MLS Midweek Magic: Late Goals & Dramatic Turnarounds

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Soccer MLS Game Results July 16th 2025
Wednesday’s slate delivered when it mattered most—stoppage‑time strikes, record‑setting braces and resilient defenses stole the show across MLS. Alonso Martinez’s 90+2′ winner in Orlando sparked New York City FC’s comeback, while Evander set a new club mark for FC Cincinnati with a two‑goal haul. From rookie game‑savers to veteran spot‑kicks, teams overturned deficits, preserved clean sheets and ignited fresh playoff pushes, proving that in MLS, the next big moment can come at any minute.
Martinez Magic Powers New York City FC Past Orlando City SC
Orlando seized control early, outshooting NYCFC 14–3 and forcing six saves from Matt Freese in the first half. Robin Jansson broke the deadlock in the 36th minute, nodding home David Brekalo’s header from a Martin Ojeda corner.
Despite Orlando’s dominance, Freese kept the deficit to one, repeatedly thwarting quality chances—including a slick Martin Ojeda through‑ball that almost made it 2–0. Yet Orlando’s conversion rate cost them dearly.
In the 87th minute, Andrés Perea’s corner kick rattled off teammate Kyle Smith and into his own net, igniting the comeback. Then, in stoppage time, Alonso Martinez burst downfield on the counter and slotted home his ninth of the season.
The rally not only snapped Orlando’s four‑match winless run but also marked only NYCFC’s second road victory in 2025. Their resilience will be crucial as Pascal Jansen’s side chases a top‑six finish according to our Soccer picks page.
Game Preview: New York City FC vs Orlando City SC Scores And Stats
Reilly’s Equalizer Salvages Atlanta United Draw with Chicago Fire
Chicago struck in the opening minute as Philip Zinckernagel curled a corner into the net, catching Atlanta flat‑footed. The Fire continued their pressure early, dominating possession and shots.
Alexssey Miranchuk capitalized on Miguel Almirón’s cross in the 56th minute to level, with Brad Guzan making a key save moments earlier to keep United within reach. The momentum seemed tilted back in Atlanta’s favor.
But it wasn’t until extra time that heroics arrived: rookie Will Reilly met a corner rebound and fired home the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage. The goal capped a spirited fightback in front of a raucous Mercedes‑Benz Stadium crowd.
The draw keeps Atlanta unbeaten in three and frustrates a Chicago side that led 2–1 in the East thanks to our live scores & odds page.
Game Preview: Atlanta United vs Chicago Fire
Evander’s Brace Ends FC Cincinnati Challenge from Inter Miami CF
Gerardo Valenzuela opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a smart left‑footed finish, giving Cincinnati early control. Miami struggled to generate chances against a disciplined defense.
All‑Star midfielder Evander then took over in the second half, scoring twice to set a new club record with goals in five straight matches. His first came off a clever through‑ball, the second on a rebound after a blocked shot.
Roman Celentano made two saves to secure his seventh clean sheet, as Miami’s five‑match win streak came to a halt. It was a statement performance that had many bettors turning to the Buy Picks page in anticipation.
Game Preview: FC Cincinnati vs Inter Miami CF Scores And Stats
Red Bulls Rally for Epic Comeback Over Revolution
New York Red Bulls fell behind 2–0 by the 56th minute, as Leo Campana struck early and a Kyle Duncan own goal compounded New England’s lead.
Daniel Edelman sparked the turnaround with a long‑range strike in the 56th minute, igniting an onslaught. Emil Forsberg then netted back‑to‑back goals, and Eric Maxim Choupo‑Moting joined the party with a pair of finishes to complete a stunning 5–3 comeback.The result ended New York’s five‑match winless run and showcased Ronald Donkor’s three‑assist outing. Meanwhile, New England’s drought extended to just one win in 12. Pittsburgh bettors turned eyes to our leaderboard for handicapper insights.
Game Preview: New York Red Bulls vs New England Revolution Scores And Stats
Union Hold Firm in 2-1 Win Against CF Montreal
The Philadelphia Union grabbed a 1–0 lead when Tai Baribo finished Quinn Sullivan’s assist in the 37th minute. Montreal equalized via Prince Owusu’s penalty just before halftime.
Olwethu Makhanya then headed the decisive goal in the 50th minute off Kai Wagner’s corner, showcasing the Union’s set‑piece prowess. Andre Blake made several stops to preserve the lead as Montreal pressed.
The victory keeps Philadelphia atop the East table and extends Montreal’s struggles to three winless in a row.
Game Preview: Philadelphia Union vs CF Montreal Scores And Stats
Whitecaps Dominate Dynamo in 3-0 Shutout
Vancouver got off to a fast start when Emmanuel Sabbi struck in the fourth minute, rifling a header past Jonathan Bond. Brian White then teed up Sebastian Berhalter for a blast in the 42nd minute.
White added a rebound penalty in the 56th minute to seal the win, completing a 3-0 road victory. Yohei Takaoka made two saves to secure the clean sheet.
The result moves the Vancouver Whitecaps FC into second in the West, while Houston’s playoff hopes slipped following their fourth loss in five.
Game Preview: Houston Dynamo FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC Scores And Stats
Nashville Snuffs Out Crew’s Unbeaten Run with 3-0 Victory
Nashville took the lead inside the first two minutes via a Sean Zawadzki own goal. Hany Mukhtar then combined with Sam Surridge for a clinical second in the 30th minute.
Surridge capped the rout in the 82nd minute, finishing Ahmed Qasem’s setup. Joe Willis made four saves to earn his eighth clean sheet.
The win ends the Columbus Crew five‑match unbeaten streak and cements Nashville’s status as Eastern contenders.
Game Preview: Nashville SC vs Columbus Crew
Pep Biel’s Brace Sinks Charlotte FC Over D.C. United
Biel opened the scoring in first‑half stoppage time, then doubled the lead two minutes into the second half with a low finish from Jahkeele Marshall‑Rutty’s assist.
Gabriel Pirani pulled one back for D.C. in the 60th minute but Charlotte held firm, moving within striking distance of a playoff spot at home.
The win ends Charlotte’s home drought against D.C., extending United’s winless skid to seven.
Game Preview: Charlotte FC vs D.C. United Scores And Stats
Bouanga’s Penalty Propels Los Angeles FC to First Road Win at Minnesota
Denis Bouanga converted a 42nd‑minute penalty into the top‑left corner after Nicolas Romero fouled Jeremy Ebobisse. Hugo Lloris made three saves to secure the shutout.
Minnesota’s late pressure went begging, as LAFC finally snapped a seven‑game winless run in St. Paul—only their second road victory of 2025.
Game Preview: Minnesota United FC vs Los Angeles FC Scores And Stats
Josef Martinez’s Header Rescues San Jose Earthquakes in 2-2 Draw at FC Dallas
Dallas struck first in first‑half stoppage time through Petar Musa, then broke the deadlock again in the 85th minute on a Ramiro backheel.
Almost immediately, Martinez met Jack Skahan’s cross with a perfect header to salvage a point. Ian Harkes’s first‑half opener for San Jose had been canceled out by Musa’s brace.
The result ends Dallas’s four‑game skid but keeps San Jose competitive in the West.
Game Preview: San Jose Earthquakes vs FC Dallas
Goncalves’s Late Strike Lifts Real Salt Lake Over Portland Timbers
After a tight 82nd‑minute chance, Diogo Goncalves finally broke through with a hard‑driven finish to seal a 1-0 road victory.
Rafael Cabral needed only one save as RSL extended their unbeaten run to five, handing Portland their first home loss since February.
Game Preview: Portland Timbers vs Real Salt Lake Scores And Stats
Uzuni and Wolff Seal Austin FC Win Over LA Galaxy
Myrto Uzuni broke the deadlock in the 40th minute with a composed finish following Diego Rubio’s layoff. Owen Wolff then capitalized on a defensive miscues to make it 2–0 in the 63rd.
Joseph Paintsil pulled one back from the spot late, but Austin held on to secure their second win of July, ending the Galaxy’s three‑game home unbeaten run.
Game Preview: Austin FC vs LA Galaxy Scores And Stats
Yapi’s Stunner Completes Rapids’ Comeback in Seattle
The Colorado Rapids turned the match on its head with Djordje Mihailovic’s penalty in the 50th and Cole Bassett’s spot‑kick a minute later, erasing a 3–0 deficit.
Seattle had raced to a 3–0 lead thanks to Albert Rusnak’s brace and Obed Vargas’s early strike. But Darren Yapi struck in the 75th to seal a 3-3 draw.
The result caps a remarkable comeback and keeps Colorado firmly in the playoff hunt.
Game Preview: Seattle Sounders FC vs Colorado Rapids