Los Angeles FC (LAFC) first place in the Western Conference in its match LA Galaxy while Leo Messiwith three goals, lead to Inter Miami on the all-time MLS points record. The last day of the MLS regular season left a colorful Saturday with many teams pending their results but also what is happening in other fields.
One that is confident of making history is Inter Miami, which is guaranteed first place in the East and the MLS Supporters’ Shield in its showcase has a chance to break the record for points in an MLS season. The Florida team started losing 0-2 against the New England Revolution, but turned the score around until they beat their rivals 6-2 with a hat trick from Messi in just half an hour on the field (started him as a substitute). two goals from Luis Suárez and one from Benjamin Cremaschi. With 74 points, Inter Miami broke the mark achieved by the New England Revolution with 73 points in 2001.
In the West, first place was not decided until the last day and there were two Los Angeles teams as contenders. Finally, LAFC came out on top against their eternal rivals. First of all, LAFC won 3-1 against the San Jose Earthquakes (Columbian Eduard Atuesta scored one of the goals) and took first in the West as the Galaxy lost 1-0 against the Houston Dynamo thanks to a goal from to Argentine Ezequiel Ponce.
However, former Barcelona player Riqui Puig forced a penalty and Brazilian Gabriel Pec scored a supreme penalty in the 97th minute that, with a 1-1 draw, gave the Galaxy their first place in the West. Just when all seemed lost for LAFC, a miracle appeared in Houston with a superb header from Daniel Steres’ Dynamo in the 101st minute that ended the Galaxy’s 2-1 loss.
To get an idea of the amazing parity in the West, just look at the fact that LAFC and Galaxy finished with points (64) and with the same number of wins (19), so only a small margin in the difference of goals ( +20 versus +19) decided who won that conference. As first in the West, LAFC will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs in that conference, including the final with the Galaxy.
Pep Biel, opponent for CD United
DC United, who needed a draw to qualify for the MLS Cup qualifiers, lost at home 0-3 against Charlotte. Pep Biel scored one of Charlotte’s goals. Montreal benefited from the collapse of the team from the American capital, defeating New York City 2-0 with a goal from Venezuelan Josef Martínez; and Atlanta United, who beat Orlando City 1-2 (Argentine Martín Ojeda scored the goal for the Florida natives).
Without leaving the East, Cincinnati won 1-2 against the Philadelphia Union, Colombian Juan Camilo ‘Cucho’ Hernández’s Columbus Crew beat the New York Red Bulls 2-3 with a left footed shot in the 97th minute by Malte Amundsen and Nashville lost 0-0 3 to Chicago Fire.
For the remaining games in the West, Dallas beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1, Real Salt Lake bounced back 2-1 against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Minnesota United beat St. Louis City 4-1, Seattle Sounders tied 1-1 Portland Timbers with goals from Colombian Yeimar and Austin beat Colorado Rapids 3-2.
PLAYOFF CROSSINGS
Best of three games
THIS
Inter Miami (1)-winner of Montreal-Atlanta United (8)
Columbus Crew (2)-New York Red Bulls (7)
Cincinnati (3)-New York City (6)
Orlando City (4)-Charlotte (5)
WEST
LAFC (1)-winner of Vancouver-Portland (8)
LA Galaxy (2)-Colorado Rapids (7)
Real Salt Lake (3)-Minnesota United (6)
Seattle Sounders (4)-Houston Dynamo (5).
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
