New York City FC and Real Salt Lake achieved significant victories in Matchday 18, driven by hat-trick performances. The Team of the Matchday features standout players from various clubs, with NYC's Nick Cushing named Coach of the Week. Additionally, Audi's Goals Drive Progress initiative continues to support MLS academies by contributing funds for every goal scored.
In MLS Matchday 7, Philadelphia Union secured a 2-0 victory over Minnesota United with a characteristic performance, while D.C. United clinched a 1-0 win against Montreal. New York City FC held Inter Miami CF to a 1-1 draw, and Charlotte FC settled for a 1-1 draw with FC Cincinnati. Meanwhile, LA Galaxy defeated Seattle Sounders 1-0, and Sporting KC emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Toronto FC.
New York City FC has unveiled the latest renderings of their future home at Willets Point in Queens, featuring "The Cube," a dramatic main entrance with 11,000 square feet of LED screens. The club is on track for a 2027 opening and hopes to break ground on construction by autumn. The unique stadium design reflects the distinctive character of New York City, with a capacity of around 25,000 to ensure a great fan experience. The club also announced a brand refresh ahead of their home opener, signaling a new era and potential for growth in MLS.
In Major League Soccer, Inter Miami shines with a 5-0 win led by Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, while Toronto FC impresses with a 1-0 victory and CF Montréal secures a 2-1 win. The LA Galaxy show promise with a 3-1 win over San Jose, but Orlando City and New York City FC struggle to find their form, failing to score in their first two games and facing performance issues.
Lionel Messi will miss his third straight game for Inter Miami due to fatigue and a lingering undisclosed injury. Inter Miami is currently trailing New York City FC in the MLS standings and needs a victory to boost their playoff prospects. The match between Inter Miami and NYCFC experienced a rain delay, further complicating the situation. Messi's availability remains uncertain, and the club is taking a day-by-day approach to his recovery. Inter Miami assistant coach Javier Morales emphasized the importance of preserving Messi's health and ensuring he is fully fit before returning to the field.
MLS Matchday 32 features several crucial matchups, including New York City FC vs. New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami CF. The article highlights key players and statistics to watch for in each game, such as the performance of DPs and the impact of returning players. Other notable matchups include Orlando City SC vs. Columbus Crew, Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and LAFC vs. LA Galaxy.
Atlanta United, missing several key players, managed to secure a 2-2 draw against New York City FC with a last-minute goal from Nick Firmino on his MLS debut. The draw puts Atlanta United in 5th place in the Eastern Conference with 29 points in 19 games. Despite conceding an early goal, Atlanta United dominated the game offensively and equalized through Tyler Wolff before falling behind again. However, Firmino's late goal secured a point for the home team and extended their unbeaten streak to seven games.
Atlanta United has released its Availability Report ahead of its match against New York City FC on June 21. Erik López is questionable, while Santiago Sosa is out due to ankle injuries. Luis Abram and Thiago Almada are both questionable due to travel, while Derrick Etienne Jr. and Miles Robinson are out due to international duty and hamstring injury, respectively. Giorgos Giakoumakis is also out due to yellow card accumulation.
New York City FC has unveiled plans for a new $780 million, 25,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in Queens, which will be the first of its kind in the city. The project will also include 40,000 square feet of public open space, a school, a hotel, and ground floor retail shops, as well as 2,500 units of 100% affordable housing. The privately financed stadium is set to be ready for the 2027 MLS season and will be located in the Willets Point neighborhood, across the road from the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Atlanta United put in a strong performance against New York City FC, but were unable to convert their early chances and had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Franco Ibarra's red card changed the game, but Caleb Wiley's impressive display at left back was a positive for the team. Fans can rate each player's performance and share their thoughts on the match.
Atlanta United fought to a 1-1 draw against New York City FC, despite going down to 10 men in the second half. Giorgios Giakoumakis scored for Atlanta in the 70th minute, but Gabriel Pereira equalized for New York just a minute later. The result leaves Atlanta with 14 points through seven games and a 4-1-2 record in the MLS.