Hey friends,

Some random news for you - Mason and I are looking to sell this newsletter. If you or anyone you know might be interested in purchasing it, shoot us an email. Now, onto some footy.

• 1️⃣ 1️⃣ MLS Match Day 11 Recap

• 🇺🇸 Yanks Abroad

• 😃 Real Salt Lake is fun again

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

MLS Match Day 11 Recap

The season is almost a third of the way done. Schedule congestion is leading to heavy legs for some teams. Not one of the 7 teams atop the Shield standings won this weekend. Let’s unpack.

FC Cincinnati picked up a big 3-2 road win over the Chicago Fire. Cincy played down a man when Kyle Smith got a red card in the 56th minute, but were saved by the brilliance of Evander, who scored his first career MLS hat trick. Stoppage time was wild, with Roman Celentano saving a penalty before Evander scored one of his own to win it. Chicago had 20 more shots than Cincy and 7 more on target, but after a rocky start, that’s two straight wins and five straight unbeaten for Cincy, who now sit in 5th place in the East.

The Columbus Crew blew a 2-0 home lead against Minnesota United to lose 3-2. Minnesota found the back of the net just like they did all of last year, off of throw-ins and corners. It’s lazy defending that leads to an inexcusable loss for the Crew. Kevin Yeboah had a brace to fuel the late comeback. Minnesota has now won five of its last six.

DC United went on the road and beat NYCFC 2-0 behind a brace from Louis Munteanu. That’s three goals in the last two games for the club record signing. Finally, he shows signs of life. All of a sudden, DC is sitting at 5th in the East after going unbeaten in their last four, including three on the road. As for NYCFC, they’re winless in seven straight. Things are getting a bit dire in the Big Apple.

Austin FC reeled off its second straight 2-0 win, this one over St. Louis. And now they get back Brandon Vazquez, Owen Wolff, and Dani Pereira from injury. Christian Ramirez had a goal and a cheeky assist, but Brad Stuver was the real hero, making several big saves. He ranks first in MLS in saves per 90 minutes (5.5) and second in goals prevented (6.1). I’m still not convinced Austin is a real threat in the West, but I’m open to being proven wrong.

Lionel Messi had a goal and two assists and was not the most impressive Argentine on the pitch. Orlando City beat Inter Miami 4-3 in what was the game of the year and one of the best comebacks in recent memory (full highlights below). Orlando went down 3-0 in the first 33 minutes only to come back and beat their rivals. After Messi scored a beauty for the third goal, it looked like Inter Miami were going to cruise to their first win at the Nu Stadium. But fellow countryman Martin Ojeda and co had other plans. Ojeda had a hat trick, and Tyrese Spice added the finishing touch to keep Miami winless at the Nu Stadium. It was just the third time in league history that a team won after being down 3-0. A desperately needed win for Orlando. The struggles continue for Miami.

Subscribe to Nutmeg+ to read the rest.