This Week in MLS - June 18, 2018

• Mexico Head Coach on Carlos Vela: 'He was one of our best' in win vs. defending World Cup champion Germany
• World Cup precedes can't-miss Atlanta-Portland matchup on FOX
• LAFC, league's new guard stay in thick of U.S. Open Cup race
• MLS Week 17: Match Notes

Mexico Head Coach on Carlos Vela: 'He was one of our best' in win vs. defending World Cup champion Germany
With Mexico (and all soccer fans around the world) still buzzing about yesterday’s 1-0 win over defending World Cup champions Germany, head coach 
Juan Carlos Osorio
 heralded LAFC’s Carlos Vela play in the hard-fought match.  


“He was one of our best players today,” Osorio said. “If you remember, Carlos was the one who made the last pass for the shots we had, for the chances in the final third, and the idea with him was to give us everything for 60 minutes. He made a very big effort.”




As a central attacking midfielder in Osorio's 4-5-1 formation, Vela ran the counterattack strategy that saw Germany maintain a majority of possession (61%), but that punished the defending champions as the Mexican side converted one of their four shots on goal. Of his decision to sub Vela out in the 60th minute, Osorio disclosed that while it pained him to do so, it was always his plan to give the LAFC star that span of time in the match. 




While neither were utilized during the match, both 
Jonathan
 and 
Gio dos Santos
 were available for the game and could feature in the remaining group stage matches against South Korea and Sweden as fresh legs during what could be the beginning of a deep run into the tournament for El Tri.




Alongside the current MLS players, two additional familiar faces appeared on this magic Mexico squad: RSL Academy Product and former Real Salt Lake player 
Carlos Salcedo
, and former New York Red Bulls defender 
Rafa Marquez 
who became just the third player in history to appear in five FIFA World Cups.
MLS Players by the Numbers in the FIFA World Cup


With their appearances in the first week of play,
Carlos Vela
(Mexico) and
Marco Ureña
(Costa Rica) have now played in two World Cups, while an appearance for
Giovani dos Santos
(Mexico) would be his third consecutive appearance in a World Cup.
Eight MLS players appeared in their first World Cup including four standouts playing 90 minutes in Panama’s first ever World Cup match, headlined by team captain
Román Torres
, alongside
Fidel Escobar, Michael Murillo
and
Anibal Godoy
.
Yoshimar Yotún
is one of six MLS players to go the full 90 minutes in his squads opening match, leading all players in touches, passes attempted, passes completed and long balls completed in Peru’s opening match against Denmark.
Costa Rica’s
Francisco Calvo
played the entire match and was one of three MLS players to start against Serbia alongside
David Guzmán and Ureña.
Gustav Svensson
, meanwhile featured as a substitute in Sweden’s victory over South Korea on Monday.
Through the span of 14 World Cup matches, 10 current MLS players have seen time on the field.  Eight current MLS players are awaiting their first appearance in the 2018 World Cup, with seven looking for their first ever appearance in the World Cup. Those players include Mexico’s
Jonathan dos Santos
, Egypt’s
Omar Gaber
, Costa Rica’s
Kendall Waston
and
Rodney Wallace
, Panama’s
Harold Cummings
and
Adolfo Machado
, and Peru’s
Andy Polo
.
Twelve of 13 former MLS players have seen the pitch thus far in the World Cup, including former Red Bulls player
Rafa Marquez
for Mexico.
World Cup precedes can’t-miss Atlanta-Portland matchup on FOX
The energy and excitement of the 2018 FIFA World Cup will flow into one of the most raucous of all MLS atmospheres this Sunday on FOX (4:30 p.m. ET), as the attacking style of league-leading Atlanta United prepares to host the Portland Timbers, who are undefeated in their last 10 games in all competitions.
In only their second season, Atlanta United have proven they are a force to be reckoned with, breaking attendance records with a passionate fanbase at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and charting major production on the field. Atlanta sits atop the league standings with a 10-3-3 record, collecting more regular season wins than any other club, and scoring 33 goals to lead all MLS finishing. Atlanta forward
Josef Martinez
leads the Golden Boot race with a tally of 14 goals, which is four more than the next-closest contenders.  
Portland is riding a 10-game unbeaten streak and has newfound success in the winning combination of a two-forward front that features forward
Fanendo Adi
and
Samuel Armenteros
. The two combined to take down the LA Galaxy in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup competition last week as part of a diamond formation that also could feature reigning MVP
Diego Valeri
as the playmaker.
The World Cup Group H match between Poland and Colombia (2 p.m. ET / FOX) precedes this fixture, and with the global event placing the sport center stage, Atlanta-Portland is one MLS matchup not to miss.
LAFC, league’s new guard stay in thick of U.S. Open Cup race
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 takes over the first half of this week, and the new guard in MLS is still in the thick of this year’s tournament. The league’s four newest teams over the past four seasons have advanced to this stage, and each has an opportunity to move into the tournament quarterfinals. U.S. Open Cup games are available live via
U.S. Soccer’s Match Center
.
Starting Monday night, 2017 expansion
Minnesota United FC
visit the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium. Then on an action-packed Wednesday,
Orlando City SC
(2015) visit D.C. United,
Atlanta United
(2017) will host four-time Open Cup winners the Chicago Fire and 2018 newcomers
Los Angeles Football Club
– led by head coach and two-time Open Cup champion
Bob Bradley
– welcome the United Soccer League’s Sacramento Republic FC.
All four teams posted clean sheets during the tournament’s fourth round, with Minnesota garnering a shootout victory against future MLS side FC Cincinnati, the Cinderella Story of the 2017 U.S. Open Cup with their run to the semifinals. Orlando is the only team among this group since 2015 to previously advance to the Open Cup Quarterfinals, reaching that stage during its inaugural MLS season before falling to Chicago in the 2015 U.S. Open Cup.
This year’s Open Cup Round of 16 already drew some earthshattering attention on Saturday as
Yohan Croizet
’s game-winning volley propelled defending Open Cup champions Sporting Kansas City to a 3-2 victory against FC Dallas. The 26-year-old Frenchman called his
89th-minute strike
“the best goal of my career.” (
Watch goal
)
Round of 16 schedule (times ET):
Monday, June 18
Houston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United, 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 20
D.C. United vs. Orlando City SC, 7 p.m.
Atlanta United vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m.
Los Angeles Football Club vs. Sacramento Republic FC (USL), 10:30 p.m.
MLS Week 17: Match Notes
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Philadelphia Union vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 5 p.m. ET (TSN 1/5; ESPN+)

• The Union have suffered back-to-back losses in league play, last a 2-0 defeat to Toronto FC at Talen Energy Stadium on June 8.
  
• Whitecaps FC extended their undefeated streak to six games with a second consecutive victory, defeating Orlando City SC 5-2 at BC Place on June 9. The six-game unbeaten run is one game shy of the club’s record in its MLS history, set last season.
  
• Alphonso Davies scored a goal and added a club-record three assists – the youngest player in MLS history to collect three assists, and record a combination of at least four goals plus assists in one game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The five goals scored by Whitecaps FC were also a club record in an MLS league game.
  
• Whitecaps FC have a four-game undefeated streak alive in the series, the last Union win vs. Vancouver coming in 2013. The ‘Caps have won twice in that span with two draws, including a goalless draw in the only meeting between the teams last year, March 5 at BC Place.
  
• Whitecaps FC have come away with points on their past three visits to Chester, including a 3-2 win in the last meeting at Talen Energy Stadium, June 25, 2016. The Union have won just one home match vs. Vancouver – the first meeting ever between the teams, a 1-0 victory on March 26, 2011.
  

New York Red Bulls vs. FC Dallas, 6 p.m. ET (UniMás)

• The Red Bulls put an end to a brief two-game winless run last time out, defeating Seattle Sounders FC 2-1 at Red Bull Arena last Wednesday.
  
• Bradley Wright-Phillips scored his 10th goal of the season, tied for second in the MLS Golden Boot standings. It was the fifth consecutive season where Wright-Phillips has hit double figures in goals, the fourth player in league history to do that.
  
• FC Dallas won their fourth consecutive game and extended their overall undefeated streak to seven matches, defeating the Montréal Impact 2-0 at Toyota Stadium on June 9. The winning streak is two games shy of the club record, set in 1999-2000.
  
• The Red Bulls have a five-game undefeated streak in the series, the last FC Dallas victory coming March 11, 2012. The Red Bulls have won three of the five encounters since, with two draws, including a 2-2 result last Sept. 2 at Toyota Stadium.
  
• The first goal scored by FC Dallas in last year’s match ended a 443-minute goalless drought vs. the Red Bulls, their last goal scored in the series coming in the 2012 victory in Frisco, a 2-1 win.
  
• FC Dallas haven’t won at the Red Bulls since 2006, when they took a 2-1 victory at Giants Stadium. FCD has never won at Red Bull Arena (0-2-2). The Red Bulls have won on three of their last six visits to Frisco, with two draws, in both league and MLS Cup play.
  

Orlando City SC vs. Montreal Impact, 7:30 p.m. ET (TVA Sports; ESPN+)

• The teams are meeting in the back end of a home-and-home series on either side of the World Cup recess, with the Impact taking a 3-0 win at Stade Saputo last Wednesday evening.
  
• Ignacio Piatti scored a pair of goals, now with seven on the season. Of the past 12 goals scored by the Impact, dating back to April 21, Piatti has been involved in nine (six goals, three assists). The Impact win was their second in the past three games, coming off a four-game losing run.
  
• The defeat was a club-record sixth in a row for Orlando City SC, having conceded multiple goals in each. It was the final game in charge for head coach Jason Kreis, relieved of his duties in the days following the match.
  
• The Impact have a four-game undefeated streak alive in the series after the 3-0 win in the first meeting, the last Orlando City win vs. Montréal coming Sept. 7, 2016, a 4-1 triumph at Stade Saputo.
  
• The Impact have come away with points on their past two visits to Orlando, after the teams reached a 3-3 draw last June 17 at Orlando City Stadium in the only meeting there. OCSC had won the first two encounters all-time in Orlando. The Impact have now won the past two meetings between the teams in Montréal.
  

Sporting Kansas City vs. Houston Dynamo, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

• Sporting Kansas City extended their undefeated streak to six games with a third draw in that time, reaching a goalless draw with the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on June 9.
  
• The Dynamo put an end to a brief two-game losing slide, getting a pair of first-half goals on their way to a 2-0 win against the Colorado Rapids at BBVA Compass Stadium on June 9.
  
• The teams met twice a year ago in league play, both games coming over a five-day span in the penultimate week of the season. The Dynamo took a 2-1 win on Oct. 11 at BBVA Compass Stadium; the teams then reached a goalless draw at Children’s Mercy Park.
  
• The teams also met in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs, an Alberth Elis goal in extra time giving the Dynamo a 1-0 win in Houston.
  
• Sporting’s last win at home in the series came in 2011, winless in the past seven meetings at Children’s Mercy Park (0-1-6). The Dynamo have won the last three league meetings in Houston, the only victories for the home team in the series in the last 12 matches.
  
• The teams have also met each of the past three years in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with Sporting claiming a 2-0 win in Houston last year in a fifth-round meeting.
  

Colorado Rapids vs. Minnesota United FC, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

• The Rapids put an end to their club-record eight-game losing run but still saw their winless streak extended, playing to a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park last Wednesday evening. The nine-game winless streak matches the third-longest in the club’s history, last achieved last season (from July 4-Sept. 2).
  
• Tommy Smith netted his first MLS goal for the Rapids while also contributing an assist, the third of his league career.
  
• MNUFC weren’t able to build upon a first win in four matches, falling 4-1 to Sporting KC in their last match, June 3 at Children’s Mercy Park.
  
• The teams met twice in Minnesota United’s inaugural campaign. They reached a 2-2 draw in the first encounter, March 18 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; MNUFC then claimed a 1-0 win on April 18 at TCF Bank Stadium.
  

Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10 p.m. (ESPN+)

• Real saw their three-game winning run put to an end last time out, falling 3-0 to the LA Galaxy at StubHub Center on June 9.
  
• The Quakes put an end to their four-game losing skid, but still saw their winless streak extended to six matches, reaching a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution at Avaya Stadium on June 13.
  
• Danny Hoesen scored the Quakes’ goals in the draw, his second two-goal game in his MLS career, now with nine goals on the season, tied for fourth in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
  
• The teams split their season series a year ago. The Quakes took a 2-1 win on June 24 at Avaya Stadium in the first meeting, before Real returned the favor with a 4-0 victory Aug. 23 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
  
• Real are undefeated in their past four home meetings with the Quakes, with two wins and two draws in that time, the last San Jose victory in Sandy coming in 2013.
  
• The Quakes now own a three-game winning streak in the series in San Jose, the last RSL win there a 1-0 triumph on April 5, 2015.
  

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Chicago Fire, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

• Sounders FC weren’t able to build upon a first win in four matches, suffering a 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls on June 13 at Red Bull Arena, their third consecutive away defeat.
  
• The Fire extended their undefeated streak to three games with a second consecutive draw, reaching a 2-2 result with the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park last Wednesday.
  
• Aleksandar Katai netted his fifth goal of the season for the Fire, a sixth consecutive game with either a goal or an assist, with three goals and three assists over that span.
  
• The Fire won the lone meeting between the teams a year ago, a 4-1 victory on May 13 at Toyota Park. The Fire have won the past two meetings in Bridgeview.
  
• The Fire have never won in Seattle in five league visits, Sounders FC now hold a four-game winning streak at CenturyLink Field dating back to 2010. Sounders FC have also won twice at home in U.S. Open Cup matches, including a 2-0 victory in the final in 2011.
  

Los Angeles Football Club vs. Columbus Crew SC, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

• LAFC put an end to their four-game winless run, coming back for a dramatic 4-3 win against the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium on June 9.
  
• Adama Diomandé scored a pair of goals, his second in the 90th minute as LAFC overturned a deficit after the regulation 90 minutes were complete. Diomandé has three goals in his first three MLS appearances.
  
• Crew SC saw their nine-game undefeated run put to an end, a string of three draws followed by a 2-0 loss to Atlanta United at Mapfre Stadium on June 13. Zack Steffen returned from international duty and saw his personal shutout streak come to an end after 525 minutes, the eighth-longest in MLS history.
  

• The teams are meeting for the first time. Crew SC have lost to an expansion team in their first meeting just three times in the club’s history, after a 3-1 loss to Atlanta United in their inaugural match last year. The Crew lost 2-0 to the Chicago Fire in their first encounter in 1998 – then did not lose to an expansion team in the inaugural meeting until 2011, when they lost to Portland. All-time, Crew SC are 9-3-3 when playing expansion sides for the first time.
  

Sunday, June 24, 2018
Atlanta United vs. Portland Timbers, 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX / FOX Deportes)

• Atlanta United extended their undefeated run to four games with a second victory in that time, defeating Columbus Crew SC 2-0 at Mapfre Stadium on June 13.
  
• Josef Martínez scored for a fourth consecutive game, with six goals in that span (dating back to May 30), now with 14 goals for the season to lead the MLS Golden Boot standings.
  
• The Timbers extended their undefeated streak to eight games with a second consecutive draw, reaching a goalless result with Sporting Kansas City at Providence Park on June 9. The eight-game unbeaten run is the fourth-longest in the club’s MLS history.
  
• The teams met once in Atlanta United’s inaugural campaign, reaching a 1-1 draw May 14 at Providence Park.
  

New York City FC vs. Toronto FC, 5 p.m. ET (TSN 4/5; ESPN+)

• NYCFC saw their perfect record at home come to an end, but still remain undefeated at Yankee Stadium this season following a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United on June 9. NYCFC are undefeated in their past nine home games, the third-longest undefeated run in the Bronx in club history.
  
• Toronto FC extended their undefeated run to three games with a second draw in that time, coming back from three goals down to claim a share of a 4-4 draw with D.C. United at BMO Field on June 13.
  
• The teams met twice in a year ago, both coming in a span of 11 days. The teams reached a 2-2 draw July 19 at Yankee Stadium, then TFC rolled to a 4-0 victory July 30 at BMO Field as Sebastian Giovinco scored two more goals vs. NYCFC.
  
• The TFC win in the last meeting was their first in league play against NYCFC, in seven regular-season meetings. NYCFC had won two of the first six meetings all-time, with four draws.
  
• The teams did also meet in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2016 – and Toronto FC won 7-0 on aggregate, winning 2-0 at BMO Field, then 5-0 at Yankee Stadium.
  
• David Villa has scored seven goals with one assist in four league appearances vs. Toronto FC, five of those goals coming in meetings in the Bronx.
  
• Sebastian Giovinco has six goals and two assists in league play vs. NYCFC, including a hat trick in a nine-minute span in a 4-4 draw on July 12, 2015, at Yankee Stadium; he also scored a hat trick and added an assist in the second leg of the MLS Cup Playoffs series.