We had a full slate of matches for MLS Matchday 32 this past weekend. Rivalries were on display, Lionel Messi made his return, and three clubs clinched berths in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Here is a recap of some of the weekend’s best MLS matches:
Messi scores a brace in return against Philadelphia Union
Messi returned to the pitch for the first time since suffering an ankle injury during the 2024 Copa América final against Colombia. Union forward Mikael Uhre put the Union on the scoreboard first in the second minute, but Messi didn’t waste much time to tilt the match back in Miami’s favor. He equalized in the 26th minute and then added a brace four minutes later.
Luis Suárez extended the lead to 3-1 in the 90’+8′ to give Miami another three points in their chase for the Supporters’ Shield. The Union, fighting for one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, missed another opportunity to climb the standings in their playoff pursuit. Time is ticking for Jim Curtin’s squad as Decision Day is just weeks away.
‘Hell is Real’ derby ends scoreless but both teams clinch
The Hell is Real derby between Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati took place at TQL Stadium. During Matchday 31, both teams missed out on spots to clinch playoff berths. On Saturday night, both clubs clinched berths despite the match ending 0-0.
It was an evenly contested match throughout the entirety of the 90 minutes. Cincinnati finished with 50.1% possession compared to Columbus’ 49.9%. Cincinnati sits second in the East with 52 points, just two ahead of the defending MLS Cup Champions in third.
LA Galaxy complete comeback against LAFC in El Tráfico
Another huge rivalry, LA Galaxy and LAFC threw down at Dignity Health Sports Park for El Tráfico. LAFC went up 2-0 within the first 15 minutes, but the Galaxy stormed back in the second half to win 4-2 and grabbed three huge points to extend their lead over LAFC in the Western Conference standings.
Dejan Joveljic got the Galaxy on the board in the 53rd minute. Two minutes later, Edwin Cerrillo scored a goalazo to equalize. Joveljic added a brace in the 67th minute to give the Galaxy the lead just 15 minutes after his first goal. Riqui Puig added the dagger in the 86th minute to complete the historic comeback in one of the league’s most intense rivalries.
The win over LAFC meant the Galaxy clinched a playoff berth.
Nashville takes down playoff-hungry Atlanta
Nashville SC prevented Atlanta United from picking up any points in their hunt for a playoff spot. Nashville is sitting in 14th in the East with 29 points, just two behind Atlanta who are in 10th with 31 points. Atlanta is one spot behind D.C. United for the final playoff spot.
Alex Muyl scored in the fifth minute to give Nashville an early lead. In the 76th minute, Henry Mukhtar doubled his club’s lead, depleting any last hope from the Atlanta side. Atlanta controlled more possession and outshot Nashville, but weren’t able to convert. The upcoming schedule for Atlanta is not easy either. On Wednesday, they’ll take on Inter Miami.
Toronto defeats Austin to stay in playoff race
Toronto FC picked up three huge points against Austin FC to remain eighth in the East. D.C. United’s draw against NYCFC gave Toronto more breathing room in the playoff race, although D.C. is just three points behind Toronto.
After losing five of their last six home games, Toronto needed a win badly to keep their playoff hopes alive, and they delivered. Jonathan Osorio gave Toronto an early lead in the seventh minute with a bullet of a shot in the box. Deandre Kerr doubled the lead in the 30th minute after finding space behind Austin’s defense.
Owen Wolff put Austin on the scoreboard in the 75th minute, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback in the final 15 minutes.
All Matchday 32 scorelines:
Nashville SC 2-0 Atlanta United
Columbus Crew 0-0 FC Cincinnati
D.C. United 1-1 NYCFC
Inter Miami 3-0 Philadelphia Union
CF Montreal 2-1 Charlotte FC
Orlando City 3-0 New England Revolution
Toronto FC 2-1 Austin FC
Chicago Fire 2-1 New York Red Bulls
Houston Dynamo 4-1 Real Salt Lake
Minnesota United 3-1 St. Louis City SC
Colorado Rapids 2-1 Portland Timbers
LA Galaxy 4-2 LAFC
Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders 2 -0 Sporting Kansas City
Eastern Conference Standings:
X – Inter Miami – 62 pts
X – FC Cincinnati – 52 pts
X – Columbus Crew – 50 pts
New York Red Bulls – 43 pts
Orlando City – 40 pts
NYCFC – 40 pts
Charlotte FC – 38 pts
Toronto FC – 36 pts
D.C. United – 33 pts
Atlanta United – 31 pts
Philadelphia Union – 30 pts
CF Montreal – 30 pts
Chicago Fire – 29 pts
Nashville SC – 29 pts
New England Revolution – 27 pts
Western Conference Standings:
X – LA Galaxy – 55 pts
LAFC – 48 pts
Colorado Rapids – 47 pts
Real Salt Lake – 47 pts
Seattle Sounders – 46 pts
Vancouver Whitecaps – 45 pts
Houston Dynamo – 44 pts
Portland Timbers – 40 pts
Minnesota United – 39 pts
FC Dallas – 34 pts
Austin FC – 34 pts
Sporting Kansas City – 28 pts
St. Louis City SC – 28 pts
E – San Jose Earthquakes – 17 pts
MLS Matchday 33
MLS Matchday 33 will kick off this Wednesday. Thirteen matches are on the calendar as multiple clubs fight for their playoff hopes with Decision Day looming.
Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
