Below is a selection of the notable performances and moments from the 12 matches played thus far on the 29th matchday of the 2024 MLS regular season on Saturday, August 24.
Matchday 29 action will conclude on Wednesday as the Philadelphia Union welcome the Columbus Crew to Subaru Park (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). This game was moved from Saturday, August 24 due to both teams advancing to the Semifinals of Leagues Cup 2024.
Tonight’s Leagues Cup 2024 Final will feature the Crew taking on LAFC at Lower.com Field in a rematch of MLS Cup 2023 presented by Audi (7:15 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / Univision / TV Azteca). The Third-Place Match between the Philadelphia Union and Colorado Rapids will be played at 4:30 p.m. ET (MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
Inter Miami CF Becomes First Team to Clinch Postseason Berth in 2024
Courtesy of their 2-0 home victory over FC Cincinnati on Saturday night, Inter Miami CF became the first team to clinch a berth in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. This will be the third playoff appearance in club history and the first since 2022.
By securing a playoff berth in their 26th regular-season game, Miami (56 points, 17-4-5) became the fourth team in league history to clinch a postseason position within the first 26 games of a 34-game season, joining LAFC (25 games in 2022 and 2019) and FC Cincinnati (26 in 2023). All three of the previous teams to accomplish the feat captured the Supporters’ Shield in their respective seasons.
Both of Miami’s goals were scored by Luis Suárez in the first six minutes of the match, including the opening goal just 31 seconds into play, which marked the fastest goal in club history. The brace was Suárez’s fourth multi-goal game of the season and the Uruguayan striker currently sits tied for fourth in the race for the Golden Boot presented by Audi.
Stars Shine Bright for the Galaxy
On Saturday night, the LA Galaxy returned to MLS regular-season action with a 2-0 win over Atlanta United behind second-half goals from 2024 MLS All-Star Riqui Puig (Watch Here) and summer signing Marco Reus in his MLS debut (Watch Here). Reus, who came on in the 62nd minute, also provided the helper on Puig’s decisive goal, making his LA debut one to remember.
As the Galaxy (52 points, 15-5-7) extended their lead at the top of the Western Conference to five points over cross-city rival LAFC, they also secured the club’s 400th win in MLS regular-season action. The Galaxy are the first MLS club to reach the milestone and did so with 15 wins through 27 games this season.
The Galaxy also surpassed an attendance milestone on Saturday night as they became the first club to host over 10 million fans in attendance across all MLS regular-season matches.
The Galaxy will hit the road for Matchday 30 to take on St. Louis CITY SC on Sunday, September 1 (2:45 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / FOX / FOX Deportes).
Langoni Caps Off Revs Route with Dream Debut
Luca Langoni, the New England Revolution's newest U22 Initiative signing, made an instant impact in his MLS debut after coming off the bench in their 5-0 win over CF Montréal on Saturday.
Langoni entered the match in the 77th and recorded the first goal contribution of his career with the Revolution just two minutes later after sliding a low cross into Giacomo Vrioni’s feet to make it 4-0 (Watch Here). The 22-year-old Argentinian then got himself on the score sheet in the 83rd minute, firing a shot through the goalkeeper’s hands to seal the Revolution’s first 5-0 victory since July 21, 2021 (Watch Here).
While Langoni introduced himself to MLS, former Landon Donovan MLS MVP Carles Gil continued to demonstrate the creative excellence he’s demonstrated in the league since arriving in New England in 2019 with another assist on Matchday 29 (Watch Here). Gil reached 70 career assists in his 151st regular-season game, becoming the fourth-fastest player in MLS history to reach the mark.
The Revolution will be back in action on Matchday 30 looking to inch closer to an Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs position when they travel to Real Salt Lake on Saturday, August 31 (9:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) looking for their first-ever win at America First Field.
Espinoza and Russell Enter 100 Goal Contribution Club
A pair of active legends at their respective clubs, Cristian Espinoza of the San Jose Earthquakes and Johnny Russell of Sporting Kansas City, both reserved their positions in an exclusive club with contributions to their club’s victories on Saturday night. Russell and Espinoza became the 13th and 14th active MLS players to record 100 career goal contributions.
Russell notched the 100th goal contribution of his MLS career with a crafty assist on Remi Walter’s 92nd minute score (Watch Here), which cemented Sporting KC’s 3-0 victory over Orlando City SC at Children’s Mercy Park. The assist was the 40th of his career and his 100 contributions currently rank third in club history, behind only Preki (169) and Graham Zusi (105).
Cristian Espinoza scored the opening goal (Watch Here) in the Earthquakes’ 2-0 road win over a tough Real Salt Lake club, marking the midfielder’s 32nd career score. With 32 goals and 68 assists, Espinoza became the third player in San Jose history to eclipse 100 career goal contributions, joining Chris Wondolowski (207) and Ronald Cerritos (108).
Trio of Sounders Power 3-2 Win
Seattle Sounders FC returned to MLS regular-season action on Matchday 29 with a 3-2 road win at Minnesota United FC which featured standout performances from Sounders mainstays Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan, as well as Designated Player Albert Rusnák.
Morris opened the scoring in the 11th minute with his 10th goal of the season (Watch Here), making him the first Sounder to score at least 10 goals across five different MLS regular seasons. The U.S. Men’s National Team forward became the 15th player to accomplish the feat in league history.
Roldan, who recorded his 44th regular-season assist on Morris’ goal, surpassed Sounders great Fredy Montero (43) for the second-most assists in the club’s MLS history.
Rusnák assisted and scored on the night, becoming the eighth active MLS player to surpass 110 career regular-season goal contributions (54 goals, 57 assists). With his assist on Jackson Ragen’s goal (Watch Here), he also became the first Sounder to record at least 12 assists in a single season since Nico Lodeiro (12) in 2019.
The Sounders will hit the road for Matchday 30 action next Saturday, August 31 (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) as they face off against their bitter rivals in the Portland Timbers and continue their chase for a top-four position in the Western Conference.
