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Expected Goals: Upcoming Milestones for Matchday 29

August 30, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


Thiago Almada Racking Up the Assists for Atlanta

Matchday 28 saw another sensational performance from Atlanta United's No. 10, Thiago Almada, who scored and added two assists in the club's 4-0 win over Nashville SC. With nine goals and 13 assists in 2023, Almada has made a second-year leap from a young breakout player to a front-runner for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award.

The Argentine's 13 assists are the most in MLS this season and just one shy of tying the Atlanta United single-season record set by Miguel Almirón (14 in 2017 and 2018) and Julian Gressel (14 in 2018). With new summer signings Xande Silva, Tristan Muyumba, and Saba Lobjanidze all contributing right away, Almada has a great chance to be the first Atlanta player to hit 15 assists in a season. On Wednesday evening, Almada and the Five Stripes will face Supporters' Shield leaders FC Cincinnati at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).

Gazdag Eyeing Multiple Penalty Kick Records

Philadelphia Union midfielder Dániel Gazdag has been unstoppable from the penalty spot - not only in 2023, but throughout his entire MLS career. That was no different on Saturday evening when the Hungarian star scored his ninth penalty kick of the season, tying the MLS single-season record held by three different players - Ola Kamara (2021), Carlos Vela (2019), and Jaime Moreno (2005).

Gazdag has his sights set on single-season MLS records, but he also has a chance to break all-time MLS milestones. He has now converted his first 17 penalty kick goals to begin his career and is one behind Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro for the MLS record. The next time Gazdag steps up to the penalty spot, it will certainly be a historic one with several key records on the line.

Nicolás Lodeiro Proving to be Mr. Consistent

One of the most consistent players in MLS year after year has been Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro. Across his eight-year career, Lodeiro has totaled 41 goals and 79 assists, while starting 175 of his 183 appearances. The Uruguayan's form hasn't dipped in 2023 as he is tied for the team-lead with nine assists, alongside Léo Chú.

With one more assist, Lodeiro will produce his sixth season with at least 10 assists, joining elite company who have previously accomplished this feat. The four players to achieve this milestone in league history are all MLS legends - Preki (eight), Landon Donovan (seven), Brad Davis (seven), and Carlos Valderrama (six). Lodeiro can join MLS lore this Wednesday when the Sounders travel to face Austin FC (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).

A Dozen Helpers for Héctor Herrera in Houston

Perhaps no club had a better week last week than the Houston Dynamo after three wins in the span of six days. The Dynamo throttled Portland, 5-0, on Sunday in MLS regular season play, then defeated Real Salt Lake twice, including on Wednesday in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinals and the following Saturday in MLS play. With the win on Wednesday, the Dynamo locked up a position in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.

The catalyst behind this surge was club captain Héctor Herrera. The Mexican National Team legend had two assists in MLS play and also scored in the Open Cup victory against Salt Lake. In 2023, Herrera has totaled 12 assists in MLS play, which is tied for the third-most in a season in club history and sits just one shy of Tomás Martínez for second (13). Herrera and Houston aim to keep their terrific form when they host the Columbus Crew on Matchday 29 (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).

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