Messi Dazzles Again: The Most Breathtaking MLS Goals of the Week Featuring Lowen and More!

Matchday 28 of the 2026 MLS season may have been short on some of the league's biggest names, who were away on international duty; nevertheless, the weekend still delivered a spectacular showcase of near-impossible strikes and breathtaking match-winners.

Lionel Messi continued his prolific scoring run, registering his 21st goal of the season across just 23 league appearances with a stunning free-kick; however, it ultimately wasn't enough to guide Inter Miami to a much-needed win.

Meanwhile, San Jose Earthquakes' Eduard Löwen was equally undaunted by a seemingly impossible angle, finding the net to help his side extend their current unbeaten run to six matches.

Here are the top five goals from the weekend.

5. The Commanding Header

Osaze Urhoghide with authority! 😤@FCDallas get on the board first at home.

📺 Apple TV: https://t.co/lf8HY4MGPu pic.twitter.com/C7bMlnfYDZ

Osaze Urhoghide wasn't about to let the chance slip by. Off Joaquín Valiente's in-swinging corner in the 34th minute, the 26-year-old center back launched himself above two LAFC defenders to power a header into the back of the net.

It turned out to be the only goal Dallas needed on Saturday night to claim the three points, keeping the visitors off the scoresheet after a match-high 12 defensive contributions from Urhoghide himself.

4. An Improbable Angle for Eduard Löwen

Eduard Löwen with the finish from the tightest angle to double the lead for @SJEarthquakes 🫨 pic.twitter.com/hq10s0oacl

Löwen doubled San Jose Earthquakes' advantage over the Portland Timbers on Saturday night, driving the ball to the goal line before slotting a left-footed effort into the roof of the net from the most acute of angles. It was the 29-year-old German's fourth goal of the campaign.

The Earthquakes claimed a 3–1 victory, enjoying a welcome upturn in form following a difficult July and August.

3. Calvin Harris's Pure Instinct

Calvin Harris with the finish off the lovely buildup by @SportingKC 💪 pic.twitter.com/pMEK1mifLl

Perhaps no one was more surprised by Calvin Harris's goal than Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.

The 26-year-old Sporting Kansas City winger, acting purely on instinct, simply stuck out his left foot to redirect a cross from André Luiz into the near post. Bond—who was clearly expecting some kind of turn or a conventional shot, given that Harris was tightly marked—didn't even attempt to stop Harris's improbable deflection, sinking to the ground in slow motion.

Kansas City claimed a 2–0 win over one of the Western Conference's strongest sides. Despite still sitting bottom of the league, Sporting KC have now won two of their last three matches.

2. 99th Minute Game-Winner

JAMAL THIERE WINS IT FOR THE @COLUMBUSCREW IN THE 99TH MINUTE OVER MIAMI 😱 pic.twitter.com/Sp5zGfJFyW

Columbus Crew's Jamal Thiere had just one minute of stoppage time remaining to make his mark, and he delivered. Teammate Brais Méndez unleashed a shot just outside the area, which Inter Miami goalkeeper Roccos Ríos Novo parried but couldn't hold. Thiere was perfectly positioned for the rebound, darting into the box to volley the ball into the net in the 99th minute before Novo could recover.

Thanks to the heroics of Thiaré, who had only entered the pitch in the 83rd minute, the Crew secured an unlikely 2–1 victory against the Herons.

"I just want to help my team and bring some energy because we work really hard during the week," Thiaré said after the match. "We know what we're capable of, and it showed tonight. I'm so happy and would like to thank the fans."

1. An Impossible Lionel Messi Free Kick

FREE KICK MAGIC FROM LEO. 🎯✨ pic.twitter.com/s6gT7fDFki

Although it wasn't enough to end the Herons' five-game winless run in the league, Messi's free-kick goal in the 33rd minute will not be forgotten.

The football icon is renowned for scoring from set pieces; however, this effort was something else entirely. Struck from a near-impossible angle, well outside the box toward the corner flag, Messi still found the target. His perfectly curled delivery sailed up and over the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and nestled into the side-netting at the far post.

It marked Messi's second free-kick goal in consecutive games, bringing his career tally to 76 — just two short of the all-time record.

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