MLS Matches Recap, May 22, 2021: Tesho Akindele’s Head Sinks TFC

A 12th-minute header from Tesho Akindele was all Orlando City SC needed to beat Toronto FC at Exploria Stadium on Saturday.

The Lions signed a 1-0 victory over an association rival.

Both teams had several good chances, but the hosts finally took the three points thanks to Akindele’s goal and the brilliance of goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.

Orlando (3-0-3) is still undefeated in six games this season, a team record.

Only the Sounders (5-0-1) and Nashville SC (1-0-4) are also undefeated.

Whitecaps can’t catch Houston

A quick goal from the Houston Dynamo got them off to a good start against the Vancouver Whitecaps to win 2-1.

Memo Rodriguez scored in the 8th minute on a return granted by goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau to the box.

The Whitecaps tried to tie the game to no avail, with seven shots before the 21st minute, including two from Javain Brown, but they were all off target.

Maxi Urriti made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute.

A Houston error led to Deiber Caicedo’s goal in a losing cause.

A red that opens the door to Timbers

Helped by a red card awarded to central defender Derrick Williams just before halftime, the Portland Timbers took the 3-0 measure of the Los Angeles Galaxy which was reduced to 10 players at Providence Park.

Williams was sent off in the 44th minute after action against striker Andy Polo. Head referee Alan Kelly was quick to release the red card. Polo for his part was replaced by Felipe Mora, then was seen on TV with a leg brace and crutches.

Mora was an exemplary substitute with two goals, the first two. His first came in the 47th minute while he got his second in the 60th minute

Portland sealed the result in the 69th minute when Diego Valeri sent a penalty shot to the top corner.

The Fire finds its way back to victory

The Chicago Fire ended a four-game losing streak by beating Inter Miami 1-0 at Soldier Field.

Chicago threatened seriously from the start and dominated the first half. John McCarthy had to make a big save on a close shot from Alvaro Medran in the 5th minute.

Their efforts were finally rewarded in 69th minute with a goal by reservist and midfielder Luka Stojanovic. The Fire hadn’t scored for three games.

Zelaryan plays the heroes against the NYCFC

Lucas Zelaryan was the hero of the meeting for the Columbus Crew, in a 2-1 win over New York City FC at Red Bull Stadium.

Zelaryan scored on two free kicks late in the game, in the 82nd minute and then in stoppage time, to steal the match.

Columbus had not scored in the previous two games.

Ismael Tajouri-Shradi opened the scoring in the 18th minute with his first goal of the season. Jesus Medina almost doubled the lead on a perfect pass from Valentin Castellanos but goalkeeper Eloy Room made a superb save.

Elsewhere in MLS:

Dallas 2 – Salt Lake 2

New England 3 – NY Reb Bulls 1

San Jose 1 – Kansas City 3

LAFC 2 – Colorado 1