MLS Roundup: Hell is Real derby disappoints as Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati draw; Houston Dynamo stun RSL

Despite a Hell is a Real matchup where the rivalry name could aptly describe the 0-0 draw played between FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew, overall Matchday 32 was a memorable one for MLS.

Lionel Messi returned from a three-month layoff and easily dropped two goals and an assist in Inter Miami's stunning 3-1 win over the Union.

Arguably the best MLS game of the season might have been played in Saturday's night El Trafico, with the Galaxy rallying from two-down to put four past LAFC.

And there were plenty of other significant results around the league, here's a look at those matches...

Rinse. Lather. Repeat.

Real Salt Lake suffered a 3-0 defeat to the Houston Dynamo just over a month ago in the Leagues Cup at Shell Energy Stadium. Things didn't fare much better Saturday night in MLS action as RSL suffered another three-goal defeat in Houston to the Dynamo, losing 4-1.

Houston technically scored all five goals in the contest, as Amine Bassi, Griffin Dorsey, Sebastian Kowalczyk and Ezequiel Ponce scored for the home side. Dynamo defender Erik Sviatchenko scored an own goal to give the visitors a goal in the 49th minute. The team is unbeaten in their past three games, picking up a win and a draw against a heavily-favored Los Angeles FC side along with three points against Real.

For RSL, the team was tied for the Western Conference summit in June and hasn't been as consistent since. RSL now sit fourth in the conference, falling behind Rapids after their win against Portland.

The last Hell is Real matchup between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew in May was a thriller. FCC ended a two-game losing streak against their Ohio rivals with a dramatic 2-1 win, scoring both goals in the second half. Catching a replay of that encounter is a much better option than what happened Saturday night at TQL stadium.

Columbus, in theory, should've won this one as it had an XG of 1.8 goals compared to Cincinnati's 0.5 goals. Yet, The Orange and Blue were willing to be compact, and aggressive, on defense. For its efforts, the team has kept its hold on second with six matches remaining.

The Crew could reclaim that spot those as they have a game in hand and sit just two points behind their rivals.

El Trafico was hands down the best match of Saturday with dramatic turns left and right and the LA Galaxy might have turned in the best goal of Matchday 32.

Silky passes? Check.

Amazing dribbles? You Bet.

Enough talking about it. Here it is:

Laurent Courtois might have bought himself some more time, at least a week, as CF Montreal manager after his team held on to surprise Charlotte FC at home. Montreal was winless in their last four contests and had conceded a whopping 11 goals in its last three league games. The contest also featured a first-ever Charlotte FC goal for Tim Ream, who is also waiting for his win since his return to MLS.

Meanwhile, a manager who might start feeling the heat is New England's Caleb Porter. After a strong start post-Leagues Cup with a 5-0 win over Montreal, the Revs have gone winless in three games, getting blanked in two of those games and conceding nine overall. Porter was suspended ahead of New England's 3-0 loss to Orlando Saturday, but considering the tirade that caused that absence, there will be increasing pressure for a manager on a team that invested heavily in the squad during the summer.

Another manager with something to celebrate will be Nashville SC's B.J. Callaghan. The former USMNT interim boss got his first win at the club after being hired during the summer as Nashville ended an eight-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over Atlanta.

Catch up on all other MLS results here.