MLS review: Inter Miami’s momentum halted and Golden Boot race heats up

Sean Fisher
16 August 2021

Raul Ruidiaz currently leads the goalscoring charts in the MLS, Seattle Sounders

Inter Miami's play-off push suffered a blow as they lost to New York City FC, while LA Galaxy coped without Chicharito and kept a rare clean sheet.

This weekend's MLS action included some spectacular and bizarre moments, and the league witnessed a back-and-forth duel between the leading scorers.

New England's Gustavo Bou took the lead in the goalscoring charts with his 12th of the season on Saturday, before Seattle's Raul Ruidiaz bagged a brace on Sunday to go back on top in the Golden Boot race with 13 goals.

Sporting KC's Daniel Salloi also increased his tally as netted his 11th of the year to re-enter the race, while the still-injured Chicharito will be keen to return to action and improve on his 10 goals in 10 games this season.

Daniel Salloi, Sporting Kansas City, MLS

Bou's goal helped New England to a 2-1 win, continuing their hot streak and leaving them on 43 points as they lead the Supporters' Shield race - six points ahead of Sporting KC.

The wildest game of the weekend came in Montreal, where the hosts were given three attempts at a game-winning penalty kick before Victor Wanyama finally netted in the 98th minute.

New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel was ruled by VAR to have left his line early on each of the first two stops, giving Wanyama a third shot.

Inter Miami hit New York stumbling block

Thiago Andrade, New York City FC, NYCFC, MLS

Inter Miami's momentum was halted on Saturday, after a 2-0 loss to New York City FC ended Phil Neville's point-streak. With the Yankee Stadium unavailable, the game was played at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.

Victor Castellanos was at the double for NYCFC with a goal in the 20th minute and a penalty kick on the stroke of half-time. His brace gave the Pigeons control of the game for the second half, and Inter Miami failed to bounce back.

NYCFC had 53% of the possession and completed 87% of their passes against Miami. Despite having seven corners and an equal number of shots, Neville's side lacked creativity as they so often have this season and failed to create any clear-cut scoring opportunities.

The loss drops Miami into a tie for 12th place in the Eastern Conference with FC Cincinnati, just one point above last-place Toronto FC.

With a two-game week on the horizon for the Herons, their back-to-back home games against Chicago Fire and Toronto could be crucial in a potential play-off push.

Galaxy return to winning ways at Minnesota

Despite Chicharito's continued absence, the LA Galaxy pulled off a big win at Minnesota United on Saturday to stay in the top three of the Western Conference standings.

They handed Minnesota just their second home loss of the season and stopped the Loons from taking a point in a sixth-straight game. At the end of the game, the Galaxy were top of the West before Sporting KC's win on Saturday.

Kevin Cabral was again the hero for the Galaxy, as he opened the scoring for the away side just minutes before the half-time break.

Minnesota United dominated on the field with 21 shots, 10 corners, and six shots on goal to the Galaxy's one - but Cabral's clinical finishing was all that the visitors required to take home all three points back to the west coast.

The clean sheet was a huge improvement for the Galaxy, who have allowed the second-most goals in the Western Conference (28). Jonathan Klinsmann played a crucial role with six saves, including an incredible stop in the 93rd minute to deny the Loons a draw.

The Galaxy now face a quick turnaround with a Thursday night home game against Colorado Rapids up next who themselves enjoyed a 3-1 win this week.