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Five Teams Looking for First Victory -- This Week in MLS

April 14, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


The first midweek match of the season and an Eastern Conference clash with early "red line" implications highlight Week 7 in Major League Soccer. A couple of Northeast Corridor rivals meet in Harrison, N.J., Wednesday night as the New York Red Bulls host the Philadelphia Union in the first weeknight game of the 2014 season. The Red Bulls, last year's Supporters Shield winners, are off to a frustrating start, having lost two and tied four to begin the season. The Union, who come off a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake, have one win and four draws to begin the season.

The Red Bulls are one of five teams looking for their first victory of the campaign. Another is the Chicago Fire, who have one loss and five draws through Week 6 and host the New England Revolution on Saturday at Toyota Park (4 p.m. ET, NBCSN). The Fire-Revolution battle could be a big swing match in the standings as three points would propel Chicago past New England, who currently sit just above the "red line" that signifies who's in playoff position.

The remaining three winless teams include the Montreal Impact, Portland Timbers and San Jose Earthquakes.

Week 7 National Broadcasts

Saturday, April 19

Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution, 4:00 p.m. ET (NBCSN)

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. LA Galaxy, 7:00 p.m. ET (TSN2)

Quotables

"My mentality from the beginning has been to work hard in training and contribute in any way possible to help the team. Whether I'm playing center mid, right back or center back, I'm here to work hard to do whatever I can to help the team win."

San Jose Earthquakes right back JJ Koval on his versatility

"We're going to get a win. We're going to get a lot of wins. But right now, things aren't going our way, but we don't dwell on that, we keep on playing because we're not playing badly. The break is going to come and we are going to start winning."

Portland Timbers goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts on recent performances

"It'll happen when it happens. I'm happy with every one of my performances this year, I've played well in every game, and I thought I played well tonight. I want to contribute, if I can hit the net, it would be nice but at this point with winning games and playing well, I'm happy. I'm getting a lot of chances, and I had a lot against Chivas [USA]. I just have to keep doing the right things, hit the target and eventually it's going to go in."

LA Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan on his chase for record 135th goal

"First thing I do in the morning is check out what they've done, I'm happy for you all. It's crazy. Three away games, only one home game, nine points already, maybe this will be the season for the playoffs. I hope so."

Former Toronto FC's striker Danny Koevermans on keeping tabs on his former clubs success so far this season

"It's pretty exciting. It would have been a lot better if we could have gotten three points, but ... it's good to open the account early."

Philadelphia Union forward Andrew Wenger on his Union debut

"Yeah, there are a lot of emotions. Chicago's my home and the Fire is the place where I had a chance to finish my (playing) career and start my professional career. I have great memories in Chicago, which is not easy to forget. But now my focus is on my new team."

Montreal Impact head coach Frank Klopas on returning to coach against former team Chicago Fire

Sweet Tweets

"@AgustinViana - April 13 - Agustin Viana, Columbus Crew

After a great match enjoying dinner at The Mountain Winery with the team @FHiguain_33 @JairoArrieta25 @pipogonzalez88 pic.twitter.com/nQdxrZi73f

"@Tim_Cahill - April 13 - Tim Cahill, New York Red Bulls

Don't you love it when the camera man is in your way while your watching the Basketball haha #Knicks vs #Bulls #NYC pic.twitter.com/OjUkELa0Fk

@DiegoFagundez14 - April 13 - Diego Fagundez, New England Revolution

Its crazy how something small makes a person smile and be so happy. Keep fighting thiago. #fuerzathiago pic.twitter.com/GrzMm6lH4m

"@AJD_20 - April 13 - AJ DeLaGarza, LA Galaxy

I know we've played together for 9 years now, but come on... @omar4gonzalez http://instagram.com/p/mviqUWLVGu/

@JiaoJiaoShen - April 9 - JiaoJiao Shen", 41 Action News anchor (Kansas City)

@SavannahGuthrie loves her new @SportingKC jersey! Representing our MLS champs!!! @TODAYShow pic.twitter.com/V2XoEWsTA7

Week 7 Game Previews

Wednesday, April 16

New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.

"¢ Andrew Wenger scored on his Union debut Saturday, as his new side reached a 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake. Wenger, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, was traded to Philadelphia from Montréal the week before.

"¢ The Red Bulls have opened the season winless in their first six matches, following their 1-0 loss to D.C. United last weekend. It's the third-worst start by a Supporters' Shield holder after posting the league's best record the year before; the record is the LA Galaxy's 0-4-4 start in 2003.

"¢ When the teams played to a scoreless draw at Red Bull Arena, it was the first point ever taken in Harrison by Union. The Red Bulls are 4-0-1 in home games vs. Philadelphia, having outscored Union 7-2, and also won a U.S. Open Cup game there in 2010.

"¢ The Red Bulls had won their last two visits to Chester before Union took a 3-0 victory there last June 23.

Saturday, April 19

Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution, 4 p.m. (NBCSN)

"¢ Quincy Amarikwa scored his third of the season in the Fire's 1-1 draw at Montréal on Saturday. It already matches his single-season career-high, set last year when he scored 3 goals in 14 appearances for Chicago.

"¢ Defender Kevin Alston scored his first career MLS goal, in his 123rd career league game, in sending the Revolution on their way to a 2-0 win against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.

"¢ When the Revolution won 1-0 last March 9 at Toyota Park, it was their first league win in Bridgeview since 2006, ending a nine-game winless run in league and cup play.

"¢ The Revolution have won four of the last six matches between the clubs, after going more than five years without a league win vs. Chicago. But they have won the last three meetings at Gillette Stadium, and haven't lost at home to the Fire since 2010.

Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamo, 4 p.m.

"¢ The Dynamo saw their losing streak extended to three games in a 2-0 loss the New England Revolution on Saturday. It's the club's longest losing run in league play since losing four in a row, Aug. 28-Sept. 22, 2010.

"¢ When Maurice Edu scored against Real Salt Lake last weekend, it marked the first time in his MLS career he had scored in consecutive games. Edu scored April 5 vs. Chicago, his first MLS goal since 2008.

"¢ The Dynamo have won the last three meetings between the teams, including both matchups a season ago, winning 1-0 both at BBVA Compass Stadium (July 6) and PPL Park (Sept. 14).

"¢ Union were unbeaten vs. the Dynamo in their first four meetings, until Houston won both legs of an Eastern Conference Semifinal Series between the clubs in 2011.

Colorado Rapids vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 6 p.m.

"¢ Edson Buddle scored the 99th league goal of his MLS career Saturday in leading the Rapids to a 1-0 win at Toronto FC, their first win in Toronto. Seven players in MLS history have reached the century mark in goals scored.

"¢ Chris Wondolowski has scored three goals in four games to start the season after netting the Quakes' lone goal in their 1-1 draw with the Columbus Crew on Sunday.

"¢ The Rapids last defeated San Jose in the first meeting in the 2011 season. The Quakes have won five of the seven meetings since, with two draws, including the last two matches.

"¢ The Quakes have won on their last three trips to Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The Rapids haven't defeated San Jose at home since the 2010 season.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. LA Galaxy, 7 p.m.

"¢ This is the back end of a home-and-home series between the teams. It's the second home-and-home already for the Galaxy this year, who started the year with such a series vs. Real Salt Lake.

"¢ The Galaxy's Robbie Keane scored the only goal of the game in the first match of the back-to-back games, Saturday at StubHub Center. In 59 league appearances since 2011, Keane has 37 goals and 22 assists.

"¢ Playing for a second consecutive match in a playmaking midfield role behind the front two, the Galaxy's Stefan Ishikazi recorded the assist on the Keane goal. He has a goal and two assists in those two games.

"¢ After opening the season undefeated in four games, Whitecaps FC suffered their second consecutive loss in the front end of the home-and-home with the Galaxy.

Columbus Crew vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.

"¢ This is the second meeting between the teams this season. Federico HiguaÃ-n scored twice and Jairo Arrieta added another as the Crew eased to a 3-0 season-opening victory, March 8 at RFK Stadium.

"¢ The Crew have won the last three meetings between the clubs. United haven't won in Columbus since 2007, a span of five matches (0-4-1).

"¢ D.C. United have recorded back-to-back shutout victories for the first time since Sept. 20-23, 2012 following their 1-0 home defeat of the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. United did have back-to-back clean sheets last March 9-16, one a scoreless draw.

"¢ Federico HiguaÃ-n netted his fourth goal of the season, tied for third in the MLS Golden Boot standings, in the Crew's 1-1 draw at San Jose on Sunday. HiguaÃ-n has been involved in six of Columbus's eight goals this season, with two assists.

FC Dallas vs. Toronto FC, 8:30 p.m.

"¢ In league play, FC Dallas have not lost to Toronto FC since 2007 - the first meeting ever between the clubs. FCD has won six of the 11 regular-season encounters since, with five draws, including a 4-0-2 record all-time in Frisco.

"¢ The teams have played to draws over each of the last two seasons, their only two meetings. The last league win in the series came July 20, 2011, a 1-0 FC Dallas win at BMO Field.

"¢ FC Dallas saw their season-opening five-game undefeated streak come to an end in their 3-2 home loss to Seattle on Saturday evening. Michel scored his third goal of the season, his second in as many games, both coming on penalty kicks.

"¢ Toronto FC lost for the second time in three games in their 1-0 home loss to Colorado last weekend, missing a pair of Designated Players in both Michael Bradley and Jermain Defoe to injury.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Montreal Impact, 8:30 p.m.

"¢ Sporting return to action after a week off, extending their undefeated streak to four games in their last match, a scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake on April 5 at home in an MLS Cup 2013 rematch.

"¢ The Impact saw their season-opening winless streak extended to six games - but played to a draw for a third consecutive game - as Jack McInerney scored in his first game since coming to the club in a trade with Philadelphia in a 1-1 draw Saturday with the Chicago Fire.

"¢ The Impact have won each of the last two meetings between the clubs, including a 2-1 victory last June 1, the only encounter between the teams at Sporting Park.

"¢ The Impact have won twice on their visits to Kansas City, winning in each of their two MLS seasons. Sporting won in 2012 in their first trip ever to Montréal.

Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers, 9:30 p.m.

"¢ Real Salt Lake are the only undefeated team still standing in Major League Soccer following their 2-2 draw at Philadelphia Union on Saturday afternoon.

"¢ The Timbers saw their season-opening winless streak stretched to six games - but claimed a draw for the fourth time - in their 1-1 deadlock with Chivas USA on Saturday at Providence Park. The Timbers last year led the league with 15 draws, one shy of the MLS single-season record.

"¢ The teams met in a thrilling Western Conference Championship last season, Real winning 4-2 in Sandy in the first leg, then taking a 1-0 win at Portland to advance to MLS Cup 2013 5-2 on aggregate.

"¢ The visiting team has won just once all-time in the series in league play - a 3-2 RSL win in Portland in 2012. Real are 3-0-1 all-time at Rio Tinto Stadium vs. the Timbers.

Chivas USA vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 10:30 p.m.

"¢ Clint Dempsey took over leadership of the MLS Golden Boot standings with six goals - five coming in the last two matches - after scoring a pair of goals in Sounders FC's 3-2 victory at FC Dallas on Saturday.

"¢ In his four appearances this season, Dempsey has six goals and one assist - he has been involved in seven of the nine goals Seattle has scored in matches where he has played.

"¢ Chivas USA striker Erick Torres scored his fifth goal in six games - second-most in MLS this season - in pulling his team back for a 1-1 draw at the Portland Timbers on Saturday evening.

"¢ Sounders FC are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings with Chivas USA, with wins in their last five encounters, since Chivas won the first two meetings ever between the clubs in 2009. Seattle has won seven times with four draws.

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