MLS MEDIA RESOURCES: WEEK 10 NEWS & NOTES
News and notes and statistical trends from around Major League Soccer
REVOLUTION’S CARLES GIL WITH HISTORIC START IN PLAYMAKING
Carles Gil of the New England Revolution has gotten off to one of the all-time best starts for any playmaker in MLS history – matching a performance that led to one of the most enduring records in league history.
Following his three-assist outing vs. the New York Red Bulls at midweek, Gil now leads the MLS assist standings with 10 assists through the opening 10 games of the season.
Only one other player has collected 10 assists in his team’s opening 10 games of a season – Carlos Valderrama in 2000 with the Tampa Bay Mutiny. That year, Valderrama went on to record 26 assists – the MLS single-season record which still stands to this day. Just three players in MLS history have reached 20 assists for a season.
Including the final two assists of the Revolution’s win last weekend against New York City FC, Gil has now assisted on each of the Revolution’s last five goals.
That’s tied for sixth-most consecutive goals assisted upon by player in MLS history – and he’s just two goals behind the all-time record, which was first set in 1999 by Steve Ralston with Tampa Bay, then equaled in 2013 by Diego Valeri with the Portland Timbers.
SOUNDERS FC WITH RECORD-SETTING START AT THE DEFENSIVE END
On their way to one of the greatest starts to an MLS season, Seattle Sounders FC have been making some history at the defensive end.
Undefeated through the opening 10 games of the season, Sounders FC have allowed just five goals – and none through open play. Three of the goals conceded have come on penalty kicks, the other two from direct free kicks – and the 900 minutes from the start of a season without allowing a goal from open play is the longest such streak in MLS history (since records are available beginning 2003).
With five goals allowed through 10 games, Sounders FC have equaled the sixth-best defensive start to a season in league annals, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The record was equaled last year by the Columbus Crew, allowing just two goals in their opening 10 league matches (tying the mark set in 2010 by the LA Galaxy).
Sounders FC extended their season-opening undefeated streak to 10 games (7-0-3) with their 2-1 win against Real Salt Lake at Lumen Field at midweek, becoming just the eighth team in MLS history to open a season with at least 10 games undefeated. The record is 12 games, set four times previously, last in 2014 by Real Salt Lake.
MLS WEEK 10 – LOOK AHEAD
INTER MIAMI CF vs. ORLANDO CITY SC
Friday, June 25, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #125)
DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
8 p.m. ET (FS1 / FOX Deportes)
REFEREE: Allen Chapman. AR1 (bench): Cory Richardson; AR2 (opposite): Gjovalin Bori; 4th: Sergii Demianchuk; VAR: Daniel Radford; AVAR: Jozef Batko
MLS Career: 183 games; FC/gm: 22.1; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 45; pens: 76
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Inter Miami 2 wins, 7 goals … Orlando City 2 wins, 7 goals … Ties 0
AT INTER MIAMI: Inter Miami 2 wins, 5 goals … Orlando City 0 wins, 3 goals … Ties 0
· Inter Miami dropped the back end of their home-and-home series with D.C. United, falling to a penalty kick for the game’s only goal at Audi Field on Saturday evening.
· Orlando City SC won for the fourth time in six games, rolling to a 5-0 win against the San Jose Earthquakes at Exploria Stadium on Tuesday evening. The result marked the largest margin of victory in a shutout win in Orlando City SC’s MLS history.
· Daryl Dike scored a pair of goals in his second appearance of the season, after returning from a loan to Barnsley FC of England’s Championship. Dike’s last goals in MLS came in the final four games of the 2020 season (one goal in each game).
· Nani converted a penalty kick and was credited with two assists, his first two assists in 2021, the second two-assist game of his MLS career (also: June 29, 2019 at Columbus). Nani has five goals and two assists over his last six games.
· The teams met four times in Inter Miami’s inaugural season, splitting their decisions. An 88th-minute goal from Leandro Gonzalez Pirez gave Inter Miami the 2-1 win Oct. 24 at home; the previous meeting, Orlando City won for the second time as Mauricio Pereyra scored the second-half game-winner for a 2-1 win Sept. 12 at Exploria Stadium.
· They kicked off the MLS is Back Tournament against each other at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 8, as Nani netted the game-winner well into stoppage time to give OCSC the 2-1 win. Then on Aug. 22 at Inter Miami CF Stadium, Julian Carranza netted a pair of goals in the first half and Inter Miami held out for the first win in the club’s history, a 3-2 decision.
IMCF: The Independent Review Panel rejected the appeal of the red card shown to Gregore, meaning both he and Ryan Shawcross will be suspended for the Orlando City match.
OCSC: Benji Michel scored a pair of goals, his first goals of the 2021 season. It was his first career two-goal game in MLS, in 47 appearances. … Brandon Austin was credited with one save in recording his first career shutout, in his second MLS appearance. … Tesho Akindele collected his fourth assist of the season, matching his single-season career-high, set in 2016 with FC Dallas. … Chris Mueller had an assist for a second consecutive game.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs. LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB
Saturday, June 26, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #126)
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kan.
4:30 p.m. CT (ESPN / ESPN Deportes)
REFEREE: Chris Penso. AR1 (bench): Cameron Blanchard; AR2 (opposite): Corey Rockwell; 4th: Brandon Stevis; VAR: Edvin Jurisevic; AVAR: Kevin Lock
MLS Career: 176 games; FC/gm: 23.7; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 52; pens: 71
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sporting 2 wins, 6 goals … LAFC 2 wins, 8 goals … Ties 0
AT KC: Sporting 1 win, 3 goals … LAFC 1 win, 6 goals … Ties 0
· Sporting put an end to a quick two-game winless slide, defeating the Colorado Rapids 3-1 at Children’s Mercy Park on Wednesday evening.
· Daniel Sallói scored a pair of goals, the second two-goal game of his MLS career (also: 10/17/2018 vs. VAN). Sallói also added an assist, the fourth time in his career he’s had at least one goal and one assist in the same game, the second time this season. It was the second time in his career Sallói was involved in three goals in a single game (1 goal, 2 assists, 6/23/2018 vs. HOU).
· LAFC snapped a quick two-game winless skid, defeating FC Dallas 2-0 at Banc of California Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· Carlos Vela scored his first goal of 2021, and also added his third assist of the season, all coming in the last four games. It was the 16th time in his MLS career, in 72 games, where Vela had at least a goal and an assist in the same game.
· The teams last met during the 2019 season, and LAFC won both that season. Adama Diomande netted the game-winner deep into second-half stoppage time, giving LAFC a 2-1 win in the season opener for both clubs, on March 3 at Banc of California Stadium, then LAFC exploded for a 5-1 win July 3 at Children’s Mercy Park.
· Sporting won the first two meetings ever between the clubs in LAFC’s inaugural season, a 2-0 win on Aug. 11 at Banc of California Stadium, and a 2-1 win on Decision Day (Oct. 28) at Children’s Mercy Park.
SPORTING: Felipe Hernández scored the first goal of his MLS career, in his 22nd appearance over three seasons, and also added his second career assist, his first this season. … Johnny Russell collected his third assist of the season, his second in the last three games. … Jaylin Lindsey recorded his first assist of the season; he has a goal and an assist in the last two games. … Andreu Fontas was credited with his first career assist in MLS, in his fourth season.
LAFC: Eduard Atuesta recorded his second assist of the season, both coming in the last four games. … Tomás Romero was credited with one save in making his MLS debut between the posts and recording the shutout.
TORONTO FC vs. FC CINCINNATI
Saturday, June 26, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #127)
Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
7 p.m. ET (TSN; WSTR – Star 64)
REFEREE: Rubiel Vazquez. AR1 (bench): Jason White; AR2 (opposite): Brian Dunn; 4th: Silviu Petrescu; VAR: Jorge Gonzalez; AVAR: Jozef Batko
MLS Career: 46 games; FC/gm: 22.4; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 8; pens: 9
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Toronto FC 3 wins, 8 goals … FCC 0 wins, 2 goals … Ties 0
TORONTO HOME GAME: Toronto FC 1 win, 2 goals … FCC 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 0
· Toronto FC saw their losing slide extended, falling to a late comeback by Nashville SC in a 3-2 defeat at Nissan Stadium on Wednesday evening. Jonathan Osorio scored his third goal of the league season, his second in as many games.
· FC Cincinnati won for the second time in four matches, defeating Chicago Fire FC by the game’s lone goal at Soldier Field on Wednesday evening. Álvaro Barreal scored the FCC goal directly from a free kick, the second direct free kick in FCC’s MLS club history (the first: Haris Medunjanin, on a gol olimpico, last Sept. 19).
· The teams met once a season ago. Patrick Mullins scored the game’s only goal in the 28th minute as TFC took the victory Oct. 11 at Nippert Stadium.
· Toronto FC won both meetings between the clubs in FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season. TFC took a 2-1 win July 27 at BMO Field, then got goals from five different players in rolling to a 5-1 victory Sept. 7 at Nippert Stadium.
TFC: Patrick Mullins scored his first goal in league play; he did score a goal in the Concacaf Champions League. … Michael Bradley recorded his third assist of the season, the last coming May 12. … Auro Jr. gained his first assist of the season, his eighth in four MLS seasons. … Mark Delgado recorded his first assist of the season, his last coming last Sept. 27.
FCC: Kenneth Vermeer was credited with two saves in recording his first shutout in five starts since joining FC Cincinnati, the second shutout of his MLS career – the first coming in his debut, with LAFC, March 1, 2020 vs. Inter Miami.
CHICAGO FIRE FC vs. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Saturday, June 26, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #128)
Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill.
7 p.m. CT (WGN-TV; PHL17)
REFEREE: Fotis Bazakos. AR1 (bench): Adam Wienckowski; AR2 (opposite): Jeremy Kieso; 4th: Lukasz Szpala; VAR: Alejandro Mariscal; AVAR: Jeff Muschik
MLS Career: 110 games; FC/gm: 25.1; Y/gm: 3.9; R: 23; pens: 37
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Fire 9 wins, 37 goals … Union 12 wins, 41 goals … Ties 5
AT FIRE: Fire 7 wins, 21 goals … Union 4 wins, 17 goals … Ties 3
· Fire FC suffered a loss by the game’s only goal to FC Cincinnati at Soldier Field on Wednesday evening.
· Bobby Shuttleworth recorded 11 saves in the defeat, matching the Fire club record set 20 years ago, by Zach Thornton on April 21, 2001 vs. the Dallas Burn.
· The Union extended their undefeated streak to seven games with a fifth victory in that time, defeating the Columbus Crew by the game’s only goal at Subaru Park on Wednesday evening.
· Jamiro Monteiro scored the Union goal, his second of the season, his first the first goal scored by the club in 2021 (April 24). Monteiro has a goal and an assist in the last four games; he has one goal and four assists in the last seven games.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Cory Burke and Jakob Glesnes scored nine minutes apart in the second half, leading the Union to a 2-0 win May 8 at Soldier Field.
· The first meeting was the first ever between the teams at Soldier Field. The Fire win in the final matchup at SeatGeek Stadium, a 2-0 win Aug. 17, 2019, ended a three-game Union winning streak in the series, though the Fire did win six of the final seven matchups overall in Bridgeview. The Union have won the last four meetings in a row in Chester, last a 2-1 win last Oct. 28; the last Fire win there came in 2013.
FIRE FC: Bobby Shuttleworth recorded a career-high with his 11 saves; his previous high was nine, done twice previously (2013 with New England; 2018 with Minnesota United). Shuttleworth had nine saves in the first half, two shy of the most in a single half in MLS history.
UNION: Andre Blake was credited with six saves in recording his sixth shutout of the season, leading all goalkeepers in MLS.
REAL SALT LAKE vs. HOUSTON DYNAMO FC
Saturday, June 26, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #129)
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
6 p.m. MT (UniMás / TUDN; KMYU-12)
REFEREE: Nima Saghafi. AR1 (bench): Claudiu Badea; AR2 (opposite): Peter Balciunas; 4th: Michael Radchuk; VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.; AVAR: Craig Lowry
MLS Career: 73 games; FC/gm: 26.7; Y/gm: 3.8; R: 9; pens: 24
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Real 11 wins, 43 goals … Dynamo 12 wins, 41 goals … Ties 7
AT SALT LAKE: Real 8 wins, 17 goals … Dynamo 2 wins, 8 goals … Ties 5
· Real saw their four-game undefeated streak put to an end, falling 2-1 to Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field on Wednesday evening.
· Dynamo FC reached a second consecutive draw, ending in a 2-2 result with the Portland Timbers at BBVA Stadium on Wednesday evening. Fafa Picault scored his second goal of the season; he has a goal and two assists over the last three games.
· The teams last met during the 2019 season. Corey Baird scored in the opening minute and Jefferson Savarino scored late as RSL took a 2-1 win Sept. 29 at Rio Tinto Stadium; in the 2019 season opener March 2 at BBVA Stadium, Albert Rusnák gave RSL the lead, but Mauro Manotas hit for the equalizer, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw.
· Real have a five-game undefeated streak alive in the series. They won both meetings in 2018, ending a four-game Dynamo undefeated streak in the series.
· Real have won three of the last six meetings in Houston, their first wins ever there, also gaining a draw; RSL suffered eight defeats and one draw in its first nine road games against the Dynamo.
REAL: Albert Rusnák converted a penalty kick for the RSL goal, his first goal of the season. Rusnák has a goal and an assist over the last two games.
DYNAMO FC: Tyler Pasher scored his second goal of the season and his MLS career, the first coming May 1. … Matías Vera recorded his first assist of the season and the second of his MLS career, the first coming Aug. 8, 2019 at New York City FC. … Maynor Figueroa collected his first assist of the season, his first in an MLS game since July 3, 2019.
NASHVILLE SC vs. CF MONTRÉAL
Saturday, June 26, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #130)
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
7:30 p.m. CT (TVA Sports; MyTV30)
REFEREE: Jon Freemon. AR1 (bench): Ian Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Eric Boria; 4th: Ted Unkel; VAR: David Gantar; AVAR: Walt Heatherly
MLS Career: 4 games; FC/gm: 32.0; Y/gm: 4.5; R: 0; pens: 0
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Nashville SC 1 win, 1 goal … CFMTL 0 wins, 0 goals … Ties 0
AT NASHVILLE: First meeting.
· Nashville SC overcame a late deficit to rebound from their initial defeat of the 2021 season, coming back for a 3-2 win against Toronto FC at Nissan Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· Luke Haakenson scored the first two goals of his professional career, netting the equalizer in the 83rd minute and the game-winner in stoppage time.
· CF Montréal gained a second successive result, playing to a goalless draw with D.C. United at DRV PNK Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Mason Toye and Zachary Brault-Guillard scored in the first half for CF Montréal, but Jhonder Cadíz and Hany Muhktar hit home after the break, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw April 24 at Nissan Stadium.
· The teams met once in Nashville SC’s inaugural season. Randall Leal scored the game’s only goal after 33 minutes to lead Nashville SC to the victory last Oct. 27 at Red Bull Arena.
NASHVILLE SC: Jack Maher made his MLS debut – recalled from a loan to USL side San Diego Loyal immediately prior to the match – and scored his first goal to open the Nashville SC account. Maher was the No. 2 selection overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. … Hany Muhktar collected his first assist of the season; he has two goals and an assist in the last three games. … Dan Lovitz recorded his third assist of the season, his second in the last three games. … CJ Sapong recorded his first assist of the season, his first in an MLS game since April 20, 2019, while with Chicago Fire FC.
CFMTL: Clément Diop was credited with five saves in recording a second successive shutout, his third shutout of the season. The three shutouts match his single-season career-high in MLS, recording last year in his first season with Montréal.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Saturday, June 26, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #131)
Lumen Field, Seattle, Wash.
6 p.m. PT (TSN; JOEtv / Amazon Prime)
REFEREE: Guido Gonzales Jr. AR1 (bench): Eric Weisbrod; AR2 (opposite): TJ Zablocki; 4th: Luis Guardia; VAR: Ramy Touchan; AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
MLS Career: 21 games; FC/gm: 27.1; Y/gm: 4.5; R: 7; pens: 7
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sounders FC 14 wins, 42 goals … Whitecaps FC 7 wins, 28 goals … Ties 6
AT SEATTLE: Sounders FC 7 wins, 19 goals … Whitecaps FC 4 wins, 15 goals … Ties 1
· Sounders FC remained undefeated on the season, getting a late penalty kick to secure a 2-1 win against Real Salt Lake at Lumen Field on Wednesday evening. At 7-0-3, Sounders FC are the eighth team in MLS history to start a season with at least 10 games undefeated.
· Raúl Ruidíaz converted the 88th-minute penalty kick for the game-winner, his eighth goal of the season, still tied for the lead in the MLS Golden Boot standings with Javier Hernández of the LA Galaxy. It was a second consecutive game with a goal for Ruidíaz, his sixth goal in the last eight games.
· Whitecaps FC fell to a late 2-1 defeat by the LA Galaxy in a home game at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· The teams met three times a season ago, and Sounders FC won all three. Nicolás Lodeiro and Jordan Morris each had a goal and an assist, in a 3-0 win during group play at the MLS is Back Tournament on July 19, then on Oct. 3, the Sounders FC scored three goals in 12 minutes on either side of halftime in a 3-1 win at CenturyLink Field. On Oct. 27 at Providence Park in Portland, Raúl Ruidíaz and Lodeiro scored six minutes apart after the break as Seattle took a 2-0 win.
· Sounders FC have a nine-game undefeated streak alive in the series, since the last Whitecaps FC win April 14, 2017, a 2-1 victory at BC Place. Seattle has won seven of the nine league games in between, with two draws; Sounders FC also advanced in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2017 with a goalless draw and a 2-0 win at home.
· The teams have met the most times of any rivalry in soccer history in the USA and Canada. Since the clubs first met at Empire Stadium on June 9, 1974, in the old North American Soccer League, they have played 143 times over all competitions. The Sounders have won 70, the Whitecaps 50, and there have been 23 draws.
SOUNDERS FC: Cristian Roldan scored his second goal of the season, his first coming on May 12. … Sounders FC have yet to concede a goal from open play, all five goals allowed coming on deadball situations (three penalty kicks, two direct free kicks) – the 900 minutes from the start of the season the longest ever in MLS (since 2003).
WHITECAPS FC: Janio Bikel scored the first goal of his MLS career, making his 21st appearance. … Cristian Dajome collected his first assist of the season, his last in MLS coming last Decision Day (Nov. 8).
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. LA GALAXY
Saturday, June 26, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #132)
PayPal Park, San Jose, Calif.
7 p.m. PT (UniMás / TUDN)
REFEREE: Armando Villarreal. AR1 (bench): Andrew Bigelow; AR2 (opposite): Chris Elliott; 4th: Danielle Chesky; VAR: Alex Chilowicz; AVAR: Fabio Tovar
MLS Career: 155 games; FC/gm: 22.6; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 28; pens: 34
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Earthquakes 26 wins (1 shootout), 108 goals … Galaxy 33 wins (4 shootout), 115 goals … Ties 16
AT SAN JOSE: Earthquakes 18 wins (1 shootout), 60 goals … Galaxy 11 wins (2 shootout), 50 goals … Ties 10
· The Quakes concluded their three-game road swing with a 5-0 loss to Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on Tuesday evening.
· The Galaxy won for the sixth time in nine games this season, getting a stoppage-time winner for a 2-1 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· Efraín Álvarez scored the game-winner in the third minute of stoppage time, barely a minute after Whitecaps FC had leveled terms in added time. It was the second goal of Álvarez’s MLS career, his first coming last Sept. 2.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Jonathan Bond made 12 saves – the second-most ever by a Galaxy goalkeeper in a single game – and the Galaxy netted the game’s only goal from an own goal for the win May 29 at Dignity Health Sports Park. It was the first time in Galaxy club history they won by the only goal through an own goal, in their 795th league game.
· The Earthquakes have won each of the last two seasons in Carson, just their second and third victories there since 2012. The Galaxy have won just twice in the last 20 regular season games in northern California, across four stadiums.
· Known as the California Clásico, the Galaxy and Earthquakes have met 91 times in all competitions. In regular season play, the Galaxy have won 33 times and the Quakes 26, with 16 draws, since their first meeting April 28, 1996.
QUAKES: The Quakes on Friday announced the signing of Brazilian defender Nathan, on a permanent transfer from FC Zürich in Switzerland.
GALAXY: Javier Hernández scored his eighth goal of the season, still tied atop the MLS Golden Boot standings with Raúl Ruidíaz of Seattle Sounders FC, his last goal coming May 15. … Sacha Kljestan collected his second assist of the season; he has a goal and an assist in the last two games. … Sebastian Lletget recorded his second assist of the year, his first coming in the season opener April 18.
PORTLAND TIMBERS vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
Saturday, June 26, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #133)
Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
8 p.m. PT (ROOT-NW; Bally Sports North / CW)
REFEREE: Rosendo Mendoza. AR1 (bench): Jeremy Hanson; AR2 (opposite): Jeff Hosking; 4th: Baldomero Toledo; VAR: Malik Badawi; AVAR: Joshua Patlak
MLS Career: 17 games; FC/gm: 23.6; Y/gm: 2.8; R: 2; pens: 4
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Timbers 2 wins, 13 goals … MNUFC 4 wins, 13 goals … Ties 1
AT PORTLAND: Timbers 2 wins, 9 goals … MNUFC 1 win, 6 goals … Ties 1
· The Timbers gained a second consecutive result and a fourth in the last five games, reaching a 2-2 draw with Houston Dynamo FC at BBVA Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· Dairon Asprilla netted his third goal of the season, a second consecutive game with a goal – the three goals are a single-season career-high in his seven MLS seasons.
· MNUFC extended their undefeated run to five games with a third victory in that time, defeating Austin FC at Allianz Field on Wednesday evening.
· Franco Fragapane scored for a second consecutive match in his second MLS and MNUFC appearance. Fragapane also added an assist, his first in MLS; he has been involved in all three Minnesota goals since coming to the club.
· The teams met once a season ago. Kevin Molino netted a pair of goals and Luis Amarilla added the third,the second time in three seasons Molino opened the MNUFC season with a brace, as Minnesota United took a 3-1 win March 1 at Providence Park.
· MNUFC are now undefeated over the last five meetings in all competitions vs. the Timbers. Portland’s last victory in the series came April 14, 2018, a 3-2 win at home.
TIMBERS: Jeremy Ebobisse scored his first goal of the 2021 league season, his last in an MLS game coming in his last appearance a year ago, Oct. 18 vs. LAFC. … Claudio Bravo collected his first career assist in MLS, in his ninth appearance. … Josecarlos Van Rankin recorded his second MLS assist, both coming in the last four games.
MNUFC: Adrien Hunou scored his first goal in MLS and with MNUFC, making his third appearance since coming to the club (all starts). … Tyler Miller was credited with four saves in recording the shutout in his fifth consecutive start, his third clean sheet in that time.
ATLANTA UNITED vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Sunday, June 27, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #134)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
3:30 p.m. ET (Bally Sports South/SE; MSG)
REFEREE: Alan Kelly. AR1 (bench): Matthew Nelson; AR2 (opposite): Jose da Silva; 4th: Alyssa Nichols; VAR: Joseph Dickerson; AVAR: Jozef Batko
MLS Career: 134 games; FC/gm: 24.2; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 18; pens: 51
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: ATLUTD 0 wins, 5 goals … Red Bulls 6 wins, 13 goals … Ties 2
AT ATLANTA: ATLUTD 0 wins, 5 goals … Red Bulls 3 wins, 9 goals … Ties 1
· ATLUTD saw their five-game undefeated streak put to an end, falling by the game’s only goal to New York City FC at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday evening.
· The Red Bulls had their two-game winning streak snapped, falling 3-2 to the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· Patrik Klimala scored his first goal in MLS, in his fifth appearance (third consecutive start); Klimala has a goal and two assists over those last three games.
· The teams met twice a season ago, and the Red Bulls won both by the game’s only goal. Florian Valot scored after just four minutes, giving the Red Bulls the victory during group play at the MLS is Back Tournament on July 11; then on Oct. 10 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Caden Clark netted the lone tally just after the halftime break.
· The Red Bulls have never lost to Atlanta United in eight meetings all-time, winning six. The Red Bulls have won each of the last two matchups at Red Bull Arena – a place where Atlanta United has yet to score a goal, in four visits all-time over all competitions.
· Atlanta United did claim the Eastern Conference Championship in 2018, winning 3-0 at home in the first leg before the Red Bulls took the second leg 1-0 in Harrison.
ATLUTD: Atlanta United were held without a goal for the first time in eight games, just the second time this season, after a goalless draw at Orlando City to open the season.
RED BULLS: Fabio collected his fifth assist of the season, tied for second in the MLS assist standings (with Joao Paulo of SEA; behind Carles Gil of NE with 10). Fabio has a goal and an assist in the last two games. … Andres Reyes scored his second goal of the season, both coming in the last four games. … John Tolkin collected his first career assist in MLS.
NEW YORK CITY FC vs. D.C. UNITED
Sunday, June 27, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #135)
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
6 p.m. ET (YES; NBCS-Wash / TeleXitos)
REFEREE: Robert Sibiga. AR1 (bench): Nick Uranga; AR2 (opposite): Ian McKay; 4th: Tori Penso; VAR: Sorin Stoica; AVAR: Thomas Supple
MLS Career: 124 games; FC/gm: 21.6; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 24; pens: 34
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: NYCFC 6 wins, 24 goals … D.C. United 5 wins, 17 goals … Ties 3
NYCFC HOME GAME: NYCFC 4 wins, 15 goals … D.C. United 0 wins, 5 goals … Ties 2
· NYCFC won for a second time in three games, defeating Atlanta United by the game’s only goal at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday evening.
· Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored for a fourth consecutive game, his fourth goal of the season, equaling the longest goalscoring streak in MLS this season (along with Valentin Castellanos of NYCFC, 4/17-5/8)
· D.C. United extended their undefeated streak to three games, following back-to-back wins with a goalless draw vs. CF Montréal at DRK PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Brendan Hines-Ike and Russell Canouse scored five minutes late in the first half, leading United to a 2-1 win in the season opener for both teams, April 17 at Audi Field, snapping a four-game undefeated streak for NYCFC in the series.
· D.C. United has never won at Yankee Stadium (two draws in six visits all-time). NYCFC had come away with points from their previous two trips to Audi Field before the first meeting this year; NYCFC’s win at Audi Field on April 21, 2019 was just the second by the road team in the series.
NYCFC: Valentin Castellanos collected his third assist of the season, his second in the last four games. Castellanos has a goal or an assist in six of nine games this season. … Keaton Parks collected his first assist of the season, his third in three MLS seasons. … Sean Johnson was credited with three saves in recording his third shutout of the season, his first since back-to-back clean sheet April 24-May 1. It was the 70th shutout of Johnson’s MLS career, 10th-most all-time.
UNITED: Bill Hamid was credited with one save in recording his third shutout of the season – in his third start of the year. Hamid has a 271-minute shutout streak dating back to the final game of the 2020 season.
AUSTIN FC vs. COLUMBUS CREW
Sunday, June 27, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #136)
Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
7 p.m. CT (FS1 / FOX Deportes)
REFEREE: Victor Rivas. AR1 (bench): Chantal Boudreau; AR2 (opposite): Diego Blas; 4th: Elton Garcia; VAR: Younes Marrakchi; AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
MLS Career: 23 games; FC/gm: 23.8; Y/gm: 3.6; R: 3; pens: 9
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting.
· Austin FC had their streak of three consecutive draws put to an end, falling 2-0 to Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field on Wednesday evening.
· The Crew had their three-game winning run put to an end, falling by the game’s only goal to the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on Wednesday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories, their only meeting scheduled for the 2021 regular season.
ATXFC: Manny Perez made his first start in his fourth appearance for the club, following three consecutive appearances as a substitute.
CREW: Kevin Molino made his first start for the club, playing the first half in attack, after coming off the substitutes’ bench at the weekend.
FC DALLAS vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Sunday, June 27, 2021 (Week 10, MLS Game #137)
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
8 p.m. CT (FCDTV / Estrella KMPX-29; WSBK TV38 / MyRITV)
REFEREE: Kevin Stott. AR1 (bench): Jeffrey Greeson; AR2 (opposite): Justin Howard; 4th: Marcos de Oliveira; VAR: Hilario Grajeda; AVAR: Adam Garner
MLS Career: 365 games; FC/gm: 24.4; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 85; pens: 98
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FC Dallas 18 wins (1 shootout), 61 goals … Revolution 23 wins (1 shootout), 69 goals … Ties 4
AT DALLAS: FC Dallas 10 wins (0 shootout), 31 goals … Revolution 11 wins (0 shootout), 30 goals … Ties 3
· FC Dallas remained without a result on their travels, falling 2-0 to Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium on Wednesday evening.
· The Revolution won their fifth consecutive game, the longest winning streak in MLS this season, defeating the New York Red Bulls 3-2 at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday evening. The streak is one game shy of the club-record winning streak of six games, achieved twice, in 2005 and 2015.
· Carles Gil recorded assists in all three New England goals, now with 10 assists for the season, leading the MLS assist standings by five (ahead of Fabio [NYR] and Joao Paulo [SEA]). Gil has an assist now in five consecutive games, equaling the eighth-longest such streak in MLS history; he has assisted on each of the Revolution’s last five goals over the last two games.
· The teams last met during the 2019 season. Michael Barrios gave FCD an early lead, but Carles Gil equalized in the second half, leaving the teams in a 1-1 in their season opener March 2 at Toyota Stadium. The draw ended a seven-game FC Dallas winning streak in the series.
· The Revolution have not won in Frisco since 2008; FCD had taken five consecutive home wins vs. New England before the draw in the last meeting. The Revolution goal there in the last meeting in 2017 was their first in Frisco in 394 minutes, their first at Toyota Stadium since 2010.
· FCD has won the last three meetings at Gillette Stadium, their first wins in Foxborough since 2003. The Revolution last won at home vs. FC Dallas in 2011; they have scored one goal in the three home meetings since.
FCD: Justin Che made his FCD and MLS debut, starting and playing 90 minutes in a midfield role. … Jesús Ferreira made his first start of 2021, playing the full 90 minutes in the midfield.
REVOLUTION: Gustavo Bou scored his fourth goal of the season, a second consecutive game with a goal, and his third in the last four games. … Tajon Buchanan scored his second goal of the season, his both coming in the last four games, when he also has an assist. … DeJuan Jones scored his first goal of the season, the second of his MLS career, the first coming April 27, 2019.
