Even without a goal and Lionel Messi, Inter Miami defended their lead at the top of the MLS table. There was reason to celebrate for Sandro Schwarz and Hannes Wolf
In 2019, Hannes Wolf left RB Salzburg as an up-and-coming youngster to conquer the German Bundesliga. However, neither RB Leipzig nor Borussia Mönchengladbach wanted to succeed in this endeavor. Last January, the now 25-year-old Austrian therefore started a new chapter, ventured to the USA – and has been in demand again ever since.
On Friday night (CEST), he took to the pitch for New York City FC in the 13th game of the MLS season and scored for the first time. And not just by chance: In the away game at Philadelphia Union, Wolf converted a free-kick almost directly from the right corner flag deep into stoppage time of the first half. His left-footed shot landed ideally in the top left-hand corner of the goal with the help of the inside of the post.
It was 2:0, and in the end Wolf & Co. won 2:1. NYCFC, who had clearly missed out on the play-offs last season, climbed to fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The top nine reach the knockout round after the regular season
Messi missing through injury – Forsberg & Co. score four times again
At the top of the table remains Inter Miami, who after five wins in a row with at least three goals each were without luck in front of goal this time. Without Lionel Messi, who did not make the trip due to a leg injury sustained in the previous 3-2 win in Montreal, the leaders had to settle for a 0-0 draw at basement dwellers Orlando City, but at least extended their unbeaten run to eight games.
Miami’s closest rivals – three points behind with one game less to play – remain FC Cincinnati after a 1-0 win over Atlanta United. Behind them, the New York Red Bulls regained third place. After a good start to the season, Sandro Schwarz’s team had recently gone winless four times in a row – including 2:6 in Miami – but ended their results crisis with a 4:2 win over New England at the weekend and have now followed it up: A 4-1 win at DC United, in which Emil Forsberg recorded an assist.
