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MLS review: Neville's Miami earn rare point, while FC Dallas and NYCFC win big

Ricardo Pepi, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy, MLS

A rare point for Inter Miami relieves pressure on Phil Neville, while a shock win for FC Dallas and a 5-0 thumping at New York shakes up the standings.

The busiest eight days of the MLS season wrapped up on Sunday after nearly every team in the league played their third game of the week.
Additionally, 25 of the 27 teams were without players during the multi-game week as nearly 60 MLS players participated in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The summer transfer window is also open, and teams have begun integrating and offloading players in their roster. For a lucky few teams, players who were eliminated in the Gold Cup group stage returned to their clubs for the final game of the weekend.

Inter Miami earn rare point

Gonzalo Higuain, Inter Miami, MLS

Inter Miami picked up a rare and surprising point on Sunday with a 1-1 home draw against the 2020 Supporters Shield winners Philadelphia Union. Miami's appeals for a penalty kick were denied by VAR early in the second half and the game remained scoreless until 20 minutes from time.

Robbie Robinson put the Herons ahead in the 71st minute, with his shot deflecting off the hand of back-up keeper Matt Freese and into the net. Robinson had a chance to double his side's lead moments later but his effort skipped inches past the post.

Despite their best efforts, the home crowd couldn't inspire Inter Miami to preserve their clean sheet. Philadelphia equalised through Kasper Przybylko in the 85th minute, with the goal standing after a lengthy review for offside.

Phil Neville's side hadn't picked up a point at all since beating FC Cincinnati on May 16. They saw an improved effort from a finally fully healthy Gonzalo Higuain. The former Argentine international provided the assist for Robinson's goal and led the squad with three shots on goal and four key passes.

With six days between games, Neville can now integrate his new players into the line-up in training. Inter Miami remain in last place and face CF Montreal next Saturday in another home game.

Meanwhile, the Union will host Chicago Fire on Sunday.

Galaxy thrashed by FC Dallas

FC Dallas, LA Galaxy, MLS

With Chicharito sidelined and Sebastian Lletget and Jonathan dos Santos on international duty, LA Galaxy continue to struggle, losing 4-0 on the road to struggling FC Dallas.

The hero of the night for FC Dallas was 18-year-old Ricardo Pepi. He became the youngest player in MLS history to score a hat-trick, breaking Kekuta Manneh's 2013 record by 87 days. He dedicated his performance to his namesake, his grandfather, who passed away a year ago to the day.

Pepi is now third in the league's goalscoring charts with eight goals - two behind Chicharito and three behind league leader Raul Ruidiaz.

The Galaxy are still in third place but now have a -3 goal difference and sit seven points behind Western Conference leaders Seattle Sounders.

Galaxy will host Portland Timbers on Friday, and could potentially be without their leading scorer for a sixth straight game.

FC Dallas are now up to 10th place and play at second-placed Sporting KC on Saturday.

NYCFC's dramatic homecoming

Yankee Stadium, New York City FC, MLS

Back at Yankee Stadium, NYCFC picked up their second 5-0 win of the season in an Eastern Conference showdown against Nani's Orlando City. After a goalless opening 40 minutes, five separate players scored for the Pigeons in a resounding win.

Jesus Medina's strike was the only goal of the first half.

Ismael Toajouri-Shradi made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute and Maxi Moralez scored 12 minutes later.

NYCFC put the game to bed in the last 10 minutes with goals from Malte Amundsen and leading scorer Valentin Castellanos.

NYCFC have now scored 26 goals this season and are 4-2-1 at home. The Pigeons, who now sit sixth, next host fifth-place Columbus Crew on Friday.

Orlando City were overtaken by Nashville SC and drop to third place ahead of their hosting of Atlanta United on Friday.

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