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Moments of Matchday 20

June 22, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


Below is a selection of the notable performances and moments from the 11 matches played on the 20th matchday of the 2023 MLS season, Wednesday, June 21.

FC Cincinnati Continues to Take Care of Home

In a 3-0 sweep of Toronto FC, FC Cincinnati maintained its advantage at home, becoming the fourth team in MLS history to win 10 consecutive home matches. Their victory also tied for the third-longest home winning streak in MLS history (10 games). Luciano 'Lucho' Acosta scored for the fifth straight match at home and added an assist becoming the 28th player in league history with at least 50 goals and 50 assists.

FC Cincinnati is now tied with the 2002 San Jose Earthquakes in two categories: longest single-season home winning streak in MLS history and longest home winning streak (10 games) in MLS history to begin a season. Cincinnati returns to play on Saturday, June 24 (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) on the road at Audi Field against D.C. United.

CF Montréal Earn Sixth-Straight Shutout Win at Home

CF Montréal midfielder Bryce Duke scored the game-winning goal for his side over Nashville SC on Wednesday night, securing a sixth consecutive shutout win at home. With the win, Montréal joined the 2000 Kansas City Wizards as the only teams in MLS history to record six straight home wins without conceding in a single season.

This also marks the first time Montréal has won six straight home games for the first time since September 5, 2015 - April 9, 2016, when they won seven home games. After tonight's win, Montréal climbed to eighth in the Eastern Conference standings and will return to action on Saturday, June 24 (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) at Charlotte FC.

Diego Luna Shines Bright for Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna was the star of the show is RSL's league-leading fifth win away from home on Wednesday night, recording his first goal and assist for the club in a 3-1 win over St. Louis CITY SC. At 19 years and 287 days old, Luna became the youngest player in the club's history to record a goal and an assist in a single game.

Luna was also the youngest of 11 players under the age of 22 to score a goal across Matchday 20 action.

Luna's individual performance led his club to a league-leading fifth win away from home, and no other club has scored more goals on the road than RSL (14). Luna and RSL will look to earn a third consecutive win on Saturday, June 24 (9;30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) when they host Minnesota United.

Zardes Continues Climb Up All-Time Scoring Chart

Austin FC trounced Texas rivals FC Dallas on Wednesday night in a 3-0 win at home, with forward Gyasi Zardes icing the game with the third of the night and the 101st MLS regular season goal of his career. Zardes' goal brought him level with Taylor Twellman for the 11th most regular season goals in MLS annals.

Zardes is one of three active MLS players to have scored at least 100 regular season goals. He is one goal behind Inter Miami CF forward Josef Martínez for 10th in the all-time goal scoring charts and also chasing Chicago Fire FC forward Kei Kamara, who is third in the all-time ranks.

Zardes and Austin FC will remain at home for Matchday 21 action on Saturday, June 24 as they host their other Texas rivals Houston Dynamo FC (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass). Austin will look to claim their first win over Houston this season after losing their first two meetings in 2023.

Ben Bender's Brace Boosts Charlotte FC

Charlotte FC midfielder Ben Bender led the club's explosive first half against the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday with his first career brace. The former Maryland Terrapin became the first No. 1 MLS SuperDraft pick to score multiple goals in a single game since Abu Danladi did so for Minnesota United on August 26, 2017.

Charlotte held off a second-half resurgence from the Red Bulls to earn a point on the road, but they will look to return to winning ways on Saturday, June 24 (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) when they host CF Montréal during Matchday 21.

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