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Are You Red Or Blue? Week 10 Marks the Dawn of the RBNY-NYCFC Rivalry - This Week in MLS

May 4, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


Orlando City SC looks for elusive home win against red-hot Revolution

Still seeking its first home win, Orlando City SC welcomes the New England Revolution to the Citrus Bowl for the first leg of this week's Viernes de Futbol at 8 p.m. ET (UDN). Orlando City forward Kevin Molino suffered a torn ACL in Saturday's friendly versus Brazilian side Ponte Preta, opening a glaring hole on the right wing. Up until Saturday, Molino had started every game for the Lions, who are already without midfielders Lewis Neal and Tony Cascio. Coach Adrian Heath can look to Brek Shea, Eric Avila or Carlos Rivas to fill the vacant spot, but OCSC will have to adjust quickly as a red-hot Revolution squad marches into town. New England extended its unbeaten streak to seven games on Saturday, handing the New York Red Bulls their first loss of the season. The Revs, now sitting atop the Eastern Conference table, are firing on all cylinders thanks to an exceptionally well-balanced attack led by Charlie Davies.

San Jose looking to continue recent dominance against Rapids

The San Jose Earthquakes will play their third game on the road in seven days when they travel to Dick's Sporting Goods Park to take on the Colorado Rapids to cap off this week's Viernes de Futbol double header at 10 p.m. ET (UDN). Last Friday, Chris Wondolowski's fourth goal of the season in the 19th minute wasn't enough as the Quakes had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake. The Earthquakes will first travel to BBVA Compass Stadium to take on the Houston Dynamo on Tuesday before making the trip to Colorado. The Rapids earned their third straight draw as they played to a 1-1 score against the defending MLS Cup holders LA Galaxy last week. The Earthquakes are unbeaten in 10 straight regular season matches against the Rapids, going 5-0-5 since Aug. 13, 2011.

Montréal Impact hosts Portland Timbers in Stade Saputo home opener

After coming so close to being the first team in MLS history to win the CONCACAF Champions League, the Montréal Impact turn their sights on welcoming the Portland Timbers for their Stade Saputo home opener on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET (TSN). Last week, the Impact lost to Club América 4-2 (5-3 aggregate) in front of a sellout crowd of 61,004 at Olympic Stadium in the second leg of the CCL final. The Impact had the weekend off to recover from the loss, while the Timbers welcomed back playmaker Diego Valeri in a scoreless Cascadia Cup matchup against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Providence Park. The Impact lead the overall series 2-1-0, but the Timbers earned their first victory in the series last year in a 3-2 victory at Stade Saputo. Montreal will be looking to win its first game of the season, while the Timbers will aim to come away from Montréal with three points in order to move into the top six in the Western Conference.

Toronto FC hosts Houston Dynamo in long-awaited home opener

After seven weeks on the road, Toronto FC makes its long-awaited home debut at newly renovated BMO Field in the first leg of MLS Soccer Sunday at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes). TFC concluded its marathon road trip with nine points, thanks in large part to consecutive shutout wins against Orlando City SC and Philadelphia Union in the last two weeks. With remodeling at BMO Field complete, Toronto's supporters will get their first look at this year's revamped squad featuring Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore - both pacing the club with four goals apiece. The Dynamo have secured points in three of their last four visits to BMO Field. Houston will continue leaning on Giles Barnes, who has three goals in the team's last two games. The British forward quietly ranks second in the MLS Golden Boot race, tied with three others with five tallies on the season entering the week.

New York clubs aim for city dominance

The first -ever matchup between the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC caps off MLS Soccer Sunday's double header at 7 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1, FOX Deportes). The Red Bulls lost their first game of the season, falling 2-1 to the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium last weekend. NYCFC's winless streak reached seven games Sunday as they fell to 2014 Supporters' Shield winners Seattle Sounders FC 3-1 at Yankee Stadium. Both clubs will be charged up in this inaugural matchup at Red Bull Arena, with bragging rights up for grabs in the Big Apple.

MLS national TV schedule

Friday, May 8

Orlando City SC vs. New England Revolution, 8 p.m. ET (UDN)

Colorado Rapids vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10 p.m. ET (UDN)

Saturday, May 9

Montreal Impact vs. Portland Timbers, 4 p.m. ET (TSN)

Sunday, May 10

Toronto FC vs. Houston Dynamo, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC, 7 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1, FOX Deportes)

2015 Amway Canadian Championship begins Wednesday

Major League Soccer's Canadian sides open the 2015 Amway Canadian Championship on Wednesday evening. Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact commence the semifinal round on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET, before Vancouver heads to Alberta for a date with FC Edmonton at 9:30 p.m. ET. The Impact return as reigning champions, last year defeating TFC 2-1 in the final. Montreal consequently secured a CONCACAF Champions League bid on their way to making history. Repeating as champions will require Montreal fend off a revamped TFC, a surging Whitecaps FC, and an FC Edmonton side that defeated Ottawa Fury FC 6-2 on aggregate in the preliminary round. Whichever team hoists the Voyageurs Cup will look to follow Montreal's lead and make a storied run at the CONCACAF Champions League title.

Montreal Impact fall short in CONCACAF Champions League title

The clock struck midnight on the Montreal Impact's Cinderella run to the CONCACAF Champions League title in last Wednesday's 4-2 loss to Club América. After escaping Estadio Azteca with a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Montreal returned home to a record-setting crowd of more than 61,000 at Olympic Stadium - the highest attendance figure in Canadian soccer history. The Big O erupted in elation when Andrés Romero opened the scoring in the eighth minute, but América woke up in a big way in the second half, scoring four goals in a 31-minute span. The Mexican powerhouse followed up a lackluster first leg by putting its firepower on display, slicing through the Impact's back line with an unrelenting attack. Despite a disappointing finish, Montreal's appearance in the CCL final is massive accomplishment itself - only the second MLS team to ever make the final. The Impact finished 2014 with the fewest points in MLS but managed to get through several hostile CONCACAF environments and advance against improbable odds.

News and Notes from Around MLS

Sporting Kansas City's Feilhaber voted MLS Player of the Month

Sporting Kansas City midfielder Benny Feilhaber was voted Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month by fans on MLSsoccer.com for the month of April for the 2015 MLS season.

MLS announces 2015 Roster Rules and Regulations

Last Friday, Major League Soccer announced its 2015 Roster Rules and Regulations. As part of this announcement, the league issued new, streamlined rules for how MLS clubs acquire select players pursuant to the Allocation and Discovery processes. The league also provided information about the other mechanisms for signing players, such as the SuperDraft and Homegrown Player Rule. For more information on the revised processes, click here.

Quotables

"It's pretty cool, but sometimes, I think people forget I'm still a teenager."

Sporting Kansas City defender Erik Palmer-Brown on balancing a professional soccer career with high school

Pace of life fast for Sporting's Erik Palmer-Brown as he grows up in world of professional soccer (Kansas City Star)

"It almost feels like everything's over - but it's not. It's just the beginning for us. We have a lot of room to make up. We have high expectations and goals. Now it's important that we quickly try to put this behind us and learn from it."

Montreal Impact head coach Frank Klopas on moving forward from CONCACAF Champions League loss

'We surprised a lot of people,' Impact's Braz says (Montreal Gazette)

"It's pretty amazing to me and awesome to be part of group that not a lot of people believe in and not a lot of people did believe in when the season started. It's totally fair to see a team lose guys like Thierry Henry, Olave, Tim Cahill and lose their coach who had been very successful and think maybe this team is going to have a big dropoff and we're not going to see much from them this year. Hopefully now, six games into the season, people are changing their tune about us."

New York Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty on the Red Bulls' hot start

New York Red Bulls defying MLS predictions with fast start (Orlando Sentinel)

"In the bigger picture, nobody firmly believes more in this club and this city than I do. It's why I'm here, it's why I'm still here, it's why I'm gonna be here. I think that this has the chance to be something totally different, totally unique, something special in MLS. I think when you talk about the infrastructure, the training ground we have, the stadium that we have, the city, the support we have in terms of the fanbase, the people, the media following, we're relevant in the city."

Toronto FC midfielder Michael Bradley on building something special in Toronto

Michael Bradley maintains faith in Toronto FC despite lackluster start (SI.com)

"When you have players like Clint and Oba, the crowd is going to come out and see us play. It's going to be noisy. You're going to have your critics. And we enjoy it."

Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Andy Rose on Obafemi Martins after Sunday's win over NYCFC

Obafemi Martins, Clint Dempsey lead Sounders past New York City (Seattle Times)

Sweet Tweets

Brad Evans (@brad_evans3): NYC bound to give @MixDiskerud a hair cut #Sounders

https://twitter.com/brad_evans3/status/594200873590370304

Chad Marshall (@cbarrett19): Only in NY for 18 hours and already got in a curse off with a cabbie for almost turning me into roadkill. #America #jungle

https://twitter.com/CBarrett19/status/594562951908065280

Dom Dwyer (@Ddwyer14): Thanks to the @Royals for an unforgettable night! Thanks @MattBesler @gzusi @247robo #WeMadeIt #Blessed

https://twitter.com/Ddwyer14/status/594355475069571072

Alejandro Zendejas (@AlexZendejas8): Today my dream came true. I want to thank @FCDallas for the opportunity to make my dream a reality. I am beyond thankful and blessed. #DTID

https://twitter.com/AlexZendejas8/status/594359747538649088

Jeb Brovsky (@JebBrovsky): #MayThe4thBeWithYou Where all my @Jebi_Knights at?

#JebbaTheStache

https://twitter.com/JebBrovsky/status/595235057708703744

Week 10 game previews

Tuesday, May 5

Houston Dynamo vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 8:30 p.m. ET

- The Dynamo have conceded four goals in back-to-back matches following their 4-1 defeat by FC Dallas on Friday evening at BBVA Compass Stadium, the first time in club history they've allowed that many goals in consecutive matches.

- Chris Wondolowski netted his fourth goal of the season, his first since March 28, as the Quakes kicked off their week-long road swing with a 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake.

- This will be the first meeting for Quakes head coach Dominic Kinnear against his former club, where he held the reins from the start of the club's history in 2008 until this season.

- The Earthquakes won the lone meeting between the clubs a year ago, a 3-0 victory at Buck Shaw Stadium which was their first victory in the series since 2011. The Dynamo had won three consecutive meetings with the Quakes, including the only matchup ever at BBVA Compass Stadium, in 2013.

- The two teams have shared a pitched rivalry since the Earthquakes returned to the league in 2008, after the Dynamo moved to Houston from San Jose in 2006. The Dynamo have won six meetings between the teams, the Quakes five, with one draw.

Wednesday, May 6

Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy, 9:30 p.m. ET

- It took an own goal, but Real Salt Lake put an end to their goalless streak at 387 minutes - the longest in MLS this season - in their 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on Friday evening. It was RSL's first goal since April 5, when they defeated San Jose 1-0 - it's the second-longest goalless drought in the club's history.

- The Galaxy extended their undefeated streak to four games with a second consecutive tie with their 1-1 draw against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday evening at StubHub Center.

- The teams have met three times in the last four years in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Galaxy have advanced on two occasions, including in last year's Western Conference Semifinals, when they took the series after a 5-0 win in the second leg at StubHub Center. The teams also met in MLS Cup 2009, RSL winning in a penalty shootout.

- The teams evenly split their regular season series a year ago. They split the two matches at StubHub Center, each team winning by a 1-0 scoreline; they played to a 1-1 draw in the lone game at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Friday, May 8

Orlando City SC vs. New England Revolution, 8 p.m. ET (UDN)

- Orlando City SC return to action following a weekend off, having lost back-to-back games in league play following a 2-0 defeat by Toronto FC on April 26.

- The Revolution extended their undefeated streak to seven games with a third consecutive victory, defeating the previously unbeaten New York Red Bulls 2-1 on Saturday evening at Gillette Stadium.

- OCSC is still winless at the Orlando Citrus Bowl, having lost their last three home games. They have scored one goal before their faithful fans - the Kaká goal in the club's first MLS game ever that gave it a 1-1 draw with New York City FC on March 8.

- Charlie Davies scored a goal for a third consecutive game in the Revolution win against the Red Bulls, which extended the Revolution's home undefeated streak to 13 games in league play, a club record.

Colorado Rapids vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10 p.m. ET (UDN)

- The game in Colorado concluded a three-game road swing for the Quakes over a week's time. The trip started with a 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake on Friday, then continued at midweek with a match at the Houston Dynamo.

- Gabriel Torres scored his fourth goal in the last five games as the Rapids reached a third consecutive draw, concluding their two-game road swing with a 1-1 draw at the LA Galaxy on Saturday evening.

- The teams played to draws in all three league meetings a season ago. There were scoreless draws at both Dick's Sporting Goods Park and Buck Shaw Stadium; they also reached a 1-1 draw in Commerce City.

- The Rapids last defeated San Jose in the first meeting in the 2011 season. The Quakes have won five of the 10 meetings since, with five draws.

- The Quakes have taken points on their last five trips to Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The Rapids haven't defeated San Jose at home since the 2010 season.

Saturday, May 9

Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake, 3 p.m. ET

- The Fire saw their three-game winning streak put to an end Sunday, dropping a 1-0 decision at Sporting Kansas City. It was their first defeat since March 22.

- Real had their winless streak extended to four games in the 1-1 home draw with the San Jose Earthquakes in Week 9, when they scored their first goal since April 5.

- RSL won the lone meeting between the clubs a year ago, a 3-2 victory at Toyota Park that was their first victory in the series since 2010. The Fire had won one meeting in between, with three draws.

- The Fire have not won vs. RSL at Toyota Park since Aug. 1, 2009, a 1-0 victory. Real have two of the last four meetings in Bridgeview since, with two draws. RSL's last home win vs. the Fire came Sept. 19, 2010, a 1-0 win at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Montreal Impact vs. Portland Timbers, 4 p.m. ET

- The Impact will be playing their first league game since April 11 - a 3-0 defeat by the Houston Dynamo - since turning their attentions to their CONCACAF Champions League final run. The Impact have not won a league game this season, carrying a 0-2-2 record.

- The Timbers were shut out for a second consecutive game - and a second consecutive game at Providence Park - in their scoreless draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday evening.

- The Timbers won the lone meeting between the teams a year ago, a 3-2 victory July 27 at Stade Saputo that was their first ever MLS victory against the Impact.

- The Impact won the first two meetings between the clubs, a 2-0 win in 2012 at Olympic Stadium, and a 2-1 triumph in 2013 in Portland.

D.C. United vs. Sporting Kansas City, 7 p.m. ET

- Making his second appearance of the season after coming off suspension, Fabian Espíndola scored his first goal and added his first assist in leading D.C. United to a 2-0 win against Columbus Crew SC on Saturday evening at RFK Stadium, extending the club's undefeated streak to six league games.

- Sporting put an end to a three-game winless run with their first victory since April 5, Paulo Nagamura scoring the game's lone goal in a home victory against the Chicago Fire on Sunday afternoon.

- D.C. United claimed the season series between the teams a year ago as Sporting Kansas City did not score a goal in three meetings. United won 1-0 at RFK Stadium on May 31 and 2-0 at Sporting Park on Aug. 23; they also played to a scoreless draw in the nation's capital Oct. 3.

- The United victories ended a seven-game winless streak overall vs. SKC. The United win in Kansas City was their first there since 2007, ending a nine-game winless run. Sporting last won at RFK Stadium in 2012.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Philadelphia Union, 7 p.m. ET

- Whitecaps FC gained a result for the fourth time in five away matches this season, following their scoreless draw with the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Saturday evening. Vancouver's 3-1-1 road record is best this season in MLS.

- Union had their losing slide extended to three matches and their overall winless run to four games, falling by the game's only goal in a loss to Toronto FC on Saturday afternoon at PPL Park. Union have won just once in 10 outings this season.

- Whitecaps FC have not defeated Union since 2011, a 1-0 win at Empire Field that is their only victory in the all-time series. Union have won once in the three meetings since with two draws, including a 3-3 result last June 7 at PPL Park.

- Union won the lone meeting lifetime at BC Place, a 1-0 victory July 27, 2013.

Columbus Crew SC vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

- Crew SC had their two-game winning streak put to end following a 2-0 defeat at D.C. United on Saturday evening.

- Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey continued their hot starts as Sounders FC won a third consecutive game, starting their East Coast swing with a 3-1 win at New York City FC. Martins scored two goals, now leading the MLS Golden Boot standings with six goals, while Dempsey scored a goal and added an assist; he has a goal and/or an assist in each of his six games this season. Either Martins or Dempsey has been involved in 12 of Sounders FC's 13 goals in MLS play this season.

- The visiting team has won the last three meetings in the series. Crew SC took a 2-1 win last March 29 at CenturyLink Field in the only meeting between the clubs; it was their second consecutive victory in Seattle.

- Sounders FC won 1-0 in 2013 in the last meeting in Columbus. Crew SC have never defeated Sounders FC on their home ground; Seattle has won three of the four meetings all-time in Columbus, with one draw.

FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy, 8:30 p.m. ET

- Fabian Castillo continued his rich vein of form in leading FC Dallas to a 4-1 win over rivals Houston Dynamo on Friday at BBVA Compass Stadium. Castillo had a goal and added two assists; he has three goals and three assists over the last three games for FCD, playing a part in six of the club's eight goals over their three-game undefeated run.

- The Galaxy extended their home undefeated streak to 21 league games following their 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids in Week 9. But the Galaxy have not lost at StubHub Center in their last 25 games in all competitions, their last defeat in Carson having come in the season opener a year ago.

- Home form ruled a season ago, with each team winning by a 2-1 scoreline in their home matches. Two games were played at StubHub Center, the Galaxy winning both, and one game at Toyota Stadium, with FC Dallas winning there.

- FCD's win last year in Frisco was their first at home vs. the Galaxy since 2011. The Galaxy are undefeated in Carson over the last seven meetings vs. FC Dallas in league play, dating back to the start of the 2010 season, going 6-0-1 in that time.

Sunday, May 10

Toronto FC vs. Houston Dynamo, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

- Giles Barnes scored his third goal in the last two matches in the Dynamo's 4-1 home loss to FC Dallas in Week 9, curling a free kick home for his fifth goal of the season, second in the MLS Golden Boot standings.

- The game is the first this season for Toronto FC at BMO Field, after a seven-game road swing to open the year while stadium renovations were completed. TFC went 3-4-0 on their travels, the most wins by an MLS club on a long road swing for stadium construction since the Columbus Crew went 5-2-0 to start 1999 while Crew Stadium was being completed - the league's first soccer-specific stadium.

- Sebastian Giovinco scored his fourth goal over the last three games - his second directly from a free kick - as Toronto FC won their second consecutive game with the win at Philadelphia Union.

- The Dynamo have come away with points on three of their last four visits to BMO Field, including a 1-0 win there last Oct. 8 in the last meeting between the teams. TFC's 4-2 home win last year was their first at BMO vs. the Dynamo since 2011.

- TFC has come away from Houston with points on each of their last four visits, though they have not won there since 2010.

New York Red Bulls vs. New York City FC, 7 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1)

- The New York rivals will meet for the first time when the blue side crosses the river to face the red side at Red Bull Arena. The teams will make the reverse trip when they meet June 28 at Yankee Stadium; the final league encounter this season is set for Aug. 9 in Harrison.

- The Red Bulls saw their club record season-opening undefeated run come to an end after seven games following a 2-1 loss at the New England Revolution on Saturday evening. The Red Bulls opened the campaign 3-0-4 and were the final team to lose a game in MLS this season.

- NYCFC saw their losing skid reach three games and their overall winless streak stretched to seven matches, following their 3-1 defeat by Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday evening at Yankee Stadium.

- Mehdi Ballouchy scored his second goal for NYCFC, his first since the club's last goal, netted in a 1-1 draw with Philadelphia in The Bronx on April 16. The goal against Seattle ended the club's goalless streak at 267 minutes, sixth-longest in MLS this season.

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Major League Soccer Stories from May 4, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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