🔬 The Debrief from a high-scoring Saturday in MLS
There were goals galore in MLS on Saturday, and the neutral viewers should have been more than entertained.
Let's dig into what happened around the grounds.
What happened
📸 Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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In the early game on Saturday, Atlanta United's shockingly poor start continued in a home draw with Nashville. The Five Stripes have now won just two of their opening 11 games.
Meanwhile, New England extended their under-the-radar winning run to four games with a victory in Toronto.
Down in Florida, Inter Miami got back to winning ways with a comfortable victory over New York Red Bulls, quickly putting to bed any calls for alarm surrounding Javier Mascherano's side.
Sticking with the Eastern Conference, Columbus remained in the drivers seat at the top of the standings thanks to a win over Charlotte in a six-goal thriller.
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And as we head into the central time-zone matches, Minnesota United made a major statement with a thumping win in Austin.
San Diego added another victory to their historic start to life in MLS, putting five past a listless FC Dallas at Snapdragon Stadium.
Meanwhile out west, Portland's stellar unbeaten run came to a halt when they were thumped by the Earthquakes in San Jose, showing defensive cracks rarely visible by Phil Neville's side this season.
Up the coast, Seattle dominated St. Louis to keep climbing up the Western Conference standings.
And finally, LAFC got back to winning ways against Houston, jumping right back into the top-five in the west.
Player of the night
📸 Melissa Tamez-Imagn Images
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Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese was a mountain of a man Saturday evening, making eight-saves and keeping a clean sheet in Chicago. In the process, Gallese made MLS history.
Stat of the night
The Whitecaps just keep on climbing!
What this means
The race in the Eastern Conference remains razor sharp. Only three points separate Columbus in first and Miami in fourth, while third place Cincinnati can widen that gap with a win on Sunday.
In the Western Conference, chasers falling short while Vancouver won once again means the Whitecaps have extended their lead atop the conference to a staggering seven points.
What comes next
We've got two more matches on Sunday as NYCFC take on FC Cincinnati, while Sporting KC host MLS Cup champs LA Galaxy.
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