The San Jose Earthquakes handed the Vancouver Whitecaps their first MLS defeat, Thomas Müller and Timo Werner remained inconspicuous as wild cards. Marcel Hartel was completely different in St. Louis.
Timo Werner won his first MLS clash with Thomas Müller. His San Jose Earthquakes celebrated a 1-0 away win at the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday night (CET) on matchday 5 of the MLS season, the first time they have not won after four victories. San Jose are now also on twelve points.
For once, the two former German internationals only played a supporting role. Müller remained just as inconspicuous after his substitution at the break as Werner, who was allowed to get involved from the 54th minute onwards – and was already cautioned: the ex-Leipzig player had complained too vehemently on the bench in the first half.
Beau Leroux scored the winner as stoppage time of the first half had already expired. After a corner, the Whitecaps failed to clear the ball, allowing the 22-year-old American to nail it under the crossbar from 20 meters.
For the Whitecaps, it was the next setback after the clear elimination in the CONCACAF Champions Cup during the week. Los Angeles FC, who drew 0-0 at Austin FC, are now the new leaders in the Western Conference. This means that no MLS team is now without a loss.
Hartel surprises Turner – Surridge runs hot
St. Louis City SC recorded their first win of the season. A former Bundesliga professional played a starring role in the 3-1 home win against New England Revolution. Marcel Hartel, once under contract with 1. FC Köln, Union Berlin, Arminia Bielefeld and FC St. Pauli, scored one of the most beautiful goals of the season so far: midway through the opponent’s half, the 30-year-old intercepted a misplaced pass and, with a quick reaction, fired it volleyed over the stunned US national keeper Matt Turner and into the net. It was the final score and Hartel’s second goal of the season.
Hany Mukhtar’s Nashville SC are top of the Eastern Conference. In the 5:0 thumping victory over Orlando City, the headlines belonged to goalscorer Sam Surridge, who scored a treble (28th/54th/67th). The former Premier League striker finished the pre-season second in the goalscoring charts (24 goals, as did Denis Bouanga/LAFC) behind Lionel Messi (29 goals).
