The Pitch: MLS Players Step onto the World Stage This Summer 

As Major League Soccer prepares to take a break for the June FIFA international window, fans will have plenty of opportunities to catch MLS players in action on the international stage through friendlies and qualifying tournaments.

The U.S. Men’s National Team will take on Switzerland this Sunday (2 p.m. ET, ESPN / UniMás / TUDN) ahead of kicking off Concacaf Nations League against Honduras on June 3 (7 p.m. ET / TUDN).

Check MLS Media Resources for a regularly updated list of player call-ups.

USMNT Roster Boasts Slew of Players Developed by MLS NEXT Clubs

The U.S. Men’s National Team takes on No. 16-ranked Switzerland on Sunday in its final match before the Concacaf Nations League final four with 16 of the 23 players developed by MLS NEXT clubs. The roster features four first team MLS stars in Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Jackson Yueill (San Jose) and David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake) who will be available for selection on Sunday and have now been named to the final roster for CNL. Acosta and Ochoa were developed in MLS academies by FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake respectively. The two Western Conference clubs have been leaders in developing talent with a combined 58 Homegrown Player signings in their histories.

Former Philadelphia Union Star Inspires Next Generation of Designers

Omri Gal and former Philadelphia Union standout Warren Creavalle launched Design FC, an after-school program based in Chester, Pa. in 2018 to encourage elementary and middle school students to develop creative thinking, self-expression, and autobiographical storytelling through the design of soccer jerseys. Each student designs their own unique soccer jersey and apparel, in which they visually express what means most to them, their families, their community, their future aspirations and the social issues that affect them. Two seventh-grade students, Nyrell Hackett and Kevin Standford have been with Design FC since the inception and on Friday, May 28 will see their hard work come to fruition as their jersey designs will be released in EA SPORTS FIFA Ultimate Team for all FIFA players to use. There will also be a Design FC stadium with virtual signage, tifos and more. Watch Standford’s reaction to finding out the exciting news HERE and download images of the jerseys HERE.

Pair of Philadelphia Soccer Stars Could Feature in UEFA Champions League Final

Saturday marks the UEFA Champions League Final as Manchester City takes on Chelsea at Estádio do Dragão in Porto, Portugal. A pair of Americans, Zack Steffen and Christian Pulisic will showcase their talents, both of whom got their starts here in the United States. The two U.S. Men’s National Team standouts began their careers playing soccer in Philadelphia for FC Delco and PA Classics respectively before training with an early version of the Philadelphia Union Academy under the leadership of then academy director, Alecko Eskandarian. The former MLS standout is currently the Director of Player Relations and Competition for Major League Soccer and plays an active role in building MLS NEXT, a new paradigm for player development in the United States and Canada, alongside MLS NEXT Technical Director Fred Lipka. Eskandarian is focused on identifying the next generation of soccer talent in the United States. MLS NEXT is in the midst of its inaugural season after launching in September of 2020 and FC Delco and PA Classics are among the founding members of the program.

MLS Clubs To Rock adidas PRIMEBLUE Jerseys Made with Parley Ocean Plastic

This weekend, all Major League Soccer clubs will don adidas PRIMEBLUE jerseys made with Parley Ocean Plastic ahead of World Oceans Day on June 8. Fans are able to purchase the adidas PRIMEBLUE jerseys at MLSstore.com or at select stadium retail locations. PRIMEBLUE is a high-performance yarn made with 50 percent Parley Ocean Plastic – upcycled plastic waster intercepted on shorelines and coastal areas, preventing it from polluting our oceans. MLS and adidas PRIMEBLUE kits are one of the many ways the league raises awareness for environmental issues and helps to create sustainable communities as part of MLS WORKS’ year-long Greener Goals initiative. Inter Miami CF kicked off their campaign with unique freediving photography of adidas PRIMEBLUE jersey underwater as a reminder that the ocean can be clear of plastics but it is up to us. Download images HERE.

NYCFC Gaining Strength and South American Talent

New York City FC are gaining some serious momentum as the Eastern Conference scoring leaders with 11 goals in six games and a renewed focus on young South American difference makers. Last week, NYCFC announced the landmark signing of 18-year-old Brazilian talent and U-17 FIFA World Cup champion Talles Magno as a Young Designated Player hailing from Brazilian powerhouse Vasco da Gama. NYCFC Gaining Strength and South American Talent

That signing came quickly on the heels of NYCFC inking 22-year-old Argentine forward Valentin “Taty” Castellanos to a five-year contract extension after starting the 2021 season in spectacular form. Castellanos’ four goals and two assists in six games played includes a streak of four goals in his first four games and an NYCFC record of 2-1-1 anytime he scores.  

Will NYCFC’s confidence in Magno and Castellanos be enough for them to conquer the last two league scoring champions, when they take on the Los Angeles Football Club with Carlos Vela (2019) and Diego Rossi (2020) this Saturday (5 p.m. ET, UniMás /Twitter)?

Five Questions with Austin FC’s Josh Wolff Ahead of Seattle Sounders Matchup

A FOX Sports doubleheader kicks off this Sunday with the reigning Supporters' Shield champions Philadelphia Union hosting the Portland Timbers at Subaru Park (7 p.m. ET, FS1 / FOX Deportes) before Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff leads the expansion side against MLS’ table toppers Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field (9:30 p.m. ET, FS1 / FOX Deportes).

This week, Austin FC and MLS Communications share “Five Questions with Josh Wolff,” which invites media to utilize a transcribed Q&A (in part or in whole) for their MLS coverage. Please attribute any quotes to MLS/Austin FC Communications.

 Wolff answers questions on Austin’s playing style, the progress of the team, his personal coaching influences from Gregg Berhalter (U.S. Men’s National Team) to Bob Bradley (LAFC), and the club’s brand-new, state-of-the-art facilities. 

 As a first-year head coach with a first-year club, Wolff said: “It’s an exciting opportunity; it’s an incredible responsibility, and I think the first few weeks have been enriching in a lot of ways. ... Having the environment and culture that we believe in is important to growing the way that our organization is received and the way we’re viewed when we play on the weekends and every game. I’ll continue to learn and hopefully the players will on the way, so the focus is on trying to get better every week. It’s been a nice start.”

 The Complete transcript from “Five Questions with Josh Wolff” is available here.

GAME NOTES: WEEK 7

Saturday, May 29

Chicago Fire FC vs. CF Montreal, 1 p.m. (TSN / TVA Sports)

• Fire FC won for the first time in 2021, defeating Inter Miami CF by the game’s only goal at Soldier Field on Saturday afternoon.
• Luka Stojanovic scored the game’s only goal directly from a free kick, the first Fire player to score on a direct free kick since Aleksandar Katai did it June 22, 2019 vs. Real Salt Lake. The goal was the third of the season for Stojanovic, of the four scored by Fire FC this season.
• CF Montréal suffered a second consecutive reversal, falling 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday afternoon. Djordje Mihailovic netted the CFMTL goal, his second of the season.
• The teams met once a season ago. A Robert Beric goal was answered by Montréal’s Lassi Lappalainen in the first half, then a Maximiliano Urruti goal was answered by Chicago’s Francisco Calvo, and the teams finished in a 2-2 draw Oct. 3 at Red Bull Arena.
• The teams have evenly split their season series each of the last five years. The home team had won each of the previous four meetings before last year’s draw.

New York Red Bulls vs. Orlando City SC, 1 p.m.

• The Red Bulls fell to a second successive defeat, dropping a 3-1 decision to the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening. Andrés Reyes scored the Red Bulls goal, the first of his MLS career in his second season.
• Orlando City SC remained undefeated on the season with a third victory in six games, defeating Toronto FC by the game’s only goal at Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening. Tesho Akindele netted the winner in the 12th minute, his second of the season.
• Pedro Gallese was credited with five saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season, tied for the MLS league lead. Orlando City has allowed two goals in six matches, the best defensive record in MLS this season.
•  The teams met twice a season ago, some two weeks apart. Daryl Dike, Junior Urso and Antonio Carlos netted goals as Orlando City took a 3-1 win Oct. 3 at Exploria Stadium; the teams reached a 1-1 draw Oct. 18 at Red Bull Arena, when New York’s Brian White netted the leveler late in stoppage time.
• In the two meetings in 2019, each team won by the game’s lone goal on the road. The wins were the first for the visiting team in the series since 2015 – Orlando City’s first year in MLS – when each team won at the other’s ground. The Red Bulls had won four consecutive meetings at Red Bull Arena; Orlando City had won two home meetings in a row.

FC Cincinnati vs. New England Revolution, 3 p.m.

• FC Cincinnati won for the first time in five starts this season, getting a late game-winning goal for a 2-1 win against CF Montréal at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday afternoon. Jürgen Locadia netted the equalizer in the 76th minute, his second goal in his second MLS season, then Gustavo Vallecilla headed home the match-winner in the 86th minute for his first goal in MLS.
• The Revolution won for a fourth time in seven matches this season, a second consecutive victory, defeating the New York Red Bulls 3-1 at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening. Adam Buksa scored his third goal of the season, a second consecutive game with a goal, while Gustavo Bou also added his second of the season. Arnor Traustason collected his first two MLS assists.
• The teams did not meet in 2020. The teams met twice in 2019 in FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season, each winning on the other’s home ground. Kekuta Manneh and Kenny Saief scored on either side of halftime as FC Cincinnati claimed a 2-0 win on March 24 at Gillette Stadium, the first away win in FCC’s MLS history, then on July 21 at Nippert Stadium, Carles Gil and Antonio Mlinar netted goals in a 2-0 Revolution victory.

Columbus Crew SC vs. Toronto FC, 3 p.m. (TSN / CTV)

• The Crew put an end to a swift two-game losing slide with a come-from-behind 2-1 win vs. New York City FC at Red Bull Arena on Saturday evening. Lucas Zelarayán scored both goals directly from free kicks, the sixth player in MLS history to score two direct free kick goals in a single game, and now has three goals from free kicks this season, the 12th player with that many in a year.
• TFC saw their two-game undefeated run in league play come to an end, falling to Orlando City SC by the game’s only goal at Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore scored early and late as Toronto FC took a 2-0 win May 12 at Exploria Stadium, the club’s first win at its temporary Orlando home.
• TFC has won the last three meetings between the teams, including a 3-1 win last year at Rentschler Field in Hartford, Conn., and a 1-0 win on Decision Day in 2019 (Oct. 6) at BMO Field.
• TFC has come away with points on its past three trips to Columbus, including a 2-2 draw in the last meeting at Crew Stadium last Aug. 17. A 2-1 victory on May 10, 2017 was TFC’s first win in Columbus since 2014, snapping a four-game Crew SC home undefeated streak there in the series in league play (2-0-2).

Atlanta United vs. Nashville SC, 3:30 p.m.

• ATLUTD extended their undefeated streak to three matches with a second draw in that span, reaching a 1-1 result with Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field on Sunday evening. Josef Martínez converted a penalty kick for the Atlanta United goal in the 86th minute, his second of the season.
• Nashville SC remained undefeated on the season with a second win in the last three games, defeating Austin FC by the game’s only goal at Nissan Stadium on Sunday evening. Randall Leal scored the lone goal in the 35th minute, his second of the season.
• Joe Willis was credited with one save in recording his fourth consecutive shutout, tied for the MLS league lead. Willis extended his shutout streak to 408 minutes, the longest in the league this season.
• The teams are met three times a season ago in Nashville SC’s inaugural season. Atlanta United won the first two, including in the season opener for both clubs, the first match in Nashville SC’s history. Ezequiel Barco and Emerson Hyndman scored first-half goals as Atlanta United claimed a 2-1 win Feb. 29 at Nissan Stadium.
• On Aug. 22, Pity Martínez netted goals late in each half, leading Atlanta United to a 2-0 win Aug. 22 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Then on Sept. 12, Dominique Badji scored in the first minute to set the stage as Nashville SC rolled to a 4-2 win Sept. 12 at Nissan Stadium.

Los Angeles Football Club vs. New York City FC, 5 p.m. (UniMás)

• LAFC won for the first time since the 2021 season opener, ending a four-game winless run, defeating the Colorado Rapids 2-1 at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday evening.
• Diego Rossi netted a pair of goals, now with three goals for the year, the sixth multiple-goal game of Rossi’s MLS career in 89 appearances.
• NYCFC saw their four-game undefeated run come to an end with two late goals in a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew at Red Bull Arena on Saturday evening. Ismail Tajouri-Shradi scored his first goal of the season for the NYCFC tally.
• The teams did not meet in 2020. They have met twice all-time reaching, a pair of 2-2 draws – last on March 17, 2019 at Yankee Stadium, and also May 13, 2018 at Banc of California Stadium in LAFC’s inaugural season.

LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 7 p.m. (UniMás / TUDN)

• The Galaxy saw their two-game winning run come to an end, falling 3-0 to the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Saturday afternoon.
• The Quakes saw their three-game homestand come to an end with a 3-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City at PayPal Park on Saturday evening. Eduardo López scored his second goal of the season for the San Jose tally.
• The teams met four times a season ago. The Quakes won the final two: Andrés Ríos converted a late penalty kick as the Quakes overcame an early deficit to take a 2-1 win Oct. 3 in San Jose, then Nick Lima netted goals late in each half as the Quakes cruised to a 4-0 win Oct. 14 at Dignity Health Sports Park. On Aug. 29 in Carson, Cristian Pavón and Sebastian Lletget each scored goals late in the second half to lead the Galaxy to a 3-2 win; the teams also reached a goalless draw Sept. 13 at Earthquakes Stadium.
• The Earthquakes have won each of the 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 90 times in all competitions. In regular season play, the Galaxy have won 32 times and the Quakes 26, with 16 draws, since their first meeting April 28, 1996.

Inter Miami CF vs. D.C. United, 8 p.m.

• Inter Miami weren’t able to build upon a second victory of the season, falling by the game’s only goal to Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field on Saturday afternoon.
• D.C. United fell to a second successive reversal, dropping a decision to the game’s only goal to the Philadelphia Union at Audi Field on Sunday evening.
• The teams have met once all-time. Yamil Asad and Frederic Brillant scored two minutes apart in the second half for United, overcoming a second-minute goal from Rodolfo Pizarro, leading D.C. to a 2-1 win last March 7 at Audi Field.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Houston Dynamo FC, 8:30 p.m.

• Sporting won their second consecutive match, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 at PayPal Park on Saturday evening. Alan Pulido scored his fourth goal of the season, his third over the last two games, and also added his first assist of the season, the second time in his MLS career he’s had a goal and an assist in the same game.
• Dynamo FC won for a second time in three matches, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-1 at BBVA Stadium on Saturday evening. Maximiliano Urruti scored his third goal of the season, while Memo Rodríguez scored his second goal and added an assist, the first time in his MLS career he had a goal and an assist in the same game.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Maximiliano Urruti scored the game’s only goal in the 56th minute, leading Dynamo FC to the victory May 12 at BBVA Stadium.
• 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.

Colorado Rapids vs. FC Dallas, 9 p.m.

• The Rapids saw their three-game winning streak come to an end, falling 2-1 to Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday evening. Michael Barrios scored his first goal of the season, his first since coming to Colorado.
• FC Dallas remained undefeated at home for the season with a third draw in four games, reaching a 2-2 result with Real Salt Lake at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening. Franco Jara converted a penalty kick for his first goal of the season, and Ryan Hollingshead also scored his first of the year.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. They reached a goalless draw in the season opener for both clubs, April 17 at Toyota Stadium.
• The Rapids have won the last two meetings in Commerce City, their first home wins in the series since 2013, a five-game home winless run; the teams had reached four consecutive 1-1 draws there.
• FC Dallas are undefeated in their last six home meetings in the series, a two-game winning streak vs. Colorado at Toyota Stadium ending in the first meeting this year. The Rapids’ last win there came in 2016.

Real Salt Lake vs. Minnesota United FC, 9:30 p.m.

• Real Salt Lake gained a result for a second game in a row with a draw, reaching a 2-2 result with FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening. Rubio Rubin scored his fourth goal of the season and Damir Kreilach netted his second for the RSL goals.
• MNUFC return to action following a second 1-0 victory in four days last time out, defeating FC Dallas at Allianz Field on May 15. Robin Lod scored the game’s only goal four minutes deep in second-half stoppage time; it was the second time in Minnesota United’s club history the game’s only goal for a win came in stoppage time (also, 7/13/2019, Mason Toye 91+ vs. Dallas).
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Anderson Julio netted goals 10 minutes apart in the first half to lead RSL to a 2-1 win April 24 at Allianz Field.
• The RSL win in the first meeting ended an eight-game undefeated streak for MNUFC in the series, the first by the away team in the all-time series. The teams have reached draws in the last two meetings in Sandy, including a 1-1 result July 20, 2019 in the last meeting at Rio Tinto Stadium. The lone previous RSL win in the series came there June 17, 2017.

Sunday, May 30

Philadelphia Union vs. Portland Timbers, 7 p.m. (FS1 / FOX Deportes)

• The Union extended their undefeated streak to four matches with a second consecutive victory, defeating D.C. United by the game’s only goal at Audi Field on Sunday evening. Kacper Przybylko scored the Union goal, his second in MLS league play and his seventh of the year in all competitions.
• The Timbers won for a second game in a row by shutout, defeating the LA Galaxy 3-0 at Providence Park on Saturday afternoon. Felipe Mora scored a pair of goals, his first two goals of the season, now with four in all competitions for the year.
• The teams did not meet in league play, but did face off in the semifinals of the MLS is Back Tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World. Jeremy Ebobisse and Sebastian Blanco each scored and Diego Valeri collected a pair of assists, as the Timbers collected a 2-1 win Aug. 5 on their way to the championship.
• In league play, the Timbers have won the past four meetings between the teams, from 2016-19, last a 3-1 win May 25, 2019 in Chester, behind a brace from Brian Fernández and a goal and an assist from Diego Valeri. The Union’s lone victory in the series, in 10 meetings all-time, came on their home ground in 2015.

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Austin FC, 9:30 p.m. (FS1 / FOX Deportes)

• Sounders FC remained undefeated for the season, becoming the 12th team in MLS history to reach at least seven games unbeaten from the start of a season, reaching a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United at Lumen Field on Sunday evening. Raúl Ruidíaz scored his sixth goal of the season, now one behind Javier Hernández of the LA Galaxy in the MLS Golden Boot race.
• Austin FC fell to a third successive defeat, dropping a decision by the game’s only goal to Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium on Sunday evening.
• The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories. They are also scheduled to face off July 22 at Q2 Stadium