MLS Matchday 21 Roundup

Matchday 21 of the 2025 MLS season left strong emotions, unexpected results, and key movements in the standings.

One of the main protagonists of the weekend was the LA Galaxy, who surprised everyone by winning 3-0 over the Vancouver Whitecaps, showing solidity in both defense and attack. For their part, FC Cincinnati reaffirmed their momentum with a 2-1 home win over Chicago Fire, a result that allowed them to climb to first place in the Eastern Conference, taking advantage of Philadelphia Union’s loss to Nashville.

Finally, Inter Miami responded emphatically after their elimination from the Club World Cup 2025 with a 4-1 win over Montreal, reaffirming their intention to stay in the fight. With these scores, the fight in both conferences remains red-hot, with several teams separated by just a few points at the top of the standings.

At Gambyl Exchange, you can explore all the predictions for the MLS, the final bets for this Matchday, and the odds for each match.

MLS Matchday 21 Games

MLS Matchday 21 Roundup: LA Galaxy vs. Whitecaps

The LA Galaxy earned just their second win in the 2025 MLS season, a victory that breaks a long drought of almost five months. They did so in emphatic fashion against one of the most solid teams in the tournament, the Vancouver Whitecaps, defeating them 3-0 at home, at the Dignity Health Sports Park. With this result, the Los Angeles team reached just 12 points after 22 games played.

Brazilian Matheus Nascimento put the Galaxy ahead with an early goal, scoring before two minutes had elapsed. From that moment on, the locals showed a different attitude, knowing that every point counts in their attempt to get out of the bottom of the standings. In the second half, in the 60th minute, Joseph Paintsil extended the lead, and then, in the 77th minute, sealed his brace from the penalty spot to seal the win.

Surprisingly, the Whitecaps failed to react and suffered their fourth defeat of the campaign. Despite the setback, the Canadian team remains at the top of the Western Conference, with 38 points in second place.

MLS Matchday 21 Roundup: Cincinnati vs. Chicago Fire

The home side took the lead in the 18th minute thanks to a great play finished by Evander. In the second half, Kévin Denkey increased the lead with a powerful shot in the 49th minute, giving his team peace of mind. Chicago reduced the deficit shortly after, at 54′, with a goal by Philip Zinckernagel, but it was not enough to equalize the score.

Evander was one of the protagonists of the match, not only for opening the scoring, but also for his constant offensive presence, with four shots on goal. Kévin Denkey also had an outstanding performance, scoring a goal and generating danger throughout the match with five shots.

With this win, Cincinnati remains firmly at the top of the East and continues to play solid and effective soccer.

MLS Matchday 21 Roundup: Montreal vs. Inter Miami

Inter Miami returned to MLS action with a convincing 4-1 victory over Montreal after they participated in the 2025 Club World Cup. The team led by Javier Mascherano showed its best version, boosted by a brilliant double from Lionel Messi, and with this result, climbed to sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

The match started with a surprise, as the Canadian team took an early lead thanks to a goal by Prince Osei Owusu in the 2nd minute. However, Inter Miami reacted firmly, and in the 31st minute, Tadeo Allende equalized the score. Just before halftime, Messi came up with a great cross to give the Herons the lead.

In the second half, Telasco Segovia widened the gap in the 60th minute with an accurate shot, and just two minutes later, Messi scored again with a great individual play, sealing his brace and the team’s ninth win of the season.

With their spirits high after this solid performance at Saputo Stadium, Inter Miami prepares for its next league game against the New England Revolution next Wednesday, July 9, at Gillette Stadium.

MLS Matchday 21 Roundup: San Diego FC vs. Dynamo

In a vibrant match played at Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego FC let slip what could have been its thirteenth victory of the season, falling in a dramatic 3-4 loss to a combative Houston Dynamo. The Texan team showed character, knew how to suffer and reacted in key moments to take the three points with a decisive double by Ezequiel Ponce in the final minutes.

Although based on the recent performance of both teams, an accessible match was expected for the locals, Houston surprised with a solid and competitive performance. San Diego took an early lead with a goal from Milan Oliski, but the visitors responded before halftime with goals from Lawrence Ennali and Franco Escobar to turn the score around.

In the second half, San Diego regained control with goals from Luca Bombino in the 54th and Onni Valkari in the 67th, which seemed to put the Californians on the road to victory. However, Houston did not give up and continued to press for the equalizer.

The reward came at the end of regular time, when Ezequiel Ponce converted a penalty kick to level the score at 3-3. And when it seemed that the points had been shared, Ponce himself appeared again in stoppage time to score the winning goal, leaving San Diego with nothing in a match that, on paper, seemed favorable for Mikey Varas’ side.