🇺🇸 MLS: Whitecaps, Charlotte and Dallas impress; TFC hold NER; NYRB win | OneFootball

Wednesday night had five MLS matches scheduled as the playoffs loom.

Here is what went down…

Vancouver Whitecaps v Colorado Rapids

Scorers: Gauld 16′, 40′; Zardes 76′

The final match of the night saw Vancouver Whitecaps host Colorado Rapids out on the west coast and came out victorious after grinding out a 2-1 win.

During the opening 45 minutes, the hosts were on high alert and subsequently held a 2-0 lead at the break.

Julian Gressel initially set up Ryan Gauld for the opener before the Scottish midfielder secured a brace just before half-time.

However, despite Vancouver running the show Colorado managed to keep things interesting.

The visitors threatened in front of goal and capitalised on some shaky defending with Gyasi Zardes stabbing home a loose ball.

With 15 minutes to go the pressure was on for both sides and the hosts almost cracked as Zardes’ stoppage time header hit the woodwork.

In the end, the Whitecaps held on for the win and hold a playoff position (seventh) while the Rapids are 11th.

FC Dallas v Philadelphia Union

Scorers: Ferreira 34′

The fourth match of the night saw FC Dallas host Philadelphia Union and the hosts pulled off the second shock of the night thanks to their star attacker.

It was a game of few chances as both sides only put a combined eight chances on target over the 90 minutes.

But the clinical skills of Jesus Ferreira came in handy for the hosts once again as the attacker found his 15th goal of the year for the eventual winner.

However, as the leaders in the east, Philadelphia did put up a fight to try and make things all level again.

Julian Carranza’s free-kick went inches away before Mikael Uhre’s low drive called Maarten Paes into action at his near post late in the second half.

In the end, the hosts were able to hold on and the result means Dallas are third in the Western Conference while Philadelphia drop points yet again.

NYC FC v Charlotte FC

Scorers: Chanot 28′; Świderski 4′, Bronico 77′, Fuchs 90+1′ (P)

It was one-way traffic at Red Bull Arena as New York City FC welcomed Charlotte FC to town but the visitors came out victorious against the run of play.

The hosts were on top in the opening moments dominating possession and registering nine shots on target compared to one from their opponents.

But that one attempt from Karol Świderski at the back post was enough to break the deadlock just four minutes into the game after VAR confirmed the ball did in fact cross the line.

Over time, NYCFC made things all square when centre-back Maxime Chanot found himself in acres of space and hit the top right corner from well outside of the box.

The match then continued to be a nervy affair in the second half as the hosts piled on the pressure looking to take the lead.

However, two miscues at the back allowed Brandt Bronico and Christian Fuchs to help see the 10th-placed side stun the third-placed side 3-1.

Atlanta United v NY Red Bulls

Scorers: Martínez 90+4′; Morgan 11′, Tolkin 15′

Atlanta United’s play off hopes were handed a big blow mid-week after New Red Bulls walked into Marcedes-Benz Stadium and collected three points with ease.

Despite only having roughly 30% possession, the visitors found themselves up by two after 15 minutes when Lewis Morgan’s low drive found the net and VAR decided John Tolkin’s shot-cross could stand despite initially being called offside.

Meanwhile, the hosts struggled to convert their three shots on target in the first half as they lacked intensity.

Star man Josef Martínez was very quiet on the night in particular but did manage to pull one back late in the second half however the late push wasn’t enough.

The result means Atlanta remain second from the bottom in the East while NYRB are fourth.

Toronto FC v New England Revolution

Scorers: Bernardeschi 31′ (P), Criscito 75′; McNamara 37′, Rennicks 48′

Both Toronto FC and New England Revolution put up a fight at BMO Field as they continued their hunt for a spot in the play-offs.

It was a fairly tense match between the two sides as a handful of attempts threatened either goal but the deadlock broke thanks to a penalty kick from TFC’s star signing Federico Bernardeschi.

However, the visitors showed they were ready to put up a fight as Tommy McNamara equalized six minutes later after goalkeeper Alex Bono spilt the ball in the box.

Their instant response didn’t stop in the second half, either, as New England turned things around 2-1 when Justin Rennicks’ finished off a counter-attack from a tight angle three minutes after the restart.

As time went on TFC ramped up the pressure registering 19 attempts by the end of the night compared to seven and Domenico Criscito’s late volley ensured both teams split the points.

The result means Toronto sit 11th in the East while New England are sixth.