Atlanta crush Portland as St Louis set record

Argentine World Cup winner Thiago Almada produced a virtuoso performance and scored twice as Atlanta United beat Portland Timbers 5-1 in Major League Soccer on Saturday. New boys St Louis City became the first expansion franchise in MLS history to win all four of their opening games after beating San Jose 3-0.

Montreal scored twice in the final minutes for a stunning 3-2 comeback win over last season’s runners-up Philadelphia Union while New York City survived a late rally from Wayne Rooney’s DC United to emerge with a 3-2 win. The 21-year-old Almada has quickly establishing himself as the most exciting player to watch in the North American league and after his brilliant injury time free-kick in the opening week he went one better against the Timbers.

Teenager Caleb Wiley had put Atlanta ahead with a composed finish in the 25th, but on the stroke of half-time Almada struck a pearl of a free-kick from almost 30 yards out into the top corner of the goal. Greece’s former Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis added the third with a firm header from a pinpoint Wiley cross before midfielder Almada set up Brazilian Luiz Araujo to make it 4-0. Portland pulled a goal back through Tega Ikoba before Almada completed the rout, crowning his match-winning display by turning on the edge of the box before placing the ball in the bottom corner.

St Louis made history in their second home game since entering the league as they extended their 100% record with another impressive display. Nicholas Gioacchini put the home side ahead in the 34rd minute before a solo effort from Brazilian Joao Klauss doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time. Czech Tomas Ostrak struck the third, with a slightly deflected shot from outside the box as the league’s 29th club continued their dream start. —AFP