MLS: Reynoso double leaves Galaxy on six-game skid, leaders New England held

Emanuel Reynoso scored a double to breathe life into Minnesota United’s playoffs hopes whilst denting LA Galaxy’s with a 3-0 victory in the MLS on Saturday.

Reynoso scored twice inside the opening 20 minutes to set up the triumph which lifts United up to sixth spot after they had suffered back-to-back defeats.

The Argentine fired in a low left-foot shot to open the scoring in the fourth minute before jinking inside and netting from similar range in the 20th minute to double the lead.

United goalkeeper Tyler Miller saved well to deny Dejan Joveljic prior to half-time, before Ethan Finlay got in behind the Galaxy defence from Franco Frangapane’s pass to add a third in the 66th minute.

The result sees Minnesota move up to sixth in the Western Conference with 34 points, while Galaxy stay fourth but are winless from their past six games.

Everybody Loves Reynoso

El Rey makes it 2-0 pic.twitter.com/kqlm0xqjnv

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) September 19, 2021

Runaway league leaders New England were held to a 1-1 home draw with Columbus Crew.

Polish attacker Adam Buksa netted a 62nd minute equalizer after US international Gyasi Zardes had put Crew ahead in the 58th minute.

Zardes had missed a gilt-edged header in the 22nd minute but he took his opportunity early in the second half from Harrison Afful’s cross.

Buksa levelled, swooping on a poor Jonathan Mensah pass in defence, handing the Pole a sniff on goal which he converted with a left-foot shot.

An injured Eloy Room made two crucial late saves to deny Buksa a winner as the Crew held on.

Struggling Austin slumped to a fifth straight defeat after blowing a 3-1 second-half lead to lose 4-3 to San Jose Earthquakes.

The Earthquakes scored three goals in 14 second-half minutes to complete the comeback headlined by Javier Lopez’s double.

7 goals & we’re only 63 minutes in!?! 

Chofis scores his second goal in 5 minutes to help erase a 2-goal deficit and put #Quakes74 on top. pic.twitter.com/ZX5N1oyAbB

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 19, 2021

New York City firmed up their grip on a playoffs spot after a 2-1 win away to Cincinnati who were reduced to nine men after red cards to Alvaro Barreal and Isaac Atanga.

Damir Kreilach’s early second-half goal was enough to get Real Salt Lake past Seattle Sounders 1-0, while Houston Dynamo won 3-2 over Dallas in the Texas derby.

Lowly Toronto ended their six-game losing run with a shock 2-1 home win over Nashville, while Atlanta United secured their third straight triumph with a 3-2 victory over DC United.