Several of MLS's biggest stars strengthened their Best XI presented by Continental Tire case in Matchday 33, earning Team of the Matchday presented by Audi spots – all while four clubs booked an Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs place and the Wild Card races had plenty of movement.
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Cucho Hernández scored his second hat trick in three games, booking the Columbus Crew’s postseason spot after a 3-0 rout of Chicago Fire FC. St. Louis CITY SC goalkeeper Roman Bürki (two saves) commanded his eighth clean sheet of the year, anchoring a 0-0 draw with LAFC as the expansion side punched the first Western Conference playoff ticket.
LA Galaxy striker Billy Sharp kept playoff hopes alive by scoring a hat trick in a 4-3 comeback win over Minnesota United FC, a match where Loons winger Bongokuhle Hlongwane (2g/0a) shined in defeat. FC Dallas, led by Jesús Ferreira (2g/0a), jumped above Minnesota into the West’s ninth-and-final postseason slot after a 3-1 comeback win at Real Salt Lake.
Inter Miami CF winger Robert Taylor (2g/1a) capitalized on his early substitute appearance for Lionel Messi in a 4-0 rout of Toronto FC, and FC Cincinnati left back Álvaro Barreal was a two-way force as the Supporters’ Shield leaders drew 1-1 at CF Montréal.
Nashville SC snapped out of their funk with a 3-0 win at Sporting Kansas City, fueled by superstar Hany Mukhtar (1g/1a) and center back Jack Maher (1g/0a). Lastly, Houston Dynamo FC halted red-hot Vancouver Whitecaps FC in a 4-1 home victory – prompting TotM spots for midfielder Héctor Herrera (1g/1a), defender Griffin Dorsey (1g/0a) and head coach Ben Olsen.
Team of the Matchday (3-4-3, left to right): Roman Bürki (STL) - Álvaro Barreal (CIN), Jack Maher (NSH), Griffin Dorsey (HOU) - Robert Taylor (MIA), Héctor Herrera (HOU), Hany Mukhtar (NSH), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (MIN) - Cucho Hernández (CLB), Billy Sharp (LA), Jesús Ferreira (DAL)
Coach: Ben Olsen (HOU)
Bench: Maarten Paes (DAL), Sergi Palencia (LAFC), João Paulo (SEA), Christian Paredes (POR), Gabriel Pirani (DC), Riqui Puig (LA), Quinn Sullivan (PHI), Facundo Farías (MIA), Talles Magno (NYC)
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Audi Goals Drive Progress
MLS Academies have been identified as one of the most important resources for building on-field talent in North America. Through the Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative, Audi has committed $1 million per season in an effort to advance academies league-wide, and to drive progress for the sport. For every goal scored in the regular season, Audi will contribute $200 into the Audi Goals Drive Progress fund to directly support each MLS Club Youth Academy.