Vela has historic start with season-opening goal pace - Week 9 News & Notes

VELA GETS OFF TO HISTORIC START WITH SEASON-OPENING GOAL PACE
Carlos Vela of Los Angeles Football Club has started off the 2019 season in record fashion already. Vela reached 10 goals for the season thanks to another two-goal game in his club’s 4-1 win vs. Seattle Sounders FC at Banc of California Stadium last Sunday.
Vela has reached the 10-goal mark in just nine games, matching the fastest to double digits in goals from the start of the season in MLS history. Vela has three multiple-goal games for the season (hitting for a hat trick March 30 at San Jose), scoring a goal in six of LAFC’s nine games this season.
FASTEST TO 10 GOALS FROM START OF SEASON

In addition to leading MLS with his 10 goals, Vela is tied for the league lead with five assists (along with LAFC teammate Mark-Anthony Kaye, as well as Toronto FC’s Alejandro Pozuelo).
With 15 goals plus assists combined, Vela has equaled the most of any player in the opening 10 games of a season in MLS history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau – and he still has one game to play to reach that total, this Sunday vs. Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field.
MOST GOALS + ASSISTS, FIRST 10 GAMES OF SEASON

KLJESTAN MOVES UP TABLE ON ALL-TIME ASSIST LEADERBOARD
Sacha Kljestan of Orlando City SC recorded his first assist of the season on his team’s 88th-minute game-winning goal in their 1-0 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday.
The assist was the 91st of Kljestan’s MLS 10-year MLS career, which began in 2006 with Chivas USA. Kljestan is now tied for eighth place on the all-time MLS league leaders in assists, with Cobi Jones, now nine assists from the century mark.
MLS ALL-TIME INDIVIDUAL LEADERS – ASSISTS

RAPIDS ON A HISTORIC RUN OF A DIFFERENT SORT
The Colorado Rapids are the final team still looking for their first victory in 2019, following their 4-1 loss to the Chicago Fire at SeatGeek Stadium last Saturday.
The Rapids have now started the season with a 0-6-2 record, matching the third-longest start to a season without a victory in MLS history.
LONGEST WINLESS START TO SEASON, MLS HISTORY

MLS WEEK 9 – LOOK AHEAD
NEW YORK CITY FC vs. CHICAGO FIRE
Wednesday, April 24, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #91)
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.
7 p.m. ET (YES; ESPN+)
REFEREE: Robert Sibiga. AR1 (bench): Gianni Facchini; AR2 (opposite): Gjovalin Bori; 4th: Lorant Varga; VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero; AVAR: Tom Felice
MLS Career: 80 games; FC/gm: 22.5; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 20; pens: 22
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: NYCFC 4 wins, 17 goals … Fire 2 wins, 12 goals … Ties 3
AT YANKEE STADIUM: NYCFC 3 wins, 10 goals … Fire 0 wins, 4 goals … Ties 2

• NYCFC won for the first time this season, defeating D.C. United 2-0 at Audi Field on Sunday afternoon. The win put an end to a six-game winless streak to start the campaign – five of those matches were draws.
  
• The Fire extended their undefeated streak to four games with a second win in that time, defeating the Colorado Rapids 4-1 at SeatGeek Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, each winning on their home ground. The Fire took a 3-2 win June 30 in Bridgeview, then NYCFC claimed a 2-0 victory Sept. 26 at Yankee Stadium.
  
• The Fire have never won at Yankee Stadium. NYCFC have won the past three meetings between the teams in the Bronx, their first home wins in the series after the first two meetings ended in draws.
  
• The Fire win in the first meeting last year ended a six-game NYCFC undefeated streak in the series, the Fire first win since a 1-0 victory on April 24, 2015 in Bridgeview in the first-ever encounter between the teams.
  

NYCFC:
Héber
made his first start in MLS, netting his first league goal after gaining his first assist on the opening goal. …
Alexandru Mitrita
scored his second goal in MLS, his first coming March 17. …
Maximiliano Moralez
collected his second assist of the season, both on goals by Mitrita. …
Sean Johnson
was credited with three saves in recording his third shutout of the season, his second in the last three games. …
Ronald Matarrita
collected his first assist of the season.
FIRE:
Nemanja Nikolic
scored for a third consecutive game; his MLS career-long goalscoring streak is four games, achieved three times previously. …
CJ Sapong
netted a goal, his fourth of the season, and also added an assist, the seventh time in his MLS career he’s had at least one goal and one assist in the same game. …
Aleksandar Katai
netted a goal and added an assist, the first time he’s had a goal and an assist in the same game since coming to MLS.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION vs. MONTREAL IMPACT
Wednesday, April 24, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #92)
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
7:30 p.m. ET (TSN / TVA; NBCS-Bos)
REFEREE: Nima Saghafi. AR1 (bench): Frank Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Philippe Briere; 4th: David Gantar; VAR: Hilario Grajeda; AVAR: Eric Weisbrod
MLS Career: 41 games; FC/gm: 26.8; Y/gm: 4.2; R: 6; pens: 16
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Revolution 9 wins, 28 goals … Impact 8 wins, 26 goals … Ties 2
AT NEW ENGLAND: Revolution 5 wins, 13 goals … Impact 3 wins, 7 goals … Ties 1

• The Revolution put an end to a two-game losing slide and won for the second time in four games, defeating the New York Red Bulls by the game’s lone goal at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• The Impact had their three-game undefeated run put to an end, falling 3-0 to the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Impact were shut out for a third consecutive game on the road, now 271 minutes since their last goal scored on their travels.
  
• The teams played three times last season, and home form held out. The Revolution won twice, both at Gillette Stadium, a 4-0 win April 6 and a 1-0 win on Decision Day (Oct. 28). The Impact won the lone encounter at Stade Saputo, 4-2 on May 5.
  
• The Impact win last season ended a five-game winning streak for the Revolution in the series, over the past three seasons. That streak snapped a five-game undefeated streak for the Impact in the all-time series and ended a three-game Montréal winning run.
  
• The Revolution have also won the past four meetings at Gillette Stadium, their first home wins in the series in Foxborough since Sept. 13, 2014.
  

REVOLUTION:
Cristian Penilla
netted his first goal of the season; Penilla last year led the Revolution with 12 goals. …
Carles Gil
collected his second assist of the season; with three goals and two assists, he’s played a role in five of the Revolution’s six goals this season. …
Juan Fernando Caicedo
collected his first assist in MLS.
IMPACT:
The Impact were shut out for the third time in the last four games, having scored one goal in the month of April.
COLUMBUS CREW SC vs. D.C. UNITED
Wednesday, April 24, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #93)
Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
7:30 p.m. ET (STOhio; FloSports)
REFEREE: Ismail Elfath. AR1 (bench): Kyle Atkins; AR2 (opposite): Brian Dunn; 4th: Baldomero Toledo; VAR: Hilario Grajeda; AVAR: Eric Weisbrod
MLS Career: 133 games; FC/gm: 25.4; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 36; pens: 40
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Crew SC 29 wins (0 shootout), 100 goals … United 28 wins (5 shootout), 91 goals … Ties 11
AT COLUMBUS: Crew SC 19 wins (0 shootout), 55 goals … United 7 wins (2 shootout), 27 goals … Ties 7

• Crew SC suffered their second consecutive defeat, falling 3-1 to the Portland Timbers at Mapfre Stadium on Saturday evening. The loss put an end to the club’s 11-game undefeated streak at home, their first loss at Mapfre Stadium since last June 13, equaling the third-longest such stretch in club history; Crew SC also saw their home shutout streak come to an end after 385 minutes.
  
• D.C. United suffered their second loss of the season and saw their home undefeated streak reach three games, falling 2-0 to New York City FC at Audi Field on Sunday afternoon.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, each winning in their home match. Federico Higuaín collected a pair of assists, becoming the 19th player in MLS history to reach 50 goals and 50 assists, as Crew SC took a 3-1 win March 24 at Mapfre Stadium. Then on April 14, in a match played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., Ulises Segura scored after 43 seconds and D.C. United took a 1-0 win – the third-longest in MLS history a team had held on for a 1-0 win.
  
• United have not won in Columbus since the 2007 season. Crew SC have won eight of the 11 meetings since on their home ground, with three draws.
  
• Crew SC concluded their history at RFK Stadium having won on three of their final seven trips to East Capitol Street (against two United victories), dating back to the 2013 season. The teams meet for the first time at Audi Field on May 4.
  

CREW SC:
Pedro Santos
netted his second goal of the season; Santos has been involved in half of Crew SC’s eight goals this season, with two goals and two assists.
UNITED:
D.C. United were shut out for a third consecutive game at Audi Field, extending their home goalless streak to 280 minutes. The club record is four consecutive shutouts at home, set May 6-June 3, 2017.
MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. LA GALAXY
Wednesday, April 24, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #94)
Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minn.
7 p.m. CT (FS-North; Spec SN)
REFEREE: Chris Penso. AR1 (bench): Logan Brown; AR2 (opposite): Jeremy Kieso; 4th: Ismir Pekmic; VAR: Drew Fischer; AVAR: Craig Lowry
MLS Career: 149 games; FC/gm: 23.9; Y/gm: 3.8; R: 44; pens: 54
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: MNUFC 0 wins, 6 goals … Galaxy 4 wins, 13 goals … Ties 1
AT MINNESOTA: MNUFC 0 wins, 2 goals … Galaxy 2 wins, 5 goals … Ties 0

• Minnesota United FC had their brief two-game undefeated run put to an end, falling 4-3 to Toronto FC at BMO Field on Friday evening. It was a fourth time this season (in seven matches) where MNUFC scored three or more goals in a game, tied for most in MLS with Los Angeles FC.
  
• The Galaxy won their fifth consecutive game – the club’s longest winning streak since 2014 – defeating the Houston Dynamo 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park on Friday evening. The five-game winning streak matches the club’s longest since the end of the shootout era, set three times previously (also in 2007, 2009, 2014).
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Jonathan dos Santos and Chris Pontius netted goals five minutes apart in the first half and Sebastian Lletget added a late one as the Galaxy held out for a 3-2 win March 16 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
  
• The Galaxy have never lost to Minnesota United FC, now in five meetings between the teams all-time. Last year, the teams reached a 2-2 draw on Aug. 11 in Carson – the first point taken in the series by MNUFC. The Galaxy then claimed a 3-1 win on Oct. 21 in Minneapolis. The Galaxy won both meetings in Minnesota United’s inaugural season – a 2-1 win at TCF Bank Stadium, and a 3-0 win in southern California.
  

MNUFC:
Darwin Quintero
netted a pair of goals, his fourth and fifth goals in six appearances this season. It was the second multiple-goal game of his MLS career – he had a hat trick last July 4, also vs. Toronto FC. …
Ángelo Rodríguez
scored his third goal of the season, his second consecutive game with a goal. …
Romain Metanire
collected his third assist of the season, all coming over the last five games. …
Jan Gregus
recorded an assist for a second consecutive game; he will miss out on the Galaxy game through suspension. …
Osvaldo Alonso
gained his first assist since coming to Minnesota United.
GALAXY:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
scored for a fourth consecutive game, now with seven goals for the season, six coming over the four-game streak. …
Diego Polenta
scored his first career goal in MLS. …
Jonathan dos Santos
collected his first assist of the season.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Wednesday, April 24, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #95)
CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Wash.
7:30 p.m. PT (JOEtv / YouTube TV [SEA]; NBCS-CA)
REFEREE: Fotis Bazakos. AR1 (bench): Chris Wattam; AR2 (opposite): Jeff Hosking; 4th: Marcos de Oliveira; VAR: Guido Gonzales Jr.; AVAR: Jeremy Hanson
MLS Career: 80 games; FC/gm: 26.4; Y/gm: 3.6; R: 17; pens: 27
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sounders FC 10 wins, 30 goals … Earthquakes 10 wins, 27 goals … Ties 5
AT SEATTLE: Sounders FC 8 wins, 22 goals … Earthquakes 5 wins, 13 goals … Ties 1

• Sounders FC saw their undefeated start to the season put to an end, falling 4-1 to Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday evening. It was the club’s first loss in a league game since last Sept. 23 (a 3-0 loss to the LA Galaxy), putting an end to an 11-game undefeated streak in regular season play.
  
• The Quakes won for the second time in three matches, rolling to a 4-1 win against Sporting Kansas City at Avaya Stadium on Saturday evening. Danny Hoesen scored a pair of goals, his third two-goal game since coming to MLS.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, and Sounders FC won both. Raúl Ruidiáz scored the game’s lone goal to give Sounders FC the victory on July 25 at Avaya Stadium, then Seattle took a 2-1 win at CenturyLink Field on Decision Day (Oct. 28), both coming from Ruidiáz.
  
• Sounders FC have a seven-game undefeated streak alive in the overall series; the win in the first meeting last year was their first in northern California since 2010. Sounders FC have come away with points on each of their four visits to Avaya Stadium (three draws and a victory).
  
• Sounders FC have won the past three meetings at CenturyLink Field. The Seattle home win in 2016 put an end to a five-game Quakes undefeated streak in the league series.
  

SOUNDERS FC:
Harry Shipp
scored his first goal of the season, his first since last Aug. 18, vs. LA Galaxy. …
Victor Rodríguez
recorded his third assist of the season, his first since garnering two in the season-opening win March 2.
QUAKES:
Shea Salinas
scored his second goal of the season, both coming in the last three games. Salinas has scored multiple goals in a season for the first time since 2015, when he had a single-season career-high three. …
Magnus Eriksson
scored a goal and added an assist, each the second of the season; he had a goal and an assist in the same game for the first time in his MLS career. …
Jackson Yueill
collected his first assist of the season, the fifth of his MLS career; he has a goal and an assist in the last two games. …
NEW YORK CITY FC vs. ORLANDO CITY SC (updated)
Saturday, April 27, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #96)
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.
1 p.m. ET (YES; YouTube [ORL]; My65)
REFEREE: Drew Fischer. AR1 (bench): Logan Brown; AR2 (opposite): Claudiu Badea; 4th: Mark Allatin; VAR: Edvin Jurisevic; AVAR: Ian McKay
MLS Career: 106 games; FC/gm: 25.6; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 16; pens: 28
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: NYCFC 5 wins, 23 goals … Orlando City 5 wins, 16 goals … Ties 3
AT YANKEE STADIUM: NYCFC 3 wins, 13 goals … Orlando City 2 wins, 8 goals … Ties 1

• NYCFC won their second game on the trot, getting the game’s only goal for a 1-0 win against the Chicago Fire at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday evening. NYCFC are still undefeated on their home ground this season, now seven consecutive home matches without defeat, dating back to last Sept. 8.
• Nani was credited with the game’s lone goal, deflecting home the game-winning for Orlando City in their win vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Orlando City Stadium. It was the club’s second successive win at home.
• Sacha Kljestan was credited with the assist, the 91st of his MLS career, tying him for eighth place all-time, with Cobi Jones.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Chris Mueller netted a direct free kick and Tesho Akindele scored late as Orlando City SC overcame first-half goals from NYCFC’s Ebenezer Ofori and Alexander Ring, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw in the March 2 season opener at Orlando City Stadium.
• The first meeting this year ended a four-game NYCFC winning streak in the series, two wins coming at each ground. All four wins had come by shutout; the first OCSC goal this year ended a 458-minute shutout streak vs. New York City FC.

NYCFC:Valentin Castellanos scored his second goal of the season, both coming in the last three matches. Castellanos has three goals in 14 league appearances since coming to MLS. … Héber collected his second assist in MLS, after scoring his first goal and adding his first assist in the previous match, vs. D.C. United. … Maximiliano Moralez was credited with his third assist of the season, his second in as many games. … Sean Johnson was not forced to make a save in recording a second consecutive shutout, his fourth of the season. Johnson extended his shutout streak to 238 minutes, now the third-longest in NYCFC club history. … NYCFC had just four attempts at goal in the Chicago match, the fewest in a game in the club’s five MLS seasons.

OCSC:Brian Rowe was credited with two assists in recording his second shutout of the season, the first this season at Orlando City Stadium.

TORONTO FC vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Saturday, April 27, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #97)
BMO Field, Toronto, Ont.
3 p.m. ET (CTV / TSN; ROOT-NW)
REFEREE: Alex Chilowicz. AR1 (bench): Brian Dunn; AR2 (opposite): Cory Richardson; 4th: Robert Sibiga; VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.; AVAR: Jeff Muschik
MLS Career: 7 games; FC/gm: 25.6; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 1; pens: 1
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Toronto FC 4 wins, 15 goals … Timbers 3 wins, 15 goals … Ties 2
AT BMO FIELD: Toronto FC 4 wins, 12 goals … Timbers 0 wins, 5 goals … Ties 1

• Toronto FC put an end to a brief two-game winless run, defeating Minnesota United FC 4-3 at BMO Field on Friday evening.
  
• Alejandro Pozuelo scored a pair of goals – his second two-goal game in MLS – and also added an assist in TFC’s win. Pozuelo now has four goals and five assists in four appearances for Toronto FC, playing a part in nine of the club’s 12 goals over that span.
  
• The Timbers won for the first time in 2019 and put an end to a five-game losing slide, defeating Columbus Crew SC 3-1 at Mapfre Stadium on Saturday evening. Sebastian Blanco had a pair of assists, while Diego Valeri had his fourth assist of the season (on nine Portland goals scored).
  
• TFC have never lost to the Timbers at home, winning the past three meetings there, including a 4-1 win on Aug. 12, 2017 at BMO Field in the last meeting there.
  
• The Timbers have never lost to Toronto FC in Portland in four matches all-time, winning the past three meetings there, including a 2-0 win last year on Aug. 29.
  

TFC:
Jordan Hamilton
scored a pair of goals, his second consecutive appearance with a goal (also scoring on March 17). It was his first career multiple-goal game in MLS. …
Jozy Altidore
recorded an assist, his second of the season. He has a goal and/or an assist in each game this season (5 goals, 2 assists), now with a goal and/or an assist in six consecutive appearances dating back to last Oct. 6. …
Jonathan Osorio
collected an assist, his fourth of the season; he has a goal or an assist in four of six games this season. …
Chris Mavinga
recorded an assist, his first since Sept. 9, 2017.
TIMBERS:
Larrys Mabiala
netted his first goal of the season; he had five a year ago, in his second MLS season. …
Jeremy Ebobisse
recorded his third goal of the season, from the Timbers’ nine goals this year. …
Jorge Moreira
scored his first goal in MLS, in his fourth appearance.
FC DALLAS vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (updated)
Saturday, April 27, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #98)
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
2:30 p.m. CT (Univision)
REFEREE: Ramy Touchan. AR1 (bench): Kathryn Nesbitt; AR2 (opposite): Gjovalin Bori; 4th: Malik Badawi; VAR: Geoff Gamble; AVAR: Kevin Terry
MLS Career: 5 games; FC/gm: 26.6; Y/gm: 2.4; R: 0; pens: 1
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FC Dallas 20 wins (3 shootout), 75 goals … Earthquakes 28 wins (3 shootout), 98 goals … Ties 15
AT DALLAS: FC Dallas 12 wins (1 shootout), 39 goals … Earthquakes 12 wins (0 shootout), 44 goals … Ties 7

• FC Dallas won for a second consecutive match and a fourth time in the last five games, defeating Atlanta United 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday evening. Jesús Ferreira scored for a second consecutive game as Michael Barrios set up both FCD goals.
• The Quakes gained their third result in the last four matches after opening the season with four consecutive defeats, reaching a 2-2 draw with Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on Wednesday evening.
• Shea Salinas scored both Earthquakes goals, the first two-goal game in his MLS career, in his 290th league appearance over 12 seasons. Salinas now has four goals for the season, a single-season career-high (his previous was three, in 2015).
• The teams met twice a season ago, and the Quakes took both – a 3-1 win on Aug. 4 at Toyota Stadium behind a pair of goals from Vako Qazaishvili, and a 4-3 win Aug. 29 at Avaya Stadium with two more goals from Vako.
• The Quakes’ victory in the first meeting ended a nine-game winless streak in the all-time series, their first victory against FC Dallas since 2014 (0-5-4).
• The Quakes’ win at Avaya Stadium was their first at home vs. FC Dallas since 2014, and their first ever vs. FCD at Avaya Stadium. FCD had come away with points on their previous five trips to northern California, with two wins and three draws.

FCD: For Michael Barrios, it was his fifth career multiple-assist game in MLS (second this season, also March 30). … Bryan Acosta scored his second goal of the season, his first coming March 9. … Edwin Cerrillo recorded his first career assist in MLS. … According to Opta, Carlos Gruezo has won 81.3 percent of his tackles this season, the best rate of any player with 15+ tackles.

QUAKES:Magnus Eriksson was credited with his third assist of the season, his second in as many games; he was involved in three consecutive goals (one goal, two assists) over the last two games. … Cristian Espinoza was credited with his second assist of the season, both coming over the last four games.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Saturday, April 27, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #99)
BC Place, Vancouver, B.C.
2 p.m. PT (TSN; PHL 17)
REFEREE: Chris Penso. AR1 (bench): Eric Boria; AR2 (opposite): Gianni Facchini; 4th: Michael Radchuk; VAR: Hilario Grajeda; AVAR: Mauricio Navarro
MLS Career: 149 games; FC/gm: 23.9; Y/gm: 3.8; R: 44; pens: 54
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Whitecaps FC 3 wins, 10 goals … Union 3 wins, 11 goals … Ties 3
AT VANCOUVER: Whitecaps FC 2 wins, 4 goals … Union 1 win, 1 goal … Ties 1

• Whitecaps FC weren’t able to build upon a first win in seven games to open the season, falling by the game’s only goal in a loss to Orlando City SC at Orlando City Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
  
• The Union won for the fourth time in their last five games after seeing a three-game winning streak put to an end, defeating the Montréal Impact 3-0 at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
  
• The Union took a 4-0 win in the lone meeting between the teams a year ago, June 23 at Talen Energy Stadium, ending a four-game Whitecaps FC undefeated streak in the series. The last Union win vs. Vancouver had come in 2013. The ‘Caps have won twice in that span with two draws.
  
• The teams played to a goalless draw in their last meeting at BC Place, May 5, 2017. The Union have won just two home matches vs. Vancouver – the first in the first meeting ever between the teams, a 1-0 victory on March 26, 2011.
  

WHITECAPS FC:
Whitecaps FC had their road winless streak extended to five games, dating back to their final road match last season.
UNION:
Cory Burke
and
Alejandro Bedoya
each scored goals, the second of the year for both, each the second goal in the last three games. …
Jamiro Monteiro
scored his first career goal in MLS, converting a penalty kick. …
Kai Wagner
and
Haris Medunjanin
each recorded their second assists of the season. …
Andre Blake
was credited with one save in recording his first shutout of the season.
ATLANTA UNITED vs. COLORADO RAPIDS
Saturday, April 27, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #100)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
6 p.m. ET (FS-South; Altitude)
REFEREE: Alan Kelly. AR1 (bench): Nick Uranga; AR2 (opposite): Brian Poeschel; 4th: Elvis Osmanovic; VAR: Guido Gonzales Jr.; AVAR: Thomas Supple
MLS Career: 108 games; FC/gm: 24.3; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 17; pens: 39
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: ATLUTD 2 wins, 4 goals … Rapids 0 wins, 0 goals … Ties 0
AT ATLANTA: ATLUTD 1 win, 1 goal … Rapids 0 wins, 0 goals … Ties 0

• Atlanta United weren’t able to build upon a first win of 2019, losing for the first time this season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a 2-1 defeat by FC Dallas on Saturday afternoon.
  
• Josef Martínez netted his second goal of the season for ATLUTD, converting a penalty kick, his first since scoring the club’s opening goal of the season on March 10.
  
• The Rapids suffered their fifth consecutive defeat, falling 4-1 to the Chicago Fire at SeatGeek Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Rapids are the only team still without a victory this season, now 0-6-2 on the campaign.
  
• The teams have met twice all-time, and Atlanta United have won both – without conceding a goal. ATLUTD won 1-0 on June 24, 2017 at Bobby Dodd Stadium, then they claimed a 3-0 win last year on Sept. 15 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
  

ATLUTD:
The defeat put an end to a 12-game home undefeated run in league play, dating back to last June 2, matching the club record. … ATLUTD have gone winless in their last three home games (0-1-2), their longest home winless streak since joining MLS. It is also the first time they have failed to score multiple goals in three consecutive home games.
RAPIDS:
Kei Kamara
netted his fifth goal of the season, a fourth consecutive game with a goal, the longest goalscoring streak of his 13-year MLS career. … The Rapids allowed four goals for a third time in the last four games, leading MLS with 23 goals conceded this season.
NEW YORK RED BULLS vs. FC CINCINNATI
Saturday, April 27, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #101)
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
7 p.m. ET (MSG; WSTR – Star 64)
REFEREE: Timothy Ford. AR1 (bench): Mike Kampmeinert; AR2 (opposite): Chris Elliott; 4th: Thomas Snyder; VAR: Jorge Gonzalez; AVAR: Kyle Longville
MLS Career: 3 games; FC/gm: 22.7; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 1; pens: 1
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting

• The Red Bulls saw their winless streak extended to five games, falling by the game’s only goal to the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening. It’s the longest winless run for the Red Bulls since an eight-game streak Aug. 18-Sept. 30, 2017.
  
• FC Cincinnati suffered a second consecutive defeat, their winless streak now at four matches, falling 3-0 to Real Salt Lake at Nippert Stadium on Friday evening. It’s the first time FCC has been shut out in back-to-back games in its brief MLS history, now 251 minutes since the last goal.
  
• The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories.
  

RED BULLS:
The Red Bulls suffered their third defeat of the season by the minimum difference of the game’s lone goal.
FCC:
Two of FCC’s three shutouts this season have come at Nippert Stadium.
HOUSTON DYNAMO vs. COLUMBUS CREW SC (updated)
Saturday, April 27, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #102)
BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas
7:30 p.m. CT (KUBE 57; FS-Ohio)
REFEREE: Allen Chapman. AR1 (bench): Jeremy Hanson; AR2 (opposite): Jeremy Kieso; 4th: Rosendo Mendoza; VAR: Ricardo Salazar; AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
MLS Career: 141 games; FC/gm: 22.5; Y/gm: 3.6; R: 32; pens: 64
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Dynamo 6 wins, 26 goals … Crew SC 8 wins, 31 goals … Ties 10
AT HOUSTON: Dynamo 5 wins, 17 goals … Crew SC 1 win, 11 goals … Ties 6

• The Dynamo saw their four-game winning run put to an end, falling 2-1 to the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Friday evening. Alberth Elis converted a penalty kick for the Dynamo goal, his fourth consecutive game with a tally, now his longest streak in his three MLS seasons.
• Crew SC suffered a third consecutive defeat, falling 1-0 to D.C. United at Mapfre Stadium on Wednesday evening. It’s the first time the club has lost three games in a row since last March 31-April 14; Crew SC last lost four games in a row in 2005.
• Crew SC won the lone meeting between the teams a season ago, a 1-0 victory on Aug. 11 at Mapfre Stadium.
• The road team has not won in the series since 2011, when Crew SC claimed a 2-0 victory at Robertson Stadium in Houston. It is one of just two wins for the away team all-time in 24 meetings between the clubs.
• Crew SC have not lost to the Dynamo in Columbus since June 10, 2007, a 2-1 Houston victory. Since then, Crew SC have won seven of the 10 meetings at home, with three draws. The Dynamo have won four of the past six meetings in Houston, with two draws.

DYNAMO:
The Dynamo’s four-game winning streak was one game shy of the club’s record, set three times previously, last in 2012. …
Alberth Elis
has four goals and three assists over his four-game streak, involved in seven of the Dynamo’s 10 goals over that time.
CREW SC:
According to Opta, Crew SC goalkeeper
Zack Steffen
has saved 82.9 percent of the shots he has faced this season, the best of any 'keeper (min. 400 mins played).
SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (updated)
Saturday, April 27, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #103)
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kan.
7:30 p.m. CT (FS-KC+; NBCS-Bos)
REFEREE: Baldomero Toledo. AR1 (bench): Apolinar Mariscal; AR2 (opposite): Jose da Silva; 4th: Fotis Bazakos; VAR: Daniel Radford; AVAR: Kevin Klinger
MLS Career: 274 games; FC/gm: 25.2; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 98; pens: 104
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sporting 25 wins (1 shootout), 85 goals … Revolution 18 wins (1 shootout), 69 goals … Ties 11
AT KC: Sporting 14 wins (1 shootout), 44 goals … Revolution 7 wins (0 shootout), 29 goals … Ties 5

• Sporting had their five-game undefeated run in league play put to an end, falling 4-1 to the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium on Saturday evening. Sporting are still winless on the road this season in four outings (0-2-2).
• The Revolution suffered a 3-0 loss to the Montréal Impact at Gillette Stadium at midweek. It was their sixth loss of the campaign, tied for most in MLS this season (with Colorado Rapids).
• The Revolution won the lone meeting between the teams a year ago, a 1-0 win April 28 at Gillette Stadium.
• The Revolution have won once on their last 11 trips to Kansas City, since 2008, a 3-2 win Sept. 26, 2014 which ended an eight-game winless streak there in the series. Sporting won the last meeting at Children’s Mercy Park, a 3-1 victory Sept. 16, 2017.
• The Revolution have won the last four meetings in Foxborough. The Revolution’s 2-0 win at Gillette Stadium on April 26, 2014 snapped a six-game Sporting undefeated streak in league play in the series, scoring their first goals vs. SKC since July 30, 2011, snapping a 592-minute shutout streak.

SPORTING:
Felipe Gutiérrez
scored his second goal of the season, converting a penalty kick, his first coming March 30.
REVOLUTION:
According to Opta,
Carles Gil
has won possession in the final third 24 times this season, twice as many as any other MLS player and more than three other MLS teams. … The Revolution were shut out at the attacking end for a fifth time this season, leading MLS.
MONTREAL IMPACT vs. CHICAGO FIRE (updated)
Sunday, April 28, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #104)
Stade Saputo, Montréal, Qué.
12:30 p.m. ET (TVA Sports; ESPN+)
REFEREE: Rubiel Vazquez. AR1 (bench): Andrew Bigelow; AR2 (opposite): Matthew Nelson; 4th: Mark Allatin; VAR: Caleb Mendez; AVAR: Robert Schaap
MLS Career: 13 games; FC/gm: 20.7; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 5; pens: 5
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Impact 7 wins, 24 goals … Fire 6 wins, 25 goals … Ties 5
AT MONTREAL: Impact 6 wins, 16 goals … Fire 2 wins, 11 goals … Ties 2

• The Impact won for a second time in three games, defeating the New England Revolution 3-0 at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday evening. The Impact have taken eight points from their last five matches (2-1-2).
• Anthony Jackson-Hamel scored a pair of goals, the fourth two-goal game of his MLS career. He last scored in a league match May 5, 2018 – also vs. New England, and also his last two-goal game.
• The Fire had their four-game undefeated streak put to an end, falling 1-0 to New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday evening. The Fire were shut out at the attacking end for the first time this season.
• The Impact return home for their second match of the season at Stade Saputo riding a seven-home undefeated streak dating back to last Aug. 4, following their 1-0 win vs. Columbus in their home opener on April 13. The streak matches the longest of the club’s MLS history, set four times previously, last in 2015.
• The teams met twice a season ago, and each won on their home ground. Kevin Ellis scored the game’s lone goal in the 89th minute as the Fire took the victory May 9 at Toyota Park, then the Impact got a stoppage-time game-winner from Daniel Lovitz for a 2-1 win Aug. 18 at Stade Saputo.
• The Fire have won on two of their four three visits to Stade Saputo, winning once in each 2016 and 2017.
• The Fire win in the first meeting last year ended a two-game winless streak in the series on their home ground, their first Bridgeview victory vs. the Impact since 2015. The Impact’s 2-1 win there April 16, 2016 was their first ever at Toyota Park; the visiting team had never won in the series before that season.

IMPACT:Shamit Shome scored his first career MLS goal, in his 11th league appearance (over the last three years). … Clement Bayiha collected his first career assist in MLS. … Daniel Lovitz recorded his second assist of the season; he now has eight assists in his three seasons with Montréal, after recording three assists in his first three MLS seasons. … Evan Bush was not forced to make a save in recording his fourth shutout of the season, all coming over the last five matches.

FIRE: The Fire’s four-game undefeated streak was their longest since June 2-30 of last year.

MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. D.C. UNITED (updated)
Sunday, April 28, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #105)
Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minn.
12:30 p.m. CT (FS1 / FOX Deportes)
REFEREE: Nima Saghafi. AR1 (bench): Adam Wienckowski; AR2 (opposite): TJ Zablocki; 4th: Marcos de Oliveira; VAR: Dave Gantar; AVAR: Peter Manikowski
MLS Career: 11 games; FC/gm: 26.8; Y/gm: 4.2; R: 6; pens: 16
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: MNUFC 1 win, 5 goals … D.C. United 1 win, 2 goals … Ties 0
AT MINNESOTA: MNUFC 1 win, 4 goals … D.C. United 0 wins, 0 goals … Ties 0

• Minnesota United FC made it two draws from their first two matches at Allianz Field, reaching a goalless result with the LA Galaxy on Wednesday evening.
• D.C. United won for a third consecutive match on the road, defeating Columbus Crew SC 1-0 at Mapfre Stadium on Wednesday evening. United are still undefeated on the road this year (3-0-1), the only team without an away loss in MLS for the season.
• Wayne Rooney scored the game’s lone goal directly from a free kick, his second free kick this year (also with one March 31 vs. Orlando City). It was Rooney’s fourth goal directly from a free kick since coming to MLS, from 17 total goals in 28 total appearances. No other player in MLS has more than one in that span.
• The teams have met twice all-time, each winning once, both wins coming at home. MNUFC took a 4-0 victory in the first meeting between the teams, July 29, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium, then D.C. United claimed a 2-1 win in the lone meeting last year, Sept. 12 at Audi Field.

MNUFC: MNUFC were shut out at the attacking end for the first time this season. … Vito Mannone was credited with four saves in making his second shutout of the season (his first coming March 9).

DC UNITED:Bill Hamid was credited with four saves in recording his fifth shutout of the season, now leading MLS this season. … D.C. United extended their road undefeated streak to six games dating back to Sept. 8 of last season, two games shy of the club record set May 20-July 22, 2006. … United last won four games in a row on their travels Aug. 5-Sept. 1, 2007; the club record in seven consecutive away wins, set in 1999.

.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC vs. LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB (updated)
Sunday, April 28, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #106)
CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Wash.
12:30 p.m. PT (ESPN / ESPN Deportes)
REFEREE: Ted Unkel. AR1 (bench): Jason White; AR2 (opposite): Jeffrey Greeson; 4th: Michael Radchuk; VAR: Hilario Grajeda; AVAR: Cameron Blanchard
MLS Career: 83 games; FC/gm: 23.7; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 29; pens: 48
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sounders FC 0 wins, 1 goal … LAFC 3 wins, 6 goals … Ties 0
AT SEATTLE: Sounders FC 0 wins, 0 goals … LAFC 1 win, 1 goal … Ties 0

• The teams are meeting in the back end of a home-and-home series over successive weekends.
• Sounders FC saw their seven-game home undefeated streak put to an end, but still extended their CenturyLink Field undefeated run, coming back for a 2-2 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday evening.
• Los Angeles FC rebounded from their first defeat of the season earlier at midweek in the 4-1 win against Sounders FC at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It was a fifth consecutive home win for LAFC.
• Carlos Vela scored a pair of goals, his third multiple-goal game this season, now with 10 goals in nine matches this season – matching the fastest to 10 goals from the start of a campaign in MLS history.
• Mark-Anthony Kaye had three assists, matching the club’s single-game record set last year by Diego Rossi.
• Sounders FC conceded four goals in a game for the first time since a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Fire on May 13, 2017, in the 4-1 loss to LAFC in the opening leg of their home-and-home series.
• The teams met twice in LAFC’s inaugural season a year ago, and the first-year side won both, each by a 1-0 scoreline. The first win came in LAFC’s first MLS match ever, March 4 at CenturyLink Field; they also were victorious April 29 at Banc of California Stadium.

SOUNDERS FC:
Kelvin Leerdam
scored his third goal of the season, his first since scoring in the opening two games of the season. Leerdam had one goal in his first two MLS campaigns. …
Harry Shipp
scored his second goal of the season, a second consecutive game with a goal. …
Nicolas Lodeiro
collected a pair of assists, now leading MLS this season with six assists. It was Lodeiro’s ninth multiple-assist game since coming to MLS (in 81 career appearances). …
Handwalla Bwana
took six shots vs. San Jose, a career high. He had taken 10 shots in his previous 13 MLS appearances.
LAFC:
Eduard Atuesta
scored his first goal of the season, his second in his two MLS seasons. Atuesta also collected an assist, his fourth of the season, three coming over the last five games. …
Christian Ramirez
scored his second goal of the season, his first coming March 10. …
Latif Blessing
was credited with his fourth assist of the season. … LAFC have scored four goals or more in four of their nine matches this season.
LA GALAXY vs. REAL SALT LAKE (updated)
Sunday, April 28, 2019 (Week 9, MLS Game #107)
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif.
5 p.m. PT (SpecSN; KMYU-12)
REFEREE: Joseph Dickerson. AR1 (bench): Adam Garner; AR2 (opposite): Eduardo Mariscal; 4th: Victor Rivas; VAR: Kevin Stott; AVAR: Felisha Mariscal
MLS Career: 13 games; FC/gm: 26.2; Y/gm: 3.9; R: 3; pens: 5
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Galaxy 15 wins, 61 goals … Real 14 wins, 67 goals … Ties 9
AT GALAXY: Galaxy 11 wins, 35 goals … Real 7 wins, 31 goals … Ties 2

• The Galaxy saw their five-game winning run come to an end but still extended their undefeated streak, reaching a scoreless draw with Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field on Wednesday evening.
• Real won for a second consecutive match on the heels of a four-game losing slide, defeating FC Cincinnati 3-0 at Nippert Stadium on Friday evening.
• The teams met twice a year ago, and each won on their home ground in dominant fashion. Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted a pair of goals as the Galaxy cruised to a 3-0 win on June 9 in Carson, then Real rolled to a 6-2 win Sept. 1 at Rio Tinto Stadium, in the process becoming the first team in league history to score at least six goals in back-to-back games.
• The Galaxy won at Rio Tinto Stadium on March 18, 2017, snapping a Real five-game home undefeated streak in the series, their first win in Sandy since April 27, 2013. RSL’s last win in Carson, a 6-2 victory on July 4, 2017, ended a three-game Galaxy winning streak there in league meetings.
• The teams also met five times in eight seasons in the MLS Cup Playoffs, last in the Knockout Round in 2016. The Galaxy have won on three occasions, RSL won via penalty shootout when the clubs met in MLS Cup 2009, and also in the Western Conference Semifinals in 2013.

GALAXY:
David Bingham
was credited with one save in recording his third shutout of the season, all coming over the last four games (allowing one goal in that span). … According to Opta,
Emmanuel Boateng
created four chances for the Galaxy vs. Minnesota United. The rest of the team combined to create three.
REAL:
Albert Rúsnak
netted a pair of goals in the win, his third multiple-goal game in MLS, the first two coming in a three-game span last year (Aug. 18 vs. Houston and Sept. 1 vs. LA Galaxy). …
Sam Johnson
scored his second goal in MLS, both coming in the last two games.