Inter Miami extended their lead at the top of the MLS standings with a 2-1 home victory over Chicago Fire on Saturday, thanks to a goal scored by Jordi Alba in the 75th minute. This came despite Lionel Messi’s injury, which forced him to miss the match.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inter moved up to 53 points with their 16th victory in 25 games. FC Cincinnati dropped to 52 points after losing 3-1 against the New York Red Bulls.

In the sixth minute, Miami took the lead thanks to Matias Rojas, a paraguayan midfielder.

German defender Rafael Czichos, who was born in Saudi Arabia, scored an equalizer for the Fire in the 73rd minute. Alba, a former star for Spain, scored the winner two minutes after that.

Midfielder Lewis Morgan of Scotland scored twice in the first half and defender Kyle Duncan scored the third to put the Red Bulls up 3-0 after 59 minutes in New York, shocking Cincinnati.

A consolation goal for Cincinnati came in the 67th minute from Corey Baird.

In a 3-0 victory over Nashville, the Union were led by a hat trick from Philadelphia’s Daniel Gazdag.

With goals in the tenth, thirty-third, and eightieth minutes by Gazdag, Philadelphia maintained a one-point lead over Atlanta for the last East playoff place.

Atlanta United rallied from a goal down to defeat Columbus 2-1 at home, with goals from Norwegian defender Stian Gregersen in the 60th and 77th minutes.

The 38th minute saw Canadian midfielder Richie Laryea score the game-winning goal for Toronto over Montreal, 1-0.