Our Major League Soccer expert James Nalton picks the standout players from the latest round of games in MLS, including his two votes for the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) MLS Player of the Matchday.
By James Nalton
The Top Two
9.3 FotMob rating: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami
Major League Soccer’s marquee player had not played a game in the league since June 1.
A call-up to the Argentina squad for the Copa America and an ankle injury suffered during that tournament kept Messi out for the entire Leagues Cup campaign and a run of nine MLS games.
Inter Miami won eight of those nine games without Messi, and he returns to a team cruising to the Supporters’ Shield title even in his absence.
Though Philadelphia Union opened the scoring through Mikael Uhre, Messi went on to score twice and assist another in a 3-1 win that maintained Miami’s dominance at the top of the points table and the Eastern Conference.
A right-footed finish to equalise, an effortless left-footed goal after he somehow managed to find space on the penalty spot, and an assist for Luis Suárez marked his return in style.
Inter Miami will now be looking to break the regular season points record in MLS which currently stands at 73, achieved by New England Revolution in 2021. Win four of their last five games, and they will break it.
With Messi returning to a team that was already in good form, it could be a formality.
9.6 FotMob rating: Riqui Puig, LA Galaxy
The Los Angeles derby, El Tráfico, rarely disappoints. This weekend’s edition was no exception as a goal-filled game saw LA Galaxy run out 4-2 winners against LAFC.
LAFC had taken a 2-0 lead within 15 minutes, but it led to a convincing second-half comeback for the home side that made the win even sweeter for Galaxy fans.
Along with two-goal hero Dejan Joveljić, Riqui Puig was the standout player in the comeback, taking control of the game from midfield.
He finished it having had 140 touches — more than double that of any LAFC player.
Within all of this were two assists and a goal. Although the first assist was more about the brilliant strike from Edwin Cerrillo and the second may have been a shot turned in by Joveljić, he still made things happen.
Puig completed 104 of 119 passes (87%), created seven chances, completed three dribbles, and won 9/12 ground duels.
His goal was aptly passed into the net from the edge of the area, just inside the post.
LA Galaxy’s win was not an isolated derby success. It also affects the league table and it consolidated their place at the top of the Western Conference ahead of their local rivals.
Three more standout performers
9.1 FotMob rating: Ryan Gauld, Vancouver Whitecaps
Gauld is regularly among the best players in MLS on any given weekend and features once again in Matchday 32 with a FotMob rating over nine.
Only the Galaxy’s Riqui Puig and Evander of Portland Timbers have higher average ratings than Gauld in MLS this season (Messi will be top once he plays enough games to qualify for the list).
In Vancouver Whitecaps’ solid 2-0 win against San Jose Earthquakes, Gauld assisted both goals, created six chances, and completed 44 of 48 attempted passes (92%).
The first assist came via a corner kick for Fafà Picault to head home, while Vancouver’s final goal was a work of art in open play.
Pedro Vite and Gauld combined before Gauld set up his compatriot Stuart Armstrong for his first MLS goal.
The Whitecaps sit in a good spot in the Western Conference and are still in with a chance of finishing second behind LA Galaxy.
8.9 FotMob rating: Dorde Mihailović, Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids have emerged from a successful Leagues Cup campaign as one of the form teams in MLS.
Rather than be a mid-season distraction, Leagues Cup triumphs against Mexican opposition and qualification for the Concacaf Champions Cup by winning the third-place game has given momentum to Chris Armas’s side.
They have won both games since the return of MLS, including this latest one by two goals to one against Portland Timbers.
There is a tight race in the West below LA Galaxy, and this win against another team in the mix moved the Rapids up to third in the table.
In Mihailović they have their star Designated Player. He assisted both goals and created a total of six chances.
The Rapids hope this kind of creativity will continue in open play and from set pieces for the remainder of the season.
“We know it’s tight and we’re well aware of what’s behind us, but we’re looking forward and in the standings, we’re looking up,” said Armas.
“We cannot operate in a way where we play fearfully and play not to lose. We have a lot of belief.”
8.7 FotMob rating: Facundo Torres, Orlando City
A theme of several of these standout performances has been attacking players completing passes with precision in difficult areas.
Torres was among the best in this regard, only misplacing two passes all game for a pass success of 95%. This included completing three out of three long balls.
He then emphatically dispatched a penalty at the end of the first half which made sure of the win for his team.
Orlando went on to score a third through Duncan McGuire in the second half, in which Torres also played a part earlier in the move.
It was a statement win for Orlando as they are among several teams fighting for that fourth spot for some home advantage going into the Eastern Conference playoffs, behind the top three of Miami, Columbus Crew, and FC Cincinnati.
Torres roaming from the right wing to the centre, was at the heart of it.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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