Red Bulls Keep Streaking
Currently sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, the New York Red Bulls (44 points, 10-6-14) are once against on the verge of clinching an Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs berth as they enter Saturday’s Hudson River Derby matchup against New York City FC (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). Matchday 35 playoff clinching scenarios can be found HERE.
The Red Bulls active streak of 14 consecutive playoff berths is not only the longest in MLS history, but is the longest active streak in North American men’s professional sports. Only the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (12 consecutive seasons) and the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (10 consecutive seasons) have active streaks of at least 10 consecutive postseason berths in North American professional sports leagues.
The Red Bulls current run is among the most impressive streaks throughout MLB, MLS, the NBA, the NHL, the NFL, the NWSL, and the WNBA over the last two decades. Only three teams in the aforementioned leagues have recorded a playoff streak of at least 15 years since 2000: the San Antonio Spurs (NBA, 20 seasons, 1999-2000 to 2018-19), the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL, 16 seasons, 2006-07 to 2021-22), and the Detroit Red Wings* (NHL, 16 seasons, 2000-01 to 2015-16). With a victory on Saturday, the Red Bulls would join this exclusive club, which features five NBA championships and five Stanley Cups during their respective runs.
*The Detroit Red Wings advanced to the postseason in 25 consecutive seasons from 1990-91 to 2015-16.
The longest streak of playoff appearances in major North American professional sports (MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, NWSL, WNBA) since 2000:
Evander’s Contribution Streak Emerging as Historic
Portland Timbers midfielder Evander is in the midst of one of the greatest offensive seasons in MLS history, as he leads MLS with 33 goal contributions (15 goals, 18 assists), is tied for the league-lead in assists (18), and became one of only six players in MLS history to record at least 15 goals and 15 assists in a single season. The Brazilian midfielder has been on a scorching streak of goal contributions, recording at least one goal of assist in 11 consecutive matches. Over that span, he has notched eight goals and 10 assists.
With a goal contribution against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Evander would tie Sebastian Giovinco (12 games in 2018) for the second-longest goal contribution streak in MLS history. Josef Martínez holds the record with 15 consecutive matches with a goal or assist in 2019.
The longest goal contribution streaks by a player in MLS history:
Prolific Contributions Starring Throughout MLS
The ‘double-double’ became a common barometer for success in the NBA during the last decade, and players throughout Major League Soccer are now reaching season-long double-doubles at a historic rate. Eleven players have recorded at least 10 goals and 10 assists in 2024, tying the most in a single season in league history, with even more on the brink of reaching the 10-10 mark.
The eleven players to have reached the mark this season include a trio from the LA Galaxy (Joseph Paintsil, Gabriel Pec, and Riqui Puig), two former Golden Boot presented by Audi winners (Denis Bouanga, Diego Rossi), a World Cup champion (Lionel Messi), a former Landon Donovan MLS MVP (Luciano Acosta), and emerging stars Chicho Arango, Evander, Cucho Hernández, and Djordje Mihailovic. Others who are knocking on the door include Vancouver’s Ryan Gauld (nine goals, 15 assists), Seattle’s Albert Rusnák (eight goals, 13 assists), and New York City FC’s Santiago Rodríguez (nine goals, nine assists).
As the next player reaches the 10-goal and 10-assist mark, the 2024 season would eclipse the 2018 season for the most players with 10 goals and 10 assists in a single season. No other season has featured more than nine such players.
The seasons with the most players with 10 goals and 10 assists in MLS history:
Crew Continue Historic Run
Coming off of a dramatic 4-3 win on Matchday 34, the Columbus Crew (56 points, 16-5-8) cemented their place in the top four of the Eastern Conference, securing home-field advantage throughout the Round One Best-of-3 series of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Crew are amid one of the best runs in club history, punctuated by an MLS Cup presented by Audi title in 2023, a Leagues Cup 2024 victory, and a berth in the Concacaf Champions Cup final, and are on the verge of yet another club milestone this weekend.
With a win against D.C. United on Saturday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), the Crew would eclipse the record for the most points in a single season in club history, surpassing the previous high of 57 points set in both 2008 and 2023. Columbus captured the MLS Cup title in both of the aforementioned seasons. The club would also match their single-season record for wins with 17, matching the mark set in 2008.
The most points in a single season in Columbus Crew history:
Loons Single-Season Assist Records Looms for Lod
One of the most prolific players in the brief history of Minnesota United FC, midfielder Robin Lod has etched his name atop the club’s career goals leaderboard (28) and ranks second in team history in assists (28). The Finnish standout is in the middle of his career-best season with Minnesota United, totaling 20 goal contributions (six goals, 14 assists) while helping the club push for a berth in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
With an assist against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Lod would match Darwin Quintero (15 in 2018) for the most single-season assists in club history. Lod is also climbing the club’s single-season goal contributions rankings, sitting just one shy of a tie for second with Emanuel Reynoso (21 in 2022). Quintero (26 in 2018) holds the club’s record for most goal contributions in a single season.
The most assists in a single season in Minnesota United FC history:
