✋ things we learned from the MLS weekend

From LAFC’s slump to Orlando’s tested credentials, we’re back to take a look at the biggest talking points from the MLS weekend that was. Let’s get straight into it.

Alarm bells are ringing at LAFC

📸 Harry How – 2024 Getty Images

LAFC looked like world-beaters for most of the 2024 campaign up to this point, but the cooling down period since losing the Leagues Cup final in heartbreak fashion has been alarming.

The star-studded side have dropped points in five straight games, losing three of those, and it hasn’t been bad lucked that has plagued them. At times they have looked like a sieve in defense, but more the more worrying trend has been the apparent lack of energy.

Before the pause for the Leagues Cup in August, LAFC were bona fide Supporters Shield contenders, and now they are one more bad weekend away from slipping all the way to 7th in the Western Conference. You wouldn’t put past this group of players to click back into gear overnight, but you have to be worried if you’re an LAFC fan.

The Union train is rolling once again

Look out MLS, the league’s perennial ‘plucky underdogs’ are back in position to sneak into the playoffs before all is said and done.

The Union have won five of their last seven games in MLS, including a 4-0 thumping of D.C. United on Sunday, and have jumped into 9th after looking all but down out before the Leagues Cup break.

The form of the dynamic attacking trio of Tai Baribo, Mikael Uhre, and Dániel Gazdag has been a sight to behold. Combining that with Jim Curtin’s ability to squeeze an extra 10% out of his team in the big games is a potential recipe for success in the dying weeks of the season.

Philly have never been big spenders, but somehow they always seem to find a way to play a part in where MLS Cup may land.

Petar Musa is not spoken about enough

There is a lengthy list of standout attackers in MLS this season, thought Petar Musa has not landed on many of them — that should start to change.

The former Benfica man has been on a tear this season, despite still taking time to bed into the league. Nonetheless, he has 15 goals and two assists in 27 games this season — three goals off breaking the all-time FC Dallas single-season scoring record.

The partnership between Musa and Jesus Ferreira has begun to gel in a way that Dallas decision makers would have hoped for in the winter, and now Alan Velasco is in the mix to help out. While this season may be a bust, if this attacking force can stay together next season, you wouldn’t put it past Dallas to sneak into the conversation out west.

Portland always entertain

The Portland Timbers are nothing if not absolute box office. Phil Neville’s side seemingly can’t play a boring game, and that has been on full display in their last five games — 24 goals have been scored in those fixtures.

The elite attacking trio of Evander, Jonathan Rodríguez, and Felipe Mora combined with one of the shakier defensive unites in the conference has become a recipe for high-scoring, topsy-turvy affairs whenever Portland is involved.

They showed that once again in Salt Lake City over the weekend, coming from behind on two separate occasions to snatch a point in a scintillating 3-3 draw with Real Salt Lake.

The issue for the Timbers from this point on — entertainment doesn’t win you trophies.

Orlando City’s credentials need not be questioned

Orlando City have been red-hot in recent weeks, winning seven of their last 10 games in MLS. But heading into the weekend’s clash with reigning champions Columbus Crew, Orlando’s needed to make a statement of intent in the Eastern Conference.

While they ran out 4-3 losers at Lower.com Field, a place where just about nobody earns points, their ability to hang in the match until the final whistle put their growth in the back-half of this season full display.

You won’t get a tougher test than playing the Crew on the road, and Orlando can hold their heads high as a result. With relatively winnable fixtures to close out the season, Cincinnati away from home excluded, there is no reason why Óscar Pareja’s men can’t start the MLS Cup Playoffs with home-field advantage.