Seattle nonetheless No. 1, Chicharito and LA Galaxy No. 2 after beating LAFC

Seattle retains successful, Minnesota retains dropping and the celebs of Main League Soccer hold shining as we recap one other pleasant spherical of motion. The place to start? Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez helped LA Galaxy stun LAFC within the newest spherical of “El Trafico,” whereas the Sounders held onto high spot (and first place in MLS) with a win over their greatest rival, Portland. Elsewhere, San Jose continued to be must-see TV because it surges up the standings, and there have been spectacular wins for Nashville SC, the New York Crimson Bulls and Vancouver.

Get caught up with the weekend’s motion and see the place your workforce sits in our Week 4 Energy Rankings.

---

Earlier rating: 1

Subsequent MLS match: Could 12 at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The unquestioned finest workforce in MLS by means of 4 weeks, the Sounders obtained second-half targets from Raul Ruidiaz and Fredy Montero to safe a 2-1 win in opposition to rival Portland. Seattle is the lone remaining unbeaten workforce within the Western Convention and leads MLS with 10 factors. — Bonagura

Earlier rating: 3

Subsequent MLS match: Could 15 vs. Austin, 3:30 p.m. ET

Chicharito and Jonathan Dos Santos bookended the scoring in a 2-1 win in opposition to LAFC in “El Trafico,” including yet one more memorable victory for the Galaxy within the rivalry. Up to now, coach Greg Vanney’s arrival in Los Angeles has been an important offseason acquisition in MLS. — Bonagura

Earlier rating: 4

Subsequent MLS match: Could 12 at Toronto (in Orlando, Fla.), 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

This weekend’s 3-1 win over D.C. United was rapidly overshadowed by stories that the workforce is embarking on a rebrand — simply six months after successful MLS Cup — during which it would drop the moniker Crew from its official workforce identify. It is a traditional case of doing one thing as a result of you may, not since you ought to. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 8

Subsequent MLS match: Could 12 vs. Seattle, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Who’s probably the most enjoyable workforce within the league? The Quakes definitely have a case. The ageless Chris Wondolowski got here off the bench to attain in a late brace as San Jose erased a 1-0 deficit to win 2-1 at Actual Salt Lake. — Bonagura

Earlier rating: 9

Subsequent MLS match: Could 15 vs. Toronto, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Valentin “Taty” Castellanos grew to become simply the fifth participant in MLS historical past to open the season with 4 targets in his first 4 video games. NYCFC confirmed some metal, too, in coming again to safe a street draw at Orlando with out Maxi Moralez. The end result means the Cityzens are high of the Jap Convention. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 2

Subsequent MLS match: Could 12 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

A poor first half — and even the beginning of the second — doomed New England to a 2-0 loss in opposition to Nashville, handing the Revs their first defeat of the season. Gustavo Bou confirmed some rust on his return to the lineup, however that ought to dissipate in time. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 10

Subsequent MLS match: Could 12 at Houston, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

SKC trailed 1-0 for the majority of the match, however scored a pair of late targets to win 2-1 in opposition to 10-man Austin FC. The winner got here within the ninetieth minute on a header from Gadi Kinda. — Bonagura

Earlier rating: 11

Subsequent MLS match: Could 12 at Minnesota, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN+

A Canadian derby in Utah does not have the identical appeal, however the Whitecaps’ three factors from their 2-0 win in opposition to Montreal CF rely the identical. Cristian Dajome bagged a second-half brace because the Whitecaps proceed to point out vital enchancment over final season. — Bonagura

Earlier rating: 14

Subsequent MLS match: Could 16 at DC United, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Nani continues to show again the clock with one other eye-catching purpose, but it surely wasn’t sufficient to shut the deal. In truth, the Lions wanted some late heroics from keeper Pedro Gallese to safe a draw with NYCFC. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 5

Subsequent MLS match: Could 16 at Seattle, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Black and Gold performed effectively for lengthy stretches, however a late Jonathan Dos Santos purpose in opposition to the run of play despatched LAFC residence with its first lack of the season. With out Carlos Vela for a 3rd straight sport — and nonetheless with no third designated participant, given Brian Rodriguez is on mortgage in Spain, LAFC hasn’t created the forms of possibilities it has been accustomed to. — Bonagura

Earlier rating: 6

Subsequent MLS match: Could 15 vs. Nashville, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

A superb purpose from Rubio Rubin gave RSL the lead simply earlier than the half, however absentee marking on the league’s all-time main purpose scorer — twice! — allowed Chris Wondolowski and San Jose to take all three factors. It was RSL’s first lack of the 12 months. — Bonagura

Earlier rating: 22

Subsequent MLS match: Could 15 at Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Supervisor Gary Smith gambled a bit beginning with a two-striker formation and it paid off as NSC lastly put an entire sport collectively, defeating beforehand unbeaten New England 2-0. Nashville now hits the street for the primary time subsequent week in opposition to RSL. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 13

Subsequent MLS match: Could 15 at LA Galaxy, 3:30 p.m. ET

Alex Ring’s clumsy problem to get despatched off with a second yellow card proved to be an excessive amount of to beat in a 2-1 loss at Sporting KC. Austin led 1-0 when Ring earned the crimson card within the 67th minute and his teammates could not survive the onslaught over the ultimate 10 minutes. — Bonagura

Earlier rating: 18

Subsequent MLS match: Could 15 vs. Houston, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Kellyn Acosta, Cole Bassett and Danny Wilson all scored second-half targets as Colorado erased a 2-0 halftime deficit to shock Minnesota, 3-2. Acosta’s purpose — the primary of the three — was a very spectacular strike, volleying the ball by means of visitors, and it is price noting that each one three targets got here after Bassett entered instead. — Bonagura

---

– Stream FC Every day on ESPN+
– MLS on ESPN+: Stream LIVE video games and replays (U.S. solely)

---

Earlier rating: 7

Subsequent MLS match: Could 12 at Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

It has been mentioned that targets change video games. So can squandered alternatives, and Montreal was made to pay for some poor ending in its 2-0 defeat to Vancouver. CFM has exceeded expectations to date, however a pair of street tilts this week in opposition to Miami and Atlanta will reveal if their stable begin is sustainable in the long term. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 17

Subsequent MLS match: Could 12 vs. New England, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Now that its CONCACAF Champions League exertions are tabled for the following three months or so till the semifinals, Philadelphia can concentrate on the league, and Jim Curtin’s facet appeared sharp in taking good care of Chicago 2-0 on the street. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 19

Subsequent MLS match: Could 15 at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Information flash: Caden Clark can rating scrappy targets too, pouncing on a rebound to cement a 2-0 win over Toronto. In the meantime midfielder Frankie Amaya appears to be settling in rapidly, tallying his first purpose for the membership since being traded by FC Cincinnati in early-April. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 16

Subsequent MLS match: Could 12 vs. Kansas Metropolis, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

A 1-1 draw with Texas rivals FC Dallas is not the worst end result, however the Dynamo did create sufficient to perhaps sneak a win in the long run. Fafa Picault scored to make historical past — he is the primary participant in MLS historical past to attain for each side of this rivalry, having modified golf equipment again in December — and was constantly menacing regardless of the draw. Marko Maric was additionally sharp between the posts because the Dynamo search their first win since their season opener. — Bonagura

Earlier rating: 15

Subsequent MLS match: Could 15 vs. Montreal, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Josef Martinez‘s first purpose in MLS play in over 18 months would heat the guts of nearly any fan given his lengthy street again from a torn ACL. Alas, a penchant for giving the ball away meant the 5 Stripes needed to accept a 1-1 draw. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 12

Subsequent MLS match: Could 12 vs. Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Final week Phil Neville was complimentary of the refereeing. Not so this time, after he although his facet ought to have earned a late penalty. Not less than Lewis Morgan is continuous to construct on the shape he confirmed final season, scoring Miami’s equalizer. The damage to Blaise Matuidi will probably be one thing to regulate, nonetheless. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 20

Subsequent MLS match: Could 15 at Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

After a four-goal outing every week in the past, Dallas struggled to create high quality possibilities in a 1-1 draw with Houston as winger Jader Obrian scored his second purpose in as many video games. Dallas has a great alternative to bounce again subsequent week with a visit to winless Minnesota. — Bonagura

Earlier rating: 21

Subsequent MLS match: Could 15 at San Jose, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Timbers are within the midst of one of many harder scheduling stretches that any workforce in MLS will see all 12 months and are winless of their final 4, together with two video games in opposition to Membership America in CONCACAF Champions League (1 draw, 1 loss). It does not get a lot simpler with a visit to red-hot San Jose on Saturday. — Bonagura

Earlier rating: 23

Subsequent MLS match: Could 12 vs. Columbus (in Orlando, Fla.), 7 p.m. ET, ESPN+

It was an sad return to Crimson Bull Enviornment for former New York supervisor Chris Armas as TFC fell 2-0. Assistance is on the best way by way of outside-back Kemar Lawrence, and attacking midfielder Yeferson Soteldo confirmed some flashes on his debut, however will that be sufficient to arrest the underwhelming begin to the season? — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 24

Subsequent MLS match: Could 13 vs. Chicago, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The Black-and-Crimson got here to Columbus bearing items within the type of two personal targets and it proved the distinction in a defeat to the Crew. Not less than Ola Kamara made it again on the scoresheet, although it doesn’t suggest a lot as DCU continues to wrestle mightily with injures. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 25

Subsequent MLS match: Could 13 at DC, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

The season already appears to be slipping away from the Hearth, who did not look able to scoring till late in its loss in opposition to Philadelphia. For the reason that first quarter-hour of the opener in opposition to New England, Chicago has been outscored 9-1. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 26

Subsequent MLS match: Could 16 vs. Miami, 4 p.m. ET

A weekend off meant Cincinnati did not lose, giving it one other probability to repair its defensive points. Is 35-year-old Geoff Cameron the reply? FCC has been linked with the previous U.S. worldwide. Subsequent week will see the long-awaited opening of TQL Stadium. — Carlisle

Earlier rating: 27

Subsequent MLS match: Could 12 vs. Vancouver, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN+

A 3-2 loss to Colorado makes it 4 losses in 4 video games. Possibly it will likely be an unfortunate four-game pattern by the point the season is over, but it surely’s already time to begin worrying about lacking the playoffs. — Bonagura