MLS Matchday 29 Roundup

Last Updated on September 1, 2025 5:04 pm by Erwin Noguera

Another round of MLS has ended, and the gap between some teams already in the playoff spots and those fighting to get in is starting to widen, with only a handful of matches left.

Among the most important results, the leaders of the East and the West both won tough away matches and maintained their privileged position, with Philadelphia Union defeating Cincinnati 0-1 and San Diego beating Los Angeles FC 1-2.

Four matches were not played in a round where only two home teams won: Austin beat San Jose 3-1, and Kansas City defeated Colorado 4-2.

MLS Matchday 29: Games

MLS Matchday 29 Roundup: Cincinnati vs. Philadelphia

In the battle for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia Union pulled off a surprise by defeating Cincinnati 0-1 away to maintain first place in both the conference and MLS overall.

The only goal of the match was scored by Bruno Damiani with a header in the 49th minute, after a dreadful mistake from the hosts on a goal kick. Cincinnati’s defense tried to play out from the back on the ground, but misplaced a pass, gifting it to the opponent, who put together a few touches before Milan Iloski delivered a cross for the Uruguayan’s header.

With this result, Philadelphia sits at the very top with 57 points, while Cincinnati is second in the conference with 52 after back-to-back defeats and three home losses in their last four matches—all by the same scoreline.

MLS Matchday 29 Roundup: Nashville vs. Atlanta

Venezuelan Ronald Hernández scored again in MLS after four years and gave Atlanta United a 0-1 away win over Nashville.

A free kick from Steven Alzate ended with a header from Hernández in the 24th minute. After that, goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert was tested to the limit, making seven saves and being the standout of the night.

Near the end of the first half, league top scorer Sam Surridge appeared to have scored his 21st goal to equalize, but it was disallowed for a handball. The forward’s arm was against his body, without extending or making any movement, so it was a referee’s interpretation call.

Nashville remains stuck in fourth place in the East with 50 points, while Atlanta climbed to 12th with 26 points, still far from the playoffs.

MLS Matchday 29 Roundup: Minnesota vs. Portland

The goals came late in the match as Minnesota United managed to rescue a point in their 1-1 home draw against Portland Timbers.

We had to wait until the 79th minute for the deadlock to be broken. It was a match full of chances and goalkeeper saves, and the visitors’ goal came after a cross-shot from Antony Alves that goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair saved, but the rebound hit defender Nicolás Romero and went into his own net.

The equalizer came in the 85th minute after a long pass from Wil Trapp, which Robin Lod controlled spectacularly before finishing into the corner to score a beautiful, high-quality goal.

The 1-1 result leaves Minnesota second in the West with 51 points, five behind the leader, while Portland sits sixth with 39 points.

MLS Matchday 29 Roundup: Los Angeles vs. San Diego FC

In the match that closed out the weekend, San Diego FC took one of California’s new derbies, beating Los Angeles FC 1-2 to maintain first place in the West.

The scoring opened in the 15th minute with a long pass from David Martínez that Denis Bouanga finished with a chip over the goalkeeper.

In the 33rd minute came the equalizer after a slick one-touch move between several players that ended with a pass to Hirving Lozano. The Mexican carried the ball forward, entered the box, and fired at the near post, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

In the 66th minute, defender Jeppe Tverskov cleared a ball that turned into an assist for Anders Dreyer, who advanced, entered the box, made two cuts to beat a defender each time, and fired a powerful shot to turn the score around.

LAFC had chances to score, but the post denied Heung-min Son, and Bouanga incredibly missed a one-on-one. San Diego now sits at the top of the West with 56 points, while Los Angeles is fifth with 41.