Below is a selection of the notable performances and moments from the 13 matches played on the 28th matchday of the 2023 MLS season, Saturday, August 26.
Matchday 28 action concludes this afternoon as Minnesota United FC host Seattle Sounders FC at Allianz Field (4:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass / FOX).
FC Cincinnati Still Unstoppable at TQL Stadium
With a 3-0 win on Saturday night, FC Cincinnati produced a whopping 37 points in their first 13 regular season games at TQL Stadium. Cincinnati’s incredible record is tied with the 2002 San Jose Earthquakes for the best home start to a season in league history through the first 13 games. Additionally, the club is now just six points shy of tying the single-season home points record (43) set by the New York Red Bulls in 2018.
The maestro for the Orange and Blue has been Landon Donovan MLS MVP candidate Luciano Acosta, who provided two assists against NYCFC. With his pair of helpers, Acosta now has 12 goals and 10 assists on the year. 2023 marks his third career season with at least 10 goals and 10 assists, becoming just the sixth player in MLS history to accomplish this feat.
Inter Miami Continue Scintillating Form into MLS Regular Season
After lifting the Leagues Cup 2023 trophy and winning in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals, Inter Miami’s sensational run continued into MLS regular season play. The Herons visited Red Bull Arena and defeated the New York Red Bulls, 2-0, to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to a club-record nine games. Miami got goals from two summer signings Diego Gómez, and the incredible Lionel Messi.
Messi, who entered the game as a substitute in the 60th minute, scored his 11th goal in all competitions since joining the club, and his first in MLS regular season play. Messi became the third player in club history to score on his MLS debut after a terrifically worked passing sequence with Jordi Alba and Benjamin Cremaschi (Watch Here). Miami and Messi next return home to face Nashville SC in a Leagues Cup final rematch on Wednesday evening (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
Thiago Almada Continues MVP-Caliber Season
In a Southeastern rivalry matchup against Nashville SC, Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada showed his class with a one-goal, two-assist performance in the club’s 4-0 win. The World Cup winner produced his 20th, 21st and 22nd goal contribution on the season, joining Josef Martínez (three times) as the only players in club history to total at least 20 goal contributions through their first 24 games of a season.
Almada is stamping his place among the Landon Donovan MLS MVP candidates as his 22 goal contributions are tied with FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta for the most in MLS. Additionally, with multiple assists tonight, Almada sits one helper shy of tying the single-season club record (14) set by three different players. For Atlanta, they have come out of Leagues Cup 2023 with consecutive wins, but they now face their biggest test this Wednesday – a home matchup against Supporters’ Shield leaders FC Cincinnati (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
Philly’s Gazdag Perfect from the Penalty Spot
17 penalty kicks taken, 17 penalty kicks scored in Philadelphia Union midfielder Dániel Gazdag’s MLS regular season career so far. Gazdag scored the Union’s third goal from the penalty spot in the club’s 3-1 road victory over D.C. United. With a perfect 17-for-17 record in regular season play, Gazdag sits one penalty kick shy of tying Nicolás Lodeiro (18 straight) for the most consecutive penalty kicks converted from the start of his MLS career.
Of Gazdag’s 10 goals in 2023, nine of them have been from penalty kicks. His nine penalty kick goals are tied with three players for the most in a single season in MLS history. With the victory against D.C., Philadelphia moved up into second place in the Eastern Conference and are now riding a three-game regular season winning streak.
Sallói, Russell and Thommy Lead SKC Past San Jose
Sporting Kansas City returned to MLS regular season action and recorded a 3-1 victory against the San Jose Earthquakes on a night when SKC celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their 2013 MLS Cup championship.
Dániel Sallói's got the home side on the board first in the third minute with his sixth goal of the season and 44th regular season goal, moving him ahead of Davy Arnaud and Josh Wolff (43 each) for the fourth most goals in Sporting Kansas City history. Goals from Johnny Russell and Erik Thommy along with a key penalty kick save by Tim Melia helped wrap up all three points for SKC as they now just sit three points shy of a playoff position in the Western Conference.
Next up for Kansas City is a crucial rivalry matchup as they host St. Louis CITY SC for the first time ever at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday, September 2 (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
