A header by Jonathan Mensah from a Lucas Zelaryan corner kick in the 65th minute saw the Columbus Crew come away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a 1-0 win over Atlanta United on Saturday after- midday.
The clash was contested in front of a crowd of over 67,000 people.
Zelaryan came onto the playing surface as part of a substitution early in the second half, and he made a difference. The Argentinian game maker set the table brilliantly for the sole purpose of the game.
Josef Martinez could have set the crowd on fire in the second minute of play when he skillfully handed the ball over to Jake Mulraney. The latter’s shot, however, ended a few inches from the post, on the far side.
It was only the second time in this 2021 season that the Crew won on the road. This harvest of three points allowed the defending champions to climb to third place in the classification of the Eastern association.
TFC still undefeated under Perez
Arriving in the game in the second half, Nick DeLeon scored the game-changing goal for Toronto FC in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.
Yeferson Soteldo scored his second in MLS after just two minutes of play for the other net for the Reds, who are undefeated in four games under Javier Perez since being named interim coach, replacing Chris Armas.
The Toronto defense struggled in defense during this game, however, leaving no less than 31 fire attempts to equal a concession record. Alex Bono, however, responded to the challenge, totaling 13 saves.
Chicago hasn’t tasted victory in its last three games.
The Whitecaps miss a great opportunity
The Vancouver Whitecaps escaped a 2-0 lead to be content with a 2-2 draw against Los Angeles FC.
Deiber Caicedo and Cristian Dejome each scored first-half goals for Vancouver. Carlos Vela, however, brought Los Angeles back into the game by rocking the strings in a third straight game. Jose Cifuentes created the tie at the 75e minute for Californian training.
The Whitecaps thought they had saved themselves with the victory late in the game as Dajome found the back of the net in the 85e minute. However, his goal was refused when there was an obstruction at the expense of Tomas Romero.
Sapong and Nashville dominate Cincy
A brace from CJ Sapong saw Nashville SC extend their streak of home success in 2021, with a 3-0 win over FC Cincinnati.
In the 13th minute, a cross from Hany Mukhtar was skillfully redirected by Sapong to make it 1-0.
This Sapong-Mukhtar combination returned sixteen minutes later, but Sapong barely missed his teammate’s bet.
The locals, however, doubled their priority a few moments after this missed opportunity. Sapong got creative to put Randall Leal against the grain, and the latter beat Kenneth Vermeer with a powerful strike.
It was this same Sapong who finally put the match out of reach, in the 57th minute.
FC Dallas fixes the Galaxy
Ricardo Pepi had a hat trick in a landslide 4-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Pepi continues to make his eyes widen this season as he scored in the 27e minute, 44e and 50e for the feat. At 18, he became the youngest player in MLS history to achieve a hat trick. He beat the mark owned by Kekuta Manneh of Austin FC.
Jader Obrian scored the last goal of the Texan team for the knockout.
Minnesota on track
Minnesota United stole three points from the Portland Timbers with two late goals in a 2-1 win.
Minnesota is off to a great start as it hasn’t suffered a setback in nine of its last 10 outings. The Timbers opened the scoring at the 10e minute while Felipe Mora found the back of the net. Chase Gasper responded to the 74e minute as he redirected a cross into the area of Hassani Dotson.
Less than 10 minutes later, Emanuel Reynoso scored the goal that made the difference.
Nashville has an impressive 6-0-5 stadium record in 2021.
The Rapids never got in the game against Real
Bobby Wood scored his first MLS goal in Real Salt Lake’s 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids.
Things started badly for the Rapids, as goaltender William Yarbrough blundered and scored in his own goal. A victim of the pressure exerted by Wood, central back Lalas Abubakar handed over to Yarbrough, who miscalculated the trajectory of the ball. It slipped under his foot to the inside of the net.
Just before the half hour mark, midfielder Albert Rusnak prepared Wood’s first net in the Garber circuit, allowing Real to head to half-time with a two-goal priority.
With 14 minutes to go, Ruubio Rubin added a third goal for the Utah roster. It was the first time this season that Colorado allowed a goal in the last quarter of an hour of a game.
Another draw for the Quakes
Matias Vera scored a superb goal late in the first half to give the Houston Dynamo a 0-0 draw in front of the San Jose Earthquakes.
Cristian Espinoza produced an own goal for Dynamo as Zarek Valentin redirected the ball into his net.
Vera sent her shot 25 yards into the back of the goal moments later.
The Earthquakes tied for a fourth straight game. They have not signed the victory in their last 11 outings.
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