Summer signings shone, and St. Louis CITY SC made MLS history to earn stars their spot in the Matchday 29 Team of the Matchday presented by Audi.
Full team (3-4-3, left to right)
Starters: Maxime Crépeau (ORL) - Reed Baker-Whiting (NSH), Dave Romney (SJ), Iván Angulo (ORL) - André Luiz (SKC), Maren Haile-Selassie (CHI), Carlo Holse (STL), Lionel Messi (MIA) - Luis Suárez (MIA), Rafael Navarro (STL), Idan Toklomati (CLT)
Coach: Yoann Damet (STL)
Bench: Earl Edwards Jr. (SJ), Oliver Larraz (VAN), Chris Durkin (STL), Cavan Sullivan (PHI), Shakur Mohammed (NSH), Paul Arriola (SEA), Jorge Ruvalcaba (RBNY), Antoine Griezmann (ORL), Kevin Dénkey (CIN)
Team highlights
Led by first-year head coach Yoann Damet, St. Louis CITY's newly formed Designated Player duo led their side to league history in a 6-2 thrashing of LA Galaxy on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire. Carlo Holse netted his first MLS hat trick, while Rafael Navarro produced 2g/2a, extending CITY's record-tying unbeaten streak to 20 games across all competitions.
Lionel Messi (2g) and Luis Suárez (2g/1a) rolled back the clock in Inter Miami CF's 4-0 drubbing of D.C. United in their Walmart Saturday Showdown at Nu Stadium, returning the Herons to winning ways following the Argentinian icon's emotional international farewell.
Nashville SC took one step closer to claiming their first Supporters' Shield title as Reed Baker-Whiting netted the opener in a 4-1 win at Austin FC, notching a league-record 63 points through 28 matches as the Coyotes chase the MLS single-season points record (74).
Chicago Fire FC kept pace in the Eastern Conference Audi MLS Cup Playoffs race, impressively mounting a third consecutive victory in comeback fashion, 2-1 over NYCFC, despite playing down a man. Just a day after signing his contract extension, Maren Haile-Selassie played the hero, providing the equalizing assist before scoring the 89th-minute winner.
Charlotte FC similarly delivered delirium for their home fans, climbing back from a late two-goal deficit to pull out a 3-2 triumph over FC Dallas. Idan Toklomati guided The Crown's 50th win at Bank of America Stadium with 2g/1a in the final 20 minutes to flip the script.
Orlando City continued their playoff push with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Columbus Crew, as Iván Angulo produced 1g/1a and goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau had a club high with 12 saves in the match.
Club-record signing André Luiz also made history for Sporting Kansas City, becoming the first player to net seven goals in his first seven games for the club behind a brace in a thrilling 3-3 draw with the Portland Timbers.
Rounding out the Team of the Matchday, Dave Romney snatched an equalizer for the San Jose Earthquakes in a 1-1 draw at the Colorado Rapids to maintain their top-four spot in the Western Conference.
