Soccer <\/p>\n
The largest Saturday slate of games in MLS history delivered, from a battle of unbeatens to bountiful MLS After Dark goalfests for an impact-driven Matchday 9 Team of the Matchday presented by Audi.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Starters:<\/strong> Sean Johnson (TOR) – Logan Ndenbe (SKC), Andrew Privett (CLT), Marcelo Weigandt (MIA) – Benjamin Cremaschi (MIA), Quinn Sullivan (PHI), Evander (CIN), Jo\u00e3o Peglow (DC) – D\u00e1niel Sall\u00f3i (SKC), Felipe Mora (POR), Ignatius Ganago (NE)<\/p>\n Coach:<\/strong> Dean Smith (CLT)<\/p>\n Bench:<\/strong> Pedro Gallese (ORL), Yeimar (SEA), \u00c9dier Ocampo (VAN), Owen Wolff (ATX), Djordje Mihailovic (COL), Ond\u0159ej Lingr (HOU), Jes\u00fas Ferreira (SEA), Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Cristian Arango (SJ)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n In the day’s early action, Huntington Bank Stadium of the NFL\u2019s Cleveland Browns hosted a Columbus Crew<\/a> club-record crowd of 60,614 for the battle of unbeatens against Inter Miami CF<\/a>. Ensuring the Herons emerged with the only unblemished record remaining, Marcelo Weigandt<\/a> assisted Benjamin Cremaschi<\/a> for the winning goal in a high-level 1-0 victory<\/a>.<\/p>\n That result left the door open for Dean Smith\u2019s Charlotte FC<\/a> to claim the top spot in the Eastern Conference by maintaining a perfect 5W-0L-0D record at The Crown\u2019s Bank of America Stadium fortress this season. Andrew Privett<\/a> shut out San Diego FC<\/a> at the back and headed home a free kick in attack to round out the 3-0 rout<\/a>.<\/p>\n Conjuring the same impressive 3-0 scoreline<\/a> for the Philadelphia Union<\/a> at Subaru Park against Atlanta United<\/a>, Quinn Sullivan<\/a> lived up to Charlie Boehm\u2019s pre-match hype<\/a> with a gorgeous chest-controlled half-volley followed by a late game-sealing assist.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Not to be outdone, Jo\u00e3o Peglow<\/a> inserted his own AT&T Goal of the Year bid with a perfectly executed bicycle kick, kissing off the inside of the far post in D.C. United<\/a>\u2019s visit to the New York Red Bulls<\/a>. After opening the scoring with his first MLS goal, Peglow\u2019s acrobatic overhead kick completed a first-half brace to secure the 2-1 victory<\/a>.<\/p>\n Also scoring his first MLS goal, Ignatius Ganago<\/a> provided New England Revolution<\/a>\u2019s first open-play assist of the season to break the deadlock in a 2-0 home win<\/a> against New York City FC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Then the high-scoring affairs began, starting at Soldier Field where FC Cincinnati<\/a>\u2019s Evander<\/a> completed his brace with the winning goal in a 3-2 thriller<\/a> over Chicago Fire FC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n MLS After Dark continued to turn up the heat at Providence Park as Felipe Mora<\/a> also bagged a brace to earn a point for the Portland Timbers<\/a> in a rollercoaster 3-3 draw<\/a> with LAFC<\/a>.<\/p>\n D\u00e1niel Sall\u00f3i<\/a> capped off the goalscoring abundance for Sporting Kansas City<\/a> at PayPal Park with a brace and an assist for Logan Ndenbe<\/a>\u2019s lasered opener in a 5-3 explosion<\/a> against the San Jose Earthquakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nTeam highlights<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n