MLS Matchday 22 recap: Union drops to third in East, Houston completes late comeback over San Diego

Following MLS Matchday 22, the Philadelphia Union dropped to third place in the Eastern Conference. The Union lost in the final minutes on Saturday night to Nashville SC, who were playing with 10 men. Nashville moved into second place, while FC Cincinnati is now at the top of the East.

San Diego FC is still on top of MLS's Western Conference, but they lost their lead late in the second half to the Houston Dynamo in a 4-3 loss. San Diego remains one point ahead of the Vancouver Whitecaps.

It was a busy Fourth of July weekend in MLS, and here is a recap of the top five matches.

Nashville's late penalty stuns Union

This match was scoreless throughout 90 minutes until Hany Mukhtar converted on a penalty in the 90+11' to seal a win for Nashville. Nashville was playing down a man from the 63rd minute onward after Jonathan Perez was shown a red card.

Bradley Carnell's side wasn't able to take advantage of playing up a man, and Olwethu Makhanya's foul on Mukhtar didn't do the Union any favors either. Following their second consecutive loss in MLS, the Union dropped to third in the East, and Nashville has moved into second, while Cincinnati is now in first.

Houston wins late over San Diego

The Houston Dynamo haven't had the greatest of MLS seasons this year, but they are now in a playoff spot following a 4-3 win over San Diego FC.

San Diego took the lead in the 26th minute, but Lawrence Ennali answered for Houston 11 minutes later. Houston entered the second half with a 2-1 lead until San Diego saw themselves up 3-2 in the 67th minute.

But in the later stages of the second half, Ezequiel Ponce scored a brace (87th minute, 90+10'), to give Houston a 4-3 lead and three points.

Messi scores a brace in win over Montreal

Lionel Messi scored a brace for Inter Miami in their 4-1 win over CF Montreal. Montreal took an early lead in the 2nd minute, but then it was all Miami until the final whistle.

Miami was knocked out of the Club World Cup by PSG the other week, and now they can fully focus on climbing the Eastern Conference table and making a potential push for the top spot.

Cincinnati jumps to first in the East

FC Cincinnati is back at the top of the East following a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire and a Philadelphia Union loss. Evander opened the scoring in the 19th minute, and then Kevin Denkey doubled the lead in the 50th minute.

Philip Zinckernagel added a goal for Chicago in the 56th minute, but a comeback wasn't in the cards.

LA Galaxy blank Vancouver, 3-0

The LA Galaxy shocked the Vancouver Whitecaps on the Fourth of July, picking up a clean sheet in a 3-0 win.

Matheus Nascimento scored just as the match started in the 2nd minute, then Joseph Paintsil added a brace (60', 77') in the second half. Jayden Nelson of Vancouver was shown a red card in the 90+2'. The Galaxy is still at the bottom of the West, but this win made them feel good.

MLS Table after Matchday 22

MLS's Eastern Conference

FC Cincinnati - 42 ptsNashville SC - 41 ptsPhiladelphia Union - 40 ptsColumbus Crew - 38 ptsOrlando City - 34 ptsInter Miami - 32 ptsNYCFC - 31 ptsNew York Red Bulls - 30 ptsChicago Fire - 28 ptsCharlotte FC - 26 ptsNew England Revolution - 24 ptsD.C. United - 19 ptsAtlanta United - 18 ptsToronto FC - 17 ptsCF Montreal - 14 pts

MLS's Western Conference

San Diego FC - 39 ptsVancouver Whitecaps - 38 ptsMinnesota United - 37 ptsPortland Timbers - 33 ptsSeattle Sounders - 30 ptsSan Jose Earthquakes - 28 ptsLAFC - 26 ptsHouston Dynamo - 26 ptsColorado Rapids - 26 ptsAustin FC - 26 ptsSporting Kansas City - 23 ptsReal Salt Lake - 22 ptsFC Dallas - 21 ptsSt. Louis City - 15 ptsLA Galaxy - 12 pts

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