Major League Soccer was back with midweek action and there were some important games.
Here’s what happened at the scene.
Inter Miami passes Charlotte
Top scorers: Agyemang 41′; Taylor 30′, Cremaschi 86′. Red: Agyemang 90+6′
Inter Miami avoided a scare against Charlotte FC after winning 2-1 away from home.
The visitors opened the scoring when Jordi Alba brilliantly crossed the ball into the box for Robert Taylor.
However, the hosts responded immediately when Patrick Agyemang beat his marker in his own half, found plenty of space and scored the equalizer.
The match remained tense and both teams finished poorly. Miami recorded just four shots and Charlotte two.
That fourth-place finish was a crucial touch from Benjamin Cremaschi at the death to ensure Miami remained in the lead ahead of its meeting with second-placed Cincinnati on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Charlotte saw top scorer Agyemang sent off in the dying seconds and currently sit in sixth place.
Cincinnati accumulates misery at DC United
Top scorers: Rodríguez 24′, Pirani 69′; Kelsy 10′, Bucha 39′, 63′
DC United put up a good fight against FC Cincinnati but ultimately lost a 3-2 victory to the visitors.
Kevin Kelsey became the club’s first player to score at least five goals before turning 20 after forcing goalkeeper Tyler Miller into a huge mistake within 10 minutes.
Martin Rodríguez’s shot from inside the box tied things up, but Pavel Bucha’s brace on either side of halftime put Cincinnati in control again.
Gabriel Pirani’s controlling skills got DC United back into the game, but it was too little, too late for the hosts. The club has now gone 10 consecutive games without winning and is in last place in the Eastern Conference.
Cincinnati, meanwhile, became one of only two MLS clubs to win seven straight away from home (Montreal). They are two points behind leaders Inter Miami, but have a game in hand. The first two face each other on Saturday.
RSL completes comeback over Houston
Chasers: Gómez 22′, Luna 42′, Ojeda 67′; Aliyu 8′, Brody 54′ (OG)
Real Salt Lake followed the two Los Angeles clubs at the top of the table thanks to a 3-2 victory over the Houston Dynamo.
Ibrahim Aliyu’s perfectly placed curler found the right corner after a deft counterattack, before Andrés Gómez scored the equalizer.
A powerful shot from outside the box saw Diego Luna turn things in the hosts’ favor, until an own goal from Andrew Body made it 2-2 again.
Braian Ojeda was the eventual hero as his penalty kick secured all three points.
Looking at the standings, Real Salt Lake is in second place, behind LAFC (who have a game in hand) and above LA Galaxy. Meanwhile, Houston is in seventh place but remains just one point behind fourth-place Vancouver.
Chicago’s late hustle surprises Philadelphia
Chasers: Haile-Selassie 30′, Cuypers 82′, 90+1′, Giménez 89′; Donovan 38′, Gazdag 45+7′ (P), McGlynn 49′
The Chicago Fire scored three goals in seven minutes to surprise the Philadelphia Union 4-3 at home to move from last place in the Eastern Conference.
The visitors were practically perfect in their attempts, scoring three goals with four shots on goal. Despite the defeat, Dániel Gazdag will be very happy with this game, as he became Union’s all-time top scorer in MLS (51 goals) from the penalty spot.
But Chicago derailed their memorable night when Hugo Cuypers headed first and then shot the winner either side of Gastón Giménez’s half-volley for the equalizer.
Looking at the standings, Chicago has moved up to 13th place, while Philadelphia Union is lower at 14th place and is tied on points with last-place DC United.
Other results…
We’ll be back for more tomorrow!
