MLS Matchday 14 Roundup

A new week in MLS brought several changes to the standings this weekend, and some surprises in a matchday full of local derbies.

The new leader of the league is Philadelphia Union, who defeated Atlanta United 0-1 on the road and took advantage of draws by Columbus Crew against Cincinnati (1-1) and Austin versus Vancouver Whitecaps (0-0) to climb to the top of both the Eastern Conference and the MLS overall table.

There were several derbies this weekend, with Toronto crushing Montréal 1-6, NYCFC beating NY Red Bulls 2-0, and Houston Dynamo defeating FC Dallas 0-2. Meanwhile, Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders drew 1-1, and Colorado Rapids beat Real Salt Lake 1-0.

Sunday also featured derby action. In the Florida Derby, Orlando City pulled off a big upset with a dominant 0-3 away win over Inter Miami.In the Los Angeles Derby, Marco Reus scored twice and helped the LA Galaxy rescue a draw.

MLS Matchday 14 – Games Results

MLS Matchday 14 Roundup: Columbus vs. Cincinnati

A new edition of the Hell is Real Derby was played between the Ohio teams, the Columbus Crew and Cincinnati. The winner could have taken the lead in the Eastern Conference and the league, but the match ended in a 1-1 draw, clearing the way for Philadelphia Union to become the new leader.

The visitors surprised everyone early by scoring just six minutes into the match. A poor clearance by goalkeeper Patrick Schulte left the ball loose in the box, and Evander set up Kévin Denkey with a bicycle kick, allowing the Togolese striker to score into an open net—his eighth goal of the season.

There were several clear chances for both sides afterward, but it wasn’t until the 54th minute that Diego Rossi equalized with a penalty after a handball by Nick Hagglund inside the area. It was the Uruguayan’s seventh goal of the season.

The Crew had more chances to win, but the score didn’t change. Columbus now sits third in the East with 27 points, while Cincinnati is second with 29.

MLS Matchday 14 Roundup: Atlanta vs. Philadelphia Union

The big winner of the weekend was Philadelphia Union, which defeated Atlanta United 1-0 on the road and climbed to the top of the league standings.

In a match filled with chances and great saves, the only player able to break the deadlock was Tai Baribo, who scored from the penalty spot after a Brad Guzan error and a handball by Luis Abram on a goal-bound shot from Mikael Uhre.

Baribo converted the penalty in the 59th minute, scoring his 11th goal of the season and his third consecutive match with a goal, extending his lead atop the scoring chart.

Philadelphia Union now leads the Eastern Conference and MLS with 29 points and five wins in their last six matches, while Atlanta sits 14th in the East with 11 points and an eight-game winless streak.

MLS Matchday 14 Roundup: Austin vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Austin and Vancouver Whitecaps played to a goalless draw in a game where the Texas side pushed harder but couldn’t break the deadlock.

Nico Estévez’s team had several chances and even had a goal disallowed for offside, but they had to settle for a draw that drops them to ninth place in the Western Conference with 18 points after five winless matches.

Meanwhile, the Canadian side remains at the top of the same conference, with 28 points after two consecutive draws, though they maintain an eight-game unbeaten streak.

MLS Matchday 14 Roundup: San Diego vs. Kansas City

In an inconsistent MLS matchday that saw four goalless draws, the clash between San Diego and Kansas City was one of them.

San Diego had more chances, but Sporting came closest with a powerful shot from Magomed Suleymanov that struck the post.

The draw dropped the California side to third place in the West with 24 points, while Kansas City sits 13th in the same conference with 12 points.