FC Dallas rebounded from back-to-back MLS losses by defeating defending league champions Los Angeles FC 2-0 on Saturday.
Nico Estevez’s squad used second-half goals from Bernard Kamungo and Sam Junqua to claim a 2-0 victory, moving to fifth place in the Western Conference. Kamungo’s second league goal of the season paired with Junqua’s long-range strike helped seal three points at Toyota Stadium.
Despite being without leading scorer Jesus Ferreira due to international duty, FC Dallas outplayed LAFC and remained in the race to move up the West standings. Maarten Paes registered a three-save clean sheet for FC Dallas, moving three points back of LAFC in the process.
FC Dallas faces a quick turnaround this week with DC United making the trip to town on July 4.
Atlanta United, Sporting Kansas City, and Minnesota United also earned honorable mention honors for their Week 20 results.
Here is a closer look at the rest of Week 20’s Best of MLS:
Player of the Week
Nashville SC also rebounded from back-to-back losses by claiming a 2-0 result over DC United on Saturday.
Randall Leal delivered a Man of the Match performance by scoring twice at Geodis Park for Gary Smith’s squad. Leal’s opening goal came in the 18th minute after Hany Mukhtar’s through ball pass put the 26-year-old in a great scoring position.
Leal doubled his tally and Nashville SC’s lead in the 37th minute, stroking home a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner. The Costa Rican international also won seven of 15 duels, completed a match-high three tackles, and delivered a perfect 100% scoring rate with his two shots on target.
Nashville SC moved into second place in the East with the home victory, thanks to Leal’s stellar day.
Emanuel Reynoso, Dominique Badji, and Facundo Torres also registered braces of their own, earning Man of the Match honorable mentions.
Goal of the Week
Atlanta United also picked up three points this weekend with Thiago Almada’s blistering strike setting the stage in a 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union.
Almada reacted first off a free kick in the seventh minute, following up on a rebound before unleashing a powerful effort into the back of the net. The Argentinian’s original free kick was blocked by the Union wall, but Almada’s follow-up shot left Joe Bendik watching as the Five Stripes claimed a 1-0 lead.
Brooks Lennon’s insurance goal sealed the deal late in the second half as Atlanta United extended its home league unbeaten run over the Union to seven matches.
Gonzalo Pineda’s squad sit sixth in the East following the victory, moving just two points back of the Union for fifth place.