MLS review: Weather disrupts fixtures but can't keep Altidore off the scoresheet

Sean Fisher
19 July 2021

Severe weather affected the MLS fixtures over the weekend.

Severe weather on the Eastern Seaboard disrupted the league over the weekend, but wasn't enough to stop a 5-4 thriller or a dramatic return to action for Jozy Altidore.

It's fair to say the return of MLS after the international break didn't go as smoothly as hoped.

Severe weather on the east coast impacted multiple games on Saturday and even led to the cancellation of Inter Miami at New York Red Bulls. All other games were able to finish, but not before they were impacted by heavy downpour.

Canadian teams return home

The weekend saw a return to Canadian soil for MLS with both CF Montreal and Toronto FC allowed by the government to play at home with limited crowds.

It marked the first game in front of home fans for either team since March 2020 and the first games hosted in Canada since closed-door matches in September 2020.

In the most electric MLS game of the weekend, CF Montreal twice erased two-goal deficits and rallied for a 5-4 win over FC Cincinnati to thrill the limited-capacity crowd.

The game included three players scoring a brace while three points for CF Montreal saw them move into a tie for third place in the Eastern Conference.

Haris Medunjanin gave FCC the lead in the sixth minute before a howler from Montreal goalie, James Pantemis, allowed Brenner to double the lead in the 14th minute.

Mason Toye and Joaquin Torres both scored for Montreal to tie the game but FCC went back on top through Gustavor Vallecilla just before the break. Brenner's second, just a minute into the second half, restored FCC's two-goal lead.

Toye converted a penalty in the 72nd minute and Ahmed Hamdi levelled the game two minutes later with a thrilling strike off the inside of the post. In the 87th minute, Hamdi slammed home the winner for Montreal following a poor attempted clearance.

Montreal will next be in action against New York City FC on Wednesday and are currently valued at 11/2 to win. NYCFC can be backed at 40/85, while a draw is 31/10.

Altidore scores in Toronto return, Nani equalizes

Jozy Altidore, Toronto FC, Orlando City, MLS

In the other Canadian-based contest, Jozy Altidore's goal helped Toronto FC to a 1-1 draw with Orlando City SC.

Altidore hadn't played since May 22 after a dispute with former manager Chris Armas. With Armas now sacked, the long-time USMNT forward returned to action as a substitute in the 64th minute and he gave Toronto the lead just eight minutes later.

However, in the 77th minute, Orlando City drew even via Nani's penalty kick. TFC goalkeeper, Alex Bono, took Benji Michel to ground in the box and video review confirmed the penalty.

Nani blasted his spot-kick through the hand of Bono to level the match to bring up his seventh goal in 11 games this season.

TFC will host New York Red Bulls on Wednesday and are great value at 6/5 to win. The visitors are 19/10 to take the three points, and a draw is 13/5.

Nani and the Lions will host Philadelphia Union on Thursday as 20/21 favourites, with a draw at 5/2 and the Union at 13/5.

Inter Miami game postponed

Inter Miami went back to the New York City area hoping to end a five-game slide this weekend as they faced the Red Bulls in New Jersey.

However, the weather was deemed too severe and intense meaning the teams never got the chance to take the field. The game was scheduled to start at 7:08 p.m. ET but lightning delayed the start.

Inter Miami, New York Red Bull, postponed, MLS, 2021

The players took to the field at 7:55pmbut again lightning prevented kick-off. The teams never came back out and after nearly a three-hour delay, the game was postponed.

A replacement date and time will be announced by MLS later but first both teams are set to play again midweek.

Saturday was scheduled to be the MLS debut for goalkeeper Nick Marsman, defender Kieran Gibbs and attacker Indiana Vassilev.

The trio joined from Europe over the international break with manager Phil Neville hoping they can be the catalysts of a Miami resurgence.

Neville was also counting on the return of injured stars Gonzalo Higuain, Rodolfo Pizarro and Robbie Robinson.

Higuain has not started the last three games, while a hip injury has limited Pizarro to just one start in the last seven games. Robinson's hamstring injury has allowed him to play just once in the last two months.

Miami now head home to face leaders New England Revolution on Wednesday night. Neville's side are valued at 19/10 to win, whereas the Revs are at 6/5. A draw is currently 13/5.