Top five games from 2023 MLS season - ranked
- The MLS Cup winners crack the top five
- Only one draw is featured in the list
- The newest MLS side played its part in the highest-scoring game of the year
The 2023 Major League Soccer campaign saw countless high-scoring games across both conferences during the regular season as well as in the playoffs.
It was difficult to narrow down just five games from the entire regular season that showcased dramatic comebacks as was as thrilling, high-scoring draws. Rivalry games carried some of the weight, while one of MLS' newest teams made headlines with one of the craziest games of the season.
Here are the top five games from the 2023 MLS season.
5. LA Galaxy 2-3 LAFC (April 16, 2023)
The first El Trafico in 2023 didn't disappoint.
On the road in enemy territory at Carlos Vela and the Black and Gold got the better of the Gs and former El Tri legend Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez. Vela put LAFC in front early on before Tyler Boyd found an equalizer just before halftime.
Vela found the back of the net for the second time with roughly 20 minutes to go before Ryan Hollingshead finished things off just a few minutes later. Marco Delgado pulled one back in the final stages of the contest for the Galaxy, but it was too little too late.
4. St Louis CITY 6-3 Austin FC (August 20, 2023)
Who would've thought that St Louis CITY, in their inaugural MLS season, would combine with Austin FC for the highest-scoring game in 2023?
With the chaotic win, St Louis did the double over the Verde and Black as braces from Nicholas Gioacchini and Samuel Adeniran propelled the team to victory.
St Louis were up 4-1 with just minutes remaining before four goals were scored in the last eight minutes to bring the final score to 6-3 in favor of the hosts.
3. Atlanta United 3-3 New England Revolution (May 31, 2023)
The early season clash between Atlanta United and New England Revolution was probably one of the most entertaining draws in recent history in MLS.
A mistake from Brad Guzan saw Revs midfielder Carles Gil pounce to give his side a 1-0 lead within the first minute of play, as former USMNT figure Bobby Wood double the visitors' lead with eight minutes remaining in the half.
At 2-0 down, 2023 Newcomer of the Year Giorgos Giakoumakis found the back of the net just under the 60th minute mark to jump-start the Five Stripes attack.
MLS assists leader Thiago Almada leveled the game in the 74th minute before backup striker Miguel Berry scored an absolute banger of a goal from outside the area, which would up being his only goal for Atlanta in 30 appearances as he was traded to LA Galaxy last week.
But the scoring wasn't over. Gil had the final say of the game and added his second goal by beating Guzan at his near post to earn a point for the Revs.
2. Orlando City 4-3 Columbus Crew (September 16, 2023)
Columbus Crew appeared to have three huge points wrapped up away from home at Exploria Stadium against Orlando City. That is, until the 73rd minute.
Julian Gressel, who's been linked with a move to Inter Miami to linkup with Lionel Messi, got things started in the 16th minute before Martin Ojeda found an equalizer just after the second half kicked off.
The Crew's dynamic duo of Diego Rossi and Cucho Hernandez scored within 12 minutes of each other in the second 45 and it seemed done and dusted for Wilfried Nancy's side. However, Facundo Torres' 73rd minute strike gave the Lions a lifeline in the contest.
Ramiro Enrique bagged a brace in the last moments of the game, scoring in the 86th and 97th minute to turn the tide of the game with Orlando securing all three points at the death.
1. FC Cincinnati 2-3 Columbus Crew (December 2, 2023)
There was simply no way that the last Hell is Real clash in 2023 would be anything but number one on the list.
The Supporters' Shield winners raced out to a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half with one foot in MLS Cup. But what followed was one of the greatest moments in MLS history.
With their backs against the wall, Nancy elected to sub on veteran forward Christian Ramirez, who was key in the Crew's comeback as his shot turned pass bounced off FCC's Alvas Powell into his own net to pull one back for Columbus.
Down 2-1 with roughly 15 minutes to go in regulation, Rossi found the back of the to force extra time, where Ramirez would go on to score the winner in the 115th minute as the Crew eventually became MLS Cup champions the following week over LAFC.