MLS MEDIA RESOURCES: WEEK 16 NEWS & NOTES
News and notes and statistical trends from around Major League Soccer
RICARDO PEPI’S HISTORIC HAT TRICK SEES HIM MOVING INTO MLS LEADERSHIP
FC Dallas forward Ricardo Pepi made some history vs. the LA Galaxy at Toyota Stadium – and in the process has put himself firmly in the reckoning for even further honors.
Pepi scored a hat trick vs. the Galaxy last Saturday evening – at age 18 years, 196 days, the youngest player ever to score a hat trick in MLS history.
The FCD Homegrown Player – the fourth-youngest player to appear in the club’s history – became just the second player born in 2000 or later to net an MLS hat trick, joining Toronto FC’s Ayo Akinola, who did it last July during the MLS is Back Tournament. Pepi became the fourth player in MLS history to score a hat trick before his 21st birthday; in all, four hat tricks in MLS history have been scored by players who had yet to reach 21 years of age.
A native of El Paso, Texas, Pepi also took over the lead for goals scored among U.S.-born players, now with eight goals for the season, which also puts him in fifth place in the race for the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi.
Now solidly placed in the chase for the league goalscoring championship, Pepi has scored eight goals in 782 minutes this season – ranking third for goals scored per 90 minutes played, with 0.92 goals per full match.
D.C. UNITED GOALKEEPER BILL HAMID ON STEADY MARCH UP SHUTOUT LEADERS
Goalkeeper Bill Hamid of D.C. United continued his march up the all-time rankings for shutouts in MLS history – a charge that will continue with each of his next few shutouts recorded.
The all-time appearance leader for Homegrown Players in MLS history, Hamid posted career shutout No. 74 in D.C. United’s 1-0 blanking of the New York Red Bulls at Audi Field last Sunday evening. That ties Hamid for eighth-most in MLS history, with Luis Robles.
But with each of his next three clean sheets, Hamid will continue to move up in order. Matt Reis currently ranks seventh in league annals with 75 shutouts, and Zach Thornton is just ahead in sixth, with 76.
MLS WEEK 16 – LOOK AHEAD
LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #202)
Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif.
7:30 p.m. PT (Bally Sports SoCal / Estrella TV; Bally Sports North)
REFEREE: Baldomero Toledo. AR1 (bench): Cameron Blanchard; AR2 (opposite): Eric Weisbrod; 4th: Ramy Touchan; VAR: Joseph Dickerson; AVAR: Fabio Tovar
MLS Career: 292 games; FC/gm: 25.3; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 105; pens: 113
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: LAFC 1 win, 4 goals … MNUFC 2 win, 8 goals … Ties 1
AT BANC OF CALIFORNIA STADIUM: LAFC 1 win, 2 goals … MNUFC 1 win, 2 goals … Ties 0
· LAFC extended their home undefeated run to four games, reaching a 2-2 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday evening. Carlos Vela scored for a second consecutive game, now with four goals for the season, and José Cifuentes added his fifth of the season, his third in the last five games.
· MNUFC returned home and won a second game on the trot, defeating the Portland Timbers 2-1 on Saturday evening at Allianz Field. Robin Lod scored for a second consecutive match, now with four goals this season for the game-winner, after Chase Gasper netted the second goal of his MLS career.
· The teams last met during the 2019 season. Mason Toye netted goals four minutes apart midway through the first half, leading Minnesota United to a 2-0 win on Sept. 1 at Banc of California Stadium. The teams then reached a 1-1 draw Sept. 29 at Allianz Field.
· The teams split their first two meetings in LAFC’s inaugural season. LAFC won 2-0 on May 9 at Banc of California Stadium, then Minnesota United FC returned the favor with a 5-1 victory on July 22 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
LAFC: Eduard Atuesta collected his third assist of the season. … Francisco Ginella recorded his first assist of the season, the fifth of his MLS career. … Diego Palacios gained his second career assist in MLS, his first coming last Nov. 4.
MNUFC: Emanuel Reynoso recorded his fourth assist of the season, his second in as many games and his third in the last five games. … Hassani Dotson gained his second assist of the season, both coming in the last six matches.
NEW YORK CITY FC vs. COLUMBUS CREW
Friday, July 30, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #203)
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.
7:30 p.m. ET (YES; Bally Sports OH)
REFEREE: Alan Kelly. AR1 (bench): Matthew Nelson; AR2 (opposite): Gjovalin Bori; 4th: Elton Garcia; VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero; AVAR: Thomas Supple
MLS Career: 140 games; FC/gm: 24.2; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 18; pens: 51
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: NYCFC 5 wins, 27 goals … Crew 7 wins, 27 goals … Ties 4
AT NYCFC: NYCFC 4 wins, 11 goals … Crew 1 win, 5 goals … Ties 1
· NYCFC equaled their club record for the heaviest victory and most goals scored in a game, defeating Orlando City SC 5-0 at Yankee Stadium on Sunday evening. NYCFC got goals from five different scorers, with Jesús Medina netting his seventh of the season, and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi his sixth.
· The Crew extended their undefeated streak to six matches with a second win in that time, defeating Atlanta United by the game’s only goal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Jonathan Mensah scored his first goal in an MLS league game since July 28, 2018 for the lone tally.
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and the Crew have won both through free kick magic from Lucas Zelarayán. In a 2-1 win May 22 at Red Bull Arena, he scored both Crew goals directly from free kicks, over the final 13 minutes of the game, becoming the sixth player in MLS history to score two goals directly from free kicks in the same game. Then on July 17 at Lower.com Field, Zelarayán scored the game-winner from a direct free kick in the 62nd minute, giving the Crew the 2-1 win. Zelarayán became the first player to score three direct free kick goals vs. the same opponent in one season in MLS history (since records available from 2003).
· The win in the first meeting ended a four-game NYCFC home winning streak in the series; the first Zelarayán free kick goal ended a 404-minute shutout streak for the Crew at NYCFC, dating back to Oct. 22, 2017 in a game played at CitiField in Queens. NYCFC have won once all-time in Columbus, a 3-2 win there in 2017.
NYCFC: Valentin Castellanos scored his fifth goal of the season and added his fourth assist, the sixth time in his MLS career with a goal and an assist in the same game. … Maximiliano Moralez netted his first goal of the season, his first since last Oct. 24, when he scored his lone goal of 2020; he also added his fourth assist of the season, the 11th time in his five MLS seasons he’s had at least one goal and one assist in the same game. … Malte Amundsen scored a goal and added an assist – both the first of his MLS career. … Luis Barraza was credited with three saves in recording his second consecutive shutout, in his fourth MLS start.
CREW: Lucas Zelarayán recorded his second assist of the season, both coming in the last four games. … Marlon Hairston recorded his first assist of the season; it was his first in an MLS game since Oct. 28, 2018, while with the Colorado Rapids.
ORLANDO CITY SC vs. ATLANTA UNITED
Friday, July 30, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #204)
Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
8 p.m. ET (ESPN / ESPN Deportes; TSN5)
REFEREE: Rubiel Vazquez. AR1 (bench): Brian Poeschel; AR2 (opposite): Kevin Klinger; 4th: Ismir Pekmic; VAR: Daniel Radford; AVAR: Jozef Batko
MLS Career: 47 games; FC/gm: 22.4; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 8; pens: 9
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Orlando City 2 wins, 14 goals … ATLUTD 6 wins, 18 goals … Ties 4
AT ORLANDO: Orlando City 1 win, 7 goals … ATLUTD 4 wins, 8 goals … Ties 1
· Orlando City SC had their quick two-game undefeated run put to an end, falling 5-0 to New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Sunday evening.
· Atlanta United went down to defeat by the game’s only goal, to Columbus Crew at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. The teams reached a goalless draw April 17 at Exploria Stadium.
· The teams met four times a season ago, and Orlando City came away with points from all four. Orlando City SC won for the first time in 10 meetings in all competitions between the clubs with a 3-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 29, then claimed a 4-1 win Oct. 28 at Exploria Stadium. In between, the teams played to a pair of draws, a 1-1 draw Sept. 5 at Exploria Stadium, and a goalless result Oct. 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
· In the first eight league meetings between the teams over three seasons, Atlanta United had not lost to their neighbor to the south, with six wins and two draws. The OCSC win in the first meeting last year snapped a five-game ATLUTD winning streak in the series.
OCSC: Orlando City SC had their streak of scoring at least one goal snapped after 13 games, shut out at the attacking end for the first time since the season opener (April 17, 0-0 vs. Atlanta United).
ATLUTD: Josef Martínez made a start in a league match for the first time since May 29.
LA GALAXY vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Friday, July 30, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #205)
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif.
7 p.m. PT (ESPN / ESPN Deportes; TSN5)
REFEREE: Robert Sibiga. AR1 (bench): Ian Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Eduardo Mariscal; 4th: Baldomero Toledo; VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.; AVAR: Fabio Tovar
MLS Career: 130 games; FC/gm: 21.7; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 24; pens: 35
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Galaxy 10 wins, 46 goals … Timbers 10 wins, 49 goals … Ties 6
AT GALAXY: Galaxy 7 wins, 27 goals … Timbers 3 wins, 19 goals … Ties 3
· The Galaxy fell to a 4-0 loss at FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening.
· The Timbers had their two-game winning streak put to an end, dropping a 2-1 decision to Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field on Saturday evening. Felipe Mora scored the Portland goal, his fourth of the season and a second consecutive game with a goal.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Felipe Mora netted a pair of goals and Diego Valeri converted a late penalty kick, giving the Timbers the 3-0 victory May 22 at Providence Park.
· The teams met four times a season ago, and the Timbers won three – the final two in goalfests. In the last meeting, Jaroslaw Niezgoda (two), Diego Valeri, Eryk Williamson and Andy Polo all scored as the Timbers took a 5-2 win at Providence Park on Oct. 28; three weeks earlier, Felipe Mora and Jeremy Ebobisse each scored twice as the Timbers set an club record in MLS play for goals in a game in a 6-3 win at Dignity Health Sports Park on Oct. 7. In the first meeting, the Timbers took a 2-1 win July 13 in the first match for both clubs in the MLS is Back Tournament, then the Galaxy claimed a 3-2 win at Providence Park on Sept. 2.
· Each team won at the other’s ground last season, the first away wins in the all-time series since 2017. The Timbers had a three-game undefeated streak in Portland before last year; the Galaxy were undefeated in their last two in the series in Carson.
GALAXY: Danilo Acosta made his Galaxy debut, coming off the substitutes’ bench for the final 36 minutes. It was his first appearance in an MLS league match since July 18, 2019, for Orlando City SC.
TIMBERS: Dairon Asprilla collected his first assist of the season, his first in a league game since Oct, 6, 2019.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Saturday, July 31, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #206)
Lumen Field, Seattle, Wash.
2 p.m. PT (JoeTV / Amazon Prime; NBCS-BA+)
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sounders FC 14 wins, 45 goals … Earthquakes 10 wins, 31 goals … Ties 8
AT SEATTLE: Sounders FC 10 wins, 35 goals … Earthquakes 5 wins, 17 goals … Ties 2
REFEREE: Kevin Stott. AR1 (bench): Chris Elliott; AR2 (opposite): TJ Zablocki; 4th: Matthew Franz; VAR: Carol Anne Chenard; AVAR: Joshua Patlak
MLS Career: 371 games; FC/gm: 24.4; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 86; pens: 98
· Sounders FC saw their home undefeated streak snapped after a club-record 15 games, falling 3-1 to Sporting Kansas City at Lumen Field on Sunday evening.
· The Quakes reached a fourth consecutive draw, playing to a 1-1 result with the Houston Dynamo at PayPal Park on Saturday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Cristian Roldan scored the game’s only goal in the 18th minute, giving the Sounders the win May 12 at PayPal Park.
· Sounders FC have a 14-game undefeated streak alive in the overall series. A 2-2 draw in the first meeting in 2019 ended a three-game Sounders FC winning streak at in Seattle. Sounders FC have come away with points on each of their last seven visits to San Jose (five draws and two victories). Sounders FC won both home games a year ago, a 7-1 win Sept. 10, scoring five goals in the opening 33 minutes, and a 4-1 win on Decision Day (Nov. 8).
SOUNDERS FC: Fredy Montero scored his third goal of the season for the Sounders, the 50th of his Sounders FC league career, the club’s recordholder in its MLS history.
QUAKES: The Quakes’ undefeated streak is their first of longer than four games since June 2019.
NEW YORK RED BULLS vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Saturday, July 31, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #207)
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
6 p.m. ET (MSG; WSBK TV38 / MyRITV)
REFEREE: Ramy Touchan. AR1 (bench): Jeffrey Swartzel; AR2 (opposite): Ian McKay; 4th: Tori Penso; VAR: Alan Kelly; AVAR: Craig Lowry
MLS Career: 46 games; FC/gm: 25.8; Y/gm: 4.3; R: 7; pens: 5
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Red Bulls 28 wins (2 shootout), 126 goals … Revolution 33 wins (3 shootout), 126 goals … Ties 17
AT RED BULLS: Red Bulls 22 wins (0 shootout), 79 goals … Revolution 8 wins (2 shootout), 50 goals … Ties 9
· The Red Bulls had their four-game undefeated run put to an end, falling by the game’s only goal to D.C. United at Audi Field on Sunday evening.
· The Revolution won a third consecutive match, defeating CF Montréal 2-1 at Gillette Stadium on Sunday evening. Gustavo Bou scored both Revolution goals, now with nine goals for the season, tied for third place in the MLS Golden Boot standings, his first career multiple-goal game in MLS; he has three goals and an assist in the last three games.
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and the Revolution have won both. Gustavo Bou had a goal and an assist and Arnor Traustason collected two assists as the Revolution took a 3-1 win May 22 at Gillette Stadium, then Carles Gil set up all three goals in New England’s 3-2 win June 23 in Foxborough, giving him 10 assists in 10 games this season, equaling the most in league history.
· The visiting team has won just twice in the series over the past 14 seasons in league play. The Red Bulls won 3-2 on July 5, 2017 in Foxborough, their second win there in four seasons. When the Red Bulls won 2-0 at Gillette Stadium on June 8, 2014, it was the first for New York in New England since 2002. The Revolution had won 13 of 19 meetings in league and MLS Cup play since that previous New York win.
· The Revolution have never defeated the Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena in league play. Since the stadium opened in 2010, the Red Bulls have won 10 of 12 regular-season games there, with two draws. When the Revolution won 2-1 in Harrison in the first leg of the 2014 Eastern Conference Championship, it was their first win of any sort in New Jersey since 2007, ending a 10-game winless streak there in all competitions. The Revolution did defeat the Montréal Impact last year in Harrison in a Montréal home game.
RED BULLS: Caden Clark started and played 71 minutes in a midfield role, his first league start since June 18.
REVOLUTION: Carles Gil recorded an assist, his league-leading 13th of the season, his third over the last two games. … Arnor Traustason collected his third assist in MLS; he has two goals and an assist over the last two games. … Brandon Bye gained his second assist of the season, his first coming May 16.
FC CINCINNATI vs. D.C. UNITED
Saturday, July 31, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #208)
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
7:30 p.m. ET (WSTR – Star 64; NBCS-Wash / TeleXitos)
REFEREE: Rosendo Mendoza. AR1 (bench): Eric Boria; AR2 (opposite): Jeremy Kieso; 4th: Greg Dopka; VAR: Joseph Dickerson; AVAR: Jeff Muschik
MLS Career: 23 games; FC/gm: 24.1; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 2; pens: 4
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FCC 0 wins, 2 goals … United 2 wins, 6 goals … Ties 2
AT CINCINNATI: FCC 0 wins, 2 goals … United 2 wins, 6 goals … Ties 1
· FC Cincinnati went down to a 3-0 loss to Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium on Saturday evening.
· D.C. United defeated the New York Red Bulls by the game’s lone goal at Audi Field on Sunday evening. Ola Kamara scored his seventh goal of the season, in a tie for sixth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings, his third goal in the last four games.
· Bill Hamid was credited with one save in recording his fourth shutout of the season, his first since keeping a clean sheet in each of his first three starts of the season May 29-June 23. Hamid now has 74 shutouts for his MLS career, tied for eighth-most in league history.
· The teams met twice a season ago. Donovan Pines scored in the first and Chris Odoi-Atsem in the second as D.C. United took a 2-1 win Oct. 18 at Nippert Stadium. They also reached a goalless draw, Aug. 21 in Cincinnati.
· The teams met twice in FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season. Lucas Rodríguez scored a pair of goals and added an assist, as D.C. United rolled to a 4-1 win July 18 at Nippert Stadium; the teams played to a goalless draw on Decision Day (Oct. 6) at Audi Field.
FCC: Quimi Ordoñez made his professional debut, coming on as a substitute for the final 16 minutes, aged 17 years, 353 days. … Kamohelo Mokotjo made his first appearance since May 1, coming on as a substitute.
UNITED: Julian Gressel recorded his third assist of the season, his second in the last four games.
INTER MIAMI CF vs. CF MONTRÉAL
Saturday, July 31, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #209)
DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
8 p.m. ET (TVA Sports / TSN1; CBS4 (WFOR) / UniMás 69)
REFEREE: Victor Rivas. AR1 (bench): C.J. Morgante; AR2 (opposite): Tyler Wyrostek; 4th: Brandon Stevis; VAR: Daniel Radford; AVAR: Jozef Batko
MLS Career: 28 games; FC/gm: 23.1; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 4; pens: 10
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Inter Miami 0 wins, 1 goal … CFMTL 3 wins, 5 goals … Ties 0
MONTRÉAL HOME GAME: Inter Miami 0 wins, 0 goals … CFMTL 1 win, 2 goals … Ties 0
· Inter Miami put an end to a long losing slide, reaching a 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday evening. Robbie Robinson scored his second goal of the season, his first coming in the season opener.
· CF Montréal fell to a second consecutive defeat, dropping a 2-1 decision to the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Sunday evening. Djordje Mihailovic scored his third goal of the season for the CFMTL tally.
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and CF Montréal have won both. On May 12, Bjorn Johnsen netted a brace in the opening 25 minutes, leading CF Montréal to a 2-0 win at DRV PNK Stadium, in an Inter Miami home game, then on July 3, Mathieu Choinière scored the game’s only goal in the 41st minute in a CFMTL home game in Fort Lauderdale.
· The teams met once in Inter Miami’s inaugural season a year ago. Montréal got goals from Bojan Krkic and Maximiliano Urruti for a 2-1 win, Oct. 17 at Red Bull Arena.
IMCF: Gonzalo Higuaín recorded his second assist of the season, his first coming on the first goal of the season for Inter Miami in the April 18 season opener, also scored by Robbie Robinson.
CFMTL: Joaquin Torres collected his second assist of the season, both coming in the last three games.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs. FC DALLAS
Saturday, July 31, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #210)
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kan.
7:30 p.m. CT (Bally Sports KC+; FCDTV / Estrella KMPX-29)
REFEREE: Alex Chilowicz. AR1 (bench): Cory Richardson; AR2 (opposite): Ryan Graves; 4th: Matthew Corrigan; VAR: Malik Badawi; AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
MLS Career: 51 games; FC/gm: 23.7; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 6; pens: 15
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sporting 25 wins (2 shootout), 94 goals … FC Dallas 27 wins (1 shootout), 105 goals … Ties 13
AT KC: Sporting 15 wins (0 shootout), 60 goals … FC Dallas 11 wins (1 shootout), 44 goals … Ties 8
· Sporting extended their undefeated streak to five matches with a fourth victory in that time, defeating Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field on Sunday evening.
· Daniel Sallói scored his ninth goal of the season, sitting in a tie for third place in the MLS Golden Boot standings, a second consecutive game with a goal and his fifth over the last five matches.
· FC Dallas put an end to a losing slide in impressive fashion, rolling to a 4-0 win vs. LA Galaxy at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening.
· Ricardo Pepi scored a hat trick, becoming the youngest player to score three goals in a game in MLS history at age 18 years, 196 days. Pepi now has eight goals for the season, sitting in fifth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
· The teams met three times a season ago, and FC Dallas won the final two. Franco Jara netted goals on either side of halftime, pacing FC Dallas to a 3-2 win Sept. 19 at Children’s Mercy Park, then Ryan Hollingshead scored the game’s only goal in an Oct. 14 meeting at Toyota Stadium. The teams also reached a 1-1 draw Sept. 2 in Kansas City.
· FCD has come away with points from the last four meetings in Kansas City, winning three, the club’s first wins there since 2011. SKC had won five of the seven meetings in between, with two draws.
· FC Dallas have won the last two meetings at Toyota Stadium. Sporting last won in Frisco on Oct. 21, 2018, a 3-0 win, their first in Frisco since 2011; FC Dallas had a five-game home undefeated streak in the series put to an end.
SPORTING: Johnny Russell scored his second goal of the season, both coming the last three games, scored directly from a free kick, his third direct free kick over the last three seasons. Russell also added an assist, his fourth of the season. … Homegrown Player Cam Duke scored the first goal of his MLS career. … Khiry Shelton collected his fourth assist of the season; he has a goal and an assist in the last three games. … Graham Zusi recorded his first assist of 2021.
FCD: Jader Obrian scored his third goal in MLS, his last coming May 8. … Justin Che collected his first career assist in MLS. … Szabolcs Schön recorded his first career MLS assist, making his first start. … Jimmy Maurer was credited with three saves in keeping his second clean sheet of the season, his first coming in the season opener, April 17 vs. Colorado.
HOUSTON DYNAMO FC vs. REAL SALT LAKE
Saturday, July 31, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #211)
BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas
7:30 p.m. CT (QuestTexas 55 / KMYU-12)
REFEREE: Guido Gonzales Jr. AR1 (bench): Nick Uranga; AR2 (opposite): Jeff Hosking; 4th: Kevin Broadley; VAR: Sorin Stoica; AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
MLS Career: 25 games; FC/gm: 26.7; Y/gm: 4.5; R: 7; pens: 7
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Dynamo 12 wins, 42 goals … Real 11 wins, 44 goals … Ties 8
AT HOUSTON: Dynamo 10 wins, 33 goals … Real 3 wins, 26 goals … Ties 2
· Dynamo FC gained a second consecutive draw, playing to a 1-1 result with the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on Saturday evening. Matías Vera netted his second of the season for the Dynamo goal.
· Real Salt Lake got a second consecutive result, defeating the Colorado Rapids 3-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening. Bobby Wood scored his first career goal in MLS, and Rubio Rubin scored his fifth goal of the season, his first since May 22.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Justen Glad scored in the 11th minute for RSL, but Maximiliano Urruti hit for a 52nd minute equalizer, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw June 26 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
· Real have a six-game undefeated streak alive in the series. They won both meetings in 2018, ending a four-game Dynamo undefeated streak in the series.
· Real have won three of the last six meetings in Houston, their first wins ever there, also gaining a draw; RSL suffered eight defeats and one draw in its first nine road games against the Dynamo.
DYNAMO: Griffin Dorsey made his Dynamo debut, starting and playing 67 minutes in a midfield role, his first career MLS start; he had made two substitute appearances for Toronto FC 2019-20.
RSL: Albert Rusnák recorded his fourth assist of the season; he has a goal and two assists in the last two games. … Damir Kreilach collected his fifth assist of the season; he two goals and two assists over the last four games. … David Ochoa was credited with one save in recording his third shutout of the season.
AUSTIN FC vs. COLORADO RAPIDS
Saturday, July 31, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #212)
Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
8 p.m. CT (KNVA [CW Austin] / UniMas Austin; Altitude)
REFEREE: Marcos de Oliveira. AR1 (bench): Andrew Bigelow; AR2 (opposite): Jose da Silva; 4th: Alyssa Nichols; VAR: Alejandro Mariscal; AVAR: Adam Garner
MLS Career: 51 games; FC/gm: 25.3; Y/gm: 3.6; R: 4; pens: 16
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: ATXFC 1 win, 3 goals … Rapids 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 0
AT AUSTIN: First meeting.
· Austin FC continued their homestand in their last match, falling by the game’s only goal to Seattle Sounders FC at Q2 Stadium on Thursday evening.
· The Rapids had their four-game undefeated streak come to an end, falling 3-0 to Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season and in their histories. Diego Fagundez scored early for the club’s first-ever goal and Cecilio Dominguez added a brace as Austin FC won for the first time in their history, a 3-1 win April 24 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
· The teams are also scheduled to meet Sept. 29 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
ATXFC: The Seattle match was the fourth in a six-game homestand at Q2 Stadium for Austin FC.
RAPIDS: Steven Beitashour made the 249th league appearance of his MLS career. … The Rapids saw their streak of 12 consecutive games with at least one goal come to an end, blanked at the attacking end for the first time since the season opener (April 17, 0-0 at FC Dallas).
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
Saturday, July 31, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #213)
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
8 p.m. MT (TSN1; Bally Sports North)
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Whitecaps FC 2 wins, 11 goals … MNUFC 3 wins, 9 goals … Ties 2
VANCOUVER HOME GAME: Whitecaps FC 2 wins, 9 goals … MNUFC 1 win, 5 goals … Ties 0
REFEREE: Lukasz Szpala. AR1 (bench): Corey Rockwell; AR2 (opposite): Mike Rottersman; 4th: Baldomero Toledo; VAR: Jorge Gonzalez; AVAR: Diego Blas
MLS Career: 2 games; FC/gm: 25.0; Y/gm: 3.0; R: 2; pens: 0
· Whitecaps FC stretched their undefeated run to three games with a second consecutive draw, playing to a 2-2 result with Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday evening. Deiber Caicedo scored his third goal of the season and Cristian Dajóme scored his sixth, both with their second goal in the last three games.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Ramón Abila scored the game’s only goal in the 72nd minute, leading MNUFC to the victory May 12 at Allianz Field.
· Minnesota United is undefeated in four home meetings in the series, winning two with two draws. The Whitecaps won the first two meetings at BC Place, before MNUFC took a 3-2 win there in the last trip to Vancouver, the season opener for both teams on March 2, 2019.
WHITECAPS FC: Cristian Gutiérrez recorded his third assist of the season, his first since gaining assists in each of the opening two games of the season.
MNUFC: Play Los Angeles Football Club at midweek at Banc of California Stadium.
PHILADELPHIA UNION vs. CHICAGO FIRE FC
Sunday, August 1, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #214)
Subaru Park, Chester, Pa.
6 p.m. ET (UniMás / TUDN)
REFEREE: Michael Radchuk. AR1 (bench): Cameron Blanchard; AR2 (opposite): Brian Dunn; 4th: Silviu Petrescu; VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero; AVAR: Eric Weisbrod
MLS Career: 1 game; FC/gm: 32.0; Y/gm: 5.0; R: 0; pens: 1
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Union 12 wins, 44 goals … Fire 9 wins, 40 goals … Ties 6
AT UNION: Union 5 wins, 18 goals … Fire 4 wins, 14 goals … Ties 3
· The Union bounced back to gain a result in a 1-1 result with Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday evening. Kacper Przybylko netted his sixth goal of the season, a third consecutive game with a goal.
· Fire FC fell to a 2-1 loss to Toronto FC at Soldier Field on Saturday evening. Álvaro Medran scored his first goal of the season, his third in two seasons in MLS.
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Cory Burke and Jakob Glesnes scored nine minutes apart in the second half, leading the Union to a 2-0 win May 8 at Soldier Field. The teams then reached a wild 3-3 draw, June 26 at Soldier Field.
· The first meeting was the first ever between the teams at Soldier Field. The Fire win in the final matchup at SeatGeek Stadium, a 2-0 win Aug. 17, 2019, ended a three-game Union winning streak in the series, though the Fire did win six of the final seven matchups overall in Bridgeview. The Union have won the last four meetings in a row in Chester, last a 2-1 win last Oct. 28; the last Fire win there came in 2013.
UNION: Ilsinho came off the substitutes’ bench for the final seven minutes, his first league appearance since April 24.
FIRE FC: Fabian Herbers recorded his second assist of the season, both coming over the last five games.
TORONTO FC vs. NASHVILLE SC
Sunday, August 1, 2021 (Week 16, MLS Game #215)
BMO Field, Toronto, Ont.
7:30 p.m. ET (TSN4; MyTV30)
REFEREE: Fotis Bazakos. AR1 (bench): Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho; AR2 (opposite): Gianni Facchini; 4th: Robert Sibiga; VAR: Geoff Gamble; AVAR: Robert Schaap
MLS Career: 112 games; FC/gm: 25.0; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 23; pens: 37
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: TFC 0 wins, 2 goals … Nashville SC 1 win, 3 goals … Ties 0
AT BMO FIELD: First meeting.
· TFC extended their undefeated streak to four games with a second win in that time, defeating Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on Saturday evening. Yeferson Soteldo netted his second goal of the season, both coming in the last four games, also adding his third assist of the season, while Nick DeLeon hit for his first this season.
· Nashville SC stretched their undefeated run to seven games, winning for a fourth time in that span, defeating FC Cincinnati 3-0 at Nissan Stadium on Saturday evening. CJ Sapong scored a pair of goals, his eighth career multiple-goal game, and also assisted on the third of the season from Randall Leal.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Luke Haakenson scored a pair of late goals, the 83rd-minute equalizer and the stoppage-time game-winner, leading Nashville SC to the 3-2 win June 23 at Nissan Stadium.
· The first meeting this season was the first ever in league play, but they did meet in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs a year ago. Daniel Ríos netted the game’s only goal and Joe Willis made three saves in extending his shutout streak to 197 minutes in the postseason as Nashville SC took the victory Nov. 24 at Rentschler Field.
TFC: Ralph Priso was credited with his first career assist in MLS. … Tsubasa Endoh recorded his first assist of the season, his first in an MLS match since Sept. 7, 2019 vs. FC Cincinnati. … Patrick Mullins gained his third assist of the season, his last coming June 23.
NASHVILLE SC: Joe Willis was not called upon to make a save in recording his seventh shutout of the season, now in sole possession of the league lead. … Hany Mukhtar recorded a pair of assists, the first two-assist game of his MLS career. Mukhtar has four goals and three assists over the last four games.
