MLS Major League Soccer

Expected Goals: Upcoming Milestones for Matchday 37

Published on October 6, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


Carlos Vela Eyes Double-Double History

One of the most prolific players in the history of Major League Soccer, LAFC forward Carlos Vela has continued his tremendous offensive production in 2023, while helping the club earn a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. Vela (nine goals, 12 assists) is one of two LAFC players with at least 20 goal contributions this season, joining Golden Boot presented by Audi frontrunner Dénis Bouanga (17 goals, six assists).

With a goal on Saturday at Austin FC (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass), the Mexican star has a chance to further cement his legendary status in MLS by reaching at least 10 goals and 10 assists for the fourth time in his career. Only three other players have accomplished the feat on four occasions: Jaime Moreno (1998, 1999, 2006, 2008), Preki (1996, 1997, 1998, 2003), and Diego Valeri (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018).

Sounders Nearing 50-Point Landmark

A dramatic finish on Matchday 36 saw the Seattle Sounders claim a last-gasp 2-1 victory over the LA Galaxy, thanks to a 96th-minute goal from Cristian Roldan. With the win, Seattle has now moved up to second in the Western Conference with 49 points in 2023 (13-9-10).

The Sounders are now just one point shy of reaching 50 points in a season for the 10th different time in club history. Seattle would become just the third club and the only expansion side in MLS history to produce double-digit 50-point seasons (excluding the shootout era), joining the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls.

Standing in the way of Sounders history is Cascadia Cup rivals Vancouver Whitecaps FC, who are coming off a 3-0 victory over St. Louis CITY SC on Wednesday. The two will meet on Saturday night at Lumen Field (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) with a 50-point season at stake for the Rave Green.

Crew Close in on Club Goal Record

Boasting one of the league's most dynamic offenses in 2023, the Columbus Crew lead Major League Soccer with 64 goals scored this season and are one of just three teams to have eclipsed the 60-goal mark this season, alongside Atlanta United (63 goals) and St. Louis CITY SC (62 goals).

Led by Landon Donovan MLS MVP candidate Cucho Hernández (14 goals, 11 assists), the 2023 edition of the Crew have climbed up their club scoring leaderboard and currently sit just three goals shy of the club record of 67 goals scored in 1998. The 1998 Crew were powered by the league's top scorer, Stern John, who scored 26 goals across 27 matches.

With two games remaining on their regular-season schedule and homefield advantage in the Round One Best-of-3 series on the line, Columbus will turn to Cucho and Co. to continue their scoring ways.

Mauricio Pereyra and Martín Ojeda Providing Orlando's Assists

Mauricio Pereyra and Martín Ojeda have been the puppet masters of Orlando City SC's offense in 2023, and that proved to be the case again on Matchday 36 as they combined in the build-up to Duncan McGuire's game-winning goal over Nashville SC.

The midfield duo has been pulling the strings of one of the most prolific offenses in MLS this season, providing 10 assists each through 32 games played by Orlando. They are one of three pairs of players from a single team to record at least 10 assists each this season and are both on course to tying Orlando's club record for most assists in a season.

Pereyra currently holds the record with his 11 assists from 2022, but the Uruguayan is looking to outdo his high standard of play this season while Ojeda is also on the hunt for a bit of Orlando history in his first MLS season. Pereyra, Ojeda, and Orlando will return to action this Saturday, Oct. 7 when they host the New England Revolution (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) in hopes of moving one step closer to a new club record.

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