Week 14 of Major League Soccer’s 2022 campaign is in the books and it did not disappoint. LAFC continues to reign supreme, as Inter Miami finally looks to have found their groove.
Here’s everything that happened this weekend…
LA Galaxy triumphed 4-1 over Austin FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday as goals from Chicharito, Dejan Joveljić and Efrain Alvarez led the Western Conference side to three points. Goalkeeper Brad Struver first denied Chicharito a penalty, before succumbing to the host’s lethal attack. Diego Fagundez pulled one back for Austin FC, but his efforts were not enough to win it all.
The reigning Concacaf Champions League winners defeated Charlotte FC on Sunday, with Raul Ruidiaz coming in as the unsung hero. The Peruvian managed an 80th-minute goal to secure the lead, and boost the Sounders’ standings on the Western Conference table.
There was no stopping the Western Conference’s third-place team against the Houston Dynamo. Bobby Wood, Sergio Cordova and Justen Glad inspired Real Salt Lake’s victory in what head coach Pablo Mastroeni described as “a carryover from last year.”
A 24th-minute penalty by Lucas Cavallini was all the Whitecaps needed to take three points home against Sporting Kansas City. It was another loss for Peter Vermes’ side as they struggle in last place of the Western Conference table.
C. J. Sapong and Hany Mukhtar led Nashville to triumph over the Rapids on Saturday, taking three points from an away game. On the other end, Diego Rubio scored for the Rapids, but his efforts were simply not enough to secure the victory.
Ronny Deila’s boys cannot be stopped. NYCFC secured a victory against the Loons thanks to a goal by Alexander Callens, securing their lead atop the Eastern Conference standings. Emmanuel Reynoso tried to pull one back in the 90th minute, but Sean Johnson was on the job.
Phil Neville’s side is slowly finding their groove. After struggling to kick off the 2022 campaign, Inter Miami seems to be on a winning streak. Leonardo Campana showed up once again for the South Florida team, linking up with Robert Taylor to secure the win.
Paul Arriola is unstoppable. The FC Dallas figure scored twice against Orlando City to receive the title “best winger in the league” by head coach Nico Estevez. Ercan Kara managed one for Orlando, but FC Dallas was just too much to handle.
Despite the coaching change, D.C. United continues to struggle. The Eastern Conference’s 13th place was no match for the Red Bulls, who thrived as Luquinhas led the side to victory with two goals.
Atlanta may have been the better team statistically, but the Crew took home the three points thanks to goals from Jonathan Mensah and Erik Hurtado. It seems injuries continue to plague Gonzalo Pineda’s side.
LAFC continues to reign supreme. The LA side leads the Western Conference table and Supporters Shield standings after another great performance.
