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This Week in MLS: 15 Olympic-eligible Americans Registered Goals or Assists in MLS Last Weekend

Cade Cowell - closeup - 2020

15 Olympic-eligible Americans Registered Goals or Assists in MLS Last Weekend
It was a banner weekend for the player development system in North America as young U.S. players across MLS made game-changing impacts in their respective matches. A total of 15 Americans who are Olympic eligible (age 23 or younger) either scored a goal or registered an assist during MLS play last weekend, including five Homegrown teenagers who scored goals.
San Jose’s 16-year-old Homegrown forward
Cade Cowell
became the
youngest player in Earthquakes history
, and 10
th
youngest in MLS history, to score a goal on Saturday. Not to be outdone, 17-year-old Homegrown forward
Ricardo Pepi
became the
youngest player in FC Dallas history to register an assist
, providing the helper on fellow academy product and 19-year-old forward
Jesús Ferreira
’s goal.
FC Dallas will face Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday (8:30 p.m. ET / ESPN+) in a matchup of clubs with bright American teens with goalscoring pedigree, as SKC’s 18-year-old
Gianluca Busio
looks to continue his momentum after
scoring the game-tying goal
on Saturday.
Cowell and the Earthquakes meanwhile will face the Los Angeles Football Club on Wednesday (11 p.m. ET, UniMas / TUDN / Twitter.com). In only the club’s third season, LAFC is beginning to bear the fruits of its investment into the academy, seeing the first-ever minutes from an academy product when 16-year-old Homegrown forward
Christian Torres
made his MLS regular season debut on Sunday.
Other young standouts over the weekend include Colorado 19-year-old midfielder
Cole Bassett
and Philadelphia 19-year-old midfielder
Brenden Aaronson
who each scored a goal. Orlando City SC’s 20-year-old rookie forward
Daryl Dike
, meanwhile, registered an assist and has tallied three goals and two assists across his first three MLS regular season appearances.
Toronto FC Out to Create History in Bid for Canadian Championship Final Berth
Toronto FC are on the verge of MLS history this week, as they look to close out a spot in the 2020 Canadian Championship Final.
TFC plays host to the Montréal Impact on Tuesday evening at BMO Field (8 p.m., TSN / TVA Sports), riding an 18-game undefeated streak in MLS league play dating back to last Aug. 10. With a win or a draw, TFC will tie the all-time MLS record held by Columbus Crew SC (set in 2004-05) and FC Dallas (set in 2010).
The league’s only undefeated team remaining this year and winner of three in a row, TFC has done it on the strength of a stout defense. The Reds have not allowed a goal in four consecutive regular season matches – the last conceded in a 4-3 win over the Impact on July 16 in the MLS is Back Tournament – and extended their current shutout streak to a club-record 360 minutes in the 1-0 win at Montréal last Friday evening.
The Canadian MLS team that earns the most points in the first phase of the revised MLS regular season schedule of matches, from Aug. 18 to Sept. 16, will qualify for the 2020 Canadian Championship Final. TFC will be on the verge of booking their place in the match for the Voyageurs’ Cup with a win Tuesday night, guaranteed of at least a tie atop the Canadian standings.
The current standings among Canadian clubs during phase one of the revised MLS regular season schedule:

<strong>PTS</strong>
<strong>GP</strong>
<strong>W</strong>
<strong>L</strong>
<strong>T</strong>
<strong>GF</strong>
<strong>GA</strong>
<strong>GD</strong>
<div>Toronto FC</div>
<div align="center">9</div>
<div align="center">3</div>
<div align="center">3</div>
<div align="center">0</div>
<div align="center">0</div>
<div align="center">5</div>
<div align="center">0</div>
<div align="center">+5</div>
<div>Montreal Impact</div>
<div align="center">3</div>
<div align="center">2</div>
<div align="center">1</div>
<div align="center">1</div>
<div align="center">0</div>
<div align="center">2</div>
<div align="center">1</div>
<div align="center">+1</div>
<div>Vancouver Whitecaps FC</div>
<div align="center">0</div>
<div align="center">3</div>
<div align="center">0</div>
<div align="center">3</div>
<div align="center">0</div>
<div align="center">0</div>
<div align="center">6</div>
<div align="center">-6</div>

Orlando City’s Turnaround Continues with 20-Year-Old Daryl Dike
The new-look Orlando City SC is running through the 2020 regular season with a bit of Disney magic that hasn’t worn off from MLS is Back Tournament. Last week alone, the club defeated regional rivals Nashville SC and Atlanta United with back-to-back 3-1 victories, including a milestone first-ever win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 
On the attacking end, the Lions are feasting on a spread of goalscoring that in the last week has outmatched opponents 6-2, thanks to finishes from Nani, Chris Muller, Júnior Urso and the emerging rookie 20-year-old Daryl Dike, who notched three goals in his last three games.
Dike – the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas – is among the group of recent young standout performers. The University of Virginia product, who earned his first start and the first goal of his MLS career on Aug. 22 in Orlando’s match against Inter Miami CF, could be following in the Nigerian National Team footsteps of his brother and sister after he turned heads with a two-goal outing against Nashville last week.
Could Dike be setting up for an encore performance when Orlando City SC faces Nashville SC this Wednesday night in Music City
(8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
?
Continental Tire Joins Forces with Major League Soccer for 7th Annual Kick Childhood Cancer Campaign
As part of Childhood Cancer Awareness, MLS WORKS – Major League Soccer’s social responsibility platform – will team up with League partner Continental Tire to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer. Now in its seventh year, the
Kick Childhood Cancer
campaign strives to strengthen research efforts to find cures for all types of childhood cancer and provide support to one of the most vulnerable populations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Supported locally by all 26 MLS clubs, the 2020 Campaign will focus on raising funds for pediatric cancer research, while providing comfort and inspiration to patients and their families
MLS Regular Season: Week 8
Game Notes
Tuesday, September 1
Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact, 8 p.m. (TSN)

  • The teams are meeting on the back end of their home-and-home series over five days, after facing off at Stade Saputo on Friday evening.
  • Toronto FC remained undefeated on the 2020 MLS league season and extended their overall undefeated streak to 18 games – now one shy of the all-time league record – with a 1-0 win over the Impact on Friday evening. TFC are looking to join the Columbus Crew (2004-25) and FC Dallas (2010) as the all-time record holders.
  • Alejandro Pozuelo converted a penalty kick for the game’s only goal, his second goal of the season. The MLS assist leader with seven, Pozuelo has been involved in nine of TFC’s 14 goals on the season.
  • The win was also a fourth consecutive shutout for TFC, the 360-minute shutout streak now a record for the club’s 14-year history.


Wednesday, September 2
Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami CF, 7 p.m. (FS1)

  • Atlanta United weren’t able to build upon a first victory in four games, falling 3-1 to Orlando City SC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday evening.
  • Brooks Lennon scored the ATLUTD goal, his first since coming to the club; his last goal in an MLS league game came Oct. 22, 2017 for Real Salt Lake.
  • Inter Miami weren’t able to build upon their first victory in club history, falling 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.


FC Cincinnati vs. Chicago Fire FC, 7:30 p.m.

  • FC Cincinnati made it three games without loss at home, reaching a goalless draw with Columbus Crew SC at Nippert Stadium on Saturday evening.
  • Przemyslaw Tyton was credited with three saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season, tied for the MLS league lead; it was a fourth shutout over the last five games for FCC.
  • Fire FC weren’t able to build upon a first win over the last four games, dropping a 3-1 decision to New York City FC at Red Bull Arena on Saturday evening. Mauricio Pineda netted his second goal of the season.
  • The teams met last week in their first encounter of the season. Fabian Herbers and Álvaro Medrán netted goals in the opening 10 minutes and Ignacio Aliseda added a second-half goal as the Fire won their first game in Soldier Field in 15 seasons, a 3-0 victory Aug. 25.


  • The teams met twice a year ago in FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season. FCC won 2-1 on July 13 at SeatGeek Stadium; the teams reached a goalless draw Sept. 21 at Nippert Stadium.


New York Red Bulls vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.

  • The Red Bulls return home following a 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening. Omir Fernandez netted his first goal of the season.
  • D.C. United saw their winless stretch extended to six matches, falling 4-1 to the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on Saturday evening.
  • The teams met twice a season ago. Kaku scored early and Daniel Royer converted a second-half penalty kick, giving the Red Bulls a 2-1 win Aug. 21 at Audi Field; the teams then reached a goalless draw Sept. 29 at Red Bull Arena.


  • The Red Bulls have a 10-game undefeated streak alive in the series, with United’s last win overall coming on May 13, 2016, at RFK Stadium. The Red Bulls have a 10-game undefeated streak going in regular season matches at Red Bull Arena, having won five of the past eight meetings in Harrison, N.J., including a 1-0 win last year on Aug. 26 in the lone meeting there. United’s last win at the Red Bulls came in 2011.
  • The teams have met 95 times in all competitions over the years – the most of any two clubs in MLS history. New York has won 35 and United have won 43, including a 7-4-2 record in the postseason. They play for the Atlantic Cup, awarded to the winner of the season series by supporters’ groups from both clubs.


Columbus Crew SC vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.

  • Crew SC rebounded from their first defeat of the 2020 MLS season, reaching a goalless draw with FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium on Saturday evening. Eloy Room returned between the posts and was credited with two saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season, tied for the MLS league lead; the Crew lead the league with six shutouts this season.
  • The Union won a second consecutive game, extending their undefeated streak to seven league games overall, defeating D.C. United 4-1 at Subaru Park on Saturday evening.
  • Kacper Przybylko scored a pair of goals, now with four goals for the season, and added an assist. It was Przybylko’s second career two-goal game in MLS, the second time he was involved in three goals in a game in his two league seasons.
  • The teams met twice a season ago, each winning by shutout on their home ground. David Accam scored a pair of goals then set up a third by Ilsinho, leading his former club in the Union to a 3-0 win against his future club in Crew SC in Chester on March 23. Then on Sept. 29, Youness Mohktar and Pedro Santos netted goals four minutes apart midway through the second half, giving Crew SC a 2-0 win Sept. 29 at Mapfre Stadium. There has a been a shutout in each of the past seven meetings between the teams.


  • Crew SC are undefeated in the last four meetings between the teams at Mapfre Stadium with three wins; the Union have not scored in the last 376 minutes played in Columbus. The Union are undefeated in the last four meetings in Chester; they have a 270-minute shutout streak alive in home games.


New England Revolution vs. New York City FC, 8 p.m.

  • The Revolution extended their undefeated streak to seven games with a fifth draw over that span, reaching a 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening. Gustavo Bou scored for a second consecutive match, now with three goals for the season.
  • NYCFC won a second consecutive league match for the first time this season, defeating Chicago Fire FC 3-1 at Red Bull Arena on Saturday evening. Alexander Ring scored for a second consecutive match, his second league goal this season.
  • The teams met twice a season ago, each winning on their home ground. Jesús Medina scored a pair of goals, the game-winner coming on a penalty kick six minutes into second-half stoppage time, leading NYCFC to a 2-1 win on Sept. 7 at Yankee Stadium; Teal Bunbury and Gustavo Bou netted second-half goals to give the Revolution a 2-0 win Sept. 29 at Gillette Stadium.


  • The NYCFC win in the first meeting last year ended a three-game Revolution undefeated streak in the series. The Revs are undefeated over the past four meetings in Foxborough; NYCFC has won four of the seven meetings all-time in the Bronx.


Houston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United FC, 8 p.m.

  • The Dynamo return to action coming off their first victory of the season, defeating Sporting Kansas City 5-2 at Children’s Mercy Park on Aug. 25.
  • Darwin Quintero scored a pair of goals and added a pair of assists, involved in four goals in a game for the first time in his MLS career. Quintero became the fourth player to have a combined four goals and assists in a single game in Dynamo club history.
  • MNUFC fell to a second consecutive defeat, dropping a 3-1 decision to FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening. Hassani Dotson scored his first goal of the league season.
  • The teams met twice a season ago, each winning on their home ground. Romain Métanire scored the game’s only goal as Minnesota United took the victory on May 25 at Allianz Field; Mauro Manotas and Christian Ramírez netted goals as the Dynamo won 2-0 on Sept. 11 at BBVA Stadium.


  • The home team has won each of the past five meetings in the series, and the visiting team has yet to win. The teams split their two league meetings in 2018. Minnesota United took a come-from-behind 2-1 win on April 28 at TCF Bank Stadium, their first victory vs. the Dynamo. Then, the Dynamo captured a 3-0 victory July 7 at BBVA Stadium.


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

  • Sporting bounced back from a first loss following a three-game winning run, playing to a 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday evening. Gianluca Busio netted his first goal of the season.
  • FC Dallas put an end to a four-game winless slide, defeating Minnesota United FC 3-1 at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening. Fafa Picault, and Jesús Ferreira and Reto Ziegler scored goals, FCD’s first goals since the opening weeks of the season.
  • The teams met twice a season ago, and FC Dallas won both. Dominique Badji and Jesús Ferreira scored goals as FCD claimed a 2-0 win on July 20 at Children’s Mercy Park; Zdenek Ondrasek hit for a brace as FCD rolled to a 6-0 win at Toyota Stadium on Decision Day (Oct. 6), matching the heaviest victory recorded in the 24-year history of the season.


  • FCD has won the past two meetings in Kansas City, its first there since 2011, the first match there in the series. SKC had won five of the seven meetings in between, with two draws.


  • Sporting had won on their previous visit to Toyota Stadium, a 3-0 win Oct. 21, 2018, their first in Frisco since 2011; FC Dallas had a five-game home undefeated streak in the series put to an end.


Nashville SC vs. Orlando City SC, 8:30 p.m.

  • Nashville SC won at home for the first time in the club’s MLS history and put an end to a three-game winless skid, defeating Inter Miami CF by the game’s only goal at Nissan Stadium on Sunday evening. Anibal Godoy scored his first goal for the club for the win.
  • Orlando City SC won a second consecutive game, defeating Atlanta United for the first time in the club’s history in a 3-1 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
  • Chris Mueller scored for a second consecutive game for OCSC, now with six goals on the season, one behind LAFC’s Diego Rossi in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
  • The teams are meeting for the second time, a home-and-home series over a week’s time. Daryl Dike scored a pair of goals and Chris Mueller added his fifth of the year as Orlando City took a 3-1 win at Exploria Stadium on Aug. 26, the first meeting ever between the clubs.


Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 9:30 p.m.

  • Real Salt Lake scored four goals for a second consecutive game, coming back for a wild 4-4 draw with the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Saturday evening. Giuseppe Rossi scored his first MLS goal in the 90th minute, then Sam Johnson hit for the equalizer in stoppage time as RSL capped a remarkable late comeback.
  • Sounders FC won for a third consecutive match in league play, defeating Los Angeles FC 3-1 at CenturyLink Field on Sunday evening. Jordan Morris scored a pair of goals in consecutive minutes, now with five goals for the regular season, the 22nd player in MLS history to score two goals in two minutes on the clock.
  • The teams met twice during the regular season a year ago, each winning on their home ground. Nicolás Lodeiro scored the game’s only goal, as Sounders FC claimed the victory at CenturyLink Field on April 6. Then Sam Johnson and Albert Rusnák scored goals and Corey Baird added a goal and an assist, as Real eased to a 3-0 victory Aug. 14 at Rio Tinto Stadium.


  • Sounders FC have won eight of the past nine league meetings between the teams at CenturyLink Field, the lone RSL win coming on May 26, 2018, a 1-0 triumph. Real have won their past eight home games vs. Seattle.
  • The teams also met in the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Gustav Svensson and Nicolas Lodeiro scored second-half goals as Sounders FC took a 2-0 win in the Western Conference Semifinals, Oct. 23 at CenturyLink Field. The clubs had also met in the MLS Cup Playoffs in back-to-back seasons in 2011 and 2012, each advancing on one occasion.


Los Angeles Football Club vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 p.m.

  • LAFC suffered a second consecutive setback following a five-game undefeated streak to open the league campaign, falling 3-1 to Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on Sunday evening. Diego Rossi netted his league-leading seventh goal of the season.
  • The Quakes saw their two-game winning run come to an end, dropping a 3-2 decision to the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday evening.
  • Cade Cowell scored the first goal of his MLS career; at 16 years, 320 days of age, Cowell is the 10th-youngest player to score a goal in MLS league history.
  • The teams met twice a season ago, and LAFC won both. Carlos Vela scored a hat trick and set up a fourth goal as LAFC cruised to a 5-0 win on March 30 at Avaya Stadium; Vela then netted two more goals as LAFC won 4-0 on Aug. 21 at Banc of California Stadium.


  • LAFC have won all four meetings between the clubs, winning both meetings between the teams in their expansion campaign, taking a 4-3 win on June 9 at Avaya Stadium, then a 3-0 victory on Sept. 22 at Banc of California Stadium. LAFC now has a 297-minute shutout streak alive in the series.


Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.

  • The Timbers gained a result for the fifth time in the last six games in league play, reaching a 4-4 draw with Real Salt Lake at Providence Park on Saturday evening. Sebastián Blanco scored his second goal of the season and added his fourth assist.
  • The Galaxy won their second game in a row, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 3-2 at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday evening. Sebastian Lletget set up the opening goal then hit for the game-winner eight minutes from time.
  • The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Jeremy Ebobisse and Sebastián Blanco each scored goals in the second half as the Timbers took a 2-1 win July 13 in the first match for both clubs in the MLS is Back Tournament.


  • The teams met twice last season in league play, each winning on its home ground. Zlatan Ibrahimović scored a pair of goals, both from penalty kicks, as the Galaxy took a 2-1 win on March 31 at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Timbers then returned the favor with a 4-0 win July 27 at Providence Park.
  • The teams have also met three of the last four years in the U.S. Open Cup, the Galaxy advancing in 2016 with a 1-0 triumph in Portland, but the Timbers winning in both 2018 and 2019, also at Providence Park.


Saturday, September 5
Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting Kansas City, 8 p.m.

  • The teams are meeting for the third time this season, each winning one. Darwin Quintero scored a pair of goals and set up two others as the Dynamo rolled to a 5-2 win Aug. 24 at Children’s Mercy Park. Before that, Alan Pulido, Gadi Kinda and Khiry Shelton each scored a goal and added an assist as Sporting rolled to a 4-0 win March 7 at Children’s Mercy Park, the largest margin of victory in the all-time series.
  • The Dynamo win in the last meeting ended Sporting’s undefeated streak in the series to six games, with four wins and two draws. The Dynamo’s last win had come in 2017 in Houston.


  • Sporting have taken points from their last two visits to Houston. Sporting had won three meetings in a row at Children’s Mercy Park before the Dynamo win, their first at home in the series since 2011, following a seven-game winless streak in KC (0-1-6).


Orlando City SC vs. Atlanta United, 8 p.m. (FOX)

  • The teams are meeting on the back end of their home-and-home series over a week, after Orlando City SC won for the first time in 10 meetings in all comepeitions between the clubs with a 3-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.


  • In eight league meetings all-time, Atlanta United had not lost to their neighbor to the south, with six wins and two draws. The OCSC win in the first meeting snapped a five-game ATLUTD winning streak in the series.


Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC, 9:30 p.m. (TSN)

  • The teams met twice over four days’ time at BMO Field, and Toronto FC won both, each by shutout. Pablo Piatti netted a pair of goals, his first goals for TFC in league play, in a 3-0 win Aug. 18; Richie Laryea then scored the game’s only goal in the TFC win Aug. 21.


  • The TFC wins were the first by the home team in the league series since 2013, when Whitecaps FC claimed a 1-0 win at BC Place. The away team had won four of the six matches in between, with two draws, including four in a row from 2015-18.


  • The teams also met in the final of the Canadian Championship in 2018, with TFC winning the title 7-4 on aggregate, including a 5-2 win in the second leg at BMO Field. It was the second consecutive year the clubs met for the Canadian domestic title, the fourth time overall, and TFC have won all four. On three occasions (2011, 2012, 2018), the teams played to a first-leg draw in Vancouver; then, Toronto won the second leg at home.


San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids, 10:30 p.m.

  • The Rapids gained a second result in the last three matches, reaching a 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday evening. Cole Bassett scored the fourth goal of his MLS career, his first this season.
  • The teams met twice a season ago, each winning on their home ground. Vako Qazaishvili and Shea Salinas each netted goals as the Quakes claimed a 3-1 win July 27 at Avaya Stadium; Kellyn Acosta and Diego Rubio hit for goals on either side of halftime as the Rapids took a 2-0 win Aug. 10 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.


  • The Quakes are undefeated in the five meetings all-time at Avaya Stadium, winning four of those. The Rapids goal in last year’s meeting was their first at San Jose since May 18, 2013, snapping a span of 692 scoreless minutes for the Rapids in the Bay Area.


  • The Rapids are undefeated in the past eight meetings with the Quakes in Commerce City, the last San Jose win there coming in 2013. The Rapids have won four times, with four draws. The Rapids win at home on Oct. 13, 2016, ended a 14-game overall winless streak in the series.


Sunday, September 6
D.C. United vs. New York City FC, 7 p.m.

  • The teams met twice a season ago. Alexandru Mitrita and Héber scored on either side of halftime as NYCFC took a 2-0 win April 21 at Audi Field; the clubs reached a scoreless draw March 10 at Yankee Stadium.


  • The NYCFC win in the last meeting ended a four-game D.C. United undefeated streak in the series, NYCFC’s last previous win coming March 12, 2017, a 4-0 triumph at Yankee Stadium.
  • The NYCFC win at Audi Field was just the second by the road team in the series, the first also by NYCFC, a 2-0 triumph May 8, 2016 at RFK Stadium. D.C. United have now taken points from their last two trips to Yankee Stadium, their first results there; NYCFC had won the first three encounters in the Bronx.


New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union, 7 p.m.

  • The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Kacper Przybylko scored the game’s only goal in the first half to give the Union the win Aug. 25 at Subaru Park.
  • The Red Bulls have a three-game undefeated streak alive in the series at Red Bull Arena, with a a win and two draws. They have a 305-minute shutout streak alive there vs. the Union. The Union have won the last two meetings in Chester, now with three in the nine meetings there, dating back to 2014 (2-4-2 in that span).
  • The teams also met in the MLS Cup Playoffs last season. The Union overcame a two-game deficit in the second half before Marco Fabian netted the game-winner in extra time for a 4-3 win in their Round One matchup.


Chicago Fire FC vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.

  • The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Adam Buksa gave the Revolution a first-half lead, but Jonathan Bornstein hit for the equalizer in the 70th minute, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw March 7 at Gillette Stadium.


  • The teams split their two meetings in 2019, each winning on their home ground. The Fire rolled to a 5-0 win on May 8 at SeatGeek Stadium, then the Revolution claimed a 2-1 win Aug. 24 at Gillette Stadium.
  • The Fire have a nine-game home undefeated streak alive in the series. The Revolution win in the second meeting last year snapped a seven-game Fire undefeated streak overall in the series (5-0-2), New England’s first win since July 23, 2016.


Columbus Crew SC vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.

  • The teams are meeting on the back end of their home-and-home series over a week, after playing to a goalless draw on Saturday evening at Nippert Stadium.


  • The teams met earlier this year during group play in the MLS is Back Tournament. Lucas Zelarayán scored a stunning goal directly from a free kick and also added a pair of assists, while Gyasi Zardes netted a pair of goals, leading Crew SC to a 4-0 win July 11.


  • The clubs met twice last year in FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season, over the span of two weeks. They reached a 2-2 draw Aug. 10 in Columbus at Mapfre Stadium, then Crew SC claimed a 3-1 win at Nippert Stadium on Aug. 25.


Minnesota United FC vs. Real Salt Lake, 8 p.m.

  • The teams are meeting for the second time this season. They reached a goalless draw on July 17 during the MLS is Back Tournament.


  • The teams met twice a season ago. Minnesota United won the second meeting, a 3-1 win Sept. 15 at Allianz Field, as Darwin Quintero netted a pair of goals. MNUFC have won all three meetings lifetime in Minnesota.
  • MNUFC has a five-game undefeated streak alive in the series, after the teams also reached a 1-1 draw July 20 at Rio Tinto Stadium; the teams have reached draws in the last two meetings in Sandy. The lone RSL win came there June 17, 2017.


Inter Miami CF vs. Nashville SC, 8 p.m. (FS1)

  • The teams are meeting on the back end of their home-and-home series over a week, their first-ever meetings in league play, with Nashville SC taking the victory by the game’s only goal when the clubs faced off at Nissan Stadium on Sunday evening.


Seattle Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers, 10 p.m.

  • The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Raúl Ruidíaz scored two goals and set up a third as Sounders FC hit for a late three-goal blitz in 14 minutes, on their way to a 3-0 win Aug. 23 at Providence Park.


  • The last five league meetings in the series have been won by the away team. Sounders FC have won the last three regular-season matchups at Providence Park, the win in 2018 their first win in Portland since 2014. When the Timbers took a 4-1 win on June 28, 2015, the three-goal victory equaled Portland’s largest margin of victory against the Sounders since 1977.
  • The Timbers have won the last two meetings at CenturyLink Field – their only wins ever in Seattle in MLS regular season games (Sounders FC were 7-0-3 leading up to that match), though the Timbers won at home in the MLS Cup Playoffs meeting between the clubs.
  • The Timbers also won a fourth-round U.S. Open Cup match between the clubs last season, a 2-1 win on June 12 at CenturyLink Field, as Fernandez netted both Portland goals.
  • The teams met in 2018 in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the Timbers winning in a dramatic penalty shootout in the Western Conference Quarterfinals after ending 4-4 on aggregate. The Timbers won the first leg 2-1 at Providence Park, then Sounders FC won 3-2 in extra time, sending the tie to the decider. It was a second win in a playoff series for the Timbers, also winning the 2013 Western Conference Semifinals.
  • The Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers have met 108 times in all competitions, the most between two U.S.-based clubs, the second-most in U.S./Canadian soccer history. Since their first meeting in 1975 in the old North American Soccer League, Seattle has won 54 times and Portland has won 40, with 14 draws. In MLS league play, Sounders FC have won 12 matches, the Timbers have won eight, and six have been draws.


LA Galaxy vs. Los Angeles Football Club, 10:30 p.m.

  • The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Ethan Zubak and Sebastian Lletget each scored on either side of halftime, giving the Galaxy a 2-0 win Aug. 22 at Banc of California Stadium. The Galaxy have come away with points on all three visits to downtown LA during league play, with a win and two draws.


  • The teams met in group play in the MLS is Back Tournament – and 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 42 goals scored in the eight meetings in all competitions between the clubs.
  • The teams also met last year 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.