MLS Matchday 14 recap: Union climb to top of the league, Miami continues to drop

Another thrilling week of MLS action has ended. MLS Matchday 14 saw plenty of changes in the standings, and a new leader is at the league’s top.

Earning a 1-0 win over Atlanta United, the Philadelphia Union have moved into the top spot in the Eastern Conference and to the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings.

Inter Miami were blanked 3-0 by Orlando City, dropping to sixth in the East. Miami’s rough stretch continues, and they have a matchup with the Union this Saturday.

The Vancouver Whitecaps, the Western Conference leader, drew 0-0 with Austin FC but remain three points ahead of second-place Minnesota United.

Here is a recap of some of the best matches from MLS Matchday 14

Union, MLS — Image Credit: Philadelphia Union

Union is now top of the league

Atlanta United has been a weak team all year, but they didn’t make Saturday’s match too easy for the Union. After a scoreless first half, Tai Baribo scored on a penalty to give the Union a 1-0 lead in the 59th minute.

The penalty marked Baribo’s 11th goal of the year, and he continues to lead the MLS Golden Boot race. The Union held on to the 1-0 lead thanks to Andrew Rick’s huge saves. Three points were added for the Union to move them to the top of MLS.

Orlando picks up clean sheet over Miami

Orlando City earned three points in a 3-0 win over Inter Miami to jump them in the standings. Orlando moves into fifth while Miami drops to sixth. Frustration is growing on the Miami side, with Sunday’s loss being a prime example.

Luis Muriel scored in the 43rd minute right before halftime to put Orlando ahead. Marco Pasalic Orlando’s lead in the 53rd minute, and then Dagur Dan Thorhallsson put the match away in the 90+4′. Orlando has been surging in the East after a rocky start to the year.

Toronto takes down Montreal, 6-1

In a battle between two teams in the bottom three of the East, Toronto FC ran rampant over CF Montreal, winning 6-1.

Montreal CB Joel Waterman was given a red in the 21st minute while Montreal was already down 1-0. The send-off for Waterman didn’t help Montreal at all, as Toronto went on to score twice more in the first half and then added three more goals in the second.

This match didn’t affect the standings for these two clubs, but it was a rivalry nonetheless.

El Tráfico ends in a 2-2 draw

Despite the LA Galaxy being the biggest disappointment in the league this year, El Tráfico always puts on a show.

Marco Reus put the Galaxy in the lead in the 6th minute, but then Denis Bouanga equalized seven minutes later. Nathan Ordaz gave LAFC the lead in the 50th minute, and it looked like LAFC had a win in the bag until Reus scored a brace from a beautiful free kick in the 87th minute.

The Galaxy still hasn’t won this year, but they stole a point in El Tráfico, which could feel like a win.

Hell is Real derby finishes in 1-1 draw

Another huge rivalry, the Hell is Real derby between FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew, also ended in a draw, 1-1.

Kevin Denkey wasted no time putting Cincinnati ahead, scoring in the 6th minute. Cincinnati held strong throughout the match, but Diego Rossi converted a penalty in the 54th minute to bring the match level.

Columbus had a few decent chances towards the tail-end of the second half but weren’t able to find the go-ahead goal.

MLS standings after Matchday 14

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia Union – 29 pts
FC Cincinnati – 29 pts
Columbus Crew – 27 pts
Nashville SC – 24 pts
Orlando City – 24 pts
Inter Miami – 22 pts
NYCFC – 21 pts
Charlotte FC – 19 pts
Chicago Fire – 19 pts
New York Red Bulls – 18 pts
New England Revolution – 18 pts
D.C. United – 14 pts
Toronto FC – 13 pts
Atlanta United – 11 pts
CF Montreal – 7 pts

Western Conference

Vancouver Whitecaps – 28 pts
Minnesota United – 25 pts
San Diego FC – 24 pts
Portland Timbers – 23 pts
LAFC – 22 pts
Seattle Sounders – 20 pts
Colorado Rapids – 19 pts
San Jose Earthquakes – 18 pts
Austin FC – 18 pts
Houston Dynamo – 16 pts
FC Dallas – 16 pts
Real Salt Lake – 14 pts
Sporting Kansas City – 12 pts
St. Louis City – 11 pts
LA Galaxy – 4 pts