MLS Round-Up: Igboananike,Adi Score; Stephen Sacrificed; Emeghara, Adekugbe Benched; Injured Edu,Alashe Missing;Akindele Subbed On; Ibeagha, Opara, Okwuonu Missing

Catch up on the performances of players of Nigerian descent in the opening round of Major League Soccer on Sunday.

Super Eagles midfielder Sunday Stephen lasted only 24 minutes on the pitch in Real Salt Lake’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Orlando City as he was sacrificed to fill the hole at left back following the dismissal of Demar Phillips. Boyd Okwuonu did not make the traveling party to Florida.

At Toyota Park, Illinois, Kennedy Igboananike worked a 90-minute shift in the high scoring game between Chicago Fire and New York City. The Swedish-Nigerian was on target four minutes out of intermission.

 Jalil Anibaba played the entirety of Houston Dynamo’s 3-3 draw with New England Revolution at  BBVA Compass Stadium. He was yellow-carded in the 55th minute. Teammate Sebastien Ibeagha did not make the squad.

Tesho Akindele was substituted on in the 84th minute of Dallas’s 2-0 victory against Philadelphia Union in Texas. Maurice Edu is still recovering from injury and was absent for the away side.

Switzerland international Innocent Emeghara was an unused substitute as San Jose Earthquakes managed a 1-0 win over Colorado Rapids . Teammate Fatai Alashe did not feature due to injury.

Portland Timbers DP Fanendo Adi celebrated his call up to the Super Eagles by scoring the match-winner in his team’s 2-1 win against Columbus Crew. The ex Copenhagen man played the full game and picked up a yellow card three minutes from time.

Vancouver Whitecaps number three Sam Adekugbe watched proceedings from the bench as they were beaten 3-2 by Montreal Impact at BC Place Stadium.

Ex-USA youth international Ike Opara was not in the match day squad for Sporting KC’s 1-0 win vs Seattle Sounders.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel