Credit: Michael Pimental - ISIPhotos.com
Round One of the 2024 Major League Soccer playoffs began on Friday in Fort Lauderdale. Inter Miami won their opening game 2-1 over Atlanta, going ahead from a Luis Suarez goal in the 2nd. Atlanta’s Saba Lobzhanidze equalized in the 39th, but Jordi Alba put Inter Miami up for good in the 60th minute.
“It was a match where what I liked the most was the control we had on the field for almost the entire game,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said. “We didn’t make many mistakes that would allow the opponent to break out into space. We had five clear chances in the first half, and one of them came very close to the post. We were patient. I believe that if it weren’t for Brad (Guzan) ‘s performance, the match should have ended with a clear difference.”
On Saturday, the LA Galaxy beat Colorado 5-0 at home. LA took the lead from a Dejan Jovelic goal in the 32nd, John Nelson doubled it in the 52nd, and Ricard Puig scored in the 54th. Jovelic scored again in the 75th and Puig added a fifth Galaxy goal in the 87th minute.
Moving to Sunday’s games, Orlando City shutout Charlotte 2-0 at home. Facundo Torres put Orlando up in the 32nd and Martin Ojeda doubled the lead in the 76th. Charlotte’s Pep Biel saw red a minute into stoppage time.
LAFC beat Vancouver 2-1 at home. Denis Bouanga put LAFC up from the penalty spot in the 30th and Cristian Olivera scored in the 57th. Vancouver’s Ryan Gauld scored four minutes into stoppage time.
“It’s very important for us to score first because most of the time when we do that we are setting the base,” Bouanga said. “We usually react to the game, but when we score first it gives us an edge.”
Monday’s schedule started with Cincinnati shutting out NYCFC 1-0 at home. Yamil Asad scored Cincinnati’s goal in the 51st. NYCFC’s Tayvon Gray saw red eight minutes into stoppage time.
“I’ll take the experience of using the fact that this game was tight, the game was even, and we came to a difficult place and fell on the wrong side of a result,” NYCFC coach Nick Cushing said. “Ultimately, we know what we have to do now. We know we have to win at home, and we’re going back to a place where we know we’re going to have all our people behind us. Every guy in there knows their job, and we’re ready to push on and make sure that we swing it back our way.”
Seattle drew 0-0 in regulation with Houston at Lumen Field, with the Sounders winning 5-4 on penalties. The Dynamo failed to convert in the fourth round. Houston played a man down from the 66th minute.
“The guys put in a great shift after we went down to 10 men,” Houston coach Ben Olsen said. “It wasn’t our best performance on the ball, however, the guys gave a collective defensive effort and pushed hard for penalties. It was an impressive performance, and I’m proud of the guys. We will take some confidence back to our house and look forward to having a better performance there. Our road is a little tricker now, but we are looking forward playing in front of our fans and forcing a third game.”
On Tuesday, the opening games of Round One concluded with the New York Red Bulls winning 1-0 at Columbus. Felipe Carballo scored for the Red Bulls in the 25th minute.
Real Salt Lake drew 0-0 at home with Minnesota, sending the game to penalties. United won 5-4 on penalties, with both teams failing to convert in the third round and Real Salt Lake failing to convert in round six.
Quotes courtesy of MLS team press releases.
Photo by Michael Pimental – ISIPhotos.com
