MLS MEDIA RESOURCES: WEEK 18 NEWS & NOTES
News and notes and statistical trends from around Major League Soccer
CHICAGO FIRE FC YOUNGSTER GABRIEL SLONINA MAKES HISTORY BETWEEN THE POSTS
With two veterans ahead of him injured, Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina was given a chance to create history – and he took full advantage of the opportunity.
Aged just 17 years, 81 days, Slonina started the Fire’s match against New York City FC at Soldier Field on Wednesday evening – and in doing so, became the youngest goalkeeper ever to start a game in MLS history.
Slonina surpassed David Monsalve, who was 18 years, 220 days when he started for Toronto FC in 2007. The youngest player still to actually wear the gloves in an MLS match is Eddie Gaven, who was 16 years, 253 days when he came on as a substitute in goal for the MetroStars vs. D.C. United on July 5, 2003.
Slonina added to the legacy being left by young goalkeepers this season, as three of the seven youngest goalkeepers in league history have come this season. Hunter Sulte of the Portland Timbers is now the third-youngest goalkeeper in MLS history to start a game, just six days after his 19th birthday when he made his league debut vs. FC Dallas on May 1, and John Pulskamp, aged 19 years, 363 days when he started for Sporting Kansas City on April 17, is the seventh-youngest in league annals. A fourth in that group within the last two seasons came last year when David Ochoa (19 years, 297 days) started for Real Salt Lake.
Slonina was already a part of MLS history when he became a professional. A product of the Fire’s academy system, Slonina originally signed a first-team contract with the club on March 8, 2019, aged 14 years, 297 days, becoming the youngest Homegrown Player and second-youngest player signing in MLS history at the time.
In Wednesday’s match, Slonina then stopped all four shots on target he saw, also becoming the youngest to record a shutout in league history – passing the mark set by D.C. United Homegrown goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who was 19 years, 270 days when he kept his first clean sheet in the 2010 season.
NYCFC GOALSCORING STREAK COMES TO END APPROACHING ONE OF LONGEST EVER
New York City FC saw their streak of scoring in every game this season come to an end at midweek, when 17-year-old Gabriel Slonina and Chicago Fire FC held them in a scoreless draw at Soldier Field.
NYCFC had a streak of 25 consecutive league games with a goal, dating back to last Sept. 26 – which equaled the fourth-longest such streak in MLS history when it was snapped. The all-time mark is still the 52 games where D.C. United netted a goal from 1997-1999.
MLS WEEK 18 – LOOK AHEAD
COLUMBUS CREW vs. ATLANTA UNITED
Saturday, August 7, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #229)
Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio
7:30 p.m. ET (Bally Sports OH; Bally Sports South/SE)
REFEREE: Allen Chapman. AR1 (bench): Brian Dunn; AR2 (opposite): Jeff Hosking; 4th: Sergii Demianchuk; VAR: Ramy Touchan; AVAR: Diego Blas
MLS Career: 184 games; FC/gm: 22.1; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 45; pens: 76
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Crew 5 wins, 11 goals … ATLUTD 4 wins, 12 goals … Ties 0
AT COLUMBUS: Crew 2 wins, 4 goals … ATLUTD 2 wins, 5 goals … Ties 0
· The Crew suffered a second successive reverse, dropping a 4-2 decision to D.C. United at Lower.com Field on Wednesday evening. Lucas Zelarayán scored his sixth goal of the season, while Kevin Molino netted his first in 2021 in league play.
· Atlanta United put an end to a two-game losing slide, coming back for a 2-2 draw with CF Montréal at Stade Saputo on Wednesday evening. Josef Martínez scored for a second consecutive game, his fourth of the season, but was then sent off; Marcelino Moreno also scored in a second game in a row, now with five for the year.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Jonathan Mensah scored the game’s only goal as the Crew took the victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 24.
· The Crew have won the last five league meetings after winning both meetings in 2019. Atlanta United won each of the first four matchups, over 2017-18.
· The teams met in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2017, Crew SC advancing via a dramatic penalty kick shootout after the teams played to a scoreless draw over 120 minutes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
CREW: The Crew have conceded four or more goals in back-to-back games for the first time since Aug. 27-Sept. 10, 2011 (2-6 at SEA; 2-4 vs TOR).
ATLUTD: Ezequiel Barco collected his second assist, his last coming June 20.
FC CINCINNATI vs. ORLANDO CITY SC
Saturday, August 7, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #230)
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
7:30 p.m. ET (WSTR – Star 64; FOX35 Plus / LionNation TV)
REFEREE: Fotis Bazakos. AR1 (bench): Peter Balciunas; AR2 (opposite): Peter Manikowski; 4th: Matthew Franz; VAR: David Gantar; AVAR: Jeffrey Swartzel
MLS Career: 113 games; FC/gm: 24.9; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 23; pens: 37
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FCC 0 wins, 2 goals … OCSC 2 wins, 9 goals … Ties 1
AT CINCINNATI: FCC 0 wins, 1 goal … OCSC 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 1
· FC Cincinnati played to a second successive scoreless draw, this time with the New York Red Bullls at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday evening.
· Orlando City made it a second result in a row, gaining a 1-1 draw with Inter Miami CF at Exploria Stadium on Wednesday evening. Antonio Carlos scored his first goal of the season, his second in his second MLS campaign.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Tesho Akindele scored after just 31 seconds and Nani doubled the lead in the 19th minute, sending Orlando City on their way to a 3-0 win at Exploria Stadium on May 1.
· They had last met in FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season in 2019. Nani and Tesho Akindele each scored two goals as Orlando City SC cruised to a 5-1 win on May 19 at Exploria Stadium, the first meeting ever between the clubs; the teams reached a 1-1 draw Sept. 29 at Nippert Stadium.
FCC: Kenneth Vermeer was credited with three saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season, a second in a row – the second time this season he’s had shutouts in back-to-back games (also: June 23-26).
OCSC: Nani gained his sixth assist of the season, his second in as many games, now in a four-way tie for third place in the MLS assist standings.
TORONTO FC vs. NEW YORK CITY FC
Saturday, August 7, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #231)
BMO Field, Toronto, Ont.
8 p.m. ET (TSN4; YES)
REFEREE: Robert Sibiga. AR1 (bench): Michael Barwegen; AR2 (opposite): Stefan Tanaka-Freundt; 4th: Pierre-Luc Lauziere; VAR: Joseph Dickerson; AVAR: Robert Schaap
MLS Career: 131 games; FC/gm: 23.7; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 24; pens: 36
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Toronto FC 4 wins, 24 goals … NYCFC 5 wins, 21 goals … Ties 6
AT BMO FIELD: Toronto FC 3 wins, 12 goals … NYCFC 3 wins, 7 goals … Ties 1
· Toronto FC had their five-game undefeated streak put to an end, falling 3-0 to the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on Wednesday evening.
· NYCFC extended their undefeated run to four matches following three wins a row, held without a goal at the attacking end for the first time this season in a goalless draw with Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on Wednesday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Jesús Medina gave NYCFC a second-half lead, but Jacob Shaffelburg netted the equalizer, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw at Yankee Stadium on May 15.
· TFC saw a four-game undefeated streak in the league series put to an end in the last meeting in a TFC home game, a 1-0 NYCFC win last Oct. 28 at Rentschler Field in Hartford, Conn. TFC has come away with points from their last three visits to face NYCFC.
· The teams also met last year in the round-of-16 in the MLS is Back Tournament, as Maximiliano Moralez assisted on goal and scored one, leading NYCFC to a 3-1 win on July 26. The teams have met twice in the MLS Cup Playoffs, in 2016 and 2019, Toronto FC advancing on each occasion.
TFC: Ifunanyachi Achara made his first appearance of the season after a long injury layoff, coming off the substitutes’ bench for the final half hour.
NYCFC: Sean Johnson made his first appearance since June 27 and was credited with one save in recording his fourth shutout of the season.
MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. HOUSTON DYNAMO FC
Saturday, August 7, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #232)
Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minn.
7 p.m. CT (Bally Sports North+ / CW; QuestTexas 55 / TeleXitos 47.2)
REFEREE: Silviu Petrescu. AR1 (bench): Eric Boria; AR2 (opposite): Justin Howard; 4th: Ismir Pekmic; VAR: Alex Chilowicz; AVAR: Craig Lowry
MLS Career: 175 games; FC/gm: 27.6; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 25; pens: 41
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: MNUFC 2 wins, 10 goals … Dynamo 4 wins, 17 goals … Ties 4
AT MINNESOTA: MNUFC 2 wins, 5 goals … Dynamo 0 wins, 3 goals … Ties 2
· MNUFC extended their undefeated streak to four games with a second successive draw, playing to a 2-2 result with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening.
· Robin Lod scored his fifth goal of the season and added his fourth assist, the first time in his MLS career he had a goal and an assist in the same game; he has three goals and two assists over the last four games, with a goal and/or an assist in each.
· Dynamo FC saw their run of three draws put to an end, falling 3-2 to Austin FC in the first meeting ever between the clubs. Tyler Pasher netted his fourth goal of the season, and Fafa Picault scored his third of the year.
· The teams met three times a season ago. They reached a pair of 2-2 draws in the final two meetings, Sept. 19 at BBVA Stadium and Oct. 18 at Allianz Field. On Sept. 2 in Houston, Darwin Quintero scored against his former club and Ariel Lassiter hit for his first two Dynamo goals, in a 3-0 win.
· The visiting team has yet to win in the all-time series, with the home team winning six meetings in a row before draws in the last two matchups. MNUFC had won two home meetings in a row before the tie last time out.
MNUFC: Ethan Finlay netted his first goal of the season. … Emanuel Reynoso recorded his fifth assist of the season, his third in the last four games. … Wil Trapp recorded his first assist of the season and with Minnesota United, his first in an MLS game since Aug. 17, 2019, while with Columbus.
DYNAMO FC: Corey Baird made his first start since coming to Dynamo FC from Real Salt Lake via trade; starting and playing 65 minutes in a forward role.
FC DALLAS vs. AUSTIN FC
Saturday, August 7, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #233)
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
8 p.m. CT (FCDTV / Estrella KMPX-29; KNVA [CW Austin] / UniMas Austin)
REFEREE: Alan Kelly. AR1 (bench): Ian McKay; AR2 (opposite): Ryan Graves; 4th: Chris Ruska; VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero; AVAR: Fabio Tovar
MLS Career: 141 games; FC/gm: 24.1; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 18; pens: 52
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting.
· FC Dallas stretched their undefeated streak to three games following a pair of victories, hitting back for a late 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field on Wednesday evening. Franco Jara netted the equalizer in stoppage time, his third of the season.
· Austin FC put an end to a three-game losing skid, defeating Houston Dynamo FC in the first-ever meeting between the Texas clubs, 3-2 at Q2 Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· Tomás Pochettino scored a pair of goals, his first two with the club, the second two-goal game in ATXFC club history; Cecilio Domínguez scored his club-leading fourth of the season.
· The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories. They are scheduled to meet twice more this season: Aug. 29 at Q2 Stadium, and Oct. 30 at Toyota Stadium.
FCD: Nkosi Tafari recorded his first career assist in MLS, making his 10th appearance.
ATXFC: Diego Fagundez collected his first assist of the season, his first in MLS since Aug. 31, 2019 while with New England. … Sebastian Berhalter recorded the first assist of his MLS career, in his 20th league appearance. … Hector Jimenez gained his first assist with Austin FC. … Julio Cascante claimed his second assist of the season; he had two assists in three seasons before coming to ATXFC.
COLORADO RAPIDS vs. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Saturday, August 7, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #234)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo.
7 p.m. MT (Altitude; Bally Sports KC+)
REFEREE: Ted Unkel. AR1 (bench): Corey Rockwell; AR2 (opposite): Jeremy Kieso; 4th: Alyssa Nichols; VAR: Hilario Grajeda; AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
MLS Career: 116 games; FC/gm: 23.5; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 36; pens: 56
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Rapids 24 wins (3 shootout), 90 goals … Sporting 28 wins (1 shootout), 114 goals … Ties 16
AT COLORADO: Rapids 18 wins (2 shootout), 54 goals … Sporting 5 wins (1 shootout), 40 goals … Ties 11
· The Rapids won for a third time in five games, defeating Austin FC by the game’s only goal at Q2 Stadium on Saturday evening. William Yarbrough was credited with two saves in recording his seventh shutout of the season, one behind the MLS league lead (Joe Willis of Nashville SC).
· Sporting won for the fifth time in seven games, their third consecutive away victory, defeating Los Angeles Football Club 4-1 at Banc of California Stadium on Wednesday evening. Daniel Sallói scored his 10th goal of the season, now tied for second in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Daniel Sallói scored two goals and set up the third as Sporting took a 3-1 win at Children’s Mercy Park on June 23. The win extended the Sporting undefeated streak in the series to four games, dating back to the start of 2020.
· The Rapids win in the previous meeting at Children’s Mercy Park, on Sept. 21, 2019, was their first in the series overall since May 27, 2017, a span of three matches (two of those draws). The Rapids have a seven-game undefeated streak at home in the series, Sporting’s last win in Commerce City coming in 2014 in the lone meeting between the teams.
RAPIDS: Andre Shinyashiki scored the goal, his third of the season, his second in the last five games.
SPORTING: Alan Pulido made his first appearance for Sporting since June 26 and scored his seventh goal of the season, having scored in that outing (also vs. LAFC). … Graham Zusi recorded a pair of assists, now with four for the season – all coming in the last three games. It was the eighth two-assist game of his MLS career. … Khiry Shelton recorded his fifth assist of the season, his second in the last three games. … Gadi Kinda scored his fourth goal this season, his last coming May 29. … Luis Martins scored the first goal of his MLS career, in his 38th appearance over three seasons.
PORTLAND TIMBERS vs. REAL SALT LAKE
Saturday, August 7, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #235)
Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
7:30 p.m. PT (ROOT-NW / KMYU-12)
REFEREE: Rosendo Mendoza. AR1 (bench): Cameron Blanchard; AR2 (opposite): TJ Zablocki; 4th: Elijio Arreguin; VAR: Daniel Radford; AVAR: Apolinar Mariscal
MLS Career: 24 games; FC/gm: 24.3; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 4; pens: 4
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Timbers 9 wins, 37 goals … Real 8 wins, 36 goals … Ties 8
AT PORTLAND: Timbers 4 wins, 18 goals … Real 2 wins, 16 goals … Ties 6
· The Timbers snapped a two-game losing skid, reaching a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes at Providence Park on Wednesday evening. Felipe Mora scored his fifth goal of the season for the Timbers’ tally, his third goal in the last four games.
· RSL had their three-game undefeated streak put to an end, falling to the LA Galaxy by the game’s only goal at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday evening.
· The teams met twice a season ago. Douglas Martínez and Damir Kreilach netted goals in the opening 25 minutes as Real took a 2-1 win at Rio Tinto Stadium on Oct. 14; Giuseppe Rossi and Sam Johnson scored goals from the 90th minute on, pulling RSL back from a two-goal deficit and leaving the teams in a 4-4 draw Aug. 29 at Providence Park.
· The Real win in the last meeting ended a five-game Timbers undefeated streak in the series, a four-game winning streak coming to an end in the first meeting. The Timbers have come away with points on six of their last eight league visits to Rio Tinto Stadium, dating back to 2014, with five wins and a draw in that span.
· The teams also met in Round One of the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Jefferson Savarino scored the game-winner three minutes from the end, giving RSL the 2-1 win on Oct. 19 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
TIMBERS: Yimmi Chará recorded his third assist of the season, a second consecutive game with an assist; all five assists have come over the last five games. … Bill Tuiloma recorded his second assist of the season, the first coming April 24.
REAL: Jonathan Menendez made the first start of his MLS career, playing 63 minutes in a midfield role.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION vs. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Sunday, August 8, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #236)
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
6 p.m. ET (WSBK TV38 / MyRITV; PHL17)
REFEREE: Armando Villarreal. AR1 (bench): Kevin Klinger; AR2 (opposite): Matthew Nelson; 4th: Joshua Encarnacion; VAR: Jorge Gonzalez; AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
MLS Career: 156 games; FC/gm: 22.6; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 28; pens: 34
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Revolution 6 wins, 34 goals … Union 17 wins, 54 goals … Ties 7
AT NEW ENGLAND: Revolution 3 wins, 17 goals … Union 6 wins, 20 goals … Ties 4
· The Revolution stretched their undefeated run to five games, following four wins in a row, playing to a goalless draw with Nashville SC at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· The Union extended their undefeated streak to three games, following a pair of draws with a 3-0 win against Toronto FC at Subaru Park on Wednesday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Teal Bunbury gave the Revs the lead in the 85th minute, but Kacper Przybylko netted the leveler just three minutes later, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw at Subaru Park on May 12.
· The Union had won seven consecutive games in Chester in the series before the draw this year. The Union have won 10 of the past 14 league meetings between the clubs, outscoring New England 28-5 in those victories. The only Revolution win in the series since 2015 came on July 29, 2017, at Gillette Stadium, a 3-0 victory, before draws there in the last two meetings.
· The teams also met in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs last year, as Adam Buksa and Tajon Buchanan scored goals four minutes apart midway through the first half as the Revolution took a 2-0 victory at Subaru Park. The teams also met in the MLS is Back Tournament Knockout Stage, the Union claiming a 1-0 win in the round-of-16 match July 25.
REVOLUTION: Matt Turner was credited with two saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season in 13 appearances, after missing five MLS games to international duty.
UNION: Daniel Gazdag scored his first goal in MLS, also adding his third assist, all coming in the last five games. … Andre Blake was credited with one save in recording his seventh shutout of the season, one behind the MLS league lead (Joe Willis of Nashville SC). … Sergio Santos netted his fourth goal of the season, his third in the last six games. … José Martínez recorded his first assist of the season, his third in two years in MLS. … Jakob Glesnes scored his third goal of the season, his last coming June 20 vs. Atlanta. …
INTER MIAMI CF vs. NASHVILLE SC
Sunday, August 8, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #238)
DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
6 p.m. ET (MyTV33 / UniMás 69; MyTV30)
REFEREE: Nima Saghafi. AR1 (bench): Adam Garner; AR2 (opposite): Brian Poeschel; 4th: Matthew Corrigan; VAR: Sorin Stoica; AVAR: Gjovalin Bori
MLS Career: 74 games; FC/gm: 26.6; Y/gm: 3.9; R: 9; pens: 24
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Inter Miami 0 wins, 0 goals … Nashville SC 1 win, 1 goal … Ties 2
AT INTER MIAMI: Inter Miami 0 wins, 0 goals … Nashville SC 0 wins, 0 goals … Ties 1
· Inter Miami extended their undefeated run to three games with a second draw in that time, playing to a 1-1 draw with Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on Wednesday evening. Kieran Gibbs scored his first career goal in MLS for the Inter Miami tally.
· Nashville SC extended their undefeated to nine games, playing to a scoreless draw with the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. They reached a goalless draw at Nissan Stadium on May 2.
· The expansion class of 2020 met in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs, the first time since 1998 two expansion teams reached the same postseason, and Nashville SC took a 3-0 win Nov. 20 at Nissan Stadium behind goals from Randall Leal, Hany Mukhtar and Dax McCarty.
· The teams met twice during the regular season, a home-and-home series over a week, their first-ever meetings in league play. Anibal Godoy scored the game’s only goal as Nashville SC took the victory Aug. 30 at Nissan Stadium; the teams then reached a goalless draw Sept. 6 in Fort Lauderdale.
IMCF: Rodolfo Pizarro recorded his second assist of the season, his first coming on the first goal of the season scored by Inter Miami on April 18 vs. LA Galaxy. … Victor Ulloa collected his first assist of the season, his first in MLS since last Oct. 3.
NASHVILLE SC: Joe Willis was credited with six saves in recording his eighth shutout of the season, leading the league by one ahead of William Yarbrough (COL) and Andre Blake (PHI).
CHICAGO FIRE FC vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Sunday, August 8, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #237)
Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill.
5 p.m. CT (WGN-TV; MSG)
REFEREE: Guido Gonzales Jr. AR1 (bench): Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho; AR2 (opposite): Claudiu Badea; 4th: Ismir Pekmic; VAR: Alex Chilowicz; AVAR: Joshua Patlak
MLS Career: 26 games; FC/gm: 26.5; Y/gm: 4.4; R: 8; pens: 7
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Fire 28 wins, 96 goals … Red Bulls 20 wins, 81 goals … Ties 13
AT FIRE: Fire 16 wins, 52 goals … Red Bulls 5 wins, 31 goals … Ties 10
· The Fire gained a second successive draw, playing to a goalless result with New York City FC at Soldier Field on Wednesday evening. Gabriel Slonina, aged 17 years, 81 days, became the youngest goalkeeper to start a game in MLS history, and the youngest to record a shutout.
· The Red Bulls put an end to a two-game losing slide, reaching a scoreless draw with FC Cincinnati at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Cristian Casseres Jr. and Caden Clark scored on either side of halftime, leading the Red Bulls to a 2-0 win at Red Bull Arena on May 1.
· The teams met once a season ago, the last matchup at Soldier Field. Kyle Duncan scored for the Red Bulls, then Fire FC took the lead through goals from Robert Beric and Przemyslaw Frankowski, but Brian White hit for the leveler in stoppage time to leave the teams in a 2-2 draw Oct. 24.
· The Red Bulls have won five of the last six meetings in Harrison, the Fire win in that span coming April 21, 2018 in a 2-1 win, their first victory overall vs. the Red Bulls since Aug. 26, 2015. The Fire win in the final meeting in Bridgeview, a 1-0 win March 30, 2019, was their first in the series at home since 2015.
FIRE: Stanislav Ivanov made his first career start in MLS, playing 64 minutes in a forward role.
RED BULLS: Carlos Coronel was credited with five saves in recording his fifth shutout of the season.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB
Sunday, August 8, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #239)
PayPal Park, San Jose, Calif.
4 p.m. PT (NBCS-BA; My13/KCOP / Estrella TV)
REFEREE: Rubiel Vazquez. AR1 (bench): Logan Brown; AR2 (opposite): Jeffrey Greeson; 4th: Elijio Arreguin; VAR: Kevin Stott; AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
MLS Career: 48 games; FC/gm: 22.4; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 8; pens: 9
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Earthquakes 2 wins, 9 goals … LAFC 5 wins, 23 goals … Ties 0
AT SAN JOSE: Earthquakes 1 win, 6 goals … LAFC 2 wins, 11 goals … Ties 0
· The Quakes extended their undefeated run to six games with a fifth draw in that span, reaching a 1-1 result with the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Wednesday evening. Eduardo López scored his fourth goal of the season.
· LAFC saw a run of back-to-back draws put to an end, falling 4-1 to Sporting Kansas City at Banc of California Stadium on Wednesday evening. Danny Musovski scored his first goal of the season.
· The teams met three times a season ago, and the Quakes won the final two. Shea Salinas and Jackson Yueill scored goals in the final 10-plus minutes as the Quakes came back for a 2-1 win Sept. 27 at Banc of California Stadium, then on Nov. 4 in San Jose, Chris Wondolowski and Cristian Espinoza scored in a 3-1 Quakes win. Earlier, Diego Rossi netted a pair of goals as LAFC rolled to a 5-1 on Sept. 2 at Banc of California Stadium.
· The Quakes win in the last two meetings have been their first in the all-time series, in seven meetings. LAFC had won the first five meetings between the clubs.
· LAFC scored four goals or more in three consecutive matches with the Quakes, through the first meeting last year, the second team in MLS history to achieve that (also, LA Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union, 2013-15). LAFC cruised to a 5-0 win on March 30, 2019 in San Jose behind a Carlos Vela hat trick; Vela then netted two more goals as LAFC won 4-0 on Aug. 21, 2019 at Banc of California Stadium.
QUAKES: The Quakes’ six-game undefeated streak is the club’s longest since May 18-June 29, 2019.
LAFC: Diego Palacios recorded his second assist of the season, both coming in the last three games.
D.C. UNITED vs. CF MONTRÉAL
Sunday, August 8, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #240)
Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
8 p.m. ET (TVA Sports / TSN; NBCS-Wash / TeleXitos)
REFEREE: Marcos de Oliveira. AR1 (bench): Jose da Silva; AR2 (opposite): Gianni Facchini; 4th: JC Griggs; VAR: Jon Freemon; AVAR: Jozef Batko
MLS Career: 52 games; FC/gm: 25.1; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 4; pens: 16
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: D.C. United 7 wins, 29 goals … CFMTL 7 wins, 23 goals … Ties 8
AT D.C.: D.C. United 4 wins, 17 goals … CFMTL 2 wins, 8 goals … Ties 4
· D.C. United extended their undefeated streak to four games with a second win in that time, defeating the Columbus Crew 4-2 at Lower.com Field on Wednesday evening. Ola Kamara and Yordy Reyna each came away with a brace from the game, Kamara now with nine goals, in fifth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings, and Reyna his first two of the season.
· CF Montréal snapped a three-game losing skid, reaching a 2-2 draw with Atlanta United at Stade Saputo on Wednesday evening. Mason Toye scored his seventh goal of the season – sitting in a tie for 10th place in the MLS Golden Boot standings – and Rudy Camacho scored his first of the year, his third in his four MLS seasons.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. They reached a goalless draw June 23 at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
· The teams met twice a season ago, and Montréal won both. Victor Wanyama and Romell Quioto scored in the game’s final 17 minutes as Montréal came back for a dramatic 3-2 win on Decision Day (Nov. 8) at Audi Field to claim a playoff spot. On July 21, Saphir Taïder scored the game’s only goal in the 31st minute to give the Impact the win during the group stage of the MLS is Back Tournament.
· The goal in the MLS is Back meeting was the first for Montréal in the series in 385 minutes, since Sept. 29, 2018. The last two Montréal wins come after a four-game United undefeated streak in the series.
D.C. UNITED: Andy Najar collected his third assist of the season, all coming in the last six games. … Drew Skundrich recorded his first career assist in MLS, making his seventh appearance.
CFMTL: Djordje Mihailovic recorded his fifth assist of the season; he has a goal and an assist over the last three games. … Joaquin Torres collected his third assist of the season; he has a goal or an assist in three consecutive games, with a goal and two assist in that span. … Kamal Miller gained the first assist of his MLS career, in his 38th appearance over three seasons.
LA GALAXY vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Sunday, August 8, 2021 (Week 18, MLS Game #241)
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif.
5 p.m. PT (TSN 1/3; SpecSN)
REFEREE: Baldomero Toledo. AR1 (bench): Chris Elliott; AR2 (opposite): Eduardo Mariscal; 4th: Greg Dopka; VAR: Daniel Radford; AVAR: Felisha Mariscal
MLS Career: 294 games; FC/gm: 25.3; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 105; pens: 113
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Galaxy 13 wins, 39 goals … Whitecaps FC 9 wins, 27 goals … Ties 5
AT CARSON: Galaxy 9 wins, 22 goals … Whitecaps FC 4 wins, 8 goals … Ties 1
· The Galaxy won for a second consecutive game, defeating Real Salt Lake by the game’s only goal at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday evening. Efraín Álvarez scored the lone tally, his second of the season; Sacha Kljestan recorded his fourth assist of the season, now with 96 assists for his MLS league career, eighth-most all-time.
· Whitecaps FC reached a third consecutive draw in dramatic fashion, getting a penalty kick equalizer deep in stoppage time for a 2-2 result with Minnesota United FC at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening. Cristian Dajóme converted the spot kick for his second goal of the game, his eighth goal of the season, tied for fifth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Rayan Raveloson gave the Galaxy the lead after five minutes, but Deiber Caicedo and Cristian Dajóme netted goals in the second half, giving Whitecaps FC the 2-1 win at Rio Tinto Stadium on July 17; on June 23 in Sandy, Efraín Álvarez scored the game-winner in second-half stoppage time, giving the Galaxy the 2-1 victory.
· Whitecaps FC have won three of the last five meetings in Carson. The Galaxy’s lone win at BC Place over the last seven seasons came April 5, 2019, a 2-0 win. The ‘Caps have won twice with three draws over that span.
· There has been a shutout in 15 of the past 20 meetings between the teams, dating back to 2013, including three scoreless draws.
GALAXY: Jonathan Bond was credited with four saves in recording his third shutout of the season, his first since May 29.
WHITECAPS FC: Russell Teibert collected his first assist of the season, his first in an MLS game since Decision Day (Nov. 8) of last year.
