Below is a selection of the notable performances and moments from the 13 matches played thus far on the 30th matchday of the 2024 MLS regular season on Saturday, August 31.
Matchday 30 continues this afternoon, as the LA Galaxy travel to face St. Louis CITY SC at CITYPARK (2:45 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / FOX).
Nancy Conducting Rossi and Crew to Blistering Form
After winning Leagues Cup 2024, the Columbus Crew have shown no signs of slowing down as evidenced by a dramatic 4-2 victory against New York City FC on Matchday 30. New York City opened the scoring in the fourth minute, but Columbus equalized through Diego Rossi, who became the fifth player in club history to produce at least 10 goals and 10 assists with his goal.
The Crew then got goals from Max Arfsten in the 58th minute and two stoppage time efforts from DeJuan Jones and Jacen Russell-Rowe to snatch all three points at home. In Wilfried Nancy’s last three seasons, his clubs have scored a total of 183 goals. Nancy is one of four coaches in MLS history to have his clubs produce at least 180 goals in a three-season span. With the victory, Columbus inched closer to securing a spot in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs as they have their sights set on repeating as MLS Cup presented by Audi champions.
Facundo Torres Makes Club History in Crucial Eastern Conference Clash
As Orlando City SC battle to make the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, their chances earned a big boost when they defeated Nashville SC 3-0 on Saturday evening. The difference maker for the Lions was once again Facundo Torres, who scored twice in the victory. Torres’ two goals were his 51st and 52nd goal contributions in an Orlando uniform, passing Nani (51) for the most in club history.
On Torres’ second goal, midfielder Nico Lodeiro added his 10th assist of the season and the 90th in his career. Lodeiro is just the 12th player in MLS history to record at least 90 regular season assists and 2024 marks his seventh season with double-digit helpers. Thanks to Lodeiro and Torres’ performances, Orlando now sit on 37 points (10-10-7) and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference as the calendar turns to September.
Cincy and Orellano Hit 50 Points in Style
With captain Luciano Acosta out due to yellow card accumulation, FC Cincinnati turned to their other MLS All-Star Luca Orellano for a spark on Matchday 30, and the Argentine did not disappoint. After scoring from a free kick in the 53rd minute to give Cincinnati a 2-0 advantage, Orellano added his second of the match just four minutes later in outrageous fashion. The dynamic playmaker saw the CF Montréal goalkeeper off his line and proceeded to score with an effort from well within his own half, producing one of the best goals of the 2024 season (WATCH HERE).
Cincinnati would go on to defeat Montréal 4-1 on Matchday 30 and eclipse the 50-point threshold for the second-straight season. Currently, Cincinnati is the only club to reach the 50-point mark in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons and they sit just eight points behind Inter Miami CF in the Supporters’ Shield race.
Rapids Never Say Die Attitude on Full Display
Despite falling behind twice on the road at FC Dallas tonight, the Colorado Rapids continued to fight back and eventually the visitors pulled out a 3-2 win after Homegrown forward Darren Yapi scored the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute. The Rapids are coming off a successful Leagues Cup 2024, which saw them finish in third place and earn a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup.
One of the catalysts of that run was Djordje Mihailovic, who provided the game-winning assist on Yapi’s goal in stoppage time tonight. Mihailovic’s assist was his 10th this year and he became the second player in club history (Mark Chung in 2002) to score at least 10 goals and add 10 assists in a single season. Colorado will enter the month of September with 44 points, which is the club’s most in a season entering September since 1999 (45).
Gavin Beavers Stepping Up for RSL in Stretch Run
Real Salt Lake came into Matchday 30 having lost three of their last four MLS matches, but turned that streak around with a 2-0 victory at home over the New England Revolution. Despite numerous additions in the Secondary Transfer Window, one of the key players down the stretch for RSL could be 19-year-old goalkeeper Gavin Beavers.
Beavers made two big saves down the stretch of the victory to preserve his fifth win of the 2024 regular season. The U.S. Youth International is one of three goalkeepers in MLS history to win at least five games as a teenager in a single season, joining Chris Brady in 2023 and Gaga Slonina in 2022. In Beavers’ eight regular season starts this year, RSL is 5-2-1 with three shutouts and the young ‘keeper will likely be called upon as the Claret and Cobalt make their push for the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
