cristian Cásseres Jr. got one of his own in the 45th, and Frankie Amaya grabbed a brace in the remaining twelve minutes of regular time. This game falls in the trend line for Atlanta, as they have only won twice since May 17th against the Colorado Rapids, potentially suggesting Atlanta’s current playoff spot could be up for grabs.
Daniel Edel-him.@audi I #RBNY pic.twitter.com/qP87II1y3X
— New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) June 25, 2023
FC Cincinnati lose the Election
Heading out to the United States capital, FC Cincinnati were delt just their second loss of the season to Wayne Rooney’s D.C. United by a scoreline of 3-0. Pedro Santos and Derrick Williams both scored within 17 minutes, Cristian Dájome scored in the 43rd minute, and Cincinnati’s Ian Murphy was shown red to put the cherry on top. Due to Cincy’s impeccable form, they won’t be shifting around the table anytime soon, however, D.C. got their much-needed win to sit in ninth place in the East, which is important as four of the teams underneath them picked up points as well.
Derrick with an absolute banger! 💥 pic.twitter.com/ltreJJqAMI
— D.C. United (@dcunited) June 25, 2023
The Texas Thirby (Three-Derby) Has a New King
As Austin FC beat Houston FC 3-0 and Fc Dallas by the same score just days apart, it looks like the Texas Derby has a new monarch. With Dallas’ form being all over the place, the Houston result is much more impressive as it was Houston’s first loss since the beginning of the month. During this streak Houston beat the Fire and San Jose once, as well as LAFC in back-to-back games, amounting a goal difference over this period of 11. The goals against Houston all came in the first half from Ethan Finlay, Gyasi Zardes, and Julio Cascante. Austin lost to both of their fellow Texas sides earlier this season, but with this pair of results, move into eighth place in the West, directly below FC Dallas.
Sebastián drops a dime to @gyasinho. 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/l6uFZiOM9R
— Austin FC (@AustinFC) June 25, 2023
