It felt like a normal weekend for Canadian teams in MLS, as the Whitecaps picked up a big win while Toronto and Montréal dropped points.

But, it wasn't all bad out East. The Reds' new main man got on the pitch, while the Impact had chances and didn't look nearly as toothless as they did in the first couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, Vancouver put up one of the most dominant displays we've seen in this young MLS campaign.

Here's a look at what stuck out this weekend.

Set-piece struggles

Toronto FC allowed seven shots (three of which were on target) for 0.82 xG against Red Bull New York from corners on Saturday. That, obviously, culminated in Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's winner late, late into stoppage time.

Part of the problem is conceding 11 corners in the first place. But there's clearly more that can be done by everyone in terms of defensive set pieces, especially considering that two goals Vancouver scored off corner kicks back in matchday two.

But some individuals can improve as well. Walker Zimmerman and Benjamín Kuscevic defended the box very well in the run of play, but there were times where the team as a whole couldn't clear their lines off of set pieces – just look at the Choupo-Moting goal. Kerr has a mostly free header and heads it backwards, then Zimmerman can only touch it a few inches forward, and the ball finds its way to the foot of the Red Bull striker in the box.

Also, while Luka Gavran's shot-stopping has looked good this week and last, the command of his area still has a ways to go. He looks uncomfortable coming out to claim balls, and the ball has slipped through his hands at least three or four times. It's part of the learning curve for an inexperienced goalkeeper at the pro ranks, but at 6-foot-6, he should be first to most things in his area.

In terms of the game at open play, RBNY did a good job keeping Toronto from maintaining possession at all, and some passiveness in possession kept TFC from dictating play. Instead, Red Bull was able to keep a lot of the ball in the attacking half, and their midfield really dictated play.

Robin Fraser described this as not being as energetic as the team could've been post-game, and he's not totally wrong.

Where his team did find success was once again in transition. Dániel Sallói scored his second goal in two games off a great ball over the top from Gavran to Djordje Mihailović, catching the New York back line asleep, who nutmegged Ronald Donkor and played the Hungarian winger through, who chipped Ethan Horvath to score.

There were some other opportunities in transition as well, including a half-chance for DP striker Josh Sargent off the bench in his debut. If Toronto can mix this danger in transition with more chances created with possession, more goals will come. Hopefully, Sargent can help on all fronts.

Six bucks a Loon

It's no secret that Vancouver's CONCACAF Champions Cup venture against Seattle did not go to plan on Thursday. So, they took out their anger in MLS play, and Minnesota United were the victims of a beating. It was four by half and ended 6-0, which, honestly, might've flattered the visitors in the end.

It's hard even to find much analysis in such a comprehensive win, because just about everything went to plan.

The press worked nearly every single time, with the midfield winning the ball back a ton. The wingers repeatedly exploited the space between Minnesota's wingbacks and outside centre-backs, creating endless danger, goals, and winning penalties throughout. They capitalized on set pieces. The back-line was barely under pressure, and the centre-backs were able to find huge line-splitting passes as the game wore on.

It was nice to see Mihail Gherasimencov on the pitch, who didn't look out of place at all in his normal left back spot. The former Cavalry loanee held the width well, won some duels, and was overall just a solid cog in the machine, which is exactly what you want from a 20-year-old making his first start in MLS.

Jeevan Badwal also continues to level up in 2026. He's played in several spots this season already, and today operated as the lone number 10 in the 4-2-3-1. His touches on Sunday came more in the central channels and left halfspaces, and his energy, desire to move forward, and ability in tight areas make him a perfect fit in the midfield under Jesper Sørensen.

It was a banner performance from a Whitecaps side that – while they may not mathematically be eliminated in continental play yet – will likely be shifting their focus fully to MLS action soon. The goal should be to win the shield.

No repeat of brilliance

It wasn't a bad performance from CF Montréal, far from it. But the Impact just weren't quite as sharp in all phases of the game as they were in New Jersey last week. Here are some quick notes:

1) It's more difficult to play a man marking system against a team that's fine, stretching the field more in transition, and wants to complete attacks quickly.

2) Your lines must be concise in this system, or else people will be jumping out of position trying to chase shadows around.

3) It's a lot easier to sit in and be concise when you have a lead.

All three of these things culminated in Orlando's second goal. The gap between the midfield and the back line is far too big, so Tomás Avilés steps way up to put pressure on Iván Angulo. Angulo turns and leaves him in the dust, which causes everyone else to scramble.

Despite Angulo's ball not reaching its intended target, Efrain Morales, running backwards, is unable to safely control the ball, so it falls back into the winger's path. Since the midfield is stuck upfield, there's no back pressure on either Marco Pašalić, who plays a one-two with Angulo to slip him in behind, or Martín Ojeda, who is alone atop the box to finish the play off.

It's a really well-worked transition goal by Orlando, but it's all created because Montréal just isn't in their set defensive shape. And when you're chasing a game, needing a goal, there's more and more likelihood you won't be in that set defence as the game goes along.

Iván Jaime was a spark off the bench and should probably be playing as many minutes as his body allows him for this team in the upcoming games. The final action isn't always there, but his ability to create danger off the dribble is much-needed in this team.