Moments of Matchday 6
April 2, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
Fastest to Four: Vancouver's Simon Becher Makes MLS History
With just one goal in each of the first five games to start the season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC turned to 23-year-old Simon Becher to spark the attack. A standout in MLS NEXT Pro in 2022, Becher returned the favor by scoring two goals and adding an assist in the Whitecaps' 5-0 win over CF Montréal on Saturday night.
Becher also made MLS history with his performance, becoming the fastest player in league annals to reach four MLS goals, doing so in just his first 87 minutes of game action. The previous record was held by Columbus' Juan 'Cucho' Hernández, who accomplished the feat in his first 89 MLS minutes in 2022. Becher also joined Octavio Rivero (2015) as the only players in Whitecaps history to score in each of their first three matches.
Brian Schmetzer Earns Win No. 100
Seattle Sounders FC head coach Brian Schmetzer earned his 100th regular season victory after Saturday evening's 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy, becoming the third-fastest (212 games) head coach in MLS history to reach the milestone. Schmetzer is the 14th head coach to accomplish the feat and only behind Bruce Arena (189) and Bob Bradley (199) for fastest head coach to win 100 regular season games in MLS history.
The win at the Galaxy was his eighth overall since taking over as head coach of the Sounders in 2016. Seattle is unbeaten in their last 10 matches against the Galaxy (W6, D4), becoming the first team to do so against LA. Schmetzer's Seattle side improved to 4-1-1 on the season with the win and will look to earn a third consecutive victory when they host Supporters' Shield-leading expansion side St. Louis CITY SC on Matchday 7.
Goals Galore for Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew followed up last week's impressive 6-1 win over Atlanta United with a 4-0 drubbing of Real Salt Lake in front of their home fans at Lower.com Field. In head coach Wilfried Nancy's first season in charge, the Crew made club history on Saturday night, scoring 10 goals in a two-game span for the first time. Additionally, Columbus produced a club-record 12 goals in their first three home matches of 2023.
Columbus' win was led by 21-year-old midfielder Aidan Morris, who scored two of the four goals, including the opening strike in the 14th minute. Morris has three goals in his last two games and is the third youngest player in Crew history to accomplish this feat. Overall, Columbus' 15 goals this season are tied for the most in MLS, alongside St. Louis CITY SC.
Chris Brady Shuts Down D.C.
One of the best young goalkeepers in MLS, Chicago Fire FC's Chris Brady made three crucial saves against D.C. United to preserve a scoreless draw on Saturday evening. The clean sheet was the first of Brady's MLS career, and at 19 years and 29 days old, he is the second youngest 'keeper to record a shutout in MLS play. The only goalkeeper younger than Brady to produce a shutout? None other than former Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina (17 years, 81 days) on August 4, 2021 against New York City FC.
Jordan Morris On Fire and Leading Golden Boot presented by Audi Race
No player in MLS is scoring like Seattle's Jordan Morris at the moment, who now has five goals in his last two matches, after hitting the back of the net against the LA Galaxy on Saturday. Overall, his eight goals through the first six matches of a season are tied for the second most in MLS history, behind only Edson Buddle (nine) in 2010. The U.S. Men's National Team forward continues to set records as he scored his 50th career regular season goal, becoming just the third homegrown player (Gyasi Zardes and Diego Fagúndez) in league annals to hit this milestone.
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Major League Soccer Stories from April 2, 2023
- 'We'll Celebrate If We Are in this Position at the End of the Year' - FCC Not Settling for Just a Hot Start - FC Cincinnati
- Moments of Matchday 6 - MLS
- Five Points: Fight 'Til the End - New York City FC
- Rapids Earn Draw at Home Against Defending MLS Champions - Colorado Rapids
- Cristian Espinoza Scores Twice; San Jose Remains Unbeaten at PayPal Park - San Jose Earthquakes
- LAFC Remains Unbeaten After 0-0 Tie in Colorado - Los Angeles FC
- St. Louis CITY SC Unbeaten Streak Ends with Defeat to Minnesota United FC - St. Louis City SC
- Dynamo Fall 2-1 to San Jose Earthquakes - Houston Dynamo FC
- CF Montréal Falls to Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Club de Foot Montreal
- No Joke! Becher Sets MLS Record as 'Caps Win by Five at Bc Place Once Again - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Minnesota United Remain Undefeated With 1-0 Win Over St. Louis City - Minnesota United FC
- FC Cincinnati Ascend to First Place in Eastern Conference with 1-0 Win Over Inter Miami CF - FC Cincinnati
- Chicago Fire FC Draws D.C. United 0-0 at Soldier Field - Chicago Fire FC
- Timbers Rally on the Road to Earn 1-1 Draw Against FC Dallas - Portland Timbers
- LA Galaxy Fall 2-1 to Seattle Sounders FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday Night - LA Galaxy
- Sporting Earns Road Point in Philadelphia - Sporting Kansas City
- Sounders FC Rides Goals from Morris and Chú to Earn 2-1 Victory at LA Galaxy - Seattle Sounders FC
- FC Dallas and Portland Timbers Split Points in 1-1 Draw - FC Dallas
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