MLS Matchday 25 recap: Union grind out win over Montreal, Cincinnati ends Messi’s hot streak

Midweek MLS action never disappoints. MLS Matchday 25 saw the Philadelphia Union grind out a win over CF Montreal to stay at the top of the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings. FC Cincinnati ended Lionel Messi’s hot scoring streak in a 3-0 win over Inter Miami.

Looking at MLS’s Western Conference, San Diego FC lost to Toronto FC, 1-0, and the Vancouver Whitecaps blanked the Houston Dynamo, 3-0. San Diego is still at the top of the West, but Vancouver is now one point behind.

MLS Matchday 26 is this weekend, so let’s recap the five best matches from Matchday 25 before another fun weekend begins.

Union grinds out win over Montreal

It wasn’t the prettiest of wins for the Union this year, especially against CF Montreal, but three points are three points.

Tai Baribo opened the scoring in the 38th minute, but Prince Owusu tied the game in the 45+2′ right before the halftime whistle. In the second half, Olwethu Makhanya put the Union ahead again in the 50th minute.

The remainder of the game was a battle, and Montreal came close to equalizing again on more than one occasion. However, the Union’s strong and structured defense, combined with key saves from Andre Blake, saw the Union escape with three points in their bag.

Cincinnati silences Messi and Miami

Lionel Messi’s goal-scoring streak ended at TQL Stadium on Wednesday night. FC Cincinnati grabbed three points in a 3-0 win to remain one point behind the Philadelphia Union for the top spot in MLS’s East.

Gerardo Valenzuela scored first for Cincinnati in the 16th minute, and Evander added a brace in the second half (50′, 70′). Messi managed five shots in the loss, but none of them made an impact.

Nashville picks up a clean sheet over Columbus

Nashville SC also kept a 3-0 clean sheet over the other Ohio team, the Columbus Crew.

Columbus got off to a brutal start, scoring an own goal in just the second minute, which hindered them for the rest of the match. Hany Mukhtar doubled Nashville’s lead in the 30th minute, and Sam Surridge added the third and final goal in the 82nd minute.

Toronto upsets San Diego

MLS’s Western Conference leaders, San Diego FC, did the Vancouver Whitecaps a favor. San Diego’s 1-0 loss to Toronto FC moved Vancouver back into second place, one point behind San Diego.

Theodor Corbeanu’s penalty conversion in the 20th minute resulted in the match’s only goal, but it was enough to give Toronto three points over a Western Conference powerhouse.

Colorado makes a second-half comeback

The Colorado Rapids saw themselves down 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders, but three consecutive goals in the second half from Colorado ended the match in a 3-3 draw.

Colorado converted on two consecutive penalties in the 50th and 53rd minutes, and Darren Yapi equalized the game in the 75th minute, to his side one point after the final whistle.

Standings after Matchday 25

MLS’s Eastern Conference

Philadelphia Union – 46 pts
FC Cincinnati – 45 pts
Nashville SC – 44 pts
Columbus Crew – 41 pts
Inter Miami – 38 pts
Orlando City – 35 pts
NYCFC – 34 pts
New York Red Bulls – 33 pts
Charlotte FC – 32 pts
Chicago Fire – 29 pts
New England Revolution – 25 pts
Toronto FC – 21 pts
Atlanta United – 20 pts
D.C. United – 19 pts
CF Montreal – 15 pts

MLS’s Western Conference

San Diego FC – 42 pts
Vancouver Whitecaps – 41 pts
Minnesota United – 40 pts
LAFC – 35 pts
Seattle Sounders – 34 pts
Portland Timbers – 33 pts
Colorado Rapids – 30 pts
Austin FC – 30 pts
San Jose Earthquakes – 29 pts
Real Salt Lake – 28 pts
Houston Dynamo – 26 pts
Sporting Kansas City – 23 pts
FC Dallas – 22 pts
St. Louis City – 18 pts
LA Galaxy – 15 pts