MLS Matchday 23 recap: Union move back into first in the East, Columbus wins Hell is Real derby

The Philadelphia Union moved back into first place in the Eastern Conference and the Supporters’ Shield standings after MLS Matchday 23. On Saturday night, the Union kept a 2-0 clean sheet over the New York Red Bulls at Subaru Park, their league-leading ninth clean sheet of the season.

The Hell is Real derby is always a staple on the MLS calendar, and the Columbus Crew defeated FC Cincinnati, 4-2, in Saturday’s contest. Columbus sits fourth in the East, while Cincinnati has dropped to second.

In the Western Conference, the Vancouver Whitecaps’ slump continues. They dropped to third following a 3-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids. San Diego FC took down the Chicago Fire to remain at the top.

Here is a recap of five of the best matches from MLS Matchday 23:

Union, MLS — Image Credit: Philadelphia Union

Union regains first place in the East & MLS

The Union’s 2-0 clean sheet extended their regular-season unbeaten run to 12 games over the New York Red Bulls. This match was also the 300th for Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya.

Indiana Vassilev put the Union up early in the match in the 9th minute. Then, in the 24th minute, Bruno Damiani doubled the lead. Fun fact, Damiani also won the most duels of the match with 13.

After these three points, the Union climbed back into the top spot in the East and the Supporters’ Shield standings.

Columbus knocks off Cincinnati in derby, 4-2

The Hell is Real derby is always a must-watch. This time around, the Columbus Crew picked up a 4-2 win. Cincinnati got off to an early 2-0 lead within the first five minutes of the match, but then Columbus scored four consecutive goals.

With the win, Columbus stayed fourth in MLS’s East, while Cincinnati dropped to second.

Messi continues scoring streak in win over Nashville

Inter Miami picked up a 2-1 win over Nashville SC, and Lionel Messi continued his record streak of multi-goal games.

Miami entered the second half with a 1-0 lead thanks to Messi’s goal in the 17th minute, but then Hany Mukhtar equalized for Nashville in the 49th minute. Messi didn’t take long to give Miami the lead again, scoring another brace in the 62nd minute.

Miami has been on a hot run as of late, sitting fifth in the East.

Vancouver gets shutout by Colorado

The Vancouver Whitecaps have been on a downward trend lately, and that trend continued after they were blanked by the Colorado Rapids, 3-0.

Calvin Harris and Rafael Navarro put Colorado up 2-0 heading into the second half, and then Andreas Maxsø tripled the lead in the 59th minute.

Vancouver has now been shutout in their last two matches in league play.

Minnesota moves into second in the West

Minnesota United is now sitting second in MLS’s West after a strong 4-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. Minnesota has been fighting for that second spot for most of the season. With Vancouver falling to Colorado, Minnesota has moved up a spot.

Tani Oluwaseyi put Minnesota on the scoreboard in just the 3rd minute of the match. Minnesota added two more goals before the half-time whistle and then their fourth in the 90+5′. Bruno Wilson found the back of the net for San Jose in the 70th minute, but it was already too late to find a comeback.

MLS Standings after Matchday 23

MLS’s Eastern Conference

Philadelphia Union – 43 pts
FC Cincinnati – 42 pts
Nashville SC – 41 pts
Columbus Crew – 41 pts
Inter Miami – 38 pts
Orlando City – 35 pts
NYCFC – 31 pts
New York Red Bulls – 30 pts
Charlotte FC – 29 pts
Chicago Fire – 28 pts
New England Revolution – 25 pts
Atlanta United – 19 pts
D.C. United – 19 pts
Toronto FC – 18 pts
CF Montreal – 15 pts

MLS’s Western Conference

San Diego FC – 42 pts
Minnesota United – 40 pts
Vancouver Whitecaps – 38 pts
Seattle Sounders – 33 pts
Portland Timbers – 33 pts
LAFC – 32 pts
Colorado Rapids – 29 pts
San Jose Earthquakes – 28 pts
Austin FC – 27 pts
Houston Dynamo – 26 pts
Real Salt Lake – 25 pts
Sporting Kansas City – 23 pts
FC Dallas – 21 pts
St. Louis City – 18 pts
LA Galaxy – 15 pts