MLS MEDIA RESOURCES: WEEK 11 NEWS & NOTES
News and notes and statistical trends from around Major League Soccer
CHICHARITO TAKES LEAD IN GOLDEN BOOT WITH NEAR-RECORD START
Javier “Chicharito” Hernández of the LA Galaxy has neared a record pace in his hot start to the 2021 MLS season.
Hernández scored a pair of goals in the Galaxy’s 3-1 win against the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park last weekend, giving him 10 for the season and the lead in the race for the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi.
With 10 goals in the opening 10 games of the season, the pace is just one game behind the all-time record for fastest 10 goals from the start of the season, which was set three times previously, the last in 2019 by Carlos Vela of Los Angeles Football Club.
It’s also marked three seasons in a row where 10 goals have been scored in at least the opening 11 games of a season – and all three by players from the LA clubs: Vela in 2019 (9 games), Diego Rossi of LAFC last season (11 games), and Hernández this year (10 games).
SPORTING KC’S SALLÓI MOVING UP CHARTS OF HOMEGROWN GOALSCORERS
Daniel Sallói of Sporting Kansas City is making a move up the charts of the all-time producers by Homegrown Players.
Sallói scored his seventh goal of the season in Sporting’s 2-1 win against Los Angeles FC last Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park – the 22nd goal of his MLS career. With the goal, he moved into a tie for fifth place in goals scored all-time among Homegrown Players, equaling the total scored by Harry Shipp over his seven-year career.
D.C. UNITED’S HAMID ENTERING RARE AIR IN GOALKEEPING RECORDS
Another Homegrown Player is making a move up the all-time charts for goalkeepers in MLS history.
Bill Hamid of D.C. United played in the 252nd game of his MLS career last Sunday vs. New York City FC at Red Bull Arena, the 10th-most of any goalkeeper in league annals. He is just one game behind Luis Robles for ninth on the all-time list, heading into Saturday evening’s game vs. Toronto FC at Audi Field.
With three shutouts on the season – in four starts this year – Hamid is now ninth all-time with 73 shutouts for his career. With each of his next four shutouts recorded, Hamid will move one place farther up the chart toward the MLS record of 154 set by Nick Rimando.
With his 252 games played, Hamid has appeared in the most games by any Homegrown goalkeeper, and the total is the second-most all-time among all Homegrown Players, behind Diego Fagundez of Austin FC (272).
MLS WEEK 11 – LOOK AHEAD
AUSTIN FC vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Thursday, July 1, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #145)
Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
8:30 p.m. CT (FS1 / FOX Deportes; TSN)
REFEREE: Ted Unkel. AR1 (bench): Adam Garner; AR2 (opposite): Brian Poeschel; 4th: Tori Penso; VAR: Luis Guardia; AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
MLS Career: 112 games; FC/gm: 23.5; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 34; pens: 56
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting.
· Austin FC reached a second consecutive goalless draw at their new Q2 Stadium home, vs. the Columbus Crew on Sunday evening.
· The Timbers had their two-game undefeated run put to an end, falling by the game’s only goal to Minnesota United FC at Providence Park on Saturday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories. They are scheduled to meet twice again this season, Aug. 21, also at Q2 Stadium, and on Decision Day (Nov. 7) at Providence Park.
ATXFC: Brad Stuver was credited with six saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season, his third over the last five matches. The four shutouts are tied for second-most in MLS this season, one of nine players behind Andre Blake (PHI) with six. Stuver leads MLS with 54 saves this season.
TIMBERS: Steve Clark recorded a season-high four saves in making his third start of the season, his second in the last three games.
COLUMBUS CREW vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Saturday, July 3, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #138)
Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio
5 p.m. ET (ESPN / ESPN Deportes)
REFEREE: Alan Kelly. AR1 (bench): Cameron Blanchard; AR2 (opposite): Jeremy Kieso; 4th: Sergii Demianchuk; VAR: Sorin Stoica; AVAR: Fabio Tovar
MLS Career: 135 games; FC/gm: 24.3; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 18; pens: 51
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Crew 38 wins (4 shootout), 113 goals … Revolution 24 wins (1 shootout), 89 goals … Ties 13
AT COLUMBUS: Crew 21 wins (1 shootout), 67 goals … Revolution 8 wins (1 shootout), 39 goals … Ties 7
· The Crew rebounded from a first loss in four games, reaching a scoreless draw with Austin FC at Q2 Stadium on Sunday evening.
· The Revolution saw their five-game winning streak – one shy of the club record – put to an end in a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Sunday evening. Gustavo Bou netted his fifth goal of the season, a third game in a row with a goal.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Adam Buksa netted the game’s only goal in the 86th minute, giving the Revolution the victory May 16 at Gillette Stadium. It was the Revs’ first win in the series since May 21, 2017, a 2-1 victory in Foxborough. Columbus SC have won six of the last nine meetings between the teams (with one draw).
· Columbus SC have a six-game undefeated streak alive at home in the series (5-0-1); the last Revolution league win in Columbus was on Oct. 27, 2013, though the Revolution won the first leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series there in 2014.
· The teams did meet last year in the Eastern Conference Final, Artur scoring the game’s only goal in the 59th minute to book the Crew’s place in the 2020 MLS Cup. It was the first win for Columbus in eight meetings all-time in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
CREW: Eloy Room was credited with five saves in recording his third shutout of the season, his last coming on May 1, the second of back-to-back clean sheets.
REVOLUTION: Carles Gil saw his streak of assists on five consecutive team goals come to an end, equaling the sixth-longest such streak in MLS history.
D.C. UNITED vs. TORONTO FC
Saturday, July 3, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #139)
Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
5:30 p.m. ET (TSN; NBCS-Wash / TeleXitos)
REFEREE: Lukasz Szpala. AR1 (bench): Adam Wienckowski; AR2 (opposite): Cory Richardson; 4th: Guido Gonzales Jr.; VAR: Malik Badawi; AVAR: Claudiu Badea
MLS Career: First game.
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: D.C. United 14 wins, 55 goals … Toronto FC 10 wins, 47 goals … Ties 10
AT D.C.: D.C. United 6 wins, 33 goals … Toronto FC 4 wins, 24 goals … Ties 6
· D.C. United had their three-game undefeated and shutout streak put to an end, dropping a 2-1 decision to New York City FC at Red Bull Arena on Sunday evening. Nigel Robertha scored his first MLS goal for the United tally.
· Toronto FC had their losing slide continue, falling to a 2-0 defeat by FC Cincinnati at Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening.
· The teams met twice a season ago, reaching a pair of 2-2 draws, first on July 13 in group play at the MLS is Back Tournament, then on Sept. 19 at Audi Field.
· Each of the last four meetings between the teams, over the last two seasons, having finished in draws. In the last meeting in Toronto, May 15, 2019, at BMO Field, TFC took 36 total attempts toward goal – tied for the second-most in a single game in MLS history, and the most ever from a team without scoring a goal – in a goalless draw.
· The teams also met in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2019 – Toronto FC claiming a 5-1 win in extra time in the Round One match Oct. 19 at BMO Field. The game was knotted 1-1 after 90 minutes; the four goals in extra time were an all-time MLS record, both for a single game and for one team.
UNITED: Moses Nyeman collected his second assist of the season, the first coming on May 13, his third in 21 career appearances.
TFC: Dom Dwyer made his first start for Toronto FC since signing with the club, playing 60 minutes in a forward role.
CF MONTRÉAL vs. INTER MIAMI CF
Saturday, July 3, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #140)
DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
7:30 p.m. ET (TVA Sports; MyTV33 / UniMas 69)
REFEREE: Rosendo Mendoza. AR1 (bench): Matthew Nelson; AR2 (opposite): Chantal Boudreau; 4th: Tori Penso; VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.; AVAR: Jozef Batko
MLS Career: 18 games; FC/gm: 23.6; Y/gm: 2.8; R: 2; pens: 4
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: CFMTL 2 wins, 4 goals … Inter Miami 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 0
MONTRÉAL HOME GAME: CFMTL 1 win, 2 goals … Inter Miami 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 0
· CF Montréal extended their undefeated run to three games with a second consecutive draw, reaching a 1-1 result with Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium on Saturday evening. Kiki Struna scored the CFMTL goal, his first in three seasons in MLS.
· Inter Miami had their losing slide extended, falling 2-1 to Orlando City SC at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday evening. Gonzalo Higuaín scored the Inter Miami goal, his fifth of the season, tied for seventh place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. On May 12, Bjorn Johnsen netted a brace in the opening 25 minutes, leading CF Montréal to a 2-0 win at DRV PNK Stadium, in an Inter Miami home game.
· The teams met once in Inter Miami’s inaugural season a year ago. Montréal got goals from Bojan Krkic and Maximiliano Urruti for a 2-1 win, Oct. 17 at Red Bull Arena.
CFMTL: Djordje Mihailovic collected his second assist of the season, his first coming May 12.
IMCF: Jay Chapman recorded his first assist for Inter Miami, his first in an MLS game since March 17, 2019, when he had two for Toronto FC vs. New England.
ORLANDO CITY SC vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Saturday, July 3, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #141)
Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
7:30 p.m. ET (FOX35 Plus / LionNation TV; MSG)
REFEREE: Joseph Dickerson. AR1 (bench): Ian McKay; AR2 (opposite): Ryan Graves; 4th: Thomas Snyder; VAR: Jorge Gonzalez; AVAR: Kyle Longville
MLS Career: 48 games; FC/gm: 27.3; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 8; pens: 14
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Orlando City 5 wins, 20 goals … Red Bulls 7 wins, 22 goals … Ties 2
AT ORLANDO: Orlando City 3 wins, 9 goals … Red Bulls 2 wins, 8 goals … Ties 1
· Orlando City SC won their third game on the trot, coming back for a 2-1 win against Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday evening. Chris Mueller scored his first goal of the season, set up by Nani, who then netted the 80th-minute game-winner for his sixth goal of the season, tied for fourth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
· Nani has three goals and three assists over the last three games, with a goal in three in a row. Over the last seven games, since April 23, he has six goals.
· The Red Bulls bounced back from a first loss in three games with a goalless draw vs. Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Caden Clark scored in the first half and Cristian Casseres Jr. whipped home a world-class free kick in the second, leading the Red Bulls to a 2-1 win May 29 at Red Bull Arena.
· Orlando City won the last meeting at home, a 3-1 win last Oct. 3 at Exploria Stadium. Over the last six seasons in the series, the visiting teams won only in 2019 – when each team won by the game’s lone goal on the road. The away team also won each meeting in 2015, Orlando City’s inaugural season in MLS.
OCSC: Robin Jansson collected his first career assist in three MLS seasons, in his 56th league appearance. … Benji Michel recorded his second assist of the season, the two assists matching his single-season career-high from last year. He has two goals and an assist in the last two games.
RED BULLS: Carlos Miguel Coronel was credited with three saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season, tied for second in MLS, one of nine players behind Andre Blake (PHI) with six.
CHICAGO FIRE FC vs. ATLANTA UNITED
Saturday, July 3, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #142)
Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill.
7 p.m. CT (WGN-TV; Bally Sports South/SE)
REFEREE: Baldomero Toledo. AR1 (bench): Eric Boria; AR2 (opposite): Brian Dunn; 4th: Luis Arroyo; VAR: Daniel Radford; AVAR: Craig Lowry
MLS Career: 292 games; FC/gm: 25.3; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 105; pens: 113
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Fire 3 wins, 12 goals … ATLUTD 5 wins, 14 goals … Ties 0
AT CHICAGO: Fire 3 wins, 10 goals … ATLUTD 1 win, 3 goals … Ties 0
· Fire FC gained a third result at their Soldier Field home this season, reaching a 3-3 draw with the Philadelphia Union on Saturday evening. Boris Sekulic and Mauricio Pineda each netted their first goals of the season; Álvaro Medran recorded a pair of assists.
· ATLUTD gained a fourth draw in five games, reaching a goalless result with the New York Red Bulls at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Ezequiel Barco and Emerson Hyndman each hit for goals as Atlanta United took a 3-1 win April 24 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
· The ATLUTD win in the first meeting ended a two-game winning streak in the series for Fire FC. The Fire have won the last two meetings at home including a 2-0 win last Sept. 27 at Soldier Field in the only meeting between the teams. The Fire’s 5-1 win in the final meeting at SeatGeek Stadium, July 3, 2019, marked the most goals allowed by ATLUTD in a single game in their history.
FIRE FC: Álvaro Medran had a two-assist game for the second time in his MLS career, the first coming last Oct. 11 vs. D.C. United. … Boris Sekulic became the 20th player in MLS history to score a goal and an own goal in the same game.
ATLUTD: Brad Guzan was credited with four saves in recording his third shutout of the season, his last coming May 11.
NASHVILLE SC vs. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Saturday, July 3, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #150)
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
7 p.m. CT (MyTV30; PHL17)
REFEREE: Robert Sibiga. AR1 (bench): Jason White; AR2 (opposite): Gjovalin Bori; 4th: Alyssa Nichols; VAR: Ismir Pekmic; AVAR: Eric Weisbrod
MLS Career: 125 games; FC/gm: 21.7; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 24; pens: 34
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting.
· Nashville SC gained a second consecutive result, reaching a 1-1 draw with CF Montréal at Nissan Stadium. Abu Danladi netted his first goal of the season for the Nashville goal.
· The Union extended their undefeated streak to eight games, reaching a 3-3 draw with Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on Saturday evening. Quinn Sullivan scored a stunning bicycle kick for his first professional goal, and Cory Burke added his fourth of the season. The eight-game streak equals the longest undefeated run in the club’s history, also done in 2011 and 2016.
· The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories. They are scheduled to meet again this season on Oct. 23 at Subaru Park.
NASHVILLE SC: Jack Maher collected his first career assist in MLS, three days after scoring his first career goal in his league debut. … Randall Leal recorded his third assist of the season, his first two coming in the opening two games of the season.
UNION: Jakob Glesnes was credited with his first career assist in MLS, in his 30th appearance over two seasons.
MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Saturday, July 3, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #143)
Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minn.
7 p.m. CT (Bally Sports North / CW; NBCS-CA)
REFEREE: Michael Radchuk. AR1 (bench): Ian Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Peter Manikowski; 4th: Fotis Bazakos; VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero; AVAR: Jeff Muschik
MLS Career: First game.
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: MNUFC 3 wins, 16 goals … Earthquakes 4 wins, 13 goals … Ties 0
AT MINNESOTA: MNUFC 1 win, 4 goals … Earthquakes 2 wins, 5 goals … Ties 0
· MNUFC extended their undefeated streak to six games with a second consecutive victory, defeating the Portland Timbers 1-0 at Providence Park on Saturday evening. Adrien Hunou netted a goal for a second consecutive match for his second MLS goal.
· The Quakes suffered a 3-1 loss to the LA Galaxy at PayPal Park on Saturday evening. Cade Cowell netted his third goal of the season.
· The teams met once a season ago. Center back Ike Opara netted a pair of goals as Minnesota United FC cruised to a 5-2 win in San Jose.
· MNUFC have won each of the last three meetings between the teams, over the last two seasons, winning the last match at Allianz Field, 3-1 on July 3, 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.
MNUFC: Franco Fragapane collected his second assist in as many games; he has two goals and two assists in his first three appearances in MLS and for MNUFC. … Emanuel Reynoso recorded his second assist, the first coming May 8.
QUAKES: Eduardo López garnered his first career assist in MLS, coming in his 11th game.
HOUSTON DYNAMO FC vs. FC CINCINNATI
Saturday, July 3, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #144)
BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas
7:30 p.m. ET (QuestTexas 55; WSTR – Star 64)
REFEREE: Marcos de Oliveira. AR1 (bench): Jose da Silva; AR2 (opposite): Andrew Bigelow; 4th: Elton Garcia; VAR: Victor Rivas; AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
MLS Career: 46 games; FC/gm: 25.0; Y/gm: 3.6; R: 4; pens: 13
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Dynamo 0 wins, 2 goals … FCC 1 win, 3 goals … Ties 0
AT BBVA STADIUM: First meeting.
· Dynamo FC reached a third consecutive draw, playing to a 1-1 result with Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening. Maximiliano Urruti scored his sixth goal of the season, tied for fourth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
· FC Cincinnati won their second game in a row, defeating Toronto FC 2-0 at Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening. Luciano Acosta scored his second goal for the club, and Allan Cruz added his first goal of the season.
· The teams have met once all-time, with FC Cincinnati taking a 3-2 win July 6, 2019 at Nippert Stadium.
DYNAMO: Tyler Pasher collected his third assist of the season; he has a goal and two assists over the last three games, involved in a goal in each. … Joe Corona recorded his first assist of the season, the first coming in the first Dynamo FC goal of the season in the opening game of the year April 16.
FCC: Isaac Atanga recorded his first career MLS assist, making his fifth appearance. … Brandon Vazquez recorded his first assist of the season, his last coming on Decision Day (Nov. 8) last season. … Kenneth Vermeer was credited with one save in recording a second consecutive shutout, the third of his MLS career. He has not allowed a goal in 198 minutes, the longest goalless streak of his MLS career.
REAL SALT LAKE vs. LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB
Saturday, July 3, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #146)
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
8 p.m. MT (KMYU-12; My13/KCOP, Estrella TV)
REFEREE: Silviu Petrescu. AR1 (bench): Chris Elliott; AR2 (opposite): TJ Zablocki; 4th: Kevin Broadley; VAR: Alejandro Mariscal; AVAR: Jeffrey Swartzel
MLS Career: 171 games; FC/gm: 27.7; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 25; pens: 40
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Real 1 win, 6 goals … LAFC 5 wins, 14 goals … Ties 0
AT SALT LAKE: Real 1 win, 5 goals … LAFC 3 wins, 10 goals … Ties 0
· Real extended their home undefeated streak to four matches, reaching a 1-1 draw with Houston Dynamo FC at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening. Justen Glad scored his first goal of the season, the fourth goal of his MLS career.
· LAFC saw their two-game undefeated run come to an end, falling 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday afternoon. Kim Moon-Hwan scored his first MLS goal for the LAFC tally.
· The teams met twice a season ago, splitting the two encounters, both played at Rio Tinto Stadium. Damir Kreilach, Justin Meram and Albert Rusnák all scored as Real took a 3-0 win on Sept. 9, their first win in five meetings in the series in league play. LAFC then took a 3-1 win on Oct. 4.
· The teams also met in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2018, with Real pulling off an upset with a 3-2 win at Banc of California Stadium. The teams met in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup in 2019, LAFC taking a 3-2 win in Sandy.
REAL: Albert Rusnák recorded his second assist of the season; he has a goal and two assists for the season, all coming in the last three games.
LAFC: José Cifuentes collected his first assist of the season, his last coming last Oct. 4, at Real Salt Lake.
FC DALLAS vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Sunday, July 4, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #147)
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
7:30 p.m. CT (TSN; FCDTV / Estrella KMPX-29)
REFEREE: Ramy Touchan. AR1 (bench): Diego Blas; AR2 (opposite): Adam Garner; 4th: Elton Garcia; VAR: Joseph Dickerson; AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
MLS Career: 42 games; FC/gm: 26.0; Y/gm: 4.2; R: 7; pens: 5
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FC Dallas 10 wins, 30 goals … Whitecaps FC 6 wins, 26 goals … Ties 6
AT DALLAS: FC Dallas 7 wins, 18 goals … Whitecaps FC 1 win, 10 goals … Ties 2
· FC Dallas put an end to a six-game run without victory, defeating the New England Revolution 2-1 at Toyota Stadium on Sunday evening.
· Ricardo Pepi scored both FCD goals, now with four on the season (with three goals in the last three games), the youngest player to score two goals in a game in the club’s history. Pepi has scored the last three FCD goals.
· Whitecaps FC gained a result on the road, reaching a 2-2 draw with Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field on Saturday evening. Cristian Dájome scored his fourth goal of the season, and added an assist on the second goal of the year by Lucas Cavallini.
· The teams last met in the 2019 season. Ali Adnan and Lucas Veneto scored before halftime as Whitecaps FC took a 2-1 win on May 25 at BC Place; Whitecaps FC then overcame a 2-goal deficit after the 80th minute for a 2-2 draw June 26 at Toyota Stadium.
· The Whitecaps FC win in the first meeting in 2019 was the first for the home team in the series since 2016. The ‘Caps have gained points in eight of the last nine meetings in Vancouver, with a 4-1-4 record.
· Whitecaps FC have come away with points on their last three trips to Toyota Stadium. Their 4-0 win there in 2017 was the club’s first ever in Frisco, Texas; FC Dallas had won the first seven meetings at home, outscoring Vancouver 14-2.
FCD: Ryan Hollingshead collected his third assist of the season, his second in the last three games; Hollingshead has been involved in three of the last four FCD goals, dating back to May 22. … Jesús Ferreira collected his first assist of the season, his last coming last Feb. 29 in the 2020 season opener, his lone assist of the year.
WHITECAPS FC: Caio Alexandre recorded his first career assist in MLS, in his ninth appearance. … Andy Rose collected his first assist of the season, his first since last Sept. 5; he now has at least one assist in each of his seven MLS campaigns.
COLORADO RAPIDS vs. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Sunday, July 4, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #148)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo.
7 p.m. MT (Altitude; JOEtv / Amazon Prime)
REFEREE: Kevin Stott. AR1 (bench): Jeremy Hanson; AR2 (opposite): Tyler Wyrostek; 4th: Natalie Simon; VAR: Younes Marrakchi; AVAR: Corey Rockwell
MLS Career: 367 games; FC/gm: 24.4; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 85; pens: 98
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Rapids 7 wins, 30 goals … Sounders FC 18 wins, 49 goals … Ties 2
AT COLORADO: Rapids 5 wins, 21 goals … Sounders FC 7 wins, 21 goals … Ties 1
· The Rapids saw their two-game winning run come to an end last time out, falling 3-1 to Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on June 23. Keegan Rosenberry scored his second goal of the season for the Rapids goal.
· Sounders FC extended their season-opening undefeated streak to 11 games, reaching a 2-2 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Lumen Field on Saturday evening. Raúl Ruidíaz scored his ninth goal of the season – second in the MLS Golden Boot standings, one behind the Galaxy’s Javier Hernández – and Jimmy Medranda netted his first goal since joining the club.
· The teams met once a season ago, the Rapids taking a 3-1 win Nov. 1 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
· The Rapids have won the last two meetings in the series, 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 eight meetings in Commerce City, in both league and MLS Cup Playoffs competition, dating back to 2014.
RAPIDS: The Rapids will be retiring the number 25 worn by Pablo Mastroeni before their annual Fourth of July extravaganza.
SOUNDERS FC: Brad Smith recorded his second assist of the season, his first coming May 22. … Josh Atencio collected the first assist of his MLS career, coming in his ninth appearance over two seasons. … Fredy Montero gained his second assist of the year, the first coming in the season opener on April 16.
LA GALAXY vs. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Sunday, July 4, 2021 (Week 11, MLS Game #149)
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif.
7:30 p.m. PT (SpecSN; Bally Sports KC)
REFEREE: Alex Chilowicz. AR1 (bench): Adam Garner; AR2 (opposite): Apolinar Mariscal; 4th: Kevin Broadley; VAR: Victor Rivas; AVAR: Eduardo Mariscal
MLS Career: 46 games; FC/gm: 24.1; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 6; pens: 13
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Galaxy 26 wins (0 shootout), 99 goals … Sporting 23 wins (2 shootout), 78 goals … Ties 15
AT GALAXY: Galaxy 17 wins (0 shootout), 56 goals … Sporting 7 wins (1 shootout), 32 goals … Ties 7
· The Galaxy won a second consecutive goal, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 at PayPal Park on Saturday evening. Javier Hernández scored a pair of goals, now with 10 goals in the opening 10 games of the season, leading the MLS Golden Boot standings. It was the third multiple-goal game of the season for Hernández.
· Sporting KC won a second consecutive game, defeating Los Angeles FC 2-1 at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday afternoon. Daniel Sallói scored his seventh goal of the season for the game-winner, sitting in third place in the MLS Golden Boot standings, while Alan Pulido also added his sixth of the year.
· The teams last met in the 2019 season. In the last meeting, the Galaxy equaled the second-most goals scored in a single game, with a 7-2 win on Sept. 15 at Dignity Health Sports Park. It marked the first time in MLS history a team conceded the opening goal, then went on to score seven goals in a game, after Sporting KC took the lead after 24 minutes. The Galaxy also took a 2-0 win on May 29 at Children’s Mercy Park.
· The Galaxy win in the first meeting in 2019 snapped an eight-game undefeated streak for Sporting KC in the series, their first win vs. SKC since April 18, 2015, a 2-1 victory in Carson, Calif.
· The win was also the first for the Galaxy in Kansas City since 2007; Sporting won five of the 11 home games in between, with six draws. The win in the last meeting ended a two-game winning streak for Sporting in Carson, and a three-game undefeated run.
GALAXY: Samuel Grandsir (in his 10th appearance), and Kévin Cabral (in his sixth appearance), each contributed their first assists since coming to MLS.
SPORTING: Felipe Hernández recorded his third career assist, a second consecutive game with an assist. … Gianluca Busio added his second assist of the season, the first coming May 22.
