Major League Soccer played its third match-day and it saw plenty of excitement, stories, and huge moments. Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami tasted victory, LAFC faced a shock defeat, Nashville SC finally scored a goal, and so much more.
It’s a tasty start to the MLS season. Goals have been flowing whilst drama and storylines are everywhere you look. Philadelphia Union’s surprisingly strong start continues, San Diego FC remain unbeaten in their history and Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami tasted victory. LAFC faced a shock defeat, Nashville SC finally scored a goal, and so much more.
5 Key Takeaways from Major League Soccer Matchday 3
James Pantemis’ rollercoaster weekend for The Timbers
Portland Timbers may have lost 2-0 at the hands of Nashville SC but their goalkeeper certainly made a name for himself.
James Pantemis, formerly of FC Montreal, played 16 games in MLS for Portland last season and came into the side last week to replace the injured Maxime Crepeau.
The Timbers started the season with a terrible 1-4 home defeat by Vancouver Whitecaps but beat Austin FC last time out with Pantemis keeping a clean sheet.
It seemed he would be the hero once again thanks to two fantastic saves from Nashville spot-kicks.
After only four minutes Zac McGraw tripped Sam Surridge and was lucky not to be sent off. 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar stepped up. But the Canadian pushed the German attacker’s penalty onto the post and then rushed out to save his rebound.
Just before the 16th minute mark Portland would give away another penalty. This one seemed like an incredibly harsh call against Joao Ortiz. Pantemis stepped up once again though.
Oddly, Surridge stuck his shot in exactly the same place Mukhtar had 10 minutes earlier. A comfortable height for the keeper.
These saves meant Nashville were still yet to score this season.
Unfortunately for Pantemis, his duo of penalty saves aren’t likely to live long in the memory. Nashville ran out 2-0 winners in fairly routine fashion.
Andy Najar beat Pantemis far, far too easily at his near post to open the scoring. A poor moment from the keeper after his previous heroics.
Ahmed Qasem would make it 2-0 with a well-placed header on 68 minutes.
A match that had it all for Pantemis. The joys of the penalty saves to the pain of conceding the opener.
With Crepeau set to be sidelined a little longer and Portland’s defence wobbling, Pantemis might be called upon from the spot again soon.
St. Louis CITY finally score
St. Louis CITY have struggled on an attacking front this season. That was until they pitched up at the home of the defending MLS Cup Champions. And they still haven’t conceded yet this season either.
City had started the season in mixed fashion, back-to-back 0-0s with Colorado Rapids and San Diego FC showed a terrific backline. Roman Bürki has starred between the sticks and the back five in front of him has remained strong too.
The Swiss keeper made a collection of great saves to deny Marco Reus for the hosts, but it was going forward that City saw massive improvements.
Just before the break Cedric Teuchert took advantage of poor defending from a corner to net their first goal of the game and indeed, season in total. A swift breakaway early in the second 45 and decisive and quick play from Marcel Hartel put them 2-0 up and then late on Simon Becher fired home after a superb one-two with Kyle Hiebert.
It was a huge performance for Olof Mellberg’s men. The new manager’s side were unlucky not to score in the season opener with The Rapids (they earned a 2.01 xG). In the follow-up away game at San Diego FC, they only registered two shots and a 0.09 xG.
So for St. Louis CITY to net from two superb attacking moves in the second will surely satisfy Mellberg. They had only 30% possession and much of the momentum swung in the home side’s favour but City finally showed a clinical nature in front of goal.
If this becomes a regular thing and they maintain their defensive astuteness, St. Louis CITY could be in the MLS Cup consideration.
Jordan Morris breaks Seattle Sounders’ scoring record
We’re watching an Major League Soccer legend in real-time. He might not be well-known on the European side of the pond but this attacker is a huge name for the Seattle Sounders.
Jordan Morris told MLS Season Pass that ‘it means everything’ to have finally broken the Sounders’ goal-scoring record. His strike in the 77th minute of Saturday’s match took him to 87 goals in 11 seasons.
For a player like Morris, it’s ‘special’ and ‘surreal’. The forward is a Seattle-born native. He referenced ‘having the dream to step on the field for his hometown club’ in a post-match tweet. Morris also came through at the Sounders’ academy and youth sides.
His goal came in a terrific game too, a real masterclass in being clinical. Sounders hugely out-performed their xG (1.69) when they beat LAFC 5-2.
Morris’ goal came after 22-year-old Kalani Kossa-Rienzi opened his MLS account and fellow academy graduate Paul Rothrock had made it 2-1. The USMNT striker scored a typical no.9 goal to make it 3-1. He lurked between the centre halves and burst into the space behind Eddie Segura and on the edge of the six-yard box, he slid the ball between Thomas Hasal’s legs and into the back of the net.
This goal took Morris ahead of Raúl Ruidíaz to become the top scorer, ahead of other stars such as Freddy Montero and Nico Lodeiro.
Tai Baribo continues to mean business
Only one player in Major League Soccer history had scored six goals in the first three games of the season. Ante Razov for Chicago Fire in 1999.
26 years later, Tai Baribo joined him.
The Israeli forward scored 16 in 26 games for Philadelphia Union last season, and he’s started the 2025 campaign in immense form. As have Philly.
Bradley Carnell’s new side has gone three for three so far and sits top of the Supporter’s Shield with nine points. Tai Baribo has been at the epicentre of their terrific start.
He netted twice in the season-opening 2-4 win at Orlando City. On matchday two he bagged a hat-trick during the 4-1 victory over FC Cincinnati. He made six in three when he netted a 76th minute opener against New England Revolution on MD3. Although there is some debate as to whether it should be classed as an own goal.
Although he showed his quality last season, few expected Baribo to explode this season the way he has. His finishing and attacking positional play has been outstanding.
No Messi, no problem for Inter Miami
Talisman, Lionel Messi, inspired their opening day 2-2 draw with two assists but he hasn’t featured in MLS since.
A mix of illness/injury and being rested for their CONCACAF Champions Cup midweek game is the apparent reason behind his absence.
However, they haven’t felt his loss on the pitch. Back-to-back victories have landed them in second place in the East after MD3.
They hammered Houston Dynamo 1-4 thanks to an inspired performance by Telasco Segovia, a goal and hat-trick of assists from Luis Suarez, and a superb strike from Tadeo Allende.
It was the Argentine winger, Allende, who scored the only goal in their 1-0 victory over Charlotte FC last time out. It was a superb piece of quality too. Great link-up play between himself and Suarez earned him the space in the box and the time to pick his spot in the goal.
In truth, The Herons haven’t missed Messi in these encounters. Suarez’s centre-forward play style is creating chances for Allende and Segovia to flourish in front of goal. Yannick Bright has been instrumental next to Sergio Busquets at the base of midfield. His all-action style breaks up opposition play and gets Inter Miami moving up the pitch.
Javier Mascherano has designed a side that can flourish with and without their biggest name.