MLS MEDIA RESOURCES: WEEK 29 NEWS & NOTES
ATLANTA UNITED’S JOSEF MARTÍNEZ HITS CENTURY MARK IN GOALS IN A BIG WAY
When Josef Martínez converted a penalty kick for the game’s only goal in Atlanta United’s win vs. Inter Miami CF at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday evening, it marked the 100th goal in all competitions for Martínez – 87 in MLS league play, 5 in the MLS Cup Playoffs, 5 in the Concacaf Champions League, 2 in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and 1 in Campeones Cup.
The goals came in just 125 appearances for Martínez over his Atlanta United career – by far the fastest player to reach 100 goals in all competitions in MLS history. The previous record was set by Robbie Keane, who scored 100 goals in all competitions in his first 156 games for the LA Galaxy.
Martínez became the 16th player in MLS history to reach the century mark in goals in all competitions, the second to reach the total this year, after Diego Valeri also did it.
FIRE’S SLONINA REWRITING THE RECORD BOOK AS YOUNGEST ‘KEEPER
Gabriel Slonina of Chicago Fire FC is on his way to making every record for young goalkeepers in the MLS record book his own, after backstopping his club’s 2-0 win against New York City FC at SeatGeek Stadium on Wednesday evening.
With the victory, Slonina became the youngest goalkeeper to be credited with a victory – more than two years younger than Bill Hamid was when he recorded the win in D.C. United’s 2-1 triumph against Sporting Kansas City on May 5, 2010.
Earlier this year, Slonina became the youngest goalkeeper to start a game and to post a shutout, in the Fire’s scoreless draw vs. NYCFC on May 15 at Soldier Field.
RICARDO PEPI BREAKING RECORDS ALL OVER IN TEENAGE GOALSCORING
With more than a month still remaining in the 2021 season and still a couple of months shy of his 19th birthday, Ricardo Pepi of FC Dallas is on course to break all records for goalscoring by teenagers in MLS history.
Pepi netted his 13th goal of the season in FCD’s 3-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City at Toyota Stadium on Wednesday evening – tying the record for most goals scored by a teenager in a season, first set by Diego Fagundez with the New England Revolution in 2013.
Pepi now has 15 goals for his MLS career – tied for third-most of any players in their teenage years in MLS history. In addition, Pepi earlier this yearbecame the youngest player in MLS history to score a hat trick, when he netted three goals on July 24 vs. the LA Galaxy aged 18 years, 196 days. Also this year, Pepi became the fourth-youngest player to score on his U.S. national team debut and the second-youngest to score in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in U.S. soccer history.
MLS WEEK 29 – LOOK AHEAD
AUSTIN FC vs. REAL SALT LAKE
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #367)
Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
2:30 p.m. CT (UniMás / TUDN; KMYU-12)
REFEREE: Rosendo Mendoza. AR1 (bench): Matthew Nelson; AR2 (opposite): Andrew Bigelow; 4th: Baldomero Toledo; VAR: Jair Marrufo; AVAR: Fabio Tovar
MLS Career: 30 games; FC/gm: 24.3; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 4; pens: 7
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: ATXFC 0 wins, 0 goals … Real 1 win, 1 goal … Ties 0
AT AUSTIN: First meeting.
· Austin FC weren’t able to make it a second consecutive win over seven matches, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Wednesday evening.
· Real won for a fourth time in six games, defeating the LA Galaxy 2-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday evening. Damir Kreilach scored his 12th goal of the season, a third consecutive game with a goal and fourth in the last five matches, tied for ninth place in the MLS Golden Boot race.
· Anderson Julio scored his seventh goal of the season for the game-winner, five minutes deep in second-half stoppage time.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season and in their histories. Bobby Wood scored the game’s only goal to give RSL the victory Aug. 14 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
ATXFC: Andrew Tarbell made his first league appearance in goal in 2021, his first in MLS since last Oct. 18 while with Columbus. … McKinze Gaines made his first career start in MLS, playing 68 minutes in a forward role.
REAL: Albert Rusnák collected his 10th assist of the season, tied for fifth in the MLS assist standings. … Damir Kreilach added his sixth assist of the season, the fourth time in his MLS career he’s had at least a goal and an assist in the same game, the second time this season (also: 1 goal, 2 assists vs KC, 5/1).
CF MONTRÉAL vs. ATLANTA UNITED
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #368)
Stade Saputo, Montréal, Qué.
7 p.m. ET (TVA Sports; Bally Sports South/SE)
REFEREE: Fotis Bazakos. AR1 (bench): Gianni Facchini; AR2 (opposite): Michael Barwegen; 4th: Ramy Touchan; VAR: Malik Badawi; AVAR: Robert Schaap
MLS Career: 119 games; FC/gm: 24.8; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 23; pens: 37
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: CFMTL 1 win, 8 goals … ATLUTD 5 wins, 15 goals … Ties 2
AT MONTRÉAL: CFMTL 0 wins, 4 goals … ATLUTD 3 wins, 10 goals … Ties 0
· CF Montréal suffered a second consecutive defeat, falling 4-1 to the New England Revolution at Stade Saputo on Wednesday evening. Joaquin Torres scored his fourth goal of the season for the CFMTL tally.
· ATLUTD won for an eighth time in the last 10 matches, defeating Inter Miami CF by the game’s only goal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· Josef Martínez scored the lone goal, converting a penalty kick in the 78th minute, his 10th goal of the season. The goal was the 100th in all competitions in five seasons with Atlanta United for Martínez, the 87th of his MLS league career. Martínez was the fastest to 100 goals over all competitions in MLS history, his 100th goal coming in his 125th appearance for the club.
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Mason Toye and Rudy Camacho gave CFMTL a lead early in the second half, but Josef Martínez and Marcelino Moreno netted for ATLUTD, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw Aug. 4 at Stade Saputo, on May 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Marcelino Moreno scored the game’s only goal four minutes into second-half stoppage time, giving ATLUTD the win.
· The CF Montréal win in the last meeting was their last in Québec since 2017, the first meeting ever between the clubs. ATLUTD have won all four meetings all-time in Atlanta.
CFMTL: Djordje Mihailovic was credited with his 12th assist of the season, his fourth assist in the last four games, now sitting in second place in the MLS assist standings, four behind leader Carles Gil of New England.
ATLUTD: Brad Guzan was not called upon to make a save in recording his eighth shutout of the season, now in a tie for fifth place in MLS this season.
ORLANDO CITY SC vs. D.C. UNITED
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #370)
Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
7:30 p.m. ET (FOX35 Plus / LionNation TV; NBCS-Wash / TeleXitos)
REFEREE: Guido Gonzales Jr. AR1 (bench): Claudiu Badea; AR2 (opposite): Brian Dunn; 4th: Silviu Petrescu; VAR: Alan Kelly; AVAR: Kyle Longville
MLS Career: 31 games; FC/gm: 26.1; Y/gm: 4.3; R: 9; pens: 9
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Orlando City 5 wins, 16 goals … D.C. United 6 wins, 17 goals … Ties 1
AT ORLANDO: Orlando City 3 wins, 9 goals … D.C. United 2 wins, 6 goals … Ties 1
· Orlando City put an end to a four-game losing skid, coming back for a 2-2 draw with Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium on Wednesday evening. Daryl Dike converted a penalty kick for his fifth goal of the season, a second consecutive game with a goal.
· D.C. United won a second game on the trot and for a fourth time in the last six games, defeating Minnesota United FC 3-1 at Audi Field on Wednesday evening. Ola Kamara converted a penalty kick for his 17th goal of the season, his sixth in the last six games, now leading the MLS Golden Boot standings by one goal ahead of Raúl Ruidíaz of Seattle.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Mauricio Pereyra netted the game’s only goal in the seventh minute, giving Orlando City the win May 16 at Audi Field.
· The Orlando City win in the last meeting ended a three-game winning streak for D.C. United in the series, which following a four-game undefeated streak for Orlando City SC in the series. The OCSC win was their first ever at Audi Field in three visits; United won the last matchup in Orlando, a 2-1 win on March 31, 2019.
OCSC: Alexander Alvarado made his second career start, his first coming on July 25 vs. New York City FC, playing 66 minutes in a midfield role.
UNITED: Julian Gressel scored his first goal of the season, his first since last Oct. 28. … Junior Moreno scored his first career goal in MLS, in his fourth league campaign (90 appearances). … Ola Kamara also added his fifth assist of the season, the sixth time he’s had at least one goal and one assist in the same game (the third time this season). … Edison Flores collected his fifth assist of the season; he has a goal and three assists over the last three games.
FC CINCINNATI vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #371)
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
7:30 p.m. ET (WSTR – Star 64; MSG)
REFEREE: Timothy Ford. AR1 (bench): Nick Uranga; AR2 (opposite): Chris Elliott; 4th: Elton Garcia; VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.; AVAR: Jeff Muschik
MLS Career: 35 games; FC/gm: 20.7; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 8; pens: 7
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FCC 2 wins, 5 goals … Red Bulls 3 wins, 6 goals … Ties 1
AT CINCINNATI: FCC 0 wins, 0 goals … Red Bulls 1 win, 2 goals … Ties 0
· FCC saw their losing slide extended in Tyrone Marshall’s first game in charge as head coach, falling 3-2 to Toronto FC at BMO Field on Wednesday evening. Luciano Acosta netted his sixth goal of the season, his second in as many games, and added his ninth assist of the year, the eighth time in his MLS career he’s had at least one goal and one assist in the same game.
· The Red Bulls stretched their undefeated run to four games with a second draw in that time, reaching a 1-1 result with the Philadelphia Union at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday evening. Omir Fernandez scored his third goal of the season, a second consecutive game with a goal, all three coming in the last four matfches.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season, reaching a goalless draw Aug. 4 at Red Bull Arena.
· The teams met three times a season ago, FCC ending the stretch with wins in the final two games. Yuya Kubo sent FCC on their way to a 2-0 win with a first-half goal as the clubs met in group play in the MLS is Back Tournament on July 22, then on Sept. 19 at Red Bull Arena, Haris Medunjanin scored the game’s only goal from a gol olimpico. The teams also met in the season opener, and the Red Bulls claimed a 3-2 win at Red Bull Arena on March 1.
· The teams met twice in FCC’s inaugural season, and the Red Bulls won both without conceding a goal. Connor Lade netted the only goal of the game as the Red Bulls won April 27 at Red Bull Arena; Kaku and Omir Fernandez scored late goals as they claimed a 2-0 win May 25 at Nippert Stadium.
FCC: Ronald Matarrita scored his second goal of the season, both coming in the last seven games.
RED BULLS: Cristian Casseres Jr. collected his first assist of the season, his last coming last Nov. 1 vs. NYCFC.
FC DALLAS vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #372)
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
7 p.m. CT (FCDTV; Bally Sports North+ / CW)
REFEREE: Rubiel Vazquez. AR1 (bench): Kevin Klinger; AR2 (opposite): Walter Heatherly; 4th: Ted Unkel; VAR: Ismail Elfath; AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
MLS Career: 54 games; FC/gm: 22.2; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 10; pens: 12
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FC Dallas 5 wins, 17 goals … MNUFC 5 wins, 17 goals … Ties 1
AT FCD: FC Dallas 4 wins, 13 goals … MNUFC 0 wins, 5 goals … Ties 1
· FC Dallas had their winless skid extended, falling 3-1 to Sporting Kansas City at Toyota Stadium on Wednesday evening. Ricardo Pepi scored his 13th goal of the season, now sitting in a tie for fourth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
· Minnesota United FC had their two-game winning run put to an end, falling 3-1 to D.C. United at Audi Field on Wednesday evening. Bakaye Dibassy scored his first career goal in MLS, in his second campaign (29 appearances).
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Robin Lod scored the game’s only goal four minutes into second half stoppage time to give MNUFC the win May 15 at Allianz Field; then on June 19 at Toyota Stadium, Ricardo Pepi gave FCD a second-half lead, but Lod hit for the leveler in stoppage time to leave the teams in a 1-1 draw.
· Minnesota United have four consecutive home games in the series; FCD had won the last four meetings in Frisco before the draw in the last matchup.
FCD: Ricardo Pepi has equaled the most goals scored by a teenager in a single season, matching the total scored by Diego Fagundez with New England in 2013. … Ryan Hollingshead collected his fifth assist of the season, his last coming July 31.
MNUFC: Franco Fragapane recorded his seventh assist of the season, his fourth over the last three games. Fragapane has featured in four of MNUFC’s last five goals scored.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #373)
BC Place, Vancouver, B.C.
7 p.m. PT (TSN; NBCS-BA)
REFEREE: Pierre-Luc Lauziere. AR1 (bench): Mike Rottersman; AR2 (opposite): Lyes Arfa; 4th: Drew Fischer; VAR: Carol Anne Chenard; AVAR: Rene Parra
MLS Career: 4 games; FC/gm: 21.8; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 2; pens: 1
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Whitecaps FC 9 wins, 38 goals … Earthquakes 8 wins, 39 goals … Ties 10
AT VANCOUVER: Whitecaps FC 8 wins, 24 goals … Earthquakes 2 wins, 16 goals … Ties 3
· Whitecaps FC stretched their latest undefeated run to three games with a second draw in that time, reaching a goalless result with Houston Dynamo FC at BBVA Stadium on Wednesday evening. Maxime Crèpeau was credited with four saves in recording his fifth shutout of the season, equaling his single-season career-high set two years ago. Crèpeau extended his personal shutout streak to 242 minutes.
· The Quakes saw their two-game winning streak come to an end, falling 3-1 to Seattle Sounders FC at PayPal Park on Wednesday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season, reaching a goalless draw Aug. 13 at PayPal Park.
· The teams met three times a season ago. The Quakes won the first two: First, Shea Salinas scored the game-winner eight minutes into second-half stoppage time, giving the Quakes a wild 4-3 win during group play at the MLS is Back Tournament, then they got three second-half goals for a 3-0 win Oct. 7 in San Jose. The Whitecaps took a 2-1 win Oct. 24 at Providence Park in Portland.
· The Whitecaps FC win in the third meeting a year ago ended a four-game winning streak for the Quakes in the series. The Quakes wins ended a five-game Whitecaps FC undefeated streak in the series in league and MLS Cup play in the first meeting, their first win vs. Vancouver since March 11, 2017.
WHITECAPS FC: The ‘Caps extended their road undefeated streak to eight games, dating back to June 26, equaling the seventh-longest away run without defeat in MLS history.
QUAKES: Shea Salinas returned to the first XI for the first time since Sept. 4, playing 54 minutes in a midfield role.
NEW YORK CITY FC vs. NASHVILLE SC
Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #375)
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
12 noon ET (YES; MyTV30)
REFEREE: Marcos de Oliveira. AR1 (bench): Jeff Hosking; AR2 (opposite): Jeffrey Swartzel; 4th: JC Griggs; VAR: Geoff Gamble; AVAR: Ian McKay
MLS Career: 56 games; FC/gm: 25.4; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 5; pens: 16
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: NYCFC 0 wins, 1 goal … Nashville SC 1 win, 3 goals … Ties 0
NYCFC HOME GAME: First meeting.
· NYCFC went down to a second successive reversal, falling 2-0 to Chicago Fire FC at SeatGeek Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· Nashville SC extended their undefeated streak to three games overall with a second successive draw, reaching a 2-2 result with Orlando City SC at Nissan Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· Hany Mukhtar scored his 13th goal of the season, his third in the last three games, now in a tie for fourth place in the MLS Golden Boot race, and Randall Leal added his sixth of the season, his second in the last three matches.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season and in their histories. Hany Mukhtar scored a pair of goals as Nashville SC took a 3-1 Sept. 3 at Nissan Stadium.
NYCFC: NYCFC had a quick two-game away undefeated run put to an end.
NASHVILLE SC: Nashville SC remained undefeated at Nissan Stadium, now 8-0-7 for the year, two games away from becoming the seventh team in MLS history to go through an entire home schedule in a season without a loss. … Dax McCarty collected his third assist of the season, all coming over the last six games.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs. HOUSTON DYNAMO FC
Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #378)
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kan.
2:55 p.m. CT (UniMás / TUDN; Bally Sports KC+)
REFEREE: Alex Chilowicz. AR1 (bench): Eric Weisbrod; AR2 (opposite): Jeffrey Greeson; 4th: Jon Freemon; VAR: Ismail Elfath; AVAR: Diego Blas
MLS Career:
54 games; FC/gm: 23.8; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 6; pens: 16
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sporting 11 wins, 49 goals … Dynamo 13 wins, 52 goals … Ties 13
AT KC: Sporting 6 wins, 29 goals … Dynamo 5 wins, 26 goals … Ties 7
· Sporting won for a third time in the last four matches, defeating FC Dallas 3-1 at Toyota Stadium on Wednesday evening. Daniel Sallói scored a pair of goals, the third two-goal of his MLS career (and second this season), now with 15 goals on the season, in a tie for third place in the MLS Golden Boot standings, two behind Ola Kamara of D.C. United.
· Dynamo FC gained a fourth result in the last five matches, reaching a goalless draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BBVA Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season, each winning on their home ground. Maximiliano Urruti scored the game’s only goal in the 56th minute, leading Dynamo FC to the victory May 12 at BBVA Stadium; then on May 29, Gianluca Busio scored directly from a free kick and set up the Gadi Kinda game-winning goal as Sporting took a 3-2 win at Children’s Mercy Park.
· The teams met four times a season ago, and each won twice, once at each ground. The Dynamo wins ended Sporting’s undefeated streak in the series at six games, with four wins and two draws. The Dynamo’s last win had come in 2017 in Houston.
SPORTING: Johnny Russell converted a penalty kick for his eighth goal of the season, a fourth consecutive game with a goal, the longest such streak of his four seasons in MLS. … Luis Martins gained his second assist of the season, his first coming May 9, matching his total from his first MLS season last year. … José Mauri collected his first career MLS assist.
DYNAMO FC: Michael Nelson was credited with one save in recording his second shutout in his seventh MLS appearance, both coming in the last five matches.
PHILADELPHIA UNION vs. COLUMBUS CREW
Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #369)
Subaru Park, Chester, Pa.
4 p.m. ET (PHL17; Bally Sports OH)
REFEREE: Victor Rivas. AR1 (bench): Peter Manikowski; AR2 (opposite): Brian Poeschel; 4th: Elvis Osmanovic; VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero; AVAR: Craig Lowry
MLS Career: 34 games; FC/gm: 23.1; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 5; pens: 13
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Union 10 wins, 36 goals … Crew 15 wins, 37 goals … Ties 4
AT UNION: Union 8 wins, 23 goals … Crew 4 wins, 11 goals … Ties 1
· The Union stretched their undefeated streak to three games following a pair of wins, reaching a 1-1 result with the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday evening.
· The Crew return to league play at the weekend, extending their undefeated streak to three games in their last MLS match, a 2-1 win against CF Montréal at Lower.com Field on Saturday evening. Gyasi Zardes netted both Crew goals, now with seven goals for the season, three in his last two league games. Darlington Nagbe added his second assist of the year, both coming in the last two league games.
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Jamiro Monteiro netted the game’s only goal in the 24th minute, giving the Union the win June 23 at Subaru Park; the teams reached a goalless draw in the season opener for both teams, April 18 at The Historic Crew Stadium. There has been a shutout in 10 of the last 11 meetings between the teams, dating back to 2016.
· The Union are undefeated in the last five meetings in Chester; they have a 360-minute shutout streak alive in home games. The Crew are undefeated in the last seven meetings between the teams at home with five wins; the Union goal in the second meeting in 2020 was their first in the last 521 minutes played in Columbus.
UNION: Sergio Santos netted his fifth goal of the season, his last coming Aug. 4.
CREW: The Crew won the 2021 Campeones Cup at midweek, defeating CDSC Cruz Azul 2-0 at Lower.com Field in the annual matchup of defending MLS Cup champions and Mexico’s Campeón de Campeones. An own goal gave the Crew an early lead, then Jonathan Mensah sealed it late.
TORONTO FC vs. CHICAGO FIRE FC
Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #374)
BMO Field, Toronto, Ont.
4 p.m. ET (TSN; WGN-TV)
REFEREE: Nima Saghafi. AR1 (bench): Kathryn Nesbitt; AR2 (opposite): Adam Wienckowski; 4th: Ramy Touchan; VAR: Jorge Gonzalez; AVAR: Robert Schaap
MLS Career: 80 games; FC/gm: 26.4; Y/gm: 3.8; R: 9; pens: 24
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Toronto FC 12 wins, 55 goals … Fire 9 wins, 49 goals … Ties 11
AT BMO FIELD: Toronto FC 8 wins, 35 goals … Fire 4 wins, 28 goals … Ties 5
· TFC extended their undefeated streak to three games with a second win in that time, defeating FC Cincinnati 3-2 at BMO Field on Wednesday evening. Jacob Shaffelburg scored his third goal of the season, his second in as many games, and added assists on the other two TFC goals, his first two of the season (and second and third of his MLS career).
· The Fire gained a second successive result and put paid to a six-game winless slide, defeating New York City FC 2-0 at SeatGeek Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· Gabriel Slonina was credited with two saves in recording the victory – at age 17 years, 137 days, the youngest in MLS history to record a goalkeeper win. It was Slonina’s third shutout in five career appearances.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Yeferson Soteldo scored early and Nick DeLeon netted the late game-winner, as Toronto FC took a 2-1 win July 24 at Soldier Field.
· TFC now has a 12-game undefeated streak alive in the series (9-0-3), dating back to Sept. 26, 2015. The Fire’s last victory in the series came on April 4, 2015, a 3-2 win in Bridgeview, Ill., which capped a 12-game Fire undefeated streak in the series (6-0-6), dating back to 2010.
· TFC won the final three meetings at SeatGeek Stadium, its only wins ever there. The Fire had come away with five wins and five draws in the first 10 meetings all-time in Bridgeview. TFC is undefeated in the past nine encounters at BMO Field.
TFC: Mark Delgado scored his second goal of the season, his first the first goal scored by TFC this season, in the April 17 season opener vs. CF Montréal. He added his second assist of the season, the fourth time in his MLS career he’s had a goal and an assist in the same game. … Yeferson Soteldo recorded a pair of assists, the first two-assist game of his MLS career, now with nine assists for the year, tied for seventh place in the MLS assist standings. … Ifunanyachi Achara scored his second goal of the season, both coming in the last six games.
FIRE: Robert Beric scored his fourth goal of the season, his last coming Aug. 28. He also added his third assist of the year, his second in the last three games, three of his four career assists in MLS have also come in games where he has scored a goal. … Federico Navarro scored his first career goal in MLS, making his sixth appearance (fourth as a starter). … Álvaro Medran collected his sixth assist of the season.
PORTLAND TIMBERS vs. INTER MIAMI CF
Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #377)
Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
2:30 p.m. PT (FS1 / FOX Deportes)
REFEREE: Robert Sibiga. AR1 (bench): Jose da Silva; AR2 (opposite): Apolinar Mariscal; 4th: Brandon Stevis; VAR: Allen Chapman; AVAR: Joshua Patlak
MLS Career: 137 games; FC/gm: 21.6; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 24; pens: 38
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting.
· The Timbers won a third consecutive game and for a sixth time in seven matches, defeating Los Angeles Football Club for a third time this season by a 2-1 scoreline at Providence Park on Wednesday evening.
· Dairon Asprilla scored his eighth goal of the season, his third consecutive game with a goal; Asprilla had seven goals combined over his first six MLS seasons.
· Inter Miami saw their losing slide continue, falling by the game’s only goal to Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories.
TIMBERS: Dairon Asprilla added an assist, his third of the season, the third time in his MLS career he had a goal and an assist in the same game. … Yimmi Chará scored his fifth goal of the season, his second in as many games.
IMCF: Inter Miami saw a three-game away undefeated streak put to an end in the loss at Portland.
LA GALAXY vs. LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB
Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #376)
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif.
5 p.m. PT (ESPN / ESPN Deportes; TSN)
REFEREE: Armando Villarreal. AR1 (bench): Frank Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Corey Rockwell; 4th: Baldomero Toledo; VAR: Kevin Stott; AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
MLS Career: 163 games; FC/gm: 22.7; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 29; pens: 35
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Galaxy 5 wins, 25 goals … LAFC 2 wins, 23 goals … Ties 4
AT GALAXY: Galaxy 4 wins, 13 goals … LAFC 0 wins, 7 goals … Ties 1
· The Galaxy had their winless streak extended, falling 2-1 to Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday evening. Javier Hernández scored his 12th goal of the season, his second goal in the last four games, tied for ninth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
· LAFC saw their losing skid continue, falling 2-1 to the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Wednesday evening. Danny Musovski scored his third goal of the season, his second in the last four games.
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Dejan Joveljic (Galaxy) and Brian Rodríguez (LAFC) each hit for a brace, but it was an 86th-minute equalizer from Kévin Cabral that left the teams in a 3-3 draw at Back of California Stadium; on May 8 at Dignity Health Sports Park, Javier Hernández scored early then set up the Jonathan dos Santos game-winner late, as the Galaxy took the 2-1 win.
· When the teams met last year in the MLS is Back Tournament – it was another historic meeting. Diego Rossi scored four goals – the 13th player in league history to net that many in a game – and combined for five goals and assists, as LAFC won 6-2 on July 18. It was the eighth time in MLS history a player had five goals plus assists in a game, Rossi the first player to do it twice. The win marked the first time in league play LAFC defeated the Galaxy.
· There have been 56 goals scored in the 10 meetings in all competitions between the clubs.
· The teams also met in 2019 in the Western Conference Semifinals – and LAFC came away victors, claiming a wild 5-3 victory at Banc of California Stadium on Oct. 24, as Carlos Vela scored two goals and added an assist.
GALAXY: Efraín Álvarez recorded his third assist of the season, all coming in the last 10 games (since Aug. 8).
LAFC: José Cifuentes collected his fifth assist of the season, his second in the last four games.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC vs. COLORADO RAPIDS
Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 (Week 29, MLS Game #379)
Lumen Field, Seattle, Wash.
7 p.m. PT (JOEtv / Amazon Prime; Altitude)
REFEREE: Chris Penso. AR1 (bench): Ian Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Ryan Graves; 4th: Joseph Dickerson; VAR: Edvin Jurisevic; AVAR: Rene Parra
MLS Career: 183 games; FC/gm: 23.7; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 54; pens: 72
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sounders FC 18 wins, 50 goals … Rapids
7 wins, 31 goals … Ties 3
AT SEATTLE: Sounders FC 11 wins, 28 goals … Rapids 2 wins, 9 goals … Ties 1
· Sounders FC won a second game on the trot, defeating Sporting Kansas City 3-1 at Children’s Mercy Park on Wednesday evening. Raúl Ruidíaz scored a pair of goals, now with 16 goals on the season, sitting in second place in the MLS Golden Boot race, one behind leader Ola Kamara of D.C. United. It was the ninth two-goal game of Ruidíaz’s MLS career.
· The Rapids extended their undefeated streak to 12 games, defeating Austin FC 3-0 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Wednesday evening. Jonathan Lewis scored his fifth goal of the season, his fourth in the last nine games.
· William Yarbrough was credited with four saves in recording his 11th shutout of the season, now tied for the league lead with Joe Willis (Nashville SC). Yarbrough extended his shutout streak to 229 minutes.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Alex Roldan scored for Sounders FC in the first half, but Michael Barrios leveled terms after the break for the Rapids, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw July 4 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
· The Rapids had won the last two meetings in the series before the first matchup this year, both coming in Commerce City, the back-to-back victories ending a five-game Sounders FC winning streak in the series. Those victories came after a three-game winning streak for the Rapids in the series – which had come on the heels of a five-game Sounders FC winning streak in the series.
· Sounders FC have won the past three meetings in Seattle – all by shutout (now 317 minutes since their last home goal conceded vs. Colorado). Sounders FC have won five of the past nine meetings in Commerce City, in both league and MLS Cup Playoffs competition, dating back to 2014.
SOUNDERS FC: Cristian Roldan scored his fourth goal of the season, his second in as many games, and added his third assist, the third time he’s had a goal and an assist in the same game. … Fredy Montero collected his fourth assist of the season. … Jimmy Medranda recorded his third assist of the season, his single-season career-best in his ninth MLS season.
RAPIDS: Jack Price recorded a pair of assists, now with 11 for the season, tied for third place in the MLS assist standings. It was the fourth multiple-assist game of his MLS career. … Nicolas Mezquida scored his first goal of the season, his first since last Sept. 23. … Auston Trusty scored his first goal in his two seasons in Colorado, his last coming June 2, 2019 while with Philadelphia. … Steven Beitashour recorded his first assist of the season, his first in an MLS game since Aug. 11, 2019 while with Los Angeles FC. … Cole Bassett gained his third assist of the season.
