MLS Major League Soccer

Expected Goals: Upcoming Milestones for Matchday 5

Published on March 14, 2024 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


Ferreira Looks to Become the Youngest to 50 Goals

At just 23 years, 81 days old as of today, FC Dallas striker Jesús Ferreira has already made a significant impact on club and league history at a young age and more history sits on the horizon as he approaches his 50th career regular-season goal.

Only two players in MLS history have scored their 50th goal prior to turning 24 years old - then-New England Revolution midfielder Diego Fagúndez (23 years, 256 days old) and former New York City FC forward Valentín 'Taty' Castellanos (23 years, 287 days old). Sitting on 49 regular-season goals, Ferreira can become the youngest player in league history to reach the milestone with a goal against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).

Joveljić Looks to Extend Season-Starting Scoring Streak

Only one player has scored in each of his club's first three games of the 2024 season: Dejan Joveljić of the LA Galaxy. With three goals, Joveljić has helped lead a Galaxy offensive attack that has six goals through three matches, tied for the second-best total in the Western Conference this season.

With a goal against St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday night (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Joveljić would become just the eighth player in league history and the first since Valentín 'Taty' Castellanos (four consecutive games, 2021) to score in at least four consecutive games to start a season. Brian McBride of the Columbus Crew is the only player to score in five straight games to open a season, accomplishing the feat in 1998.

Tani Coming in Clutch off the Bench

Behind Minnesota United FC's strong start to the 2024 season has been super sub Tani Oluwaseyi, who has contributed to three of the club's six goals on the season in just 88 minutes of action. The 23-year-old former SuperDraft selection has scored or assisted in three consecutive appearances off the bench to start the season can make his mark on MLS history with another contribution off the bench on Saturday against LAFC (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).

With a goal or an assist off the bench on Saturday, Oluwaseyi would become just the second player in league history to record a goal contribution as a substitute in four consecutive matches, joining Jeff Cunningham, who accomplished the feat in four straight games for the Colorado Rapids from April 2 - May 14, 2005.

Red Bulls Roaring Out of the Gate

Under first-year head coach Sandro Schwarz and behind the strong play of captain Emil Forsberg, the New York Red Bulls are off to a roaring start in 2024 with seven points through three matches, including a 2-1 victory in their home opener on Matchday 4. The club will face another stiff test on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), as they travel to take on the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field while looking to maintain their hot early-season pace.

With a win over the Crew, the Red Bulls would match their best four-game start in club history, which was previously established by the 2007 squad with 10 points (3-0-1). The club has won three of their first four matches of a season on three different occasions (2002, 2007, 2010) and will look to achieve that mark on Saturday.

Toronto Tends the Net

Sitting with two wins and a draw through three matches, Toronto FC has gotten off to a strong start this season and is currently one of five teams at the top of the Eastern Conference with seven points. Behind strong play from goalkeepers Sean Johnson and Luka Gavran, Toronto is the only team in MLS that has not conceded a goal in 2024.

With a fourth consecutive clean sheet at New York City FC on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Toronto would become the third team in MLS history to open a season with four straight shutouts, joining the 2007 New York Red Bulls (four) and 2012 Vancouver Whitecaps (four). Both of those clubs advanced to the postseason in those respective years.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 14, 2024


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