Below is a selection of the notable performances and moments from the 14 matches played on Matchday 7 of the 2023 MLS season, Saturday, April 8.
LAFC Remains Unbeaten Behind Bouanga’s First MLS Hat Trick
Following a sensational two-goal, one-assist performance in a 3-0 Concacaf Champions League win on Wednesday, forward Dénis Bouanga scored all three of LAFC’s goals in their 3-0 victory over Austin FC on Saturday night. Bouanga, who has 11 goals in nine games across all competitions this year, leads LAFC and ranks second in MLS with six goals this season, including a pair of multi-score games in regular-season play.
Since their inaugural season in 2018, LAFC leads Major League Soccer with eight hat tricks, three more than the next-closest teams over the span (Philadelphia Union and Atlanta United, five). The club has also seen five different players register hat tricks over that span, the most in the league since 2018.
With the victory, LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo reached 25 career regular-season victories in just his 40th game at the helm. Cherundolo reached the 25-win mark in fewer games than any coach in MLS history (excl. the shootout era) and six games faster than the previous record-holder, Frank Yallop (46 matches).
FC Cincinnati Wins Fourth Home Consecutive Match, Stays Unblemished
In a matchup against a familiar foe, a lone Luciano Acosta penalty-kick goal proved to be the difference maker for FC Cincinnati, as the club secured their fourth consecutive home victory and third straight win overall with a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Union.
FC Cincinnati, who sits atop both the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield tables with 17 points (5-0-2), have won four consecutive regular-season home matches for the first time in club history and are one of only two remaining unbeatens in MLS alongside LAFC (4-0-2).
This is the latest in the season that FC Cincinnati has occupied the pole position in the Eastern Conference and the club will look to continue their winning ways next Saturday as they travel to take on expansion side St. Louis CITY SC (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
Columbus Continues Offensive Onslaught in 2-0 Victory
After scoring 10 goals in their previous two matches, the Columbus Crew continued their offensive fireworks with a 2-0 victory over D.C. United at Audi Field behind goals from Lucas Zelarayán and Christian Ramírez.
The Crew lead Major League Soccer with 17 goals this season, which also marks the highest goal-total through the first seven games of a season in club history. The previous club record was 16 goals through seven games, set in the league’s inaugural season in 1996. Only three teams in MLS history have scored more goals than the Crew in the first seven games of a season: 2019 LAFC (21 goals), 1998 LA Galaxy (20 goals), and 2019 Toronto FC (19 goals).
Ferreira Becomes Youngest to Reach 40 Career Goals
Following a superb series of passing, FC Dallas forward Jesús Ferreira found himself with an open look at goal and fired into the back of the net for the club’s lone score in a 1-0 victory over Inter Miami CF.
Ferreira’s goal, his fourth of the season, was of the historic variety, as he became the youngest player in MLS history to reach 40 career regular-season goals. At 22 years, 105 days old, Ferreira reached the milestone five days faster than the previous record-holder, Cyle Larin, who accomplished the feat at 22 years, 110 days old while with Orlando City.
Ferreira is one of only five players to score 40 goals in MLS prior to turning 23 years old, joining Larin, Diego Rossi, Diego Fagúndez, and Stern John.
Kei Kamara, Chicago Fire Hand Minnesota United First Loss of Season
The Chicago Fire handed Minnesota United FC their first loss of the season, 2-0, behind a spectacular brace from the ageless wonder, Kei Kamara.
Kamara, who ranks third in MLS history with 142 career goals, leads the Fire with three goals this season and continues to be an offensive creator on his MLS-record 10th different team. At 38 years, 219 days old, Kamara became the second-oldest MLS player to score multiple goals in a match, trailing only Preki (39 years, 341 days old), who registered a brace for Kansas City on May 31, 2003.
With the win, Chicago homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady (19 years, 36 days old) became the second-youngest goalkeeper in MLS history to record a victory. A former Fire ‘keeper – Gabriel ‘Gaga’ Slonina – holds the record at 17 years and 137 days old.
