Major League Soccer

31 August 2026

Major League Soccer

31 August 2026

By Justin Ruderman

From the Philadelphia Union’s teenage sensations to Inter Miami CF’s global superstars, players across generations showed that age is only a number and secured their place in the Matchday 23 Team of the Matchday presented by Audi.

Starters: Brian Schwake (NSH) - Casemiro (MIA), Neil Pierre (PHI), Reggie Cannon (COL) - Allan Saint-Maximin (CLT), Carles Gil (NE), Hany Mukhtar (NSH), Cavan Sullivan (PHI) - Antoine Griezmann (ORL), Dejan Joveljić (SEA), Lionel Messi (MIA)

Coach: B.J. Callaghan (NSH)

Bench: Hugo Lloris (LAFC), Oleksandr Svatok (ATX), Mamadou Fofana (NE), Thomas Müller (VAN), Nicolás Fernández Mercau (NYC), Anders Dreyer (SD), Robert Lewandowski (CHI), Sam Surridge (NSH), Kelvin Yeboah (MIN)

A hat-trick was not enough for Lionel Messi in Inter Miami’s 7-1 thrashing of CF Montréal, with the Argentine icon scoring four times, including two free-kicks, to move into the Golden Boot presented by Audi lead on 18 goals. In the process, he also became the fastest player in league history to register 20 multi-goal games, reaching the mark in 72 matches. Summer arrival Casemiro also opened his Inter Miami account and stood out after dropping into a centre-back role.

Philadelphia prodigy Cavan Sullivan continued his blistering run in the Union’s 3-1 win away to Red Bull New York, scoring to equal Freddy Adu’s record for the most goal contributions by a player aged 16 or younger in a single MLS season, with 10. Fellow teenage homegrown talent Neil Pierre added the finishing touch with yet another set-piece strike, the centre-back’s fourth goal in seven matches.

Supporters’ Shield leaders Nashville SC kept pushing towards the single-season points record with an emphatic 4-0 victory over FC Cincinnati. Head coach B.J. Callaghan’s team were driven by captain Hany Mukhtar, who produced a goal and an assist, while goalkeeper Brian Schwake made six saves.

Antoine Griezmann’s influence at Orlando City produced another memorable moment in the Lions’ 3-3 draw away to Minnesota United FC, with the French forward scoring a crucial goal before setting up a dramatic equaliser in sensational second-half stoppage time to salvage a point.

Just four days after completing his headline-making move to Seattle Sounders FC, striker Dejan Joveljić marked his club debut with a brace to help his side earn a 2-2 draw against Chicago Fire FC.

Allan Saint-Maximin also delivered his first goal contributions for Charlotte FC since arriving as the club’s newest DP last month, supplying two assists in a 2-0 win away to Atlanta United.

Then on Sunday, New England Revolution captain Carles Gil, with 1g/2a, joined an elite group by having a hand in all three goals in a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Crew, becoming the 20th player in MLS history to reach 150+ goal contributions.

Finally, Reggie Cannon scored the only goal in the Colorado Rapids’ 1-0 win over rivals Real Salt Lake, making sure the Rocky Mountain Cup stays in Commerce City for a third consecutive season.