MLS Matchday 3 Saturday Round Up
- Mar 19, 2017
- 4 min read
We take a look at the Saturday fixtures that weren't available to UK viewers and see what teams came out on top in the third round of fixtures in the MLS.
Orlando City 2-1 Philadelphia Union
Larin (39,73) CJ Sapong (52)
Orlando City Stadium
Attendance: 25,527
Two goals from Cyle Larin meant Orlando City made it two wins from two so far this season. Philadelphia got back into it through Sapong and did their best to level the game late on but couldn’t find an equaliser, leaving them with two defeats from three.
Orlando looked lively from the off and the inform Larin could’ve scored in the opening 10 minutes but he missed the target from just inside the area. At the other end Chris Pontius missed on a couple of occasions, the most threatening a back post header that went marginally wide.
The hosts took the lead in the 39th minute through danger man Larin, Rivas sent in a dangerous low cross and the Canadian made no mistake with the finish.
The visitors struck back just 7 minutes after the restart when CJ Sapong when he headed home to give Union an unlikely equaliser on the balance of the game.
The hosts retook the lead with 17 minutes to go and it was Larin at the double when Perez Garcia found the striker who slotted home. Its Larin’s 3rd goal in two games and he is certainly a man in form.
Union almost snatched a point right at the end but Ilshino’s shot clipped the left post and stayed out. Orlando clung on to another three points to send the home crowd off with another win.
Atalanta United 4-0 Chicago Fire
Vincent OG (4)
Martinez (60) (82)
Villalba (67)
Bobby Dodd Stadium
Attendance: 29,322
New boys Atlanta United impressed yet again with a comfortable 4-0 victory against Chicago Fire. Two Goals from Josef Martinez and one from Hector Villalba followed an own goal by Brandon Vincent to send the sell-out crowd into raptures.
The visitors got off to the worse possible start when Vincent turned Julian Gressle’s cross into his own net to give the hosts a fourth minute lead. Things got a lot worse for Chicago on the 11th minute when Johan Kappelhof was show a red card for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity.
Atlanta continued to pile on the pressure and top scorer Martinez was denied on many occasions by the fire goalkeeper. They had all the running as they tried to make the most of having a man advantage but they only took a one goal lead in at the break.
On the 60th minute the hosts doubled their lead through Martinez as he was expertly played through by Hugo Almiron leaving the striker to round the keeper and tap home. The game was wrapped up seven minutes later when Villalba fired home following more slack defending from Chicago who couldn’t clear their lines.
There was still time for Martinez to double his tally when he rounded the keeper and scored from a tight angle following great play by Yamil Asad who split the fire defence. Martinez now has five goals in his first three games and looks like an early contender to be one of the top scorers.
It was a comfortable afternoon for United and they will be hoping to continue this fine run of form.
DC United 0-2 Columbus Crew
Higuain (P) (38)
Kamara (P) (66)
RFK Stadium
Attendance: 14,031
It was tale of two penalties as Columbus Crew sealed three points on the road thanks to goals through Federico Higuain and Ola Kamara. Both goals came from the spot on a frustrating day for the hosts who are yet to win this season.
The game started wide open with both sides creating chances, firstly Higuain was one on one but Crew keeper Hamid made a fantastic save to deny him. At the other end Partick Mullins shot was well blocked.
Crew began to take a hold of the game with Kamara and Higuain causing problems and it was Kamara who fouled by Birnbaum to give the crew a penalty kick. Higuain stepped up and converted to give the vistors at 39th minute lead.
DC United showed a lot of endeavour but couldn’t convert their shots to threaten the Columbus goal. It was De Ja Vu in the 66th minute when once again Kamara was brought down in the area by Birnbaum meaning a second spot kick for Columbus. Kamara this time took the penalty himself and made no mistake to double the visitors lead.
Crew looked to put the game to bed but couldn’t find a third goal, whilst the hosts really didn’t create anything to warrant any thoughts of a comeback meaning they once again drew a blank in front of goal.
The score stayed at 2 for Columbus meaning they secured their first victory of the season leaving their opponents still looking for the illusive first win.
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