NSN MLS Weekend Recap

Jonathan Turner
Sep 22, 2025
2 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

NSN MLS Weekend Recap

LAFC 4, Real Salt Lake 1 — Bouanga hat trick, playoff berth clinchedDenis Bouanga bagged three as LAFC cruised at BMO Stadium and sealed a postseason spot. Club legends past and present shared the stage on “Noche de Carlos Vela,” with the Black & Gold rolling to their seventh playoff trip in eight seasons.

Austin FC 2, Seattle Sounders 1 — Uzuni wins it at 90+6’Drama in Austin: Myrto Uzuni tapped in CJ Fodrey’s headed assist deep in stoppage time to flip a tight Western six-pointer. Diego Rubio opened for ATX before Seattle’s Georgi Minoungou leveled; Brad Stuver’s saves kept the Verde in it until the late winner. The result tightens the West mid-table race.

Inter Miami 3, D.C. United 2 — Messi brace keeps Shield chase aliveLionel Messi delivered an assist and a second-half brace, including the winner on 66’, to edge D.C. in Fort Lauderdale. Jacob Murrell’s stoppage-time strike set up a nervy finish, but Miami held on and stayed in the mix near the East summit.

Orlando City 3, Nashville SC 2 — McGuire at the deathAfter a two-goal Orlando lead evaporated (Mukhtar 45+’, Shaffelburg 51’), Duncan McGuire smashed home the stoppage-time winner to yank back all three points and vault the Lions past Nashville in the table.

New York City FC 2, Charlotte FC 0 — Two PKs, playoff ticket punchedAlonso Martínez converted a pair from the spot and Matt Freese saved a Charlotte penalty as NYCFC clinched their berth with a composed home win.

Vancouver Whitecaps 2, Sporting KC 0 — SKC eliminatedThe surging ‘Caps stayed in the Supporters’ Shield chase while knocking SKC out of playoff contention with a clinical road display at Children’s Mercy Park.

Chicago Fire 3, Minnesota United 0 — Statement on the roadChicago kept pace in the wild-card fight with a comprehensive shutout in St. Paul, getting goals from Joel Waterman, João D’Avilla and Philip Zinckernagel.

Columbus Crew 1, Toronto FC 1 — Points sharedRichie Laryea’s 51’ equalizer canceled out Columbus’s early edge as the Crew settled for a draw in a tight East seeding race.

Weekend Takeaways

Clinch & cutline: LAFC are in; SKC are out. NYCFC lock a spot with authority. The West’s 4–9 seeds remain separated by fine margins after Austin’s late show.
Star turns: Bouanga’s hat trick headlines the Golden Boot chase out West; Messi’s brace keeps his MVP-caliber season humming.
Momentum watch: Orlando and Chicago grab statement wins; Vancouver stay steady as a Shield threat.