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Montreal Impact on the Cusp of Historic CONCACAF Champions League Title - This Week in MLS

Published on April 27, 2015 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


Montreal Impact on the cusp of historic CONCACAF Champions League title

A gutsy 1-1 draw in Estadio Azteca has the Montreal Impact poised to make history on Wednesday night (8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 2). Club América travels more than 2,700 miles to Olympic Stadium, where a capacity crowd of nearly 60,000 Montrealers awaits. The Impact are 90 minutes away from becoming the first MLS and Canadian club to ever win the CONCACAF Champions League title - not to mention doing so after finishing 2014 with the fewest points in MLS. Before Montreal can hoist the trophy, however, it must overcome a major obstacle: goalkeeper Evan Bush is suspended for the final on yellow card accumulation. The club has now acquired German goalkeeper Kristian Nicht through a transfer with NASL club Indy Eleven to help booster its position between the posts ahead of Wednesday's showdown. Whoever earns the start in net will have a roaring sea of blue and white behind him and a team that has already defied the odds in front of him. With an inspired, 90-minute effort at The Big O, the Impact can take a giant leap for both MLS and Canadian soccer.

Week Nine features Texas Derby and Cascadia Cup action in UDN doubleheader

Dynamo and FC Dallas square off in Texas Derby

The Houston Dynamo welcome FC Dallas to BBVA Compass Stadium in the first match of the Texas Derby to kick off this week's Viernes de Futbol doubleheader on UDN (8 p.m. ET, UDN). The Texas squads are both coming off draws last weekend. Fabian Castillo continued his hot start to the season as he notched the assist to Mauro Diaz's goal that took the early lead for Dallas against the Colorado Rapids, while the Dynamo had to share the spoils with Sporting Kansas City in a thrilling 4-4 draw at BBVA Compass Stadium. Dallas has won the past two regular season meetings between the two sides, but Houston leads the overall series 9-5-7. Which side will take the next step in securing the El Capitán trophy?

Western Conference rivals battle at Rio Tinto Stadium

Western Conference rivals Real Salt Lake and San Jose Earthquakes battle at Rio Tinto Stadium to cap off the Viernes de Futbol doubleheader on UDN (10 p.m. ET, UDN). Real Salt Lake will be glad to return home to Rio Tinto after having been dispatched 4-0 by the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium and having their scoreless streak extended to 316 minutes. After having beaten the Earthquakes 1-0 on April 5 at Avaya Stadium, the Claret-and-Cobalt are now 3-1-2 in their last six matches against San Jose. Both sides will be aiming to come away with three points to move into the top six in the Western Conference standings.

Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps FC battle in Cascadia Cup nightcap

Cascadia Cup continues on Saturday night at 10:30 p.m. ET (TSN), when the Portland Timbers welcome Vancouver Whitecaps FC to Providence Park. The clubs opened Cascadia Cup play at BC Place on March 28, when Robert Earnshaw buried a 90th-minute game-winner to propel Vancouver past Portland. Although Whitecaps FC have cooled down from a blistering start, they remain atop the MLS table with 16 points. The Timbers, meanwhile, return home after Sunday's 1-0 loss in Seattle. Now 0-2 in Cascadia Cup action and 2-3-3 in league play, Portland needs to gain ground in both tables. Whether or not midfielders Diego Valeri and Will Johnson make their season debuts remains to be seen, but history is on the Timbers' side in this one. Portland has accrued a 6-4-2 record versus Vancouver all-time, with Vancouver picking up its two wins in the last four meetings between the sides.

Sporting Kansas City hosts in-form Chicago Fire at Sporting Park

Sporting Kansas City host the Chicago Fire for the first leg of MLS Soccer Sunday at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes). The Fire have responded to a 0-3 start with three consecutive wins, quelling concern as its new slate of designated players settle in. Ghanaian newcomer David Accam opened his MLS account in Chicago's 1-0 win over NYCFC on Friday, while goalkeeper Sean Johnson extended his shutout streak to 249 minutes. To secure a fourth consecutive win, however, Chicago must become the first club to win at Sporting Park this season. Sporting Kansas City enter Sunday's match on the heels of yet another wild finish. Benny Feilhaber's 95th-minute equalizer netted the club a draw in Houston, making the third time in four games Sporting have either scored or conceded a goal in stoppage time. With Chicago in form and Sporting KC thriving at home, this intra-conference matchup should produce plenty of fireworks.

NYCFC trying to put breaks on winless streak against Sounders

A struggling New York City FC welcome Seattle Sounders FC to their first ever visit to Yankee Stadium to cap off MLS Soccer Sunday doubleheader (7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, FOX Deportes). NYCFC saw their winless streak extend to six games after falling to the Chicago Fire 1-0 at Toyota Park last week. Seattle won their second straight game as a Clint Dempsey goal in the 77th minute powered the Sounders over Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers in front of 41,451 fans at CenturyLink Field last week. New York City will be looking to end their winless drought and secure their first win over a Western Conference team this season.

MLS National TV Schedule

Friday, May 1

Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas, 8 p.m. ET (UDN)

Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10 p.m. ET (UDN)

Saturday, May 2

Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 10:30 p.m. ET (TSN)

Sunday, May 3

Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

New York City FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1, FOX Deportes)

Quotables

"The sky is the limit with this team. It such a joy to play with each other. We still haven't hit our peak yet. That's what's driving us. We still have a bitter taste in our mouths since the MLS Cup."

New England Revolution forward Charlie Davies on the team's good run of form

Overwhelming win for Revolution (Boston Herald)

"I think we're one of the best offenses in the league. I think we're a team that nobody wants to play when we're clicking."

Columbus Crew SC midfielder Ethan Finlay on the team's offensive performance

Crew Review: Everything is clicking for Crew (Columbus Dispatch)

"For me, there were days that you are just feeling like the world is ending because you're not having a good day. Your leg isn't better and you think, 'Am I ever going to play again?' Then a guy like Diego comes over and says, 'I've been there. This is what happens.' He just puts his arm around you and makes it manageable for that day."

Portland Timbers midfielder Will Johnson on Diego Valeri helping him during road to recovery from injury

Johnson and Valeri leaned on each other during injury recovery process (The Oregonian)

"Us Argentineans, we're passionate football lovers. Any time you watch Argentinean football, you'll see that passion play out. Maybe it's that. It's part of my culture."

Columbus Crew SC defender Hernan Grana on where he gets his passion from

Emotions fuel the fire for Grana (Columbus Dispatch)

"Stuff like that, you just sit there and go, 'Wow.' You're coming to a game, any ticket, that's worth the price of admission. If that's the only thing you see, if you're in the beer line for the whole game and just got to your seat, that was worth the whole wait."

Seattle Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid on Obafemi Martins' wonder goal

Sounders teammates still marveling at Obafemi Martins' goal (Seattle Times)

Sweet Tweets

Bradford Jamieson (@brjIV): Hard fought point tonight! Couldn't be happier with getting my first professional goal tonight

https://twitter.com/brjIV/status/592485868285353984

Dax McCarthy (@DaxMcCarthy11): It was an honor and a pleasure having you by our side for the coin toss @EricLeGrand52. A true inspiration. #RBNY

https://twitter.com/DaxMcCarty11/status/592501444382728192

Chad Marshall (@ChadMarshall14): Bummed to miss this one tonight but decent seats to watch @zkscott eat some strikers! #sounders #SEAvPOR

https://twitter.com/ChadMarshall14/status/592499619071832065

Dom Dwyer (@Ddwyer14): Enjoy random waving to people with SportingKC stickers on their car, they always give me that who is that look??? hahaha

https://twitter.com/Ddwyer14/status/591392546506477568

Pa-Modou Kah (@PMKAH): The 'Wet Bandits ' strikes again. Happy Birthday to @marcobustos10. @WhitecapsFC #VWFC#GoCaps#Soccerfun

https://twitter.com/PMKAH/status/591382481808404481

Week Nine Game Previews

Wednesday, April 29

New York Red Bulls vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m. ET

- The Red Bulls extended their season-opening undefeated streak to six games following the 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy on Sunday at Red Bull Arena. It's the longest undefeated start to a season in the club's 20-year history; they remain the only team without a loss this season in MLS.

- Dillon Powers set up a goal for a third consecutive game, this time assisting on Nick LaBrocca's late equalizer as the Rapids claimed a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas on Friday evening at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

- The last Red Bulls victory in the series between the teams came in 2012, a 4-1 at Red Bull Arena. The Rapids won 2-0 in the last meeting at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the annual Fourth of July celebration in 2013; the teams played to a 1-1 draw in Harrison in their lone meeting a year ago.

- The Rapids have never won at Red Bull Arena. Their last away win in the series came in 2009, a 3-2 victory at Giants Stadium; the Red Bulls have won two of the four meetings at home since, with two draws.

Friday, May 1

Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas, 8 p.m. ET (UDN)

- Brad Davis recorded a pair of assists - and is now third all-time in assists in MLS with 115 for his league career - as the Dynamo reached a 4-4 draw with Sporting Kansas City on Saturday evening at BBVA Compass Stadium. It was the 22nd multiple-assist game of his MLS career, now fourth on the all-time list.

- Mauro Diaz netted his first goal of the season as FC Dallas kept pace with a 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids on the road.

- FC Dallas have won the last two meetings between the teams over the last two seasons, winning 4-1 on April 5 of last year at BBVA Compass Stadium. It was just the second win all-time for FCD in Houston in 13 meetings in all competitions, the first since 2010.

- The clubs play for "El Capitán", the 19th-century Mountain Howitzer cannon to be awarded to the winner of the season series by supporters groups for both clubs. This will be first year since 2011 the series will include more than one meeting during the regular season, with both clubs now in the Western Conference.

Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10 p.m. ET (UDN)

- RSL saw its scoreless streak extended to 316 minutes in a 4-0 loss at the New England Revolution on Saturday evening. It's the second-longest stretch without a goal for any team in MLS and the fourth-longest such run in RSL club history; the defeat was the biggest for RSL since a 4-0 loss at Seattle Sounders FC last May 31.

- The Quakes return to action after a weekend off, their last match a 2-0 loss at the New York Red Bulls on April 17, a second consecutive defeat away from Avaya Stadium.

- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Javier Morales scored the game's lone goal just before halftime to lead RSL to a victory April 5 at Avaya Stadium.

- The Quakes have won on two of their last four trips to Rio Tinto Stadium, but RSL won 2-0 on Oct. 11 of last year in Sandy, the only meeting of the year at their home ground. The Quakes haven't defeated RSL at home since the final meeting in 2012, a 5-0 San Jose victory that is the largest win in the all-time series.

Saturday, May 2

Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC, 4 p.m. ET

- The Union lost for a second consecutive match and had their current winless streak extended to three games following a 4-1 defeat at Columbus Crew SC on Saturday evening. Eric Ayuk Mbu netted his first MLS goal for the Union.

- Toronto FC ended their four-game losing slide since a season-opening victory, defeating Orlando City SC 2-0 on Saturday evening at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. Jozy Altidore netted his second multiple-goal game of the season - and the fourth of his MLS career - hitting for both TFC goals.

- The Union have a three-game winning streak alive in the series, with victories in both meetings a year ago which came four days apart, a 1-0 win Sept. 3 at PPL Park, and a 2-0 victory Sept. 6 at BMO Field.

- Toronto FC have not defeated Union since May 26, 2012, a 1-0 win at home. Union have won four of the seven meetings since, with three draws.

D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew SC, 7 p.m. ET

- United extended their undefeated streak to five matches with a second consecutive away victory, overcoming an early goal for a 2-1 win at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday evening. Travis Worra finished out the victory playing the final 32 minutes in goal, coming on to make his MLS debut in place of an injured Andrew Dykstra.

- Crew SC won their second match on the trot and extended their undefeated streak to four games following a 4-1 home triumph against Philadelphia Union on Saturday evening. Ethan Finlay netted a pair of goals - his first career multiple-goal game - and added an assist in the win.

- D.C. United have not defeated Crew SC since the final meeting in 2012, a 3-2 victory at RFK Stadium. Crew SC have won three of the five meetings since, with two draws - those two results coming in the last two meetings between the teams.

- Crew SC have taken points on each of their three trips to RFK Stadium, with two wins and a draw. United haven't won in Columbus since 2007; Crew SC have won five of their seven home meetings since, with two draws.

New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET

- The Revolution won their second match on the trot and extended their undefeated streak to five matches, sweeping to a 4-0 victory against Real Salt Lake on Saturday evening at Gillette Stadium. The Revs are undefeated in their last 12 league games in Foxborough dating back to last July 30, tying a club record set over the end of the 2004 season and the start of 2005.

- The Red Bulls won both regular season meetings a year ago, the only time they have ever swept the season series in the 19 years the teams have played. The 2-0 victory June 8 at Gillette Stadium was the first for New York in New England since 2002. The Revolution had won 13 of 19 meetings in league and MLS Cup play since that previous New York win.

- The Revolution reversed the score in the Eastern Conference Championship, winning 2-1 at Red Bull Arena before advancing to MLS Cup after a 2-2 draw in Foxborough. It was the Revolution's first win of any sort in New Jersey since 2007, ending a 10-game winless streak there in all competitions.

LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids, 10:30 p.m. ET

- Bradford Jamieson IV scored his first MLS goal, the second-youngest player in LA Galaxy history to hit the back of the net, as the Homegrown Player paced his side to a 1-1 draw at the New York Red Bulls on Sunday afternoon.

- The Galaxy won the final two meetings between the teams a year ago, including a 6-0 triumph on Sept. 5 at StubHub Center, the highest margin of victory in the 19-year history between the teams.

- The Rapids had won back-to-back meetings at Dick's Sporting Goods Park before a 4-3 Galaxy win there last Aug. 20. The Rapids wins were the first in the series at home since 2008, ending a five-game winless run.

Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 10:30 p.m. ET

- The Timbers return home following a two-game road swing that ended with a 1-0 loss at Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday evening, their fourth consecutive defeat by their arch-rivals in all competitions.

- Whitecaps FC had their three-game undefeated run at BC Place put to an end with a 2-1 loss to D.C. United on Saturday evening, despite the first goal of the season from Pedro Morales, his first since last Sept. 27 when he netted twice vs. Real Salt Lake.

- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Robert Earnshaw scored the game-winning goal on the stroke of full time to give Whitecaps FC a stunning 2-1 victory, March 28 at BC Place.

- Whitecaps FC have won just twice in 12 all-time MLS meetings between the teams, both of those victories coming in the last four meetings. The 'Caps last won at Providence Park last June 1, a wild 4-3.

Sunday, May 3

Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

- Benny Feilhaber had the first multiple-goal game of his MLS career, hitting for the equalizer deep in stoppage time as Sporting came back to claim a 4-4 draw with the Houston Dynamo on Saturday evening at BBVA Compass Stadium.

- Fire Designated Player David Accam opened his MLS account by scoring the game's only goal, as his club won their third match in a row with a victory Friday against New York City FC at Toyota Park.

- Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson recorded his second consecutive shutout in the win vs. NYCFC; he now has a personal goalless run of 249 minutes, tied for seventh-longest in MLS this season.

- The teams evenly split their season series a year ago. Each team won on their home ground; they also played to a 1-1 draw at Sporting Park. The Fire haven't won in Kansas City since 2012; SKC have two wins and two draws in the home meetings since.

New York City FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1)

- Clint Dempsey has scored a goal and/or recorded an assist in all five league games he's played this season, netting the game's only goal as Sounders FC defeated their arch-rival Portland Timbers on Sunday evening at CenturyLink Field.

- Stefan Frei recorded his fourth shutout of the season to backstop the Sounders FC victory, tied for the league lead with Clint Irwin (Colorado), David Ousted (Vancouver) and Bobby Shuttleworth (New England).

- New York City FC saw their winless skid extended to six games - the longest thus far this season in MLS - following their 1-0 loss at the Chicago Fire on Friday evening. It was NYCFC's second consecutive shutout at the attacking end and their fourth this season.

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 27, 2015


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