MLS: Philadelphia down champions New York City, Shaqiri nets maiden goal in Chicago victory

Early Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union made a statement with a 2-0 win away to reigning MLS Cup champions New York City on Saturday.

Union scored first-half goals from Alejandro Bedoya and Daniel Gazdag, while Sergio Santos had a goal disallowed on the stroke of half-time, as Philadelphia got some revenge after last season’s Eastern Conference final defeat to City.

Bedoya put Philadelphia ahead in the 12th minute, but City thought they had an avenue back into the game when referee Ted Unkel awarded them a penalty and sent off Jack Elliott for a 28th-minute last-man push on Santiago Rodriguez.

However, VAR intervened and determined that Rodriguez had illegally used his hand in the lead-up, meaning the penalty and red card were overturned.

The win was Philadephia’s first at Yankee Stadium and came despite City bossing the possession count with 74 percent.

Like fine wine #NYCvPHI 0 – 1 | #DOOP pic.twitter.com/01nFdE9MTd

— PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) March 19, 2022

Former Liverpool and Bayern Munich attacker Xherdan Shaqiri netted his first MLS goal as Chicago Fire won 3-1 over Sporting KC.

Shaqiri scored from the spot in the 50th minute to make it 2-0 as Chicago extended its unbeaten start to the new season with Kacper Przybylko hitting a double.

FOR THE HOME CROWD @XS_11official pic.twitter.com/4kry0USPt1

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) March 19, 2022

Jesus Ferreira scored a first-half hat-trick as Dallas defeated Portland Timbers 4-1 in a sign of intent for the forward ahead of USA’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

All three of Ferreira’s goals came in a 10-minute span, marking his first-ever MLS hat-trick.

The fastest hat trick in FC Dallas history. pic.twitter.com/g9WLPNMia5

— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) March 20, 2022

Gonzalo Higuain scored, but Inter Miami remain winless this term after a 3-1 loss away to last season’s strugglers Cincinnati.

The result leaves Phil Neville’s side with an MLS-worst record of one point from four games, having conceded 10 goals and only scored two.

Karol Swiderski netted a double as Charlotte upset New England Revolution 3-1, while Luis Amarilla’s 32nd-minute strike lifted Western Conference leaders Minnesota United past San Jose Earthquakes 1-0.

Tyler Pasher’s 90th minute goal salvaged a 1-1 home draw for Houston Dynamo against Colorado Rapids, while 10-man Atlanta United scored twice in the final five minutes to rescue a 3-3 draw with Montreal.

Facundo Torres’ early goal got Orlando City past LA Galaxy 1-0, Bob Bradley’s Toronto knocked off DC United 2-1 and Real Salt Lake edge 10-man Nashville 2-1.

We got a little too hyped 

Take 2:
@BROOKSLENNON, YOU ABSOLUTE BEAUTY https://t.co/vC28jQmDoB pic.twitter.com/wwCXuZ29Of

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 19, 2022