The Pitch: MLS Primed for Action-Packed 10-Day Stretch featuring Top Stars and Rivalries

MLS Primed for Action-Packed 10-Day Stretch featuring Top Stars and Rivalries

Major League Soccer is approaching a huge 10-day stretch with some of the most intense matchups of all-time on tap for a two-part Heineken Rivalry Week that will serve as the perfect bookend to the midseason spectacle of next week’s All-Star festivities.

The brightest stars will be on display during this exciting span, and the centerpiece of the stretch comes with the 2021 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T 5G on Tuesday, Aug. 24, then the 2021 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target on Wednesday, Aug. 25. Before that, the epic stretch of games features an MLS Cup rematch between Seattle Sounders FC and reigning champions the Columbus Crew on Sat., August 21, followed by a Carlos Vela vs. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, LA Galaxy-Los Angeles Football Club meeting in El Tráfico. The oldest rivalry in North American soccer will bring everything to a close with another historic Cascadia battle between Sounders FC and the Portland Timbers on Sunday, Aug. 29. The intensity is rising. It’s go time.

Media Information for MLS All-Star festivities is available in the MLS All-Star Media Center.

Media information for 2021 Heineken Rivalry Week is available in the Heineken Rivalry Week Media Center.

Young Quakes Set To Take Charge in Heineken Rivalry Week’s Cali Clasico

Heineken Rivalry Week kicks off with current MLS All-Stars on both sides of the historic California Clasico, as the San Jose Earthquakes’ 17-year-old, first-time All-Star Cade Cowell take on the LA Galaxy and their MLS All-Stars in Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and Julian Araujo on Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. 

Riding an eight-game unbeaten streak, the Quakes approach the original California rivalry with a squad full of rising talent. Two players, midfielder Cristian Espinoza and 24-year-old goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski, have earned starts in every match this season. The recent addition of forward Jeremy Ebobisse (also 24 years old) only strengthens the depth of young players for San Jose ahead of the historic rivalry match. Ebobisse adds experience scoring against the LA Galaxy too, tallying for his former club, the Portland Timbers against the Galaxy in July before joining San Jose earlier this month. The Timbers lost 4-1 in that match, so the rising star will be seeking some retribution.

San Jose’s up-and-coming stars will play alongside seasoned veterans, including all-time MLS leader in goals Chris Wondolowski, whose 399 appearances have him one away from joining the 400-game club. Wondolowski could hit that milestone this week as the club faces Minnesota United FC on Wednesday before facing the Galaxy and their leading goalscorer Hernández. Twenty-year-old defender Araujo is a playmaker from the back, with four assists this season, who often combines with fellow 19-year-old Homegrown standout Efraín Álvarez.

The Nicest Rivalry in Sports Returns on ESPN and ESPN Deportes

With just 450 miles separating the two clubs on I-35, the contrast of Midwestern hospitality and heated adversaries will be in on display this Saturday, Aug. 21, when the Nicest Rivalry in Sports features Minnesota United FC hosting Sporting KC at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. While these two clubs are fierce competitors on the pitch, they tend to keep it lighthearted outside the white lines. Really, only in the Midwest.

Squaring off for the 12th time during the regular season since the Loons began play in 2017, Sporting KC holds the edge with six victories to Minnesota United’s three, though most recently Minnesota United defeated Sporting KC when it mattered most earning the 3-0 victory in the Western Conference Semifinals at Children’s Mercy Park.

Saturday’s scene is eerily similar to last December, as Sporting KC enters this weekend’s match with the higher seed, currently sitting atop the Western Conference. Minnesota, currently fifth place in the Western Conference standings, has another opportunity to knockoff their friendly foes, this time, in front of their hometown crowd at Allianz Field. Attacking midfielder Robin Lod missed the last match for Minnesota United but was on a scoring tear prior to his injury. Should he be available for Saturday’s match, he could be the boost that the home side needs.

Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City has tallied six goals in their last three league matches including a pair of finishes from each of their MLS All-Star selections in Daniel Salloi and Mexican international Alan Pulido. Tune in Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

MLS Cup Rematch: The Crowned Columbus Crew Host Red Hot Seattle Sounders FC

The Columbus Crew and Seattle Sounders FC will face off on Saturday, August 21 for the first time since Columbus hoisted the MLS Cup trophy against the Sounders last December. The match will begin at 5:30 p.m. ET, with coverage of the MLS Cup rematch available on FOX and FOX Deportes. While the Crew were victorious in the most recent meeting between these two sides, it is the Sounders who are near the top of the leaderboard in the 2021 MLS regular season with 36 points, behind only the New England Revolution (43 points) and Sporting Kansas City (37 points).

Seattle Sounders FC enter the week coming off a pair of big-time victories, tallying nine goals in two matches, defeating local rivals Portland Timbers 6-2 on Sunday after securing a 3-0 result against Tigres UANL in Leagues Cup on August 10. The Crew are looking to get back on track after dropping four consecutive matches by using the home crowd at Lower.com Field as the catalyst.

Lucas Zelarayán, the lone 2021 MLS All-Star for the Columbus Crew, was the game-changer of the 2020 MLS Cup, notching a pair of goals in the victory. Seattle’s star-stacked roster boasts six 2021 MLS All-Stars in Raúl Ruidíaz, João Paulo, Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Cristian Roldan, Alex Roldan and Nouhou. However, it’s Jimmy Medranda who is earning all the praise after his wonder strike on a left-footed, full volley last Sunday. Ruidíaz continues his hot streak after a brace in Sunday’s victory to take charge as the league-leading scorer with 13 goals on the season.

A Champion Could Be Crowned in the Rocky Mountains

Since 2005, the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake have taken part in one of the most heated rivalries in MLS. The two clubs compete for the Rocky Mountain Cup, a trophy awarded to the winner of the regular season series by a bipartisan committee of supporters from the two teams.

In last year’s edition, the Rapids overcame a 4-1 goal deficit with a 5-0 win at Rio Tinto Stadium to reclaim the Rocky Mountain Cup for the first time in five years. However, the regional rivalry added a new layer in 2021, with Rapids legend and former head coach Pablo Mastroeni joining the RSL technical staff as an assistant coach ahead of the season.

This year, Colorado and RSL will face each other three times during the regular season, with the Rocky Mountain Cup being awarded to the team who earns the most points from the series. After gaining the upper hand with a victorious first encounter back in July, RSL could claim the sweep and lift the Cup with a win on Saturday. A draw or a Rapids’ win would see the Rocky Mountain Cup winner come down to their final regular season matchup on October 16.

Fans can tune in to this rivalry matchup on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

First Hudson River Derby of 2021 Marks New Era of the New York Rivalry

For the first time this season and 19th time in Hudson River Derby history, New York Red Bulls and New York City FC will face off to answer an ever-present question posed since their first meeting in 2015: Is New York red or blue?

NYCFC sit in third place in the Eastern Conference standings, riding a six-game undefeated streak going into this weekend’s match-up. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and 22-year-old Valentín Castellanos have scored or assisted on nine of NYCFC’s last 14 goals in MLS. Castellanos has five goals in his last six games in all competitions, following a goal in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals against Pumas with both goals in the win vs. Inter Miami last weekend. NYCFC head coach Ronny Deila has also tapped into the club’s young South American prospects, who have produced four goals and two assists from the likes of under-23 players Jesús Medina, Santiago Rodríguez, and Thiago Andrade over the last siix games.

Gerhard Struber and the Red Bulls come into this game historically dominating the rivalry with 10 wins from their 18 all-time meetings. The last Hudson River Derby at Red Bull Arena ended in a 1-0 win for the Red Bulls through a Kyle Duncan goal last season. Not to mention, the Red Bulls have not lost a home game against NYCFC since the 2017 regular season. They also come into this match backed by their own depth of youth talents in 18-year-old duo Wikelman Carmona and Caden Clark, as well as 21-year-old Cristian Cásseres Jr.

The battle for New York kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 21 (8 p.m. / FS1 / FOX DEPORTES) when Gerhard Struber and Ronny Deila collide for the first time in their MLS coaching careers at Red Bull Arena.

Game Notes

Tuesday, August 17

LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids, 10:30 p.m.

• The Galaxy extended their undefeated streak to four games with a third win in that time, defeating Minnesota United FC by the game’s only goal at Allianz Field on Friday evening. Kévin Cabral scored for a second consecutive game, now with three MLS goals.
• The Rapids made it three games without loss with a second victory in the stretch, defeating Houston Dynamo FC at BBVA Stadium on Saturday evening. Michael Barrios netted his fifth goal of the season for the game-winner.
• The teams met once a season ago. Cole Bassett and Jonathan Lewis scored on either side of halftime as the Rapids took a 2-0 win Sept. 19 Dignity Health Sports Park.
• The Rapids have come away with points in the last five meetings between the teams, with four victories, including three in a row. The Rapids’ victory in the first meeting in 2018, a 2-1 win on Aug. 4 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, snapped a four-game winless streak, and two-game losing streak, in league play in the series, their first vs. the Galaxy since March 12, 2016.
• The Rapids have won the last two meetings in Carson, snapping a six-game Galaxy undefeated streak there in the series, with two wins and four draws over the span. It was the first Rapids win there since Sept. 7, 2013, a 1-0 victory.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United FC, 10:30 p.m.

• The Quakes extended their undefeated streak to eight games, reaching a scoreless draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at PayPal Park on Friday evening. The streak is the longest unbeaten run for the club since 2012.
• MNUFC saw their five-game undefeated streak come to an end, falling by the game’s only goal to the LA Galaxy at Allianz Field on Friday evening.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Benji Kikanovic netted a late equalizer for the Quakes as the teams reached a 2-2 draw July 3 at Allianz Field.
• The win in the first meeting ended a three-game MNUFC winning streak in the series, over the last two seasons. Each team has won on the road in the last two meetings, MNUFC taking a 5-2 win in San Jose in 2019. The Quakes had won the first four meetings between the teams over the previous two seasons, with a pair of wins in both San Jose and Minneapolis.

Wednesday, August 18

Atlanta United vs. Toronto FC, 7 p.m. (TSN)

• Atlanta United won a second game on the trot, defeating Los Angeles Football Club by the game’s only goal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Josef Martínez scored the ATLUTD goal, his fifth of the season and third in the last four games.
• Toronto FC went down to a late 2-1 loss to the New England Revolution at BMO Field on Saturday evening. Jonathan Osorio scored his fourth goal of the season in league play for TFC.
• The teams met once a season ago. Pablo Piatti scored the game’s only goal in the 88th minute, giving Toronto FC the win Oct. 18 at Rentschler Field at Pratt and Whitney Stadium in E. Hartford, Conn.
• Each team is undefeated at home in the all-time series on their home ground. ATLUTD’s win in the last meeting in Atlanta, a 2-0 win May 8, 2019, is their only win in seven meetings between the clubs; the teams reached 2-2 draws in each of their first three meetings, two of those at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. TFC has won the last two meetings at BMO Field.
• The teams also met in the 2019 Eastern Conference Final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Nick DeLeon hit for the 78th-minute game-winner as Toronto FC took a 2-1 win to gain a place in 2019 MLS Cup.

New England Revolution vs. D.C. United, 7 p.m.

• The Revolution extended their undefeated streak to seven games with a sixth victory in that time, getting a late penalty kick from Gustavo Bou for a 2-1 win against Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday evening. Bou now has 12 goals for the season, second in the MLS Golden Boot standings, one behind Raúl Ruidíaz of Seattle.
• D.C. United had their five-game undefeated run put to an end, falling 5-2 to Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium on Sunday evening. Ola Kamara netted his 11th goal of the season, his fourth in the last three games, now in a tie for third place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. The game’s only goal came through an own goal as the Revolution took the victory April 24 at Gillette Stadium.
• The Revolution win Aug. 25 last year at Audi Field, a 2-1 victory, was the first by the away team since 2013, a Revolution 2-1 win at RFK Stadium. D.C. United’s last win in league play in Foxborough came April 14, 2012, the Revolution with four wins in the 10 meetings since, with five draws.
• The teams have also met four times in the MLS Cup Playoffs, with United winning three of the four series all-time, last a 2-1 win at RFK Stadium in the Knockout Round in 2015. They have met five times in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the Revolution winning three, last in 2017.

FC Cincinnati vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. (TVA Sports)

• FC Cincinnati return to action following a weekend away, coming off a third consecutive draw last time out in a 1-1 result with Orlando City SC at TQL Stadium. Brenner scored the FCC goal, his fourth of the season.

CF Montréal put an end to a five-game winless skid, getting a late, late penalty kick game-winner from Victor Wanyama for a 2-1 win against the New York Red Bulls at Stade Saputo on Saturday evening.

• The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Brenner scored two goals and added an assist for FCC, but Mason Toye netted a pair of goals as CF Montréal claimed a wild 5-4 win July 17 at DRV PNK Stadium. On May 22 in Fort Lauderdale, Jürgen Locadia scored in the 70th minute then Gustavo Vallecilla netted the winner in the 86th minute as FCC took a 2-1 win.
• The teams had last met in 2019 during FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season – and FCC won both matchups. Allan Cruz and Fatai Alashe scored goals on either side of halftime as FC Cincinnati took a 2-1 win on May 11 at Nippert Stadium, then Cruz scored the game’s only goal after 28 seconds for the win Sept. 14 at Stade Saputo. It equaled the earliest the only goal of a game was scored for a 1-0 win in MLS history.

Inter Miami CF vs. Chicago Fire FC, 7:30 p.m.

• Inter Miami return home following a 2-0 defeat by New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening.
• The Fire made it four games without loss in winning a second consecutive match, defeating the Columbus Crew by the game’s only goal at Soldier Field on Sunday evening. Luka Stojanovic scored the goal, his third in the last two games and his sixth of the season.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season and in their histories. Luka Stojanovic scored the game’s only goal directly from a free kick as the Fire took the win May 22 at Soldier Field.

Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.

• The Union return to league play after a weekend off, their last match a 2-1 loss to the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on August 8. Paxten Aaronson scored his first career goal for the Philadelphia goal.
• NYCFC stretched their undefeated streak to six games with a fourth win in that time, defeating Inter Miami CF 2-0 at Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening. Valentin Castellanos scored both NYCFC goals, now with eight on the season.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Jesús Medina and Valentin Castellanos scored as NYCFC took a 2-0 win May 1 at Subaru Park.
• NYCFC have won nine of the last 11 meetings between the teams, including the last four league meetings in the Bronx, and a matchup in the Knockout Round in 2018, a 3-1 victory at Yankee Stadium. The Union win last year, during the MLS is Back Tournament, ended a three-game NYCFC winning streak in the league series.

New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew SC, 8 p.m.

• The Red Bulls return home following a two-game road swing with a second reversal, falling 2-1 to CF Montréal at Stade Saputo on Saturday evening. Patryk Klimala converted a penalty kick for the Red Bulls goal, his fourth since coming to MLS.
• The Crew saw their slide continue, falling by the game’s only goal to Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on Sunday evening.
• The teams met once a season ago. Gyasi Zardes and Lucas Zelarayán scored in each half as the Crew took a 2-0 win in the MLS is Back Tournament on July 16.
• The Crew have a six-game undefeated streak in the series in league play. The Red Bulls have not won in Columbus since March 28, 2015, a span of five games; the Crew have won two of those, with three draws. The Crew have won the last two meetings in Harrison.
• The teams also met in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs, the Crew taking a 3-2 win in Columbus on Nov. 21. It was the fifth meeting all-time between the teams in the postseason, which also includes MLS Cup 2008, won by the Crew.

Nashville SC vs. Orlando City SC, 8:30 p.m.

• Nashville SC exploded for a 5-2 victory against D.C. United at Nissan Stadium on Sunday evening. CJ Sapong scored a pair of goals, now with eight for the season and three in the last two games, while Alex Muyl also scored a brace, the second two-goal game of his MLS career.
• Orlando City SC return to action after a weekend off, extending their undefeated run to three games last time out, a 1-1 draw with FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on August 7. Nani scored the OCSC goal, his ninth of the season.
• The teams met three times in Nashville SC’s inaugural season, evenly splitting the series. Daryl Dike scored a pair of goals and Chris Mueller added his fifth of the year as Orlando City took a 3-1 win at Exploria Stadium on Aug. 26; Hany Mukhtar and Jhonder Cadíz scored goals five minutes after the 87th minute as Nashville SC came back for a 3-2 win on Decision Day (Nov. 8) at Nissan Stadium. The teams also reached a 1-1 draw Sept. 2, also in Nashville.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Portland Timbers, 8:30 p.m.

• Sporting extended their undefeated run to three games with a second win in that time, defeating FC Dallas 2-0 at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening. Daniel Sallói scored his 11th goal of the season, tied for third place in the MLS Golden Boot standings, and Alan Pulido added his eighth this year, his second in the last three games.

The Timbers went down to a 6-2 defeat by Seattle Sounders FC at Providence Park on Sunday evening. Sebastian Blanco and George Fochive each scored their first goals of the season.

• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Dairon Asprilla and Marvín Loría scored first-half goals as the Timbers took a 2-1 win June 19 at Providence Park, their first meeting since 2019.
• The Timbers wins in the last two meetings in Portland were their first home win in the series since 2016. The Timbers’ lone win in Kansas City came on April 27, 2013, a 3-2 victory; Sporting are 2-0-3 in the last five home meetings in the series.

FC Dallas vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 8:30 p.m.

• FC Dallas continue their homestand following a 2-0 defeat by Sporting Kansas City at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening.
• Sounders FC recorded a historic 6-2 win against arch-rivals Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Sunday evening. Raúl Ruidíaz scored a pair of goals – one directly from a stunning free kick – now with 13 goals on the season to lead the MLS Golden Boot standings; Fredy Montero also added a brace, his fifth and sixth goals of the year.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Fredy Montero gave Sounders FC a late lead, but Franco Jara hit for the equalizer in stoppage time, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw Aug. 4 at Lumen Field, their first meeting since the 2019 season.
• FC Dallas have a seven-game undefeated streak at home in the league series, with five wins and two draws, winning 2-1 in the last meeting in Frisco, June 1, 2019. The last Sounders FC win there came April 12, 2014, a 3-2 victory.
• Sounders FC are undefeated in the last 10 league meetings between the teams in Seattle, and have won 10 of the 14 meetings there all-time. The only FCD win at Lumen Field came in 2011, a 1-0 victory on May 25.
• Over the past five seasons, Sounders FC have outscored FC Dallas 15-2 in four regular season meetings at home. The FCD goal there last year ended a 460-minute goalless string over all competitions in Seattle.
• The teams also met in the Western Conference Semifinals a year ago, a second consecutive meeting in the playoffs and fifth time overall. The game’s only goal came from Shane O’Neill for the Sounders win Dec. 1 in Seattle.
• Austin FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 9 p.m. (TSN)
• Austin FC concluded their two-game road swing with a loss to Real Salt Lake by the game’s only goal at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening.
• Whitecaps FC reached a fifth consecutive draw, now six games in a row without loss, in a goalless result with the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on Friday evening.
• The teams are meeting for the first time this season and in their histories. The teams are also scheduled to meet Sept. 4 at BC Place.

Real Salt Lake vs. Houston Dynamo FC, 10 p.m.

• Real put an end to a quick two-game losing skid, defeating Austin FC by the game’s only goal at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening. Bobby Wood scored the only goal, his second since coming to MLS.
• Dynamo FC saw their slide extended, falling 3-1 to the Colorado Rapids at BBVA Stadium on Saturday evening. Fafa Picault converted a penalty kick for the Dynamo goal, his fourth of the season and second in the last three games.
• The teams are meeting for the third 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; they also reached a goalless draw, July 31 at BBVA Stadium.
• Real have a seven-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 seven meetings in Houston, their first wins ever there, also gaining two draws; RSL suffered eight defeats and one draw in its first nine road games against the Dynamo.

Friday, August 20

LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

• The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and the Galaxy have won both. Jonathan Bond made 12 saves – the second-most ever by a Galaxy goalkeeper in a single game – and the Galaxy netted the game’s only goal from an own goal for the win May 29 at Dignity Health Sports Park. It was the first time in Galaxy club history they won by the only goal through an own goal, in their 795th league game. Then on June 26, Javier Hernández scored a pair of goals as the Galaxy took a 3-1 win at PayPal Park.
• The Earthquakes have won each of the last two seasons in Carson, just their second and third victories there since 2012. The Galaxy have won just twice in the last 20 regular season games in northern California, across four stadiums.
• Known as the California Clásico, the Galaxy and Earthquakes have met 92 times in all competitions. In regular season play, the Galaxy have won 34 times and the Quakes 26, with 16 draws, since their first meeting April 28, 1996.

Saturday, August 21

Minnesota United FC vs. Sporting Kansas City, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)

• The teams met three times last season, and Sporting won twice. In the last matchup, Johnny Russell netted the game’s only goal in the 80th minute for the SKC win at Children’s Mercy Park on Sept. 13. Each team scored through an own goal and Gadi Kinda also hit the back of the net as Sporting took a 2-1 win Aug. 21 at Allianz Field. The teams also met in group play during the MLS is Back Tournament, as Kevin Molino scored the game-winner seven minutes deep into second-half stoppage time to give Minnesota United FC a 2-1 win on July 12.
• The teams also met in the Western Conference Semifinal at Children’s Mercy Park last year, Minnesota United FC taking a 3-0 win. Kevin Molino scored a pair of goals while Emanuel Reynoso collected assists on all three MNUFC goals, a second consecutive game in the MLS Cup Playoffs with three assists – the first player to record three assists or more in multiple games in MLS postseason history.
• SKC has won all five matchups at home in league play. Sporting’s win at Allianz Field last year was their first in six visits to Minnesota all-time in all competitions.

Columbus Crew SC vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 5:30 p.m. (FOX)

• The game in a rematch of the 2020 MLS Cup, won by the Crew 3-0 at their Crew Stadium home in Columbus. Lucas Zelarayán was named MLS Cup MVP after scoring two goals and adding one assist, involved in all three Crew SC goals, just the second player in MLS Cup history to be involved in three goals in a single final.
• The teams also met once during the 2020 regular season, reaching a 1-1 draw on March 7 in Seattle. Gyasi Zardes opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, but Raúl Ruidíaz converted a penalty kick in the 79th minute for the equalizer. Sounders FC are undefeated in the last three games in the league series, with a win and two draws. The teams last met in a regular-season game in Columbus in 2019, Sounders FC taking a 2-1 win July 6.

Orlando City SC vs. Chicago Fire FC, 8 p.m.

• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Álvaro Medran set up a pair of goals as the Fire took a 3-1 win July 7 at Soldier Field.
• The teams met once a season ago. Four different players scored as Orlando City SC took a 4-1 win Sept. 19 at Exploria Stadium, the result snapping an eight-game Fire undefeated streak in the series, over four seasons. Orlando City’s last previous win vs. Chicago had come Sept. 19, 2015, a 1-0 win at Bridgeview, Ill.; the Fire then won four meetings, with four draws.

Philadelphia Union vs. CF Montreal, 8 p.m. (TVA Sports)

• The teams met twice a season ago, and the Union won both. Kacper Przybylko netted a pair of goals as the Union cruised to a 4-1 win Sept. 20 at Red Bull Arena in an Montréal home game; Jamiro Monteiro and Sergio Santos each scored on either side of halftime as the Union took a 2-1 win Oct. 11 at Subaru Park.
• Montréal won the last meeting at Stade Saputo, a 4-0 win July 27, 2019. The Union have won the last two meetings in Chester.

D.C. United vs. Atlanta United, 8 p.m.

• The teams met twice a season ago, each winning on the other’s home ground. Jon Gallagher scored a pair of goals and Brooks Lennon hit for another and added two assists as Atlanta United rolled to a 4-0 win Oct. 3 at Audi Field; Russell Canouse and Gelmin Rivas scored in the final quarter-hour as D.C. took a 2-1 win Oct. 24 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Home form had ruled in the previous two seasons, each winning 2-0 on their home ground in 2019, and winning by 3-1 scorelines on their own ground in 2018 in three meetings overall (two in Atlanta). D.C. United took all three meetings in ATLUTD’s expansion season, winning 3-1 at Bobby Dodd Stadium on April 30 before taking the next two at RFK Stadium.

Inter Miami CF vs. Toronto FC, 8 p.m. (TSN)

• The teams met once in Inter Miami’s inaugural season. Ayo Akinola and Alejandro Pozuelo netted second-half goals as Toronto FC came back for a 2-1 win Nov. 1 at Rentschler Field at Pratt and Whitney Stadium in E. Hartford, Conn.

New England Revolution vs. FC Cincinnati, 8 p.m.

• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Adam Buksa netted the game’s only goal on 70 minutes, giving the Revolution the win May 29 at TQL Stadium.
• The teams had last met in 2019 in FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season, each winning on the other’s home ground. Kekuta Manneh and Kenny Saief scored on either side of halftime as FC Cincinnati claimed a 2-0 win on March 24 at Gillette Stadium, the first away win in FCC’s MLS history, then on July 21 at Nippert Stadium, Carles Gil and Antonio Mlinar netted goals in a 2-0 Revolution victory.

New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC, 8 p.m. (FS1)

• The teams met twice a season ago, each winning their home match. Kyle Duncan scored the game’s only goal to give the Red Bulls the win Aug. 20 at Red Bull Arena; Valentin Castellanos netted a hat trick as NYCFC took a 5-2 win Nov. 1 at Yankee Stadium, their largest victory in the all-time series.
• The Red Bulls have won eight of the 16 meetings all-time in league play, with a 32-21 goal differential. Included in that was a 7-0 Red Bulls win on May 21, 2016, at Yankee Stadium, the victory matching the largest margin of victory in MLS history (and the seven goals by the Red Bulls their club record). In all competitions, the Red Bulls have won 10 of 18 matches, with two draws, with a 37-21 goal differential. NYCFC have won five of the last 10 league meetings, with one draw, over the last four years.

Houston Dynamo FC vs. FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. FCD’s Fafa Picault converted a penalty kick, then Dynamo FC’s Jader Obrian hit for the leveler, as the teams reached a 1-1 draw May 8 at Toyota Stadium.
• The Dynamo have won in the series each of the last two seasons. Since the start of 2013, FC Dallas are 10-3-8 in league play against Houston, and have won the three meetings between the teams in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
• FC Dallas has won five of the 13 matches (with four draws) between the teams over all competitions at BBVA Stadium. The Dynamo haven’t won in Frisco since 2011, FCD winning the last four there.
• The clubs play for “El Capitán,” the 19th-century Mountain Howitzer cannon to be awarded to the winner of the season series by supporters’ groups for both clubs.

Austin FC vs. Portland Timbers, 9 p.m.

• The teams are meeting for the second time this season and in their histories. Cecilio Dominguez set up a pair of goals as Austin FC rolled to a 4-1 in the first meeting, July 1 at Q2 Stadium.

Colorado Rapids vs. Real Salt Lake, 9 p.m.

• The teams are meeting for the second time this season, Real taking a 3-0 win July 24 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
• In the final meeting a season ago, Sept. 12 at Rio Tinto Stadium, the Rapids took a 5-0 victory, the largest margin of victory in the club’s 25 seasons and their first win in the series since 2017.
• The Rapids victory in the final meeting also ended a 17-game home undefeated streak for Real vs. Colorado. The last previous win for the Rapids in Utah was a 2-0 triumph April 30, 2007 at Rice-Eccles Stadium; RSL won 13 of the next 17 home meetings, with four draws. RSL has won the last three meetings in Commerce City; they have come away with points on eight of their past 11 trips there (six wins, two draws, dating back to 2013).
• The rivals play for the Rocky Mountain Cup, a trophy awarded by the supporters’ groups of both teams.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Los Angeles Football Club, 10 p.m. (TSN)

• LAFC saw their winless slide extended in their last match, falling to Atlanta United by the game’s only goal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. They reached a 2-2 draw July 24 at Banc of California Stadium.
• The teams have evenly split their five meetings, each winning twice. LAFC has scored six goals in each of the two meetings in downtown Los Angeles, a 6-0 win Sept. 23, 2020, and a 6-1 win July 6, 2019.