Major League Soccer tends to get wild when there are midweek matches. The first round of that in 2026 was on Wednesday night, with 22 teams playing. There were goals, red cards, late drama, and even some snoozers: the full MLS experience!
There was a bit of a shakeup in the West as San Jose jumped over Vancouver to take the top spot. Bruce Arena's Earthquakes now hold the top spot in their conference and in the Supporters' Shield standings!
In the East, Miami and New England both found ways to win to come within points of first-place Nashville, which didn't play on Wednesday night. Here's a look back at some of the memorable matches, the results, and standings after a hectic MLS matchday nine!
The start of the midweek MLS matches saw NYCFC and Cincinnati play in a highscoring afair. Both teams traded goals between the 20th and 32nd minutes. Nico Fernández gave NYC the lead before halftime, but the fireworks didn't stop there.
NYCFC added a third goal in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Up 3-1, New York had the chance to see out the game but failed to do so. Over the next 25 minutes, the teams traded goals, making it 4-2 in favor of New York, but Cincy wasn't dead.
In the 90+2 and 90+5 minutes, Cincinnati scored two goals to tie the game at 4-4 and split the points. This result kept NYC out of fourth place; they now sit seventh, and allowed Cincy not to drop past 11th.
In a match where both Red Bulls and DC United were struggling, this match showcased both teams' ability to score at will. Red Bulls scored twice before the 25th minute to take a 2-0 lead. DC's lone bright spot, Tai Baribo, scored one before halftime.
Red Bulls came out the better team in the second half, getting a third goal, but DC responded just two minutes later, and only five minutes after that, they tied the match at three. Red Bull came back again to take a 4-3 lead with 19 minutes left, but Baribo completed a hat-trick in the 80th minute to split the points.
New York and DC are longtime rivals, but right now they both sit on the fringes of a playoff spot. Red Bulls are in eighth while DC dangle at 10th place in the East.
This match is one of those that showcases MLS's craziness. Philly scored the game-opening goal just before halftime, and added a second off a wicked deflection early in the second half. It looked like the downtrodden Union would get a much-needed three points on the road.
Toronto woke up after going down 2-0 and exploited Philly's weak defense. Just 12 minutes after going down by two, Toronto tied the match. Both teams then played in a chippy contest, which Philadelphia thought they won late. Nate Harriel headed home an effort in the 89th minute to make it 3-2, making Toronto scramble.
In literally the last kicks of the game, Toronto's goalkeeper, Luka Gavran, joined his team in the attack, and after a recycled free kick, he had a free header to tie the game on the final play! Toronto stays in the top half of the East, while Philly is just one point above last place.
New England was looking for a chance to score points against the team in last place in the conference, Atlanta, and early on in this one, it looked like they'd do just that. A banger was scored by the Rev's but then chalked off because a player was in an offside position on the shot. Atlanta capitalized, getting a goal before halftime that stood and gave them the lead.
In the second half, New England took their time but eventually found a way through Atlanta's so-so defense. Goals in the 73rd and 78th minutes gave the Revolution the lead, and they wouldn't let it go, taking all three points.
The Revolution have only played eight games through nine matchdays, but are just four points off the top of the East! Atlanta is 1-1-7 in nine games and now sits at the bottom of the MLS, in shambles.
Miami is always the main event in MLS, and after former coach Javier Mascherano left the club last week, some wondered whether Miami would falter as a result. Enter the Messi-guru Angel Guillermo Hoyos, and Miami is now on a two-game winning streak away from home.
Their opponent in this midweek matchup was Real Salt Lake, a club making strides in the West, but on this night, they couldn't get enough points. Miami left it late, but goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez in the 82nd and 84th minutes sealed a Miami victory.
With the win, Miami moves within one point of rivals Nashville (though Messi and Co. have played one more game). Real Salt Lake stays in the running for the top of the West despite the loss, sitting in sixth, but they're just one point off a jump to third place.
NYCFC 4-4 FC Cincinnati
Oralndo City 4-1 Charlotte FC
New York Red Bulls 4-4 DC United
Toronto FC 3-3 Philadelphia Union
Atlanta United 1-2 New England Revolution
FC Dallas 0-1 Minnesota United
Houston Dynamo 1-0 San Diego FC
Real Salt Lake 0-2 Inter Miami
Columbus 2-1 LA Galaxy
LAFC 0-0 Colorado Rapids
San Jose Earthquakes 5-1 Austin FC
Toronto FC defender Kobe Franklin (19) scores a goal past Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake (18) in the second half at BMO Field.
Dan Hamilton
Nashville SC - 19 pts
Inter Miami - 18 pts
New England Revolution - 15 pts
Chicago Fire - 14 pts
Charlotte FC - 14 pts
Toronto FC - 13 pts
NYCFC - 12 pts
New York Red Bulls - 12 pts
Columbus Crew - 9 pts
DC United - 9 pts
FC Cincinnati - 9 pts
Orlando City - 7 pts
CF Montreal - 6 pts
Philadelphia Union - 5 pts
Atlanta United - 4 pts
San Jose Earthquakes - 24 pts
Vancouver Whitecaps - 21 pts
LAFC - 17 pts
Minnesota United - 17 pts
Seattle Sounders - 16 pts
Real Salt Lake - 16 pts
Colorado Rapids - 13 pts
FC Dallas - 13 pts
Houston Dynamo - 12 pts
San Diego FC - 11 pts
LA Galaxy - 9 pts
Portland Timbers - 7 pts
Austin FC - 7 pts
St. Louis City - 6 pts
Sporting Kansas City - 4 pts
