During Week 7 of Major League Soccer, Before multiple players leave for international duty to represent their countries respectively in the 2021 Concacaf Nations League Finals and World Cup qualifiers, including international friendlies – they finished business with their clubs stateside,
To kick things off, Sporting KC defeated Houston Dynamo 3-2 in front of their first full-capacity crowd since March 7, 2020. The club overcame an early goal deficit for the fourth time this season.
The league imposed sanctions on Inter Miami on Friday for violating league salary budget and roster guidelines. D.C. United went on to deliver a 3-0 shutout against David Beckham’s team at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday night.
“You can point fingers at individual errors,” Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville said afterwards. “It is those individual errors and lack of concentration that are really hurting us. But worse, it means we’re not difficult to play against.”
LAFC lost a 1-0 lead due to defensive errors that led them to their first loss at home of the season. The Black and Gold played well for the first 65 minutes but fell prone to leaving opponents unmarked near the back post. However, this situation is familiar with fans as Bob Bradley’s men have had an issue with defense since the departures of Lee Nyguen and Mohamed El-Munir.
Twelve miles away, the LA Galaxy defeated the San Jose Earthquakes in their first Cali Classico. Both sides held equal possession and passing accuracy combined with Jonathan Bond’s incredible double save in the 82nd minute – an own goal from Tanner Beason gave the hosts the win.
Further up the west coast, the Seattle Sounders who have had a great start to the season suffered their second-straight draw at home, this time to Austin FC on Sunday night.
Major League Soccer Special Moment:
From the Union’s Paxten Aaronson making his MLS debut to the Galaxy’s Jonathan Bond’s keeper skills – this week’s special moment goes to Gianluca Busio’s golazo in the Houston match.
It was the 19-year-old’s best game as a pro. Busio has grown a lot since joining the club in 2017 when he became the second-youngest player to sign an MLS contract at age 15.
The Greensboro native, starred in Sporting KC’s Academy playing for Sporting KC’s U-14, U-16, and U-18 level(s) as one of the United States’ top youth prospects for his age.
Fast forward to the present day, Busio is consistently being praised by fellow teammates for his maturity in the sport. And it showed Saturday night in front of 20,086 fans.
“What I’m happy about is that people are getting a chance to see what I see every day in that kid and that is that he is not only an incredible talent, but he’s incredibly mature for his age,” Manager Peter Vermes said during the post match press conference. “The things that he’s able to pull off on a regular basis and do it consistently is incredible.”
Busio scored a strike off the free kick from 30 yards out in the 51st minute that even left Dynamo’s Marko Maric stunned. The midfielder’s equalizer sparked life back into Sporting KC, who went from trailing by 0-1 to turning it into a 3-2 historic win with additional goals from Alan Pulido and Gadi Kinda.
“Anywhere on the field, I want to help the team. Wherever they need me, I’m going to play. I’ve been playing really well at the 6 right now and I’ll continue to play that way,” said Busio, who’s played multiple positions (false 9, an 8, a No. 10, and on the wing) during his young career.
Although the young starlet has been hot and cold with the National team since his last appearance in the 2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship – he has a bright future.
Final Scores:
New York Red Bulls 2-1 Orlando City
Chicago Fire FC 0-1 CF Montreal
Columbus Crew 2-1 Toronto FC
FC Cincinnati 0-1 New England Revolution
Atlanta United 2-2 Nashville SC
LAFC 1-2 New York City FC
LA Galaxy 1-0 San Jose Earthquakes
Inter Miami CF 0-3 D.C. United
Sporting Kansas City 3-2 Houston Dynamo
Colorado Rapids 3-0 FC Dallas
Real Salt Lake 1-1 Minnesota United
Philadelphia Union 0-3 Portland Timbers
Seattle Sounders 0-0 Austin FC
Conference Standings:
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