MLS Matchday 16 recap: Union complete comeback against Toronto, Vancouver, and Minnesota end scoreless

There’s nothing better than an MLS midweek pick-me-up. Matchday 16 on Wednesday was a great teaser for Matchday 17, and one team jumped back into the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings.

The Philadelphia Union completed a comeback against Toronto FC to extend their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference and move back into the top spot in the Supporters’ Shield standings.

The Vancouver Whitecaps fell to second in the Supporters’ Shield standings but are still at the top of the Western Conference following a 0-0 draw against Minnesota United.

Here is a recap of five matches from MLS Matchday 16.

Union, MLS — Image Credit: Philadelphia Union

Union completes late comeback in Toronto

Late-game heroics from the Union helped them pick up three points over Toronto FC, 2-1.

Ola Brynhildsen scored the first goal of the match in the 75th minute, and it looked like Toronto was going to upset the Union. Until Nathan Harriel converted on a header in the 87th minute, and then Kai Wagner scored the winner in the 90+2′. Wagner’s shot deflected off a Toronto player and ended up in the net.

The Union’s win extended their lead at the top of the East and put them back in first in the Supporters’ Shield. They are also unbeaten in 10 straight matches.

Vancouver and Minnesota end scoreless

A battle between two top teams in the West ended scoreless on Wednesday evening. Vancouver’s point extended its lead at the top of the West to 32 points. Second-place San Diego FC lost to the Seattle Sounders, so it is now tied with Minnesota United for second in the West with 27 points.

Messi and Suarez both score twice against Montreal

Inter Miami has been in a slump, but they picked up three points against CF Montreal. Both Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez each scored a brace in the 4-2 win.

With the win, Miami moved back into sixth place in the East and is now one point behind Orlando City for fifth.

LA Galaxy continues historically bad MLS season

The LA Galaxy’s historically bad season continues. Taking on the San Jose Earthquakes, the Galaxy failed yet again in the late stages of the second half.

Ousseni Bouda put San Jose ahead in the 74th minute, which would be the first and last goal of the game. San Jose has been surging in the West as of late. They started the season hot, cooled off a bit, but are now in seventh.

Columbus and Nashville draw, 2-2

Both Nashville SC and the Columbus Crew are equal on points in the East with 28, following a 2-2 draw.

Sam Surridge put Nashville up in just the second minute of the contest, and Columbus didn’t respond until the 69th minute, courtesy of Diego Rossi. Hany Mukhtar answered back for Nashville in the 78th minute, but then Nashville scored an own goal in the 81st minute, resulting in a 2-2 final score.

Both clubs are hunting down the top spot in the East, and Nashville has been a pleasant surprise in 2025. The match was such a nail-biter that the MLS YouTube didn’t add the correct thumbnail to the video. This is MLS heritage, I guess.

MLS Standings after Matchday 16

Eastern Conference

Philadelphia Union – 33 pts
FC Cincinnati – 30 pts
Nashville SC – 28 pts
Columbus Crew – 28 pts
Orlando City – 27 pts
Inter Miami – 26 pts
New York Red Bulls – 24 pts
NYCFC – 24 pts
Charlotte FC – 22 pts
New England Revolution – 20 pts
Chicago Fire – 19 pts
Atlanta United – 17 pts
D.C. United – 15 pts
Toronto FC – 13 pts
CF Montreal – 8 pts

Western Conference

Vancouver Whitecaps – 32 pts
San Diego FC – 27 pts
Minnesota United – 27 pts
Seattle Sounders – 26 pts
Portland Timbers – 26 pts
LAFC – 23 pts
San Jose Earthquakes – 22 pts
Colorado Rapids – 22 pts
Houston Dynamo – 20 pts
Austin FC – 20 pts
FC Dallas – 17 pts
Real Salt Lake – 15 pts
Sporting Kansas City – 13 pts
St. Louis City – 11 pts
LA Galaxy – 4 pts