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MLS Matchday 19 recap: Union win third straight, Lewandowski scores first brace for Chicago

The Union completed a stunning comeback against Atlanta United, Robert Lewandowski netted a brace for Chicago, and the Western Conference leaders battled to a draw.

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The Philadelphia Union keep rolling after MLS Matchday 19. After going down 2-0 to Atlanta United on Saturday night at Subaru Park, the Union scored two late goals in stoppage time to escape with a 3-2 win and a third consecutive victory. 

Philly now sits 13th in the Eastern Conference and is seven points out of the final Wild Card spot. 

Robert Lewandowski scored his first pair of goals for the Chicago Fire in a 2-1 win over Charlotte FC.  Chicago is sitting somewhat comfortably in fourth place in the East; three points ahead of NYCFC and one behind the New England Revolution. 

The powerhouse matchup of the weekend ended in a 1-1 draw between the Vancouver Whitecaps and LAFC. Son Heung-min scored his fourth goal of the season in the 37th minute, and LAFC looked set to take three points until Tomas Müller equalized from the penalty spot in the 76th minute. 

Vancouver and LAFC are tied with 34 points, but Vancouver sees itself in first place due to goal differential. 

There is only one league match next week due to the Leagues Cup starting on Tuesday: New England Revolution vs. Houston Dynamo.

Before Leagues Cup begins, here are some of the highlight matches from MLS Matchday 19.

Major League Soccer game balls at Subaru Park home of the Philadelphia Union
Major League Soccer game balls at Subaru Park home of the Philadelphia Union
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union

MLS Matchday 19 recap

Union win a late thriller over Atlanta 

The Union provided probably the most dramatic win this season by erasing a 2-0 deficit against an Atlanta United side that was down to 10 men from the 26th minute onward.

Miguel Almirón got Atlanta on the board in the 30th minute, followed by Tristan Muyumba in the 66th minute to double the lead. The Union dominated possession with one man up, but Atlanta played solid, structured defense. 

Milan Iloski brought the match to within one in the 73rd minute, which began the spark for a comeback. 

Neil Pierre brought the match level in the 90+6' with his second goal of the season, and then Ezekiel Alladoh won it in the 90+7'. Alladoh's goal was his first ever MLS goal, and it was a special moment for the 20-year-old who has suffered some growing pains in his first season.

Home debut brace for Lewandowski 

Robert Lewandowski's home debut for Chicago was a hit. Charlotte's Pep Biel put his side ahead in the 18th minute, but then Lewandowski took over. He scored an equalizer in the 20th minute, and then the winner in the 68th minute. 

Lewandowski played the full 90 minutes and was the x-factor for Chicago. With him now on the roster, Chicago is becoming a favorite in the Eastern Conference this year. 

West favorites end in a draw

Two of the main powerhouses in the Western Conference ended their match in a 1-1 draw at BC Place. The two stars of each side also scored: Thomas Müller for Vancouver and Son Hueng-min for LAFC. 

Both clubs are level with 34 points, but Vancouver has the better goal differential, which sees them in first place. San Jose is lurking in third place with 33 points. 

Columbus spoils Messi's return to Miami 

Lionel Messi made his return to Inter Miami on Saturday following the World Cup. His return was spoiled a bit, though, with Columbus' Brais Méndez scoring a late equalizer in the 84th minute to salvage a point for the Crew. 

Miami let two leads slip through its fingers in the match, resulting in Columbus gaining a point. Miami sits two points behind Nashville SC for the top spot in the East. Nashville picked up a 2-2 draw of its own against DC United, allowing Miami to hang within reach of moving into first. 

Cincinnati picks up big 4-2 win over San Jose 

FC Cincinnati picked up a 4-2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes after being down 2-1 in the second half. Cincinnati has moved into sixth in the East after a slow start to the 2026 season.

All results from MLS Matchday 19

NYCFC 1-1 Toronto FC
CF Montreal 2-2 New England Revolution 
DC United 2-2 Nashville SC 
Philadelphia Union 3-2 Atlanta United
Red Bull New York 3-2 Orlando City
Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 LAFC
Inter Miami 2-2 Columbus Crew 
Chicago Fire 2-1 Charlotte FC
Minnesota United 1-1 San Diego FC
Sporting Kansas City 0-2 Houston Dynamo
St. Louis City 1-1 Real Salt Lake
Colorado Rapids 1-0 Austin FC
FC Cincinnati 4-2 San Jose Earthquakes 
LA Galaxy 0-0 FC Dallas
Portland Timbers 2-1 Seattle Sounders 

Philadelphia Union celebrate striker Ezekiel Alladoh's (number 23) 90+7th-minute winning goal against Atlanta United
Philadelphia Union celebrate striker Ezekiel Alladoh's (number 23) 90+7th-minute winning goal against Atlanta United
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union

MLS's Eastern Conference

Nashville SC - 40 pts
Inter Miami - 38 pts
New England Revolution - 30 pts
Chicago Fire - 29 pts

NYCFC - 26 pts
FC Cincinnati - 26 pts
Charlotte FC - 25 pts
Red Bull New York - 25 pts
DC United - 23 pts
Orlando City - 20 pts
Columbus Crew - 20 pts
Toronto FC - 17 pts
Philadelphia Union - 16 pts
CF Montreal - 16 pts
Atlanta United - 12 pts

Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire FC forward Robert Lewandowski (9) scores a goal during the second half of a MLS game against the Charlotte FC at Soldier Field.
Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire FC forward Robert Lewandowski (9) scores a goal during the second half of a MLS game against the Charlotte FC at Soldier Field.
Kamil Krzaczynski

MLS's Western Conference 

Vancouver Whitecaps - 34 pts
LAFC - 34 pts
San Jose Earthquakes - 33 pts
Houston Dynamo - 29 pts
Real Salt Lake - 27 pts
FC Dallas - 27 pts
St. Louis City - 26 pts
Portland Timbers - 24 pts
Seattle Sounders - 24 pts
Minnesota United - 24 pts
Colorado Rapids - 22 pts
LA Galaxy - 22 pts
San Diego FC - 21 pts
Austin FC - 17 pts
Sporting Kansas City - 14 pts


MORE: Philadelphia Union stun Atlanta United with dramatic 3-2 comeback, win third straight under Ryan Richter


MLS, Major League Soccer, MLS Matchday 19, Philadelphia Union