The LA Galaxy have finally picked up their first win of the MLS Season during Matchday 17. Entering the matchday, the defending MLS Cup Champions had only four points to their name and zero wins. A 2-0 victory over Salt Lake City has finally given the Galaxy and its supporters something to cheer about.
The Philadelphia Union drew 0-0 against FC Dallas but remain at the top of both the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings. FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew both lost their matches, keeping the Union on top for now.
Here are five of the best matches from MLS Matchday 17!
Miami dominates Columbus, 5-1
Inter Miami has moved to third in MLS’s East after a dominant 5-1 win over the Columbus Crew. Miami was in sixth entering the matchday and is continuing its recent hot streak.
Tadeo Allende scored first for Miami in the 13th minute, and they didn’t look back from there. Lionel Messi doubled the lead just two minutes later and then added a brace in the 24th minute.
Cesar Ruvalcaba brought Columbus back into the match with a 58th-minute goal, but Luis Suárez scored in the 89th, and Fabrice Picault added insult to injury in the 89th.
Miami is now hot while Columbus is going cold.
D.C. United upset FC Cincinnati
A win for FC Cincinnati could’ve brought them closer to the top spot in the East again, but D.C. United stood in their way.
Gabriel Pirani scored for D.C. right as the match opened up in the second minute. Kevin Denkey equalized in the 15th minute, until Conner Antley retook the lead for D.C. in the 19th.
Twelve points separate Cincinnati from D.C. in the standings, and Cincinnati would like to have this match back. Cincinnati has also had a rough stretch of MLS matches lately, but a busy July schedule can benefit them.
San Diego takes down Austin
With a 2-0 win over Austin FC, San Diego FC and Minnesota United are both sitting on 30 points in MLS’s West. San Diego is ahead in the standings on goal differential. Austin has dropped to 10th.
The first half at Snapdragon Stadium ended scoreless. In the 60th minute, Luca de la Torre put San Diego ahead, and then Milan Iloski doubled the lead and put the match away in the 90+2′.
Minnesota takes over in the second half to beat Seattle
Another MLS match that was scoreless in the first half, Minnesota and Seattle provided five goals in the second half to cap off a thriller.
Tani Oluwaseyi scored first for Minnesota in the 51st minute, and then Robin Lod converted on a penalty in the 54th to double the lead. Kalani Rienzi brought the match back to within one for Seattle in the 55th, but then Oluwaseyi scored a brace in the 58th. Seattle came back within one again when Minnesota CB Nicolas Romero scored an own goal.
Seattle couldn’t manage anything to find a draw, and Minnesota walked away with three points.
The Galaxy gets its first win of the year
It’s been a long time coming. After a horrid start to the season after winning the MLS Cup, the LA Galaxy have won their first match of the season, and it was a clean sheet nonetheless.
Lucas Sanabria scored in the 17th minute to get things started, and then Joseph Paintsil doubled the lead in the 55th minute. The Galaxy remains last in the West with seven points, but they are only one point behind CF Montreal in the Supporters’ Shield standings.
MLS Standings after Matchday 17
Philadelphia Union – 34 pts
FC Cincinnati – 30 pts
Inter Miami – 29 pts
Nashville SC – 29 pts
Columbus Crew – 28 pts
New York Red Bulls – 27 pts
Orlando City – 27 pts
Charlotte FC – 25 pts
NYCFC – 25 pts
New England Revolution – 23 pts
Chicago Fire – 22 pts
D.C. United – 18 pts
Atlanta United – 17 pts
Toronto FC – 13 pts
CF Montreal – 8 pts
Vancouver Whitecaps – 32 pts
San Diego FC – 30 pts
Minnesota United – 30 pts
Portland Timbers – 26 pts
Seattle Sounders – 26 pts
LAFC – 23 pts
San Jose Earthquakes – 22 pts
Colorado Rapids – 22 pts
Houston Dynamo – 20 pts
Austin FC – 20 pts
FC Dallas – 18 pts
Sporting Kansas City – 16 pts
Real Salt Lake – 15 pts
St. Louis City – 14 pts
LA Galaxy – 7 pts
Be sure to return to Philly Sports Network for more Philadelphia Union and other soccer content!
Follow our Union team on Twitter:
Tim Lovenguth | Jimmy King | Paul Frenzel
Nate Tennesen | Eric Frysinger | Steve Beavon
Tomiwa Aderinoye | Christopher Babos | Liam Jenkins
Doop on Union fans!
Featured Image Credit: Philadelphia Union
