MIAMI — Inter Miami’s home-field struggles continued with a 2-2 draw against Atlanta United, dropping the Herons to a 4-2-5 record at Nu Stadium as Nashville SC maintains a commanding 10-point lead in the MLS Supporters’ Shield race.
The result leaves Inter Miami second in the standings heading into a marquee Saturday night matchup against Nashville in Miami. Atlanta’s new designated player striker Breel Embolo converted from the penalty spot in his MLS debut and helped power the Five Stripes to the draw in what MLS described as “yet another odd instance of the Five Stripes annoying” Messi and company.
Nashville, despite a rare scoreless draw against New York City FC, enters the week with the league’s most comfortable cushion atop the table. The Shield leaders face a two-game week that includes the trip to South Florida.
FC Dallas striker Petar Musa scored his 17th and 18th goals of the season to equal Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race, powering Dallas to a 4-3 win. Musa’s brace highlights the individual scoring battle that will play out over the season’s final stretch, though Dallas have allowed 14 goals over their last four games.
Orlando City continued its climb in the Power Rankings after Antoine Griezmann scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over San Diego in Central Florida’s summer heat. Griezmann has five goals in eight appearances for the Lions, and Orlando have taken seven points over their last three matches.
The Philadelphia Union’s resurgence also stands out among Eastern Conference storylines. Sixteen-year-old Cavan Sullivan scored his fourth goal of the season in a 2-0 win over Montréal, giving him a goal contribution in each of the last five matches. Philadelphia have taken 20 points in eight matches since placing Ryan Richter in charge, climbing above the playoff line after a dismal start.
Chicago Fire’s 4-4 draw with Toronto FC featured a Josh Sargent hat trick for the Reds and a 90th-minute-plus equalizer, while Portland’s new striker Vincent Janssen became the first Timbers player to earn a hat trick in MLS history during a 5-4 win over Minnesota United. New England outshot the LA Galaxy 25-7 but lost after conceding an 11th-minute penalty, and St. Louis City extended their unbeaten run — dating to May 3 — with a 3-1 win at Vancouver, where new $12 million striker Rafael Navarro made his debut as a substitute.
Inter Miami host Nashville on Saturday night at Nu Stadium, a match that could either tighten the Shield race or effectively end it.