Jakob Glesnes Makes It 100
In today’s sports landscape, the nickname of ‘ironman’ has become an increasingly challenging moniker to earn as lengthy appearance streaks become more and more difficult. However, for Philadelphia Union defender Jakob Glesnes, he has the opportunity to earn that title on Saturday as he can start his 100th consecutive regular season match as the Union take on FC Cincinnati (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass). By starting, Glesnes would be just the sixth player in MLS history to hit 100 consecutive starts and just the second non-goalkeeper to achieve the feat, joining Chris Klein (118 straight).
When asked about the milestone this week, Union head coach Jim Curtin called the streak ‘Cal Ripken-esque,’ while acknowledging that Glesnes likely does not know who Ripken, a Hall of Fame shortstop who appeared in 2,632 consecutive games for the Baltimore Orioles, was. With Glesnes in the starting lineup the past 99 regular-season matches, Philadelphia has produced an outstanding 51-22-26 record that they look to improve on in start No. 100.
The most consecutive regular-season starts in MLS history:
Double-Double on the Horizon for Crew’s Cucho
One of the league’s premier offensive threats, Columbus forward Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernández has been a key cog in the Crew’s success this season with nine goals and a team-best 10 assists. The second-year star has contributed to 19 of the Crew’s 54 goals this season – the club’s highest goal-scoring total since the 2015 season.
With his next goal, Cucho would join a trio of Crew standouts who have registered at least 10 goals and 10 assists in a single season – Lucas Zelarayán (10 goals, 12 assists in 2022), Ethan Finlay (12 goals, 13 assists in 2015), and Jeff Cunningham (10 goals, 13 assists in 2000). He would also become just the third different player to accomplish the feat in 2023, joining FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta (13 goals, 11 assists) and Philadelphia’s Dániel Gazdag (11 goals, 10 assists).
Cucho and the Crew will look to continue their climb up the Eastern Conference table as they travel to Exploria Stadium to take on Orlando City SC on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
The players with 10+ goals and 10+ assists in a season in Columbus Crew history:
Houston Hits New Heights with Recent Defensive Record
Houston Dynamo FC’s defense has been impenetrable over the last five games, shutting out four Western Conference rivals as well as the Columbus Crew, who rank second in MLS with 54 goals scored this season. It’s been 453 minutes since the Dynamo last conceded a goal, and a first-half shutout against St. Louis CITY SC this Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) would make their current run the second-longest in club history.
The spine of Houston’s defense this season has been held down by a pair of 23-year-old center backs in Micael and Ethan Bartlow, as well as veteran goalkeeper Steve Clark, whose 11 clean sheets on the season are tied for most in MLS in 2023. St. Louis will pose a difficult test for the trio, though, as they lead the league with 55 goals and have only been shutout just once in regular season play since June 7.
The longest regular season shutout streaks in Houston Dynamo FC history:
Loons Looming Large in Playoff Race Behind Unbeaten Run
Behind an incredible run of form from midfielder Emanuel Reynoso, Minnesota United FC has gone unbeaten across their last seven MLS regular season matches (3-0-4) as the club continues to climb up the Western Conference table. The Loons, who aim to qualify for the postseason for the fifth consecutive season, also have club history in their sights as they welcome Sporting Kansas City to Allianz Field on Saturday night (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
With a point against Sporting KC, Minnesota would match the longest regular-season unbeaten streak in club history, which was set during the 2020 season. The Loons were unbeaten in eight consecutive matches from September 27 to November 8, 2020, and rode that momentum to a Western Conference Final appearance.
The longest regular-season unbeaten streaks in Minnesota United FC history:
Toronto’s Osorio Eyes Assist Milestone
The longest-tenured player in Toronto FC history, Jonathan Osorio recorded a goal and an assist in the club’s victory over Philadelphia on Matchday 30 and has been a key contributor this season with six assists across 14 matches.
The Canadian international has recorded 44 goals and 49 assists in 273 career matches for Toronto and with his next assist, he will join Sebastian Giovinco (52) as the only players with at least 50 assists in club history. Osorio would also become the 18th active MLS player to reach 50 career assists.
Osorio will look to further etch his name into the club record books as Toronto welcomes the Vancouver Whitecaps to BMO Field on Saturday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
The most regular-season assists in Toronto FC history:
