MLS: Sounders denied by late Martinez penalty, Union up to third

Josef Martinez scored a late penalty to rescue a point for Gabriel Heinze’s Atlanta United, though Seattle Sounders remain unbeaten in MLS.

Martinez equalised via an 86th-minute spot-kick to earn Atlanta a 1-1 draw with the Sounders at Lumen Field in Seattle on Sunday.

The Sounders had taken a sixth-minute lead from Raul Ruidiaz, who headed home Joao Paulo’s corner to make it six goals in seven games.

Last season’s MLS Cup runners-up Seattle remain undefeated and top of the Western Conference through seven matches, but had their four-game winning run ended as Atlanta – led by former Manchester United and Real Madrid defender Heinze – sit fifth in the east.

The classic stare down we love to see pic.twitter.com/BkN0ZG6HKi

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) May 23, 2021

Last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners Philadelphia Union moved up into third in the east with a 1-0 victory away to DC United.

Kacper Przybylko netted the winner on the stroke of half-time for the Union, who are now unbeaten in their past four games.

Jamiro Monteiro laid off a perfectly weighted pass into the box for the Polish attacker to control and convert.

Union goalkeeper Andre Blake made a spectacular second-half save to deny United’s 18-year-old midfielder Kevin Paredes with a curled effort from the edge of the box.

That timing. That ball.

#DOOP | #DCvPHI 0 – 1 pic.twitter.com/pygJLQBnEK

— PhilaUnion (@PhilaUnion) May 24, 2021

Undefeated Nashville edged past newcomers Austin 1-0 courtesy of a 35th-minute volley from Randall Leal.

Jared Stroud thought he had scored a second-half equaliser but it was disallowed by VAR for offside.

Nashville, who drew four of their opening five games, have won two of their past three matches to move up to fourth in the Eastern Conference, while Austin have lost three in a row on the road.

THE CROWD. THE GOAL. THE SCENES. #EveryoneN | @randall_leal pic.twitter.com/3l6SLn4ZLx

— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) May 24, 2021