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Expected Goals: Upcoming Milestones for Matchday 20

June 21, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


Cincinnati Craving Illustrious Double-Digit Home Winning Streak

FC Cincinnati's record home winning streak is put to the test again this Wednesday when they host Toronto FC at TQL Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass). By defeating Toronto, Cincinnati would hit the illustrious mark of 10 consecutive home wins, signifying several different milestones:

Becoming the fourth team in MLS history to win 10 consecutive home matches

Joining the 2002 San Jose Earthquakes as the only teams to win their first 10 home games to begin a season

Marking just the second time a club has won 10 straight home matches in a single season (2002 Earthquakes)The stars at home for the Orange and Blue have been midfielder Luciano Acosta and goalkeeper Roman Celentano . Acosta's six home goals are tied for the fourth most in MLS, while Celentano's 31 saves at home are the third most in the league. Cincinnati's quest for double-digit wins will depend upon the duo showing up once again in front of the TQL Stadium faithful.

Montréal's Magnificent Stade Saputo Stretch

The lift from the Stade Saputo crowd has been real for CF Montréal, who have turned around their 2023 season after an impressive five-game winning streak at home. Montréal has gone from outside the postseason picture into the ninth and final playoff spot within a matter of weeks. The most impressive aspect has been the defensive effort, as they are yet to concede during their five-match stretch.

Coming to Stade Saputo on Matchday 20 will be one of the hottest teams in MLS - Nashville SC, who are unbeaten in their last 10 matches (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass). If Montréal were to record a shutout victory and slow down Nashville, they would become the third team in league history to produce six consecutive home victories without conceding a goal. Only one other team has done this in a single season - the 2000 Kansas City Wizards, who went on to win the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup that year.

Dynamo Defense Rock Solid at Home

After struggling at home in 2022, Houston Dynamo FC have flipped the script at Shell Energy Stadium in head coach Ben Olsen's first year. The Dynamo are averaging 2.38 points per game at home in 2023, which is the third-best mark in the league, behind only FC Cincinnati (3.00) and CF Montréal (2.57).

Houston's home form has been buoyed by a terrific defense that has only conceded two goals in their eight games in Houston, led by goalkeeper Steve Clark. If they produce a shutout against a dangerous San Jose attack on Matchday 20 (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass), Houston will join Toronto FC in 2008 as the only clubs to concede just two goals through their first nine home matches of a season.

MLS Great McCarty Adding More Minutes and Accolades

MLS great Dax McCarty continues to rise the all-time rankings each week. Heading into Matchday 20, Nashville's McCarty is just 63 minutes shy of passing Chad Marshall (35,843) for the second-most minutes played in MLS history by an outfield player. Earlier this season, McCarty also passed Marshall for the second-most games started in league history by a non-goalkeeper.

The 36-year-old McCarty has shown no signs of slowing down in 2023, which was evident by his backheeled assist on Nashville's final goal in their 3-1 win over St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday night. The midfielder has now produced at least three assists in 13 straight seasons, dating back to 2011.

Real Salt Lake Relishing Road Tests

Real Salt Lake currently sit in playoff position in the Western Conference but have taken the road less traveled to get to that point. Of the club's 23 points this season, 14 of those have come away from home, and they are one of just four teams this season to take more points on the road than at home.

The Claret and Cobalt are coming off the heels of a thrilling 2-1 victory at D.C. United, which included Pablo Ruiz's Goal of the Year contender from over 68 yards out (WATCH). Salt Lake is unbeaten in their last five road matches (3-0-2) and look to match the club's longest single-season road undefeated streak tonight at St. Louis CITY SC (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).

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