Comebacks were story in week 19 in MLS. All three of Friday’s games saw comebacks, with DC, LAFC, and the San Jose Earthquakes getting wins. The schedule concluded with the Red Bulls coming back against NYCFC.
DC United came back to draw 2-2 with the New England Revolution at Audi Field to open the weekend schedule on Friday. Teal Bunbury scored for the Revs in the 4th minute with Carles Gil doubling the lead in the 32nd. DC came back with a goal from Leonardo Jara in the 43rd with Quincy Amarikwa equalizing in the 86th.
LAFC came back to beat Houston 3-1 at BBVA Compass Stadium. Romell Quioto put Houston up in the 3rd minute. Adama Diomande equalized two minutes into first-half stoppage time and put LAFC up in the 49th. Diego Rossi scored for LAFC in the 88th minute.
“We had to have the confidence to play, to pass, to step up and do the things that we’ve been doing all year,” LAFC coach Bob Bradley said. “It’s easy, in a way, because we scored a goal right before the half, so I can use that as a positive sign of what’s going to come in the second half. We talked a little bit, of course, about their dangerous attackers, but it was just a much better second half. And again, as I said, when we got the lead I thought we handled that part well.”
San Jose came back to beat the LA Galaxy 3-1 in Carson. Rolf Feltscher scored for LA in the 2nd minute. Valeri Qazaishvili equalized for the Earthquakes in the 61st and assisted on Danny Hoesen’s goal in the 64th. Jackson Yueill scored San Jose’s third goal in the 85th minute.
“We started the season really bad, knowing that they had suffered a year of losses and tough moments, and little by little we have been putting together a group,” San Jose coach Matias Almeyda said. “And, within that group, they have found a soccer identity, and we’re getting there. We’re in the fight, but we are happy because the players, our leaders, and our community are a lot happier than last year.”
Toronto started the Saturday schedule with a 2-0 win at Montreal. Alejandro Pozuelo scored in the 61st minute with Jozy Altidore converting a free kick five minutes into stoppage time.
Orlando shutout Columbus 1-0 at home. Benji Michel scored in the 84th minute with Brian Rowe making one save to keep the clean sheet. Orlando’s Dom Dwyer saw red three minutes into stoppage time for violent conduct.
FC Cincinnati beat Chicago -1 in Bridgeview. Allan Cruz scored for Cincinnati in the opening minute with Nicolas Gaitan equalizing four minutes into stoppage time. Fanendo Adi scored Cincinnati’s winner in the 83rd.
“In the first-half I was a bit disappointed with the first 45 minutes,” FC Cincinnati coach Yoann Damet said. ”The way we showed up, the spaces, the set up, the system and the animation within the system wasn’t what I was expecting. We tried to adjust at halftime, we had to make a couple of adjustments at the end of the game to make sure we could preserve the result. Overall I am happy with what they showed and especially the mentality.”
Minnesota shutout FC Dallas 1-0 at Allianz Field. Mason Toye scored a minute into stoppage time with United goalkeeper Vito Mannone stopping a late Dallas penalty. Mannone kept the clean sheet with six saves.
Real Salt Lake shutout Philadelphia 4-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium. Jefferson Savarino scored in the 23rd and 71st minutes, assisting on Albert Rusnak’s goal in the 81st. Damir Kreilach finished off the RSL goals in the 89th. Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando didn’t have to make a save to keep the clean sheet.
Sporting KC shutout Vancouver 3-0 at BC Place. An own-goal opened the scoring in the 24th minute. Felipe Gutierrez doubled the lead in the 56th with Gerso scoring in the 90th.
“It’s still the same team that finished on top of the conference last year,” Sporting KC forward Johnny Russell said. “We know how good we can be, and we haven’t performed anywhere near what we’re capable of, what we were showing last year. And that’s been the most disappointing part. Everyone in that locker room knows that we have to do better, and I think over the last couple of games we’ve shown that.”
Portland drew 2-2 with Colorado at Providence Park. Portland went up in the 27th minute from an own-goal with Jonathan Lewis equalizing for the Rapids in the 28th. Portland’s Julio Cascante saw red in the 55th minute. Diego Valeri put the Timbers up from the penalty spot in the 63rd with Sam Nicholson equalizing in the 76th.
“I thought it was a really exciting and entertaining game,” Colorado interim coach Conor Casey said. “It was a great show for the fans and a great atmosphere and a good amount of football. We were a bit disappointed in the end. I think we had enough chances to win, a lot of very good chances and a bit of a dubious penalty kick. But, all in all I’m really proud of the guys and their incredible mentality and we put a really good performance in tonight, so I’m really proud of them.”
On Sunday, Seattle beat Atlanta 2-1 at home. Raul Ruidiaz scored for the Sounders in the 58th minute with Josef Martinez equalizing in the 65th. Harry Shipp scored Seattle’s winner in the 71st minute.
Week 19 concluded at Red Bull Arena with the Hudson River Derby. The Red Bulls came back to beat NYCFC 2-1. Heber put NYCFC up in the 7th minute. Daniel Royer equalized from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time and scored again in the 60th minute. That deciding goal centered on a throw-in that NYCFC were preparing to defend as a freekick.
Photo by Michael Janosz – ISIPhotos.com
