Resumen de la Jornada 5 de la MLS

It was a rough weekend for the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League, as they lost both matches and finished fourth in the tournament. Meanwhile, the MLS saw some surprises in Matchday 5, with several away victories and draws, a new leader in the standings, and the breaking of some unbeaten streaks.

There were six wins for home teams, four for visitors, and four draws—two of them scoreless. Additionally, New England Revolution and Inter Miami did not play their scheduled match, which has been postponed until July.

The Defending champions Los Angeles Galaxy are still winless, settling for a 2-2 draw against Minnesota United. Meanwhile, the Vancouver Whitecaps suffered their first loss of the season, falling 3-1 at home to the Chicago Fire.

Despite the defeat, the Canadian side remains atop the Western Conference, while the Eastern Conference is being led by Philadelphia Union, who secured a 1-0 win over St. Louis.

Matchday 5 – Games

MLS Matchday 5: Minnesota United vs. LA Galaxy

Carlos Garcés saved Los Angeles Galaxy from another defeat with a 90th-minute goal, securing a 2-2 draw at Minnesota United.

The home side took the lead in the 18th minute after a shot from Anthony Markanich and a disastrous response from goalkeeper John McCarthy. He dove to try to control a soft ball that was heading out but instead laid it perfectly for Kelvin Yeboah, who simply tapped it in.

The equalizer came eight minutes later with a header from Christian Ramirez, marking his third consecutive game with a goal.

Late in the match, the drama intensified. A handball by Maya Yoshida resulted in a penalty, and Yeboah stepped up to convert, making it 2-1—deservedly so, given Minnesota’s performance.

However, in the 90th minute, Garcés capitalized on a rebound in the box, slotting a low shot inside the post to rescue a point for his team.

With this result, the ‘Loons’ dropped to sixth place in the Western Conference with eight points, while Galaxy climbed off the bottom, now sitting second to last with just two points.

MLS Matchday 5: Philadelphia Union vs. St. Louis City

Despite missing several players due to national team call-ups, Philadelphia Union managed to secure a 1-0 victory over St. Louis, climbing not only to the top of the Eastern Conference but also to the top of the MLS posiciones.

The only goal of the match came in the eighth minute when Ian Glavinovich scored with a header off a corner kick. The 23-year-old Argentine defender is one of the team’s newest signings, and in his second match, he is already proving why he was brought in.

Philadelphia was undoubtedly the better team, dominating so much that opposing goalkeeper Benjamin Lundt became the standout player for St. Louis. Notably, this was the first goal St. Louis conceded all season, having kept four consecutive clean sheets—the only team with such a record.

Now, the Union leads the league with 12 points and a +6 goal difference, while St. Louis suffered its first defeat of the tournament and sits in fifth place with eight points.

MLS Matchday 5: Columbus Crew vs. NY City FC

Columbus remains undefeated in the tournament but has drawn three of its five matches, the latest coming on Saturday in a dull game against NYCFC.

The Crew dominated the match, creating all the chances and forcing goalkeeper Matthew Freese to shine on multiple occasions. The home team made numerous attempts, taking 24 shots, including one from Aziel Jackson that hit the post and a disallowed goal by Jacen Russell-Rowe due to offside.

With the draw, Columbus dropped to sixth place in the Eastern Conference with nine points, while NYCFC sits in eighth place, just one point behind.

MLS Matchday 5: Vancouver Whitecaps vs Chicago Fire

Vancouver Whitecaps lost their unbeaten record and perfect run, falling at home to Chicago Fire 1-3 in one of the weekend’s biggest surprises.

The Canadian side, missing several players due to international call-ups and injuries, was caught off guard 43 seconds into the match when Philip Zinckernagel delivered a cross from the right to Hugo Cuypers, who tapped the ball.

At the 14-minute mark, the home team managed to equalize with a shot inside the box from Daniel Ríos, marking the Mexican’s first goal with his new club.

Both teams had their chances, but it wasn’t until the 62nd minute that, after a couple of defensive errors from the Whitecaps, Zinckernagel took advantage with a powerful shot that hit the post and went in.

In the final play of the match, with Vancouver pushing forward in attack, a poor pass led to a counterattack that Rominigue Kouamé converted into a goal, sealing the 1-3 victory. It was a dream debut for the Malian midfielder, who had entered the game just seven minutes earlier.

Despite the loss, the Whitecaps remain atop the Western Conference with 12 points, while the Chicago Fire climbed to fifth place in the East with 10 points.