As we near the end of April, things are picking up in MLS. We've seen Minnesota United play a bit better, Orlando and Portland continue to look like real contenders and more. Here's everything you need to know and see from this past weekend's
SCOREBOARD
Friday
Toronto 3, Chicago Fire 1
Saturday
Philadelphia Union 3, Montreal Impact 3
Houston Dynamo 2, San Jose Earthquakes 0
Portland Timbers 2, Vancouver Whitecaps 1
New York Red Bulls 2, Columbus Crew 0
New England Revolution 2, D.C. United 2
FC Dallas 1, Sporting KC 0
Atlanta United 3, Real Salt Lake 1
Sunday
Orlando 2, NYCFC 1
Seattle Sounders 3, LA Galaxy 0
Minnesota United 1, Colorado Rapids 0
Revenge
Jason Kreis was let go as NYCFC head coach after the 2015 season. And then was hired as Orlando City's coach almost a year ago. Now, with Orlando in year two, things have improved quickly under the former star striker.
Orlando had nine wins in 34 matches last year. The Lions have five wins in six matches this year - two of which have come against NYCFC including Sunday's 2-1 win on the road.
"Each game we play against New York City, the emotions for me are less and less." https://t.co/NkoQUQIgGi #OCSC pic.twitter.com/D4XqwtVYNC
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 24, 2017
Minnesota gets first shutout and pretty sweet goal
Just your standard diving header goal from a diving header assist.@Migue10Ibarra opens his MLS account! #MINvCOL https://t.co/HZoJ2Yk7QP
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 23, 2017
Cool kits
Four MLS clubs used some different looking jerseys this weekend to celebrate Earth Day, with them being made out of plastic collected from the ocean. Former NYCFC man Frank Lampard even had one, showing it off on Instagram. Pretty sweet.
👋 Frank! #adidasParley pic.twitter.com/5OUSykTd2S
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) April 23, 2017
Larin turning into a star
The next MLS superstar has arrived, and it could be just a matter of time before we see European clubs come calling. Cyle Larin of Orlando, a Canada international, was Rookie of the Year in 2015 with 18 goals in 28 matches. He followed that up with 14 goals in 33 matches last year and has six goals in six matches in 2017, including two and the winner on Sunday.
Cyle Larin is too strong. 💪🏼
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 23, 2017
Larin's second goal of the day gives Orlando City a 2-0 lead. #MLS #NYCvORL https://t.co/VYH8PeSMKP
The kid has nice height for a striker at 6'2, is speedy, fantastic in the air and is turning into one of the best overall players in MLS.
Goal of the week
Do yourself a favor and check out this golazo from Portland's Darlington Nagbe in the win over Vancouver. Golazo.
What a goal by Nagbe!!! #PORvVAN pic.twitter.com/rfNvoJQPYe
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) April 22, 2017
Standings
The latest: pic.twitter.com/TvgCGlyLBJ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 24, 2017
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