As Major League Soccer prepares for the departure of some of its star players for June international duty, MLS Matchday 18 provided spectacular action with 50 goals scored across 13 matches. Each New York club gained ground on Inter Miami and Cincinnati with wins in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the LA Galaxy was the only losing team among the top 5 in the Western Conference as Real Salt Lake, LAFC, Minnesota, and Vancouver won their games. Let’s get caught up on the important information on domestic U.S. soccer action.
Goals Galore in New York & Salt Lake City
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A fifth of the goals scored of the day occurred in 2 of the matches during the weekend that both ended in the same lopsided score, 5-1. Alonso Martinez entered as a second-half substitution in the 58th minute and walked with a hat trick on the day at Yankee Stadium. The three tallies all occurred after the 85th minute setting a new standard for the fast NYC hat trick in franchise history. NYC is 9-2-5 on the season tied for 3rd in the Eastern Conference with city-mate, NY Red Bulls (8-5-3).
Out West, Real Salt Lake kept a 3-point space between themselves and LAFC at the top of the table with a 9-6-2 mark. Cristian Arango scored from inside his own half as the first goal of a hat-trick for New York City against San Jose. The casual strike from 60 yards out is a must-watch clip for any MLS fan. Arango also added an assist in the game, because scoring from one’s half isn’t enough in this economy.
Messi & Alba Impact Scoresheet in Draw on MLS Matchday 18
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Lionel Messi showcased his otherworldly talent with a goal and an assist in a disappointing 3-3 draw for Inter Miami against St. Louis on MLS Matchday 18. The striker now heads to international duty as Argentina looks to defend their Copa America title. Inter-Miami defender Jordi Alba also deserves mention with 2 assists and a score in the game. Alba remains with Miami in June as the backline player retired from international competition for Spain last year.
Inter Miami sits atop the Eastern Conference standings with 35 points at 10-5-3. Cincinnati is within striking distance for first place at 10-3-3 (33 points), while currently has two games in hand on the South Florida soccer club.
Dual Reds In Philly Street Fight
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A spicy match broke out between two teams attempting to fight their way up the standings table during MLS Matchday 18. Individual red cards were handed out to each club in the 2-2 draw. Montreal’s Ariel Lassiter received a red just before halftime. Philly defender Jack Elliott was assessed a disqualification of his own in the 66th minute. Montreal scored immediately after the card was issued to Philly tying the game at 2.
Typically reliable at home under the tenure of Jim Curtain, the Philadelphia Union have inexplicably left Subaru Park without a win in six matches. With Inter Miami arriving on 06/15 to play in Pennsylvania, the Union will need an inspired Rocky-like effort to overcome the Messi-less squad and jump back into the top half of the table.
Also Read: João Neves: The Rising Star Who Shone Bright Against Finland
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