MLS Major League Soccer

Expected Goals: Upcoming Milestones for Matchday 21

Published on June 23, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


Pulido Scoring for Soaring Sporting KC

Sporting Kansas City's rapid rise up the Western Conference rankings has been powered by the sensational play of forward Alan Pulido, who leads the club with seven goals and ranks third with three assists.

Pulido had a pair of goals in the club's 2-2 draw vs. the LA Galaxy on Matchday 20 and has scored in four consecutive matches for the club. With a goal against Chicago on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass), he would tie Preki (five games) for the second-longest goal-scoring streak in club history and sit just three games behind the record of eight, currently held by Johnny Russell, who set it in 2021.

Kamara Continues Historic Climb

With his game-winning goal against the Portland Timbers on Wednesday, Chicago Fire striker Kei Kamara inched one step closer to MLS history. Kamara, who has 144 career regular-season goals, sits just one goal behind Landon Donovan - the namesake of the MLS MVP award - for second place on the league's all-time scoring leaderboard.

A score against Sporting KC on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) would move Kamara into a tie with Donovan and leave the 38-year-old MLS veteran behind only one player in MLS history in goal-scoring prowess - Chris Wondolowski and his 171 career goals.

Nicholas Gioacchini Stepping Up Amongst Injuries

With injuries to multiple key players over the past month, St. Louis CITY SC has needed others to step up in their absence. Forward Nicholas Gioacchini has done exactly that, leading the team with eight goals in just his second MLS season. Gioacchini was originally acquired from Orlando City SC in the 2022 MLS Expansion Draft and the 22-year-old has impressed.

Since designated player João Klauss went out with an injury, Gioacchini has scored in four consecutive matches. In MLS history only one player has scored in five-straight matches for an expansion team - Seattle's Fredy Montero (June 13 - July 11, 2009). St. Louis look to get back in the win column when they travel to San Jose on Matchday 21 (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).

Claret and Cobalt History Coming for Kreilach

Real Salt Lake continued their strong road form on Matchday 20 when they defeated St. Louis CITY SC, 3-1, at CITYPARK. In the win, midfielder Damir Kreilach came through, scoring two goals and earning MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Continental Tire honors for his effort.

Additionally, the pair of goals were his 46th and 47th regular season goals for Salt Lake, surpassing Joao Plata (46) for the third-most goals scored for the club. Heading into Matchday 21, the Croatian midfielder has Javier Morales (49) in his sights as he looks to move into second place in club history. Kreilach and Salt Lake host Minnesota United on Matchday 21 at America First Field (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).

'Quakes Unbeaten at PayPal Park in 2023

Only three teams in MLS are still unbeaten at home entering Matchday 21 - FC Cincinnati (10-0-0), the New England Revolution (6-0-3) and the San Jose Earthquakes (6-0-3). Led by first-year head coach Luchi Gonzalez, San Jose can start the season undefeated at home through the first 10 home matches of a season for the first time since 2005. To do so, the 'Quakes will need to get revenge on St. Louis CITY SC this Saturday (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) after they suffered a 3-0 defeat to them on Matchday 4.

Over the past two home games, the hero for San Jose has been goalkeeper Daniel, who has produced 10 saves and conceded just one goal. In his seven starts for the 'Quakes this season, Daniel has a 3-2-3 record and averaged over four saves per game. With the Brazilian goalkeeper playing well in net under Gonzalez, the club aims to make more history on Matchday 21.

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Major League Soccer Stories from June 23, 2023


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