MLS was back with another full slate of games on Saturday as rivalries took centre stage. Here is what went down.
What happened
![](https://vcpsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1721542144_917_The-Debrief-on-Saturdays-rivalry-themed-MLS-action.jpeg)
![](https://vcpsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1721542144_917_The-Debrief-on-Saturdays-rivalry-themed-MLS-action.jpeg)
Jul 20, 2024; Carson, California, USA; Portland Timbers defender Miguel Araujo (2) and LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig (10) battle for the ball during their MLS soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
The Eastern Conference continues to be full of drama as leaders Inter Miami held onto all three points over Chicago Fire 2-1 thanks to Jordi Alba heroics.
Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati’s nightmare continues after they stumbled for a third consecutive game in a 3-1 loss to New York Red Bulls.
A hat trick helped Philadelphia Union blast three past Nashville, Columbus stumbled on the road against Atlanta United (2-1), and over in Canada, Toronto survived 1-0 against Montreal.
Over in the Western Conference, Minnesota United won 2-0 over San Jose Earthquakes before things turned chaotic with the late games.
LAFC blanked Seattle 3-0, Vancouver lost Ryan Gauld to injury and 4-3 to Houston Dynamo, Riqui Puig inspired LA Galaxy to hold on and beat Portland 3-2, then a late Cole Bassett penalty saw Colorado Rapids win 3-2 over Real Salt Lake.
The teams that split the points were Orlando City and New York City (1-1), New England and FC Dallas (1-1), Sporting KC and St. Louis (1-1) plus Austin and Charlotte (2-2).
Stat of the night
One of the shocks of the night arrived inside the fortress that is Red Bull Arena.
With a 3-1 victory over FC Cincinnati tonight, the @NewYorkRedBulls extended their second longest home unbeaten streak (12 games) to begin a season in club history (13 games in 2012).
The Red Bulls are the only remaining @MLS team not to lose at home this season (7-0-5). pic.twitter.com/s2Rb3PJ18H
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) July 21, 2024
Player of the night
Hat-trick hero Dániel Gazdag earns this honour after ripping apart Nashville’s defence.
It’s now 14 goals and one assist in 20 MLS games this season for the 28-year-old attacking midfielder.
He is the second player in Union history to hit 80 career goal contributions alongside Sébastien Le Toux (100).
What this means
![](https://vcpsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1721542144_174_The-Debrief-on-Saturdays-rivalry-themed-MLS-action.jpeg)
![](https://vcpsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1721542144_174_The-Debrief-on-Saturdays-rivalry-themed-MLS-action.jpeg)
NYRB are the biggest winners in the East with an upset over second-place Cincinnati. A second consecutive slip for Columbus is something they can’t make a habit of, but two games in hand could see the Crew eventually move behind leaders Inter Miami.
Toronto, meanwhile,…