MLS Madness: Son and Bouanga's Hat-Trick Havoc Headlines Matchday 6's Super XI
MLS Matchday 6 saw every outfield player in the Team of the Matchday score, led by LAFC's Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga's record-breaking rampage in a 6-0 win over Orlando. Young talents like Zavier Gozo and Niko Tsakiris shone, while defenders and keepers also starred in key victories. Power Rankings highlight risers like Real Salt Lake and Chicago Fire amid post-international shake-ups.
MLS Matchday 6: Goals Flying In, Defenders Scoring, and Power Rankings Flipped
Picture this: a weekend where every outfield player in the Team of the Matchday found the net. That's right, Matchday 6 delivered absolute chaos, with LAFC's dynamic pair of Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga leading the charge. As reported by Justin Ruderman at OneFootball and SI Soccer, it was a proper goal fest across MLS.
LAFC's Ruthless Rout and Record-Breakers
LAFC turned Orlando City into mincemeat with a 6-0 thrashing. Son Heung-min, fresh off international duty with South Korea, matched a league record by dishing out four assists in a half – the second player ever to do it. He kept feeding Denis Bouanga, who smashed in the third-fastest hat-trick in MLS history, then chipped in an assist himself for a whopping five goal involvements before the break.
Boss Marc Dos Santos has his side sitting pretty atop the Supporters' Shield race, boasting an MLS-record sixth straight clean sheet to kick off the season. No wonder he's the coach of this star-studded 3-4-3 XI. It's like they've got a cheat code activated.
Young Stars and Defensive Delights Light Up the Pitch
It wasn't just the big names. New England Revolution stayed unbeatable at home, spanking CF Montréal 3-0 thanks to Luca Langoni's goal and free-kick assist for Mamadou Fofana. Over in Columbus, Wessam Abou Ali banged in a brace to end their winless start, 3-1 over Atlanta United.
US youth internationals stole the show too. Niko Tsakiris notched a double for San Jose Earthquakes in a 3-0 win against San Diego FC, stepping up without injured Timo Werner. Zavier Gozo, the 19-year-old Real Salt Lake gem, served two assists then volleyed a screamer in a 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City. And Sebastian Berhalter, straight out of USMNT camp, rifled in a stoppage-time winner – literally the last kick – as Vancouver Whitecaps nicked 3-2 from rivals Portland Timbers.
Defenders got in on the fun as well. Anthony Markanich sparked Minnesota United's 2-1 at LA Galaxy, while Osaze Urhoghide nodded home FC Dallas's third in a 4-0 demolition of D.C. United. Goalkeeper Chris Brady was a wall for Chicago Fire, making four top-drawer saves in a 1-0 shutout of leaders Nashville SC.
The bench reads like a dream: Hugo Lloris, Lionel Messi, Wilfried Zaha, Josh Sargent – talk about strength in depth!
Power Rankings: Risers, Fallers, and RSL's Charge
Post-international break, the MLS Power Rankings make for juicy reading. Real Salt Lake climb to 10th, powered by Diego Luna's first goal of 2026 in his season debut start – a tidy left-footer celebrated with his kid – plus Zavier Gozo's wonder volley. They're building something scary with Sergi Solans bossing up top.
Chicago Fire jump to 9th after that gritty 1-0 over Nashville, where Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Jack Elliott stonewalled the Sc's attack. But they parked the bus after an early goal, so possession needs work. Big droppers include Philadelphia Union (18th to 27th) and LA Galaxy (15th to 18th).
Orlando tumble to 25th post-humiliation, while Sporting Kansas City prop up at 30th. LAFC? Unlisted here, but their form screams top spot. With new Miami stadium vibes and Messi's Inter Miami not quite firing, it's all to play for.
What a weekend, eh? MLS never disappoints – grab your pint and relive the madness.