Below is a selection of the notable performances and moments from the 14 matches played on the sixth matchday of the 2023 MLS season, Saturday, April 1.
Fastest to Four: Vancouver’s Simon Becher Makes MLS History
With just one goal in each of the first five games to start the season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC turned to 23-year-old Simon Becher to spark the attack. A standout in MLS NEXT Pro in 2022, Becher returned the favor by scoring two goals and adding an assist in the Whitecaps’ 5-0 win over CF Montréal on Saturday night.
Becher also made MLS history with his performance, becoming the fastest player in league annals to reach four MLS goals, doing so in just his first 87 minutes of game action. The previous record was held by Columbus’ Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernández, who accomplished the feat in his first 89 MLS minutes in 2022. Becher also joined Octavio Rivero (2015) as the only players in Whitecaps history to score in each of their first three matches.
Brian Schmetzer Earns Win No. 100
Seattle Sounders FC head coach Brian Schmetzer earned his 100th regular season victory after Saturday evening’s 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy, becoming the third-fastest (212 games) head coach in MLS history to reach the milestone. Schmetzer is the 14th head coach to accomplish the feat and only behind Bruce Arena (189) and Bob Bradley (199) for fastest head coach to win 100 regular season games in MLS history.
The win at the Galaxy was his eighth overall since taking over as head coach of the Sounders in 2016. Seattle is unbeaten in their last 10 matches against the Galaxy (W6, D4), becoming the first team to do so against LA. Schmetzer’s Seattle side improved to 4-1-1 on the season with the win and will look to earn a third consecutive victory when they host Supporters’ Shield-leading expansion side St. Louis CITY SC on Matchday 7.
Goals Galore for Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew followed up last week’s impressive 6-1 win over Atlanta United with a 4-0 drubbing of Real Salt Lake in front of their home fans at Lower.com Field. In head coach Wilfried Nancy’s first season in charge, the Crew made club history on Saturday night, scoring 10 goals in a two-game span for the first time. Additionally, Columbus produced a club-record 12 goals in their first three home matches of 2023.
Columbus’ win was led by 21-year-old midfielder Aidan Morris, who scored two of the four goals, including the opening strike in the 14th minute. Morris has three goals in his last two games and is the third youngest player in Crew history to accomplish this feat. Overall, Columbus’ 15 goals this season are tied for the most in MLS, alongside St. Louis CITY SC.
Chris Brady Shuts Down D.C.
One of the best young goalkeepers in MLS, Chicago Fire FC’s Chris Brady made three crucial saves against D.C. United to preserve a scoreless draw on Saturday evening. The clean sheet was the first of Brady’s MLS career, and at 19 years and 29 days old, he is the second youngest ‘keeper to record a shutout in MLS play. The only goalkeeper younger than Brady to produce a shutout? None other than former Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina (17 years, 81 days) on August 4, 2021 against New York City FC.
Jordan Morris On Fire and Leading Golden Boot presented by Audi Race
No player in MLS is scoring like Seattle’s Jordan Morris at the moment, who now has five goals in his last two matches, after hitting the back of the net against the LA Galaxy on Saturday. Overall, his eight goals through the first six matches of a season are tied for the second most in MLS history, behind only Edson Buddle (nine) in 2010. The U.S. Men’s National Team forward continues to set records as he scored his 50th career regular season goal, becoming just the third homegrown player (Gyasi Zardes and Diego Fagúndez) in league annals to hit this milestone.
