MLS Major League Soccer

Expected Goals: Upcoming Milestones for Matchday 3

Published on February 29, 2024 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


Chicago's Gutiérrez Lends a Helping Hand

Following a strong 2023 season in which he logged a career-best nine assists, 20-year-old Chicago Fire FC midfielder Brian Gutiérrez kicked off his 2024 campaign with a bang, collecting both a goal and an assist in the Fire's 2-2 season-opening draw against the Philadelphia Union. A native of Berwyn, Ill., Gutiérrez has totaled 18 career assists along with five goals since entering the league in 2020.

With two more assists prior to his 21st birthday, Gutiérrez would become just the second player in MLS history to reach 20 career assists prior to turning 21 years old, joining Eddie Gaven who logged 23 prior to the milestone birthdate. The dynamic midfielder will look to add to his total as Chicago welcomes FC Cincinnati to Soldier Field for their home opener on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).

Benteke and Antony Look to Continue Scorching Scoring Start

On an opening weekend that featured many standout performances, none shined brighter than D.C. United's Christian Benteke (three goals) and Portland's Antony (two goals), who quickly jumped out to an early lead in the race for the league's Golden Boot presented by Audi.

Only four players in the history of Major League Soccer have recorded back-to-back multi-goal games to start a season, most recently Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández of the LA Galaxy during the 2021 season. Ante Razov of the Chicago Fire holds the record with three consecutive multi-goal games to start a season, accomplishing the feat in 1999.

These scintillating strikers will look to join this exclusive company as they square off against one another at Portland's Providence Park on Saturday evening (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).

Newcomer Pedro de la Vega Eyes Sounders History

After entering in the 64th minute of Seattle's season opener, Sounders forward Pedro de la Vega quickly made his presence felt on the attack, scoring just eight minutes into his MLS debut. The 23-year-old Argentine, who is the Sounders' first-ever Young Designated Player signing, became just the eighth player in team history to score in his debut match with the club.

With a goal against Austin FC in his first home appearance for the club (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass), de la Vega would become just the third Seattle player to score in each of his first two matches with the club, joining Fredy Montero (2009) and Héber (2023).

Joveljić Makes Seismic Impact vs. Earthquakes

A key piece on one of the league's top attacks, LA Galaxy striker Dejan Joveljić found the back of the net in the club's 1-1 draw against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF on opening weekend. Joveljić will look to add to his strong start of the season as he faces off against a familiar foe - the San Jose Earthquakes - in the first 2024 edition of the California Clásico on Saturday (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).

Joveljić has scored four goals in just six career matchups against the Earthquakes, tied for the fifth-most by a Galaxy player against the in-state rival. The 24-year-old Serbian will look to join Galaxy legends Landon Donovan (eight goals, 17 matches), Robbie Keane (eight goals, 14 matches), Edson Buddle (six goals, nine matches), and Carlos Ruiz (six goals, 11 matches) as the only players in club history with at least six goals in the California Clásico.

Timbers Chara Climbs All-Time Games Played Leaderboard

The longest-tenured player in Timbers history, midfielder Diego Chara kicked off his 14th season with Portland on opening weekend, playing 90 minutes while leading the club to a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids. Chara has appeared in 368 career regular-season matches with the club, the third-most by a player with a single team in MLS history.

By featuring against D.C. United on Saturday (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass), Chara would tie MLS and Real Salt Lake legend Nick Rimando (369) for the second-most games played with a single club in MLS history and sit just eight matches from breaking the all-time record of 376 matches set by Chris Wondolowski of the San Jose Earthquakes.

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 29, 2024


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