Los Angeles FC claimed the bragging rights over the LA Galaxy in El Tráfico on Saturday while Lionel Messi made his long-awaited return for Inter Miami in a 2-2 draw against the Colorado Rapids. Meanwhile, the New York Red Bulls and Vancouver Whitecaps surged to the top of their respective conferences. Here are five of the biggest storylines from the weekend in MLS
By Graham Ruthven, MLS Expert
Los Angeles FC asserted themselves against in-form LA Galaxy
El Tráfico always delivers. The fixture has become MLS’s defining rivalry since Los Angeles FC’s entry into the league five years ago and Steve Cherundolo’s side asserted their dominance against an in-form LA Galaxy on Saturday, albeit by being the more conservative of the two teams in a 2-1 victory at BMO Stadium.
LAFC had just 32% of possession against their fiercest rivals. Cherundolo set up his team to stifle the Galaxy’s attack and largely succeeded – the visitors finished with an Expected Goals (xG) of just 1.13. This game plan was reflective of the evolution LAFC have made under the increasingly pragmatic Cherundolo with victory in El Tráfico a sign of how the Black and Gold could still grow into the 2024 campaign.
Lionel Messi made his return, but Inter Miami still have problems
After several matches on the sidelines, Messi made his return from a hamstring injury for Inter Miami in the second half of Saturday’s home game against the Colorado Rapids. The 36-year-old found the back of the net with a cultured finish off the inside of the post, but the Herons could only draw 2-2. They still have problems.
Inter Miami have shown themselves to be vulnerable in defensive transition over the first eight games of the season and Colorado exploited this in Cole Bassett’s late leveller when the hosts conceded possession and were countered. Tata Martino rested many of his best players ahead of this week’s CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against Monterrey. A defeat in that game after a disappointing result against Colorado would change the narrative around Messi and co.
NY Red Bulls have taken a big step forward this season
Victory away to FC Cincinnati on Saturday saw the New York Red Bulls take an early lead in the Supporters’ Shield standings. While it might be far too early to start talking about silverware, this is reflective of the progress RBNY have made under new head coach Sandro Schwarz. Indeed, they look like a serious team that could stay near the top of the Eastern Conference.
Schwarz hasn’t reinvented the wheel. There are still recognisable elements of the RBNY’s game. They still play Red Bull football, as demonstrated by the way Cincy were forced into a turnover high up the pitch for Frankie Amaya’s opener. However, they are also capable of playing more pragmatically against the ball – and that’s new.
Aidan Morris saves Columbus after Cucho Hernández’s moment of madness
The Columbus Crew were already trailing to DC United when Cucho Hernández was shown a straight red card, making a difficult situation even trickier for the defending MLS Cup champions. Having missed the Crew’s last two matches due to “team policy,” as Wilfried Nancy put it, this was hardly the most dignified of returns for the Colombian, who was sent packing for kicking out at Christopher McVey.
When Columbus couldn’t break down the DC United low block, Aidan Morris (who was also sent off in the CONCACAF Champions Cup last week) stepped up to salvage his team a point with a stunning equaliser from distance three minutes from the end. The USA midfielder appears to have improved again this season and has made himself a leader for the Crew.
Vancouver’s hot start has made them the strongest team in Canada
Saturday’s all-Canadian clash between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC on Saturday resulted in an emphatic 4-0 victory for the hosts who asserted themselves as the best team in the Great White North this season. Vanni Sartini’s team were helped by some calamitous defending from TFC, but nonetheless – this was a statement result and performance by the Caps.
After slow starts in 2022 and 2023, Vancouver are setting the pace at the top of the Western Conference with four wins, one draw and one defeat from their opening six fixtures. “We’re doing two things much better than we were last year,” Sartini said. “First of all, we are better defensively. Then, the second thing is that last year, we needed 14 chances to score a goal, and this year we are much more (clinical).”
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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