As attention turns to the CONCACAF qualifiers, MLS takes a short break but what better way to spend it than by looking back at what took place last weekend.

Celebrations in Charlotte

Charlotte FC have struggled since becoming an MLS franchise. Three defeats on the spin while manager Miguel Angel Ramirez has openly questioned the recruitment policy from those in the boardroom. But on Saturday that was all forgotten as they got their first ever MLS win defeating the New England Revolution 3-1.

Designated Player Karol Swiderski was the name on the tip of fans tongues as they left the Bank of America Stadium. The Big Pole scoring a brace while youngster Ben Bender added the third in what was his first professional goal.

Chicago on Fire

Ezra Hendrickson has made the whole managerial business look easy so far. Two wins, two draws and only one goal conceded since becoming Chicago Fire manager in the off-season.

This week his Chicago side beat the Sporting Kansas City 3-1 at Soldier Field with two players scoring their inaugural goals for the club. Swiderski wasn't the only Pole to score a brace this weekend as Kacper Przybylko opened his account for his new team with two classic Przybylko finishes. While DP Xherdan Shaqiri scored his first in MLS from the penalty spot. 

If Hendrickson's side continues this early season form they look set for a season a whole lot more successful than previous campaigns in the Windy City.

Montréal meltdown

3-1 up, one man up, five minutes to go. You would assume most teams would be able to see out the victory relatively comfortably from that position. Not Club de Foot Montréal however.

It has to be said that neither goal came from particularly calamitous defending. Thiago Almada's first for Atlanta United and in MLS was wonderful and showed the class that the young Argentinian possesses. Curling a shot beautifully past the outstretched Sebastian Breza from outside the 18 yard box. Even the harshest goalkeeping critics wouldn't have criticised Breza's role for Almada's goal but Brooks Lennon's 92nd minute equaliser on the other hand, hmmmmm. 

Lennon, who has been one of the five stripes most consistent players over recent seasons, steps up to a free-kick from 30/40 yards out and gets a decent amount of power behind the ball. As its moving towards Breza's goal you would expect most goalkeepers to save it but the Montréal keeper gets a weak hand behind the strike and pushes it into the top of the net. Cue electric celebrations in Atlanta as they pick up an unlikely point and continue Montréal's dismal start to the 2022 campaign.

Cincinnati win again!!!

Every time Cincinnati win, it's extremely necessary to include them in the week's talking points. Albeit this weekend, they beat an extremely poor Inter Miami outfit but Cincinnati have now won two on the bounce and 50% of their games this season. Maybe Pat Noonan is moving them away from their annual wooden spoon prize. 

Brandon Vazquez though is the hero at the minute. Four goals in two matches and another brace at the weekend as he outshone Inter Miami's Gonzalo Higuain. The 23-year-old has already equalled last season's tally and looks to be their main source of goals. This isn't a massive surprise as when he was breaking through at Atlanta United under Tata Martino their was a lot of promise surrounding Vazquez and the potential he had to become a high quality MLS striker.

Hat-trick for Jesus

What better way to head into National Team action than scoring a hat-trick. Well thats exactly what Jesus Ferreira did for FC Dallas this weekend as they comfortably beat The Portland Timbers 4-1 in Texas.

Ferreira, who was often overlooked last season by the sudden rise of Ricardo Pepi. Now Pepi has moved on to the Bundesliga with FC Augsburg. Ferreira is the main man for Nico Estevez's Dallas team and he showed that on Saturday night. Three impressive finishes while linking up well with USMNT teammate Paul Arriola. This could potentially bode well for Gregg Berhalter and the upcoming games in the Octagonal.