Below is a selection of the notable performances and moments from the 13 matches played on the seventh matchday of the 2024 MLS regular season on Saturday, March 30.
Matchday 7 action continues later today when Atlanta United hosts Chicago Fire FC at 3:45 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and FOX.
Tres de Chicho Lifts RSL to Victory
An early first-half goal from St. Louis CITY SC saw Real Salt Lake scrambling from the jump, but there are few forwards who thrive more in chaos than Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango.
The Colombian international lasered a shot from outside the box into the net to level the score with 20 minutes of regulation time left in the match (watch here) before putting his side ahead from the penalty spot in the 84th minute. His third goal, which was set up by budding star midfielder Diego Luna, secured the second hat trick of Arango’s MLS career and the first by a Real Salt Lake player since Damir Kreilach scored three against the LA Galaxy on September 1, 2018.
Arango and Real Salt Lake are back in action on Saturday, April 6 when they hit the road to face Minnesota United FC (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
Glory Days for the Galaxy
Matchday 7’s win over Seattle Sounders FC was a momentous win for the LA Galaxy as they snapped an 11-game winless run against the Sounders and recorded their first clean sheet of the 2024 season.
Newcomers Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec combined for the game-winning goal as Paintsil brought down a crossed ball for Pec to drive home for his first goal as a Galaxy player. With the win, the Galaxy remain unbeaten through six games to start a season for the first time since 2010 and climb to the top of the Western Conference.
The pressure does not let up in the Galaxy’s next fixture, though, as they will travel to LAFC for the first El Trafico rivalry match of the season and an opportunity to claim a statement win over their crosstown rivals on Saturday, April 6 (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / FOX).
Gresselmania Reaches Assist Milestone in Miami
Since being drafted by Atlanta United ahead of the 2017 MLS regular season, Julian Gressel has become a well-traveled serial winner in MLS. Renowned for his crossing ability and set piece precision, it seemed fitting that Gressel’s 70th assist in regular season action came from a free kick.
The former Providence College player set up Luis Suárez for Inter Miami CF’s only goal against New York City FC on Matchday 7 to become just the fifth active MLS player with 70 assists. Gressel is just the ninth player selected in an MLS SuperDraft and the only player drafted after 2010 to reach 70 assists in MLS action. He is tied with Jeff Cunningham at No. 23 on the all-time assists chart in MLS.
Gressel will look to climb further up the assist standings and guide Miami up the Eastern Conference standings next time out against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, April 6 (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
Lewis Morgan’s March Madness
The New York Red Bulls have been back among the goals since the return of Lewis Morgan to the starting lineup, with the Scotsman scoring five goals in March ahead of Matchday 7.
When face to face with Pedro Gallese from the penalty spot on Saturday, Morgan dispatched his kick confidently for his sixth goal of the season. The goal brought him level with Carlos Vela for the most goals scored by a player in the month of March in a single season, with Vela scoring six for LAFC in 2019.
Morgan will face arguably his most difficult challenge of the season on Saturday, April 6 when he and the New York Red Bulls travel to FC Cincinnati, whose three goals conceded are the fewest of any MLS team after Matchday 7 (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
Djordje Mihailovic Dominates in Rapids Win
Djordje Mihailovic grabbed Saturday’s game against Los Angeles FC by the scruff of the neck and put in a top-tier performance for the Colorado Rapids, contributing two goals and an assist as they defeated the reigning Western Conference champions 3-2.
In the process of powering this win, Mihailovic became the first player since 2014 to score their first two goals for the Rapids in the same game. His first came from a well-placed free kick (watch here) into the top corner in the 83rd minute, and his second game in the dying moments of the match with a unique finish off his knee past the goalkeeper to secure the win.
The U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder’s goal contributions on the night also saw him become the first player to record two goals and an assist in a single game for the Rapids since Diego Rubio vs. Real Salt Lake on September 12, 2020.
Next on the agenda for the Rapids and Mihailovic is Inter Miami CF and their relentless goal-scoring forward Luis Suárez on Saturday, April 6 (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
