Summary of MLS games, Saturday, May 8, 2021
Frankie Amaya and Caden Clark each scored one goal to guide the New York Red Bulls to a 2-0 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday.
As a result, Toronto coach Chris Armas, former Red Bulls driver, was defeated by his former players.
Amaya hit the target in the 32nd minute with a low shot to the goaltender’s right for about 18 yards.
For his part, Clark took advantage of a dropped ball by the goalkeeper who left his net to double the local lead in the 69th minute.
Finally a victory for Nashville
Nashville SC posted their first victory this season, a 2-0 victory over the New England Revolution at Nissan Stadium.
Gary Smith’s troops have started the season with three straight draws, but they have just scored a triumph in front of a vibrant crowd.
Both teams created great scoring opportunities in the first half, but were unable to move the ropes until the 25th minute.
That’s when CJ Sapong scored his first goal for Nashville when he stretched his left leg to direct the ball on the fly to the net on assists from Daniel Lovitz and Walker Zimmerman.
It was the first time this season that Nashville had the lead in a game.
With 15 minutes to go, Alex Muyl put the game out of reach with Nashville’s second goal.
DC United cause their downfall
Lucas Zelarayan found the back of the net on a long distance free kick in a 3-1 Columbus Crew victory over DC United in the 20th minute.
In the 63rd minute, Columbus was lucky when Frédéric Brillant scored on his own when the ball deflected against him after a save by his goalkeeper.
Ola Kamara put DC United on the board using his left foot in the 82nd minute for a 2-1 score. It was a first goal for him, who missed the first three games with an injury.
But the celebrations were short-lived for the capital city team when a minute later Tony Alfaro also scored his own to destroy his club’s chances of closing the gap.
Unity is strength
The Philadelphia Union posted their first victory of the season, a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.
After a scoreless first half, Cory Burke opened the scoring in the 51st minute after a nice pass from Jamiro Monteiro.
Less than ten minutes later, Jakob Glesnes struck hard as he redirected the ball with his header into the enemy net.
One point for Dallas and Houston
The first Texas derby in 2021 ended 1-1 between FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo.
Houston opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Fafa Picault converted the penalty at the expense of goalkeeper Phelipe Megiolaro.
Dallas equalized soon after, in the 42nd minute, thanks to Jader Obrian, who scored in a second straight game.
Dynamo came close to regaining the lead on a powerful free kick from Memo Rodriguez, but Phelipe dove to his left to make the save.
Also draw for Orlando and NYCFC
Orlando City and New York City FC drew 1-1 at Exploria Stadium.
The visitors dominated the majority of the first half, with five shots on goal, but Orlando recovered as the game progressed. The hosts finally opened the scoring in the 52nd minute with a goal from Nani. The latter has three goals in as many games.
Tesho Akindele almost doubled his team’s lead but his shot was deflected by Maxime Chanot.
The tide then turned when Joao Moutinho fouled Ismael Tajouri-Shradi to give NYCFC a penalty. Valentin Castellanos converted this chance for his fourth goal in four games.
The Galaxy wins a duel all over LA
Javier Chicharito Hernandez was the author of a goal and an assist in the Los Angeles Galaxy’s 2-1 win over neighbor LAFC at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Hernandez opened the scoring in the eleventh minute when he beat Pablo Sisniega with his right foot after an expensive turnaround in the middle zone.
The score stayed that way until the 62nd minute as Diego Rossi completed a tic-tac-toe combination and beat goaltender Jonathan Bond.
Chicharito helped build the winning goal in the 79th minute when he set the stage for scorer Jonathan dos Santos
In the final game of the day, the Colorado Rapids defeated Minnesota United 3-2.
