MLS MEDIA RESOURCES: WEEK 7 NEWS & NOTES
News and notes and statistical trends from around Major League Soccer
ZELARAYÁN BRACE PUTS HIM AMONG ALL-TIME FREE KICK WIZARDS IN MLS
Having already shown off his free kick prowess in a high-profile setting in his first MLS season, Lucas Zelarayán of the Columbus Crew stepped into the league’s pantheon of free kick wizards with his performance last weekend.
With his club down a goal in the 82nd minute at New York City FC, Zelarayán ripped a stunning free kick past the wall and into the roof of the net for the equalizer. Then in stoppage time, Zelarayán stood over the ball on the other side of the field near the edge of the penalty area, and curled a masterful effort inside the near post for the match-winner in the Crew’s 2-1 victory.
Zelarayán became the sixth player in Major League Soccer history to score twice from direct free kicks in the same game (since records are available beginning with the 2003 season). He became the second Columbus Crew player to do it, after Federico Higuaín (now with Inter Miami CF) netted a pair in a 2012 game.
Zelarayán has become the 12th player in MLS history to record at least three goals directly from free kicks in a season, also netting one May 8 vs. D.C. United, the first goal scored by the Crew this season. Still with 28 games to play, Zelarayán is chasing the single-season record of 6, set by Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco in 2017.
Zelarayán has now scored four goals directly from free kicks in his MLS career – the first coming last July 11 vs. FC Cincinnati at the MLS is Back Tournament, a strike which was a finalist for goal of the tournament honors.
The goal in the fourth minute of added time marked the sixth time in league annals a game-winning goal came from a direct free kick in stoppage time, the first time since the 2016 season.
TIMBERS’ GOALKEEPER KETTERER MATCHES SHUTOUT FEAT
An extreme hardship signing by the Portland Timbers, goalkeeper Logan Ketterer has already entered the MLS record books – matching a feat which has stood since the very first game in Major League Soccer’s history.
Ketterer was acquired from USL Championship side El Paso Locomotive FC days before making his MLS debut May 15 at San Jose. A 2017 SuperDraft selection by the Columbus Crew, Ketterer did not see action in an MLS league match until the Timbers’ game vs. the Earthquakes – and he backstopped a 2-0 win in his first match.
Then last weekend, Ketterer recorded the shutout in a 3-0 win vs. the LA Galaxy at Providence Park. He became the sixth goalkeeper in MLS history to record shutouts in consecutive matches to start his MLS career, and the first to do it in more than a decade, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The very first goalkeeper to do it was Tom Liner – who recorded the shutout in the first game in MLS history, the San Jose Clash’s 1-0 win against D.C. United on April 6, 1996, then kept the clean sheet the next week in an eventual shootout loss at the Dallas Burn following a goalless result over the initial 90 minutes.
SOUNDERS FC MOVING UP IN ALL-TIME BEST START – WILL THEY BE JOINED?
With their 1-1 draw with Atlanta United at Lumen Field on Sunday afternoon, Seattle Sounders FC have become the 16th team in MLS history to start a season with at least seven games without a loss.
The all-time record was set in the league’s very first season, when the Los Angeles Galaxy started off their history by going undefeated in their first 12 games (winning two by shootout). That standard has since been equaled on three occasions: the Kansas City Wizards in 2000, the LA Galaxy in 2010, and Real Salt Lake in 2014.
Two other clubs come into Week 7 in the 2021 season with a chance to add their names to the list. Nashville SC have two wins and four draws in their first six matches heading into Saturday’s game at Atlanta United, while Orlando City SC have three wins and three draws in their opening six matches going into their contest at the New York Red Bulls on Saturday afternoon. Just twice in MLS history have as many as two teams started the same season unbeaten over their first seven games: 2000 (Kansas City Wizards, 12; LA Galaxy, 11) and 2010 (LA Galaxy, 12; Columbus Crew, 8).
AUSTIN FC’S LONG AND WINDING ROAD NEARING AN END
Austin FC are coming to the end of their long road run in advance of the opening of Q2 Stadium, playing a seventh consecutive road match at Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday evening at Lumen Field.
With six points through their first six games thus far, Austin FC have made a good start toward moving up the list of clubs which have opened seasons with a long road spell.
Austin FC will have one more away match following this weekend’s contest, a rescheduled game set for June 12 vs. Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park.
Here’s a look at the clubs which started seasons with at least six away matches:
MLS WEEK 7 – LOOK AHEAD
NEW YORK RED BULLS vs. ORLANDO CITY SC
Saturday, May 29, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #86)
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
1 p.m. ET (MSG; FOX35 Plus / LionNation)
REFEREE: Ismail Elfath. AR1 (bench): Corey Parker; AR2 (opposite): Kyle Atkins; 4th: Joshua Encarnacion; VAR: Edvin Jurisevic; AVAR: Brian Dunn
MLS Career: 165 games; FC/gm: 25.6; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 46; pens: 52
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Red Bulls 6 wins, 20 goals … Orlando City 5 wins, 19 goals … Ties 2
AT RED BULLS: Red Bulls 4 wins, 12 goals … Orlando City 2 wins, 10 goals … Ties 1
· 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.
RED BULLS: Frankie Amaya recorded his first assist since coming to the Red Bulls from FC Cincinnati. He has a goal and an assist in five appearances.
OCSC: Silvester van de Water recorded his first assist in MLS, making his first league start (fourth appearance overall). … Kyle Smith collected his second career MLS assist, his first coming last Oct. 3 vs. the Red Bulls.
CHICAGO FIRE FC vs. CF MONTRÉAL
Saturday, May 29, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #87)
Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill.
12 noon CT (TVA Sports; TSN; WGN-TV)
REFEREE: Victor Rivas. AR1 (bench): Eric Weisbrod; AR2 (opposite): Gjovalin Bori; 4th: Natalie Simon; VAR: Malik Badawi; AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
MLS Career: 22 games; FC/gm: 23.5; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 3; pens: 9
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Fire FC 7 wins, 30 goals … CFMTL 8 wins, 29 goals … Ties 6
AT FIRE: Fire FC 5 wins, 17 goals … CFMTL 1 win, 10 goals … Ties 3
· 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; it snapped a 383-minute goalless streak, the longest in MLS 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.
FIRE FC: Bobby Shuttleworth was credited with one save in recording his first shutout of the season, his first since last Sept. 27 vs. Atlanta United, when he had the second of back-to-back shutouts.
CFMTL: Romell Quioto collected his third assist, his second in the last three games. Quioto has assisted on three of CF Montréal’s last five goals, dating back to April 24.
COLUMBUS CREW vs. TORONTO FC
Saturday, May 29, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #88)
Historic Crew Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
3 p.m. ET (TSN / CTV; Bally Sports OH)
REFEREE: Allen Chapman. AR1 (bench): Eric Boria; AR2 (opposite): C.J. Morgante; 4th: Marcos de Oliveira; VAR: Daniel Radford; AVAR: Kevin Klinger
MLS Career: 181 games; FC/gm: 22.1; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 45; pens: 75
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Crew SC 14 wins, 53 goals … Toronto FC 11 wins, 53 goals … Ties 12
AT COLUMBUS: Crew SC 9 wins, 36 goals … Toronto FC 4 wins, 28 goals … Ties 6
· 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).
CREW: Lucas Zelarayán has four direct free kick goals for his MLS career, second-most in Crew club history (behind Federico Higuaín, with six).
TFC: Jonathan Osorio made his first MLS start of the season, playing 55 minutes; he started both legs of the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal vs. Cruz Azul of Mexico.
FC CINCINNATI vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Saturday, May 29, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #89)
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
3 p.m. ET (WSTR – Star 64; WSBK TV30 / MyRITV)
REFEREE: David Gantar. AR1 (bench): Peter Manikowski; AR2 (opposite): Jeffrey Swartzel; 4th: Silviu Petrescu; VAR: Sorin Stoica; AVAR: Craig Lowry
MLS Career: 100 games; FC/gm: 23.9; Y/gm: 2.9; R: 36; pens: 22
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FCC 1 win, 2 goals … Revolution 1 win, 2 goals … Ties 0
AT CINCINNATI: FCC 0 wins, 0 goals … Revolution 1 win, 2 goals … Ties 0
· 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.
FCC: Geoff Cameron made his FC Cincinnati debut, playing the full 90 minutes, and recorded an assist, his first in an MLS game since June 20, 2012, when he had two for the Houston Dynamo vs. Toronto FC. … Ronald Matarrita recorded an assist for a second consecutive game, now with three for the season, one of six players tied for fourth place in the MLS assist standings, one behind the leaders. … According to Opta, the last three goals scored by FC Cincinnati have all come from headers. Of the previous 46 goals scored in the club’s MLS history, just three had come from headers.
REVOLUTION: Carles Gil recorded his fourth assist of the season, one of three players tied for the MLS assist lead (along with Fabio, NYR; Joao Paulo, SEA); it was his second consecutive game with an assist. … Gustavo Bou added his second assist of the season, both coming in the last three games; it was the third time in his MLS career he’s had a goal and an assist in the same game, the last Sept. 27, 2020 vs. D.C. United.
ATLANTA UNITED vs. NASHVILLE SC
Saturday, May 29, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #90)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
3:30 p.m. ET (Bally Sports South/SE; MyTV30)
REFEREE: Alan Kelly. AR1 (bench): Adam Wienckowski; AR2 (opposite): Cameron Blanchard; 4th: Thomas Snyder; VAR: Fotis Bazakos; AVAR: Jeff Muschik
MLS Career: 132 games; FC/gm: 24.3; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 18; pens: 51
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: ATLUTD 2 wins, 6 goals … Nashville SC 1 win, 5 goals … Ties 0
AT ATLANTA: ATLUTD 1 win, 2 goals … Nashville SC 0 wins, 0 goals … Ties 0
· 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.
ATLUTD: According to Opta, ATLUTD have gained a result in 50 of 58 matches in MLS competition (league and MLS Cup Playoffs) when Josef Martínez scores a goal (W 40, D 10). … Matheus Rossetto made his 2021 season debut, coming on as a late substitute.
NASHVILLE SC: Jhonder Cadíz collected his first career MLS assist, making his 13th appearance over his two seasons. … Anibal Godoy recorded his second assist of the season, his first since the first Nashville goal of the year on April 17. The two assists equals Godoy’s single-season career-high in MLS, set three times previously, last in 2019 with San Jose.
LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB vs. NEW YORK CITY FC
Saturday, May 29, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #92)
Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif.
2 p.m. PT (UniMás)
REFEREE: Kevin Stott. AR1 (bench): Frank Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Ian Anderson; 4th: Baldomero Toledo; VAR: Ramy Touchan; AVAR: Felisha Mariscal
MLS Career: 365 games; FC/gm: 24.4; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 84; pens: 98
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: LAFC 0 wins, 4 goals … NYCFC 0 wins, 4 goals … Ties 2
AT BANC OF CALIFORNIA STADIUM: LAFC 0 wins, 2 goals … NYCFC 0 wins, 2 goals … Ties 1
· 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.
LAFC: Carlos Vela was credited with his first assist of the season, his first since last Nov. 4, when he had his lone assist for 2020 at San Jose. … Corey Baird recorded his second assist of the season, both coming in the last three games. … Eduard Atuesta collected his first assist of the season, his last coming last Oct. 11 vs. Seattle.
NYCFC: Valentin Castellanos recorded his second assist of the season, his first since April 24. Castellanos has been involved in six of NYCFC’s 11 goals on the season (4 goals, 2 assists), with a goal and/or an assist in five of the six games thus far.
LA GALAXY vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Saturday, May 29, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #94)
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif.
4 p.m. PT (UniMás / TUDN)
REFEREE: Joseph Dickerson. AR1 (bench): Logan Brown; AR2 (opposite): Diego Blas; 4th: Lukasz Szpala; VAR: Alex Chilowicz; AVAR: TJ Zablocki
MLS Career: 45 games; FC/gm: 27.2; Y/gm: 4.1; R: 8; pens: 14
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Galaxy 32 wins (4 shootout), 114 goals … Earthquakes 26 wins (1 shootout), 108 goals … Ties 16
AT LA: Galaxy 21 wins (2 shootout), 64 goals … Earthquakes 8 wins (0 shootout), 48 goals … Ties 6
· 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.
GALAXY: Kévin Cabral made his first start in an MLS match, playing 69 minutes.
QUAKES: Cristian Espinoza recorded his second assist of the season, his first coming on May 1.
INTER MIAMI CF vs. D.C. UNITED
Saturday, May 29, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #93)
DRV PNK Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
8 p.m. ET (CBS 4 (WFOR) / UniMas 69; NBCS-Wash / TeleXitos)
REFEREE: Armando Villarreal. AR1 (bench): Jason White; AR2 (opposite): Jose da Silva; 4th: Chris Penso; VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero; AVAR: Jozef Batko
MLS Career: 153 games; FC/gm: 22.5; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 28; pens: 34
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Inter Miami 0 wins, 1 goal … D.C. United 1 win, 2 goals … Ties 0
AT INTER MIAMI: First meeting.
· 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.
INTER MIAMI: Robbie Robinson came on as a halftime substitute, his first appearance since May 2.
UNITED: Paul Arriola played the full 90 minutes, his first full match in an MLS contest since Oct. 6, 2019 vs. FC Cincinnati.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs. HOUSTON DYNAMO FC
Saturday, May 29, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #95)
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kan.
7:30 p.m. CT (Bally Sports KC; QuestTexas 55 / Telexitos 47.2)
REFEREE: Drew Fischer. AR1 (bench): Cory Richardson; AR2 (opposite): Peter Balciunas; 4th: Elvis Osmanovic; VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.; AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
MLS Career: 140 games; FC/gm: 25.1; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 19; pens: 40
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sporting 10 wins, 46 goals … Dynamo 13 wins, 50 goals … Ties 13
AT KC: Sporting 5 wins, 26 goals … Dynamo 5 wins, 24 goals … Ties 7
· 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.
SPORTING: Jaylin Lindsey scored his first career goal in MLS, making his 27th appearance over four seasons. … Daniel Salloí scored his third goal of the season, his second in as many games, and collected his second assist of the season; it was the third time he’s had at least one goal and one assist in the same game, the first since June 23, 2018, when he had a goal and two assists vs. Houston. He has been involved in five of SKC’s 12 goals this season.
DYNAMO FC: Memo Rodríguez has been involved in each of Dynamo FC’s last three goals, over the last two games.
COLORADO RAPIDS vs. FC DALLAS
Saturday, May 29, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #96)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo.
7 p.m. MT (Altitude; FCDTV / Estrella KMPX-29)
REFEREE: Guido Gonzales Jr. AR1 (bench): Andrew Bigelow; AR2 (opposite): Claudiu Badea; 4th: Michael Radchuk; VAR: Ricardo Salazar; AVAR: Fabio Tovar
MLS Career: 20 games; FC/gm: 27.2; Y/gm: 4.4; R: 7; pens: 6
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Rapids 24 wins (1 shootout), 93 goals … FC Dallas 34 wins (2 shootout), 117 goals … Ties 18
AT COLORADO: Rapids 16 wins (0 shootout), 52 goals … FC Dallas 11 wins (0 shootout), 46 goals … Ties 9
· 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.
RAPIDS: Diego Rubio recorded his first assist of the season, his first since last Nov. 4 at Portland. … Michael Barrios has been involved in three of the Rapids’ last four goals, over the last two games.
FCD: Paxton Pomykal collected his second assist of the season, both coming over the last four games, his first assists in MLS since the 2019 season.
REAL SALT LAKE vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
Saturday, May 29, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #97)
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
7:30 p.m. MT (KMYU-12; Bally Sports North / CW)
REFEREE: Jair Marrufo. AR1 (bench): Jeffrey Greeson; AR2 (opposite): Ian McKay; 4th: Sergii Demianchuk; VAR: Younes Marrakchi; AVAR: Chris Elliott
MLS Career: 277 games; FC/gm: 22.9; Y/gm: 2.8; R: 44; pens: 87
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Real 2 wins, 10 goals … MNUFC 4 wins, 17 goals … Ties 4
AT SALT LAKE: Real 1 win, 3 goals … MNUFC 0 wins, 2 goals … Ties 2
· 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.
REAL: Nick Besler recorded his first assist of the season, his first since he had assists in back-to-back games May 4-11, 2019. … Aaron Herrera collected his first assist of the season, his last coming last March 7 vs. the New York Red Bulls. … According to Opta, Rubio Rubin’s start of four goals in the first five games matches the best in RSL’s club history (also: Robbie Findley, 2009; Joao Plata, 2016).
MNUFC: Tyler Miller was credited with two saves in recording a second consecutive shutout in his second start of the 2021 season. He’s recorded back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since Aug. 17-21, 2019, when with LAFC. … Robin Lod has been involved in four of MNUFC’s five goals this season (two goals, two assists).
PHILADELPHIA UNION vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Sunday, May 30, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #98)
Subaru Park, Chester, Pa.
7 p.m. ET (FS1 / FOX Deportes)
REFEREE: Robert Sibiga. AR1 (bench): Kathryn Nesbitt; AR2 (opposite): Mike Rottersman; 4th: Matthew Thompson; VAR: Edvin Jurisevic; AVAR: Thomas Supple
MLS Career: 120 games; FC/gm: 21.7; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 24; pens: 34
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Union 1 win, 8 goals … Timbers 6 wins, 16 goals … Ties 3
AT PHILADELPHIA: Union 1 win, 5 goals … Timbers 2 wins, 6 goals … Ties 2
· 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.
UNION: Andre Blake was credited with seven saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season, a second in as many games, extending his shutout streak to 185 minutes. The four shutouts are tied for the MLS league lead (with Pedro Gallese, ORL; Joe Willis, NSH). … Jamiro Monteiro collected his third assist of the season, all coming in the last four games, one off the MLS assist lead.
TIMBERS: Logan Ketterer was credited with three saves in recording a second consecutive shutout in his second MLS start, the sixth goalkeeper in MLS history to start his league career with at least two shutouts. … Josecarlos Van Rankin recorded the first assist of his MLS career. … Marvín Loría collected his first assist of the season, his fourth in three seasons in MLS. … Felipe Mora’s brace marked the 47th two-goal game in the Timbers’ MLS history.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC vs. AUSTIN FC
Sunday, May 30, 2021 (Week 7, MLS Game #91)
Lumen Field, Seattle, Wash.
6:30 p.m. PT (FS1 / FOX Deportes)
REFEREE: Rosendo Mendoza. AR1 (bench): Jeremy Hanson; AR2 (opposite): Walter Heatherly; 4th: Nima Saghafi; VAR: Timothy Ford; AVAR: Joshua Patlak
MLS Career: 15 games; FC/gm: 23.5; Y/gm: 2.7; R: 2; pens: 4
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting.
· 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 in Austin.
SOUNDERS FC: Joao Paulo collected his fourth assist of the season, his second in as many games, the four assists tied for the league lead with Fabio (NYR) and Carles Gil (NE). … All three goals conceded by Sounders FC have come from deadball situations (two by direct free kicks, one on a penalty kick). Seattle is the only team in the league yet to concede a goal through open play this season.
ATXFC: The trip to Seattle marks the seventh match of Austin FC’s eight-game road trip to open their inaugural season. They conclude the opening spell with the rescheduled match June 12 at Sporting Kansas City.#####
