MLS REVIEW 23 Aug 2026: Freese saves Gil penalty as Sands rescues NYCFC draw

New England and NYCFC shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium, with the game turning on a missed penalty and a moment of first-half stoppage-time drama. Dor Turgeman put New England ahead in the 36th minute before James Sands equalised for NYCFC right on the stroke of half-time, in first-half stoppage time. The bigger moment came earlier: New England captain Carles Gil had a 27th-minute penalty saved by NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese, who produced two saves on the kick and its follow-up to keep the match scoreless. It was a rare failure from the spot for Gil, who had converted 17 straight penalties before that miss, with his last previous miss coming back in 2020. Sands was involved at both ends before his goal, having earlier made a goal-line clearance to deny New England a second chance to score — the New York City FC defender is the twin brother of the Revolution's own Will Sands.

Atlanta United beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1, with Tomas Jacob opening the scoring in the 13th minute and Fafa Picault doubling the lead in the 24th before Stephen Afrifa replied for the visitors in the 70th minute. The win was Atlanta's third in a row in MLS, its first such run in five years.