The best goals of MLS matchday 3 - ranked

Major League Soccer is back in full force, and teams are not disappointing.

Matchday 2 saw some stunning strikes, propelling clubs to much-needed victories after chaotic opening weekend results. In the East, Chris Durkin secured a draw for D.C. United against Orlando City. But it was really the Western Conference that delivered this past weekend, with Cristian Espinoza, Timothy Tillman and Jon Gallagher taking the lead.

Here's the best goals of the weekend.

5. Timothy Tillman (vs. NE Revolution)

To kick off, we have Timothy Tillman for LAFC against the New England Revolution.

He scored the team's third goal, recording a left-footed strike past goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. It was the player's first tally since joining LAFC on February 10, 2023 from German side Greuther Fürth.

4. Jon Gallagher (vs. Real Salt Lake)

Jon Gallagher set the tone for Austin FC against Real Salt Lake. 

The player managed a left-footed rocket into the upper corner to open up the scoring at Q2 Stadium. There was nothing goalkeeper Zac MacMath could do to stop that ball from reaching the back of the net. 

The goal inspired Austin to bounce back from the embarrassing 0-3 loss to Violette in the Concacaf Champions League.

3. Taylor Washington (vs. Montreal)

It had to be Taylor Washington.

The player doubled the lead for Nashville SC against Montreal, sending Shaq Moore’s cross past goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois in the 89th minute to secure all three points at GEODIS Park.

Nashville remains undefeated in the 2023 MLS campaign, to land in second place of the Eastern Conference table.

2. Chris Durkin (vs. Orlando City)

Chris Durkin played hero for D.C. United, scoring the 80th minute equalizer to earn one point against Orlando City. The homegrown midfielder managed a stunning left-footed strike to the far post, inspiring the Black-and-Red to remain undefeated at Audi Field in 2023.

D.C. United now sits in eighth place on the Eastern Conference table, with four points and a 1W-1L-1D record.

1. Cristian Espinoza (vs. Colorado Rapids)

Last but not least, Cristian Espinoza earns first place on the top five goals of the week for his strike against the Colorado Rapids. His stunning right-footed goal earned the San Jose Earthquakes the much-needed late victory and three points to keep climbing the Western Conference. 

Players have begun taking off under new head coach Luchi Gonzalez, escaping last year’s fate of last place in the West.