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MLS review: Inter Miami extend winning run as LAFC surprise Sporting KC

The MLS didn't have a full list of fixtures last weekend, with some teams getting a break after multiple games last week, allowing both Inter Miami and Los Angeles FC to profit.

Most of the teams were also missing their stars, with players gone for World Cup qualifying games around the globe. With the games that did happen, there were some eye-opening results and other teams making a move in the standings.

Inter Miami win again

Inter Miami continued their summer resurgence with another win on Saturday, this one coming in the final seconds. With a 1-0 victory at FC Cincinnati, the Herons moved up the table and are now just four points outside the playoff places in the Eastern Conference.

This game featured former Manchester United team-mates on the sidelines as Phil Neville manages Inter Miami and Jaap Stam is in charge of FC Cincinnati. Inter Miami remain unbeaten against the Orange and Blue, the team against whom they've enjoyed the most success in the MLS.

The last few games have all been about the combination play of Rodolfo Pizarro, Gonzalo Higuain and Robbie Robinson. However, on Saturday, the Herons needed a new hero as Pizarro was on international duty with Mexico and Robinson was on the bench until the 60-minute mark.

They got that big play from former USMNT player Brek Shea, who has become a super-sub at the age of 31. Shea has also transitioned to being a defender, but he hasn't forgotten how to score. On Saturday, he started in place of the injured Kieran Gibbs and netted the game-winner in the 90th minute to secure all three points for Inter Miami.
Shea scored at FC Cincinnati back in May as well and his goal means Inter Miami have won or drawn eight of their last nine games. That run coincided with the return to health of Pizarro, Higuain and Robinson, plus a change in formation for the Herons.

Inter Miami play three of their next four games at home and they are in action against struggling defending champions Columbus Crew on Saturday. The Crew lost again this weekend and are one of three teams between Miami and a playoff spot.

According to PlanetSportBet, the Herons are 20/21 to beat the Crew at DRV PNK Stadium. The Crew are 13/5 while the draw is 23/10.

LAFC stun Sporting KC

It has been a rather disappointing season for LAFC and manager Bob Bradley. The Black and Gold are in the bottom half of the Western Conference table, with former MVP Carlos Vela injured and reigning Golden Boot winner Diego Rossi now on loan with Fenerbahce.

However, on Friday, they put recent disappointments aside and thrashed second-place Sporting KC 4-0 at home. The win reversed an eight-match winless streak and came against a team that beat LAFC 4-1 just one month ago.

Rookie centre-back Mamadou Fall (Mbacke) scored in the 18th minute before SKC picked up a red card. With the man advantage in the second half, the Black and Gold turned up the pressure and snatched all three points. Fall scored again in the 61st minute and Cristian Arango made it 3-0 10 minutes later.

The final goal came from the spot via Eduard Atuesta, with LAFC looking like their former selves, even without Vela and Rossi. They were also missing Brian Rodriguez, who was on World Cup qualifying duty with Uruguay.

The win moves LAFC up two spots to ninth place and they are now just three points off the playoffs. Meanwhile, SKC dropped into third place with the defeat. A win would have seen Sporting go top of the table as the Seattle Sounders had the weekend off.

LAFC have a third-straight game at home next weekend as they host seventh-place Real Salt Lake before travelling to Austin FC and Portland Timbers.

Meanwhile, Sporting KC head back home to regroup against the Chicago Fire. PlanetSportBet has SKC at 8/13 to win while the Fire are 15/4 and the draw is 14/5.

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