MLS Major League Soccer

The Pitch: Seven Western Conference Teams Chasing Final Four Postseason Spots

October 26, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


It's the penultimate week of the regular season, and the pressure is rising for the seven Western Conference clubs which will have to face off against the top of the group and each other for the last four spots in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Sitting above the playoff line and ranked No. 4-7 are the Portland Timbers (46), LA Galaxy (46), Minnesota United FC (45 points), and Vancouver Whitecaps FC (44 points) - all looking to hold off Nos. 8-10 Real Salt Lake (42 points), Los Angeles Football Club (41 points), and San Jose Earthquakes (37 points).

For these clubs, building momentum will be huge, with this week's stiff competition only increasing the season finale stakes for MLS Decision Day on Nov. 7.

Playoff Line Pursuits

No. 4 Timbers and No. 10 Earthquakes in crunch match: The No. 4 Timbers and the No. 10 Earthquakes face off in a massive match Wednesday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+) which could determine both clubs' playoff fates looking ahead.

No. 5 LA Galaxy face a key test: The Galaxy are level with points with No. 4 Portland as they prepare for No. 2 Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday (8:30 p.m. ET, FS1) and No. 1 Seattle Sounders FC on Monday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

No. 6 Minnesota at climbing or tipping point: Separated from clubs on either side by only a single point, the Loons go head-to-head with No. 7 Whitecaps FC on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+) before challenging No. 2 Sporting on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, ESPN / ESPN Deportes).

No. 7 Vancouver resisting gravity: The opportunity to rise or fall could get very real for the last club above the playoff line facing No. 6 MNUFC Wednesday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+) and No. 9 LAFC next Tuesday, Nov. 1 (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

Arena and Revs Could Continue to Rewrite the History Books

Bruce Arena and his Supporters' Shield-winning New England Revolution (70 points) are one win away from breaking the all-time MLS points record (72; LAFC, 2019), with two matches remaining for a primed Bruce Arena (239 wins) to overtake Sigi Schmid's all-time regular season wins record of 240 career MLS regular season victories.

Arena has already led the Revolution to a remarkable season - earning the club's first MLS trophy, shattering the club's previous point record and topping the Eastern Conference for the first time since 2005.

Arena can build on the historic season before the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs even begin if the Revs can defeat the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, Oct. 27 (7 p.m. ET / ESPN+) and Inter Miami CF on Sunday, Nov. 7 (3:30 p.m. ET / ESPN+) to produce his record-matching 240th and record-breaking 241st MLS regular season victories.

For the Revs, a pair of wins in their final two matches would not only break the MLS point record and give Arena the most regular season wins in MLS history, but it would also mean New England has averaged the most points per game in a single season in MLS history . Currently at 2.19 points per game, if New England can claim at least one win in their final two, the club would either surpass or tie the points per game record (2.13) set by the LA Galaxy in 1998.

Vanney Seeks First Victory over Vermes in High-Stakes Western Conference Matchup

Two of the most prominent MLS head coaches will meet this week for their sixth regular season head-to-head, as the LA Galaxy's Greg Vanney will be tested against Sporting Kansas City's Peter Vermes - the only coach he has yet to defeat in three or more tries in his career.

In those six meetings, Vermes holds a 3-0-3 record while outscoring Vanney's sides 10-5, with Vanney featuring in five of those matches leading Toronto FC and one with the Galaxy.

Vermes will look to extend his unbeaten streak against Vanney with a fifth win over the Galaxy in his last eight tries. However, the Galaxy come in with a bit of steam, riding a four-match unbeaten streak and the all-time advantage in the series dating back to the league's 1996 inaugural season.

Recently becoming the 12th coach to join the MLS 100-win club, LA Galaxy's Greg Vanney will head into Blue Hell to face Vermes and Sporting Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park on Wednesday (8:30 p.m. ET, FS1 / FOX Deportes).

Nancy's Decade of Effort in CF Montréal System Paying Dividends

CF Montréal are flying high under first-year head coach Wilfried Nancy and looking to advance to their seventh Canadian Championship in the tournament's 14-year history. Under the leadership of Nancy, a combination of academy talent and new arrivals have led Montréal to the brink of a Canadian Championship title and a spot in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Nancy has worked within Montréal's academy system since its inception in 2011 before being named assistant coach of the first team in 2016. A key component in Montréal's success this season is a product of that academy: starting goalkeeper James Pantemis. Pantemis has amassed 56 saves and three clean sheets, allowing no more than two goals in all but two of his 18 matches played this season.

Additionally, Nancy has brought out the best in Chicago Fire FC homegrown player Djordje Mihailovic, who joined the club in the offseason and now has the second-most assists (15) in the league this season, setting a CFMTL club record, while playing more minutes than any other player.

Before Nancy and Montréal can resume their push to the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, they will face Forge FC in the 2021 Canadian Championship semifinal round on Wednesday, Oct. 27 (7:30 p.m. ET / FS2) to potentially set up an all-MLS final for the 13th time in tournament history if Toronto FC takes down Pacific FC at BMO Field on Wednesday, Nov. 3 (7:30 p.m. ET).

MLS Year-End Awards Voting Kicks off this Week

Major League Soccer will release its year-end awards ballots this week, with voting set to kick off on Friday, Oct. 29 and end on Monday, Nov. 8. While some awards are decided by objective criteria, players, media and technical staff will vote on the awards listed below.

Additionally, fans will have the opportunity to weigh in on both AT&T Goal of the Year and MLS Save of the Year presented by Allstate by casting their votes on MLSsoccer.com.

More information, including the list of nominees, will be available in the coming days.

Awards decided by Statistics / Objective Criteria

MLS Supporters' Shield

MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi

MLS Fair Play Award Individual & Team Awards Decided by Fan Votes:

AT&T Goal of the Year

MLS Save of the Year presented by Allstate Awards Decided by Player, Media, and Club Votes

2021 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player

MLS Defender of the Year

MLS Comeback Player of the year

Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year

MLS Newcomer of the Year

MLS Young Player of the Year

MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year

Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year

MLS Best XI built by The Home Depot

Game Notes

Tuesday, October 26

Los Angeles Football Club vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN / ESPN Deportes)

LAFC extended their undefeated streak to four games with a second draw in that time, reaching a 1-1 result with Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field on Saturday evening. Cristian Arango scored the LAFC goal, directly from a free kick, his 12th goal in 14 appearances since coming to MLS, and his sixth goal in the last three matches (he has scored each of LAFC's last six goals).

Sounders FC had a three-game home winning run put to an end, falling 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City at Lumen Field on Saturday afternoon. Nicolas Benezet scored the Sounders goal, his third of the season.

The teams are meeting for the third time this season. On April 24 at Banc of California Stadium, Eduard Atuesta drove a low free kick under the Sounders wall for the second-minute opener, but Brad Smith potted a rebound in the second half to leave the teams in a 1-1 draw. Then on May 16, Xavier Arreaga and Brad Smith each scored as Sounders FC took a 2-0 win at Lumen Field.

Sounders FC have won three of the last five meetings between the teams, over the last two seasons, their first in the series in league play. LAFC won the first three, before the teams played to a 1-1 draw April 28, 2019.

The teams also met last season for a second consecutive year in the MLS Cup Playoffs, Nicolás Lodeiro, Raúl Ruidíaz and Jordan Morris all scoring as Sounders FC took a 3-1 win in the Western Conference Round One. Sounders FC also took a 3-1 win at Banc of California Stadium in the Western Conference Final in 2019, behind a pair of goals from Ruidíaz.

The teams also met in the round-of-16 in the MLS is Back Tournament, and Los Angeles Football Club gained a measure of redemption with a 4-1 win, as Diego Rossi netted a pair of goals and Brian Rodríguez added a goal and an assist.

Wednesday, October 27

New England Revolution vs. Colorado Rapids, 7 p.m.

After securing the Supporters' Shield the day before, the Revolution came back for a 2-2 draw with Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on Sunday evening, extending their undefeated streak to nine games. Adam Buksa came off the substitutes' bench to score the two Revs goals over the final nine-plus minutes, now with 16 goals for the season, tied for second in the MLS Golden Boot race.

The Rapids clinched their berth in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, defeating the Portland Timbers 2-0 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday evening. Dominique Badji scored his third goal of the season, and Diego Rubio added his fifth.

The teams last met in the 2019 season, the Revolution taking a 2-1 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in the annual July 4 extravaganza, their second consecutive win in the series, and fifth in the last six meetings (dating back to 2014).

The Revolution won the last meeting at Gillette Stadium, a 2-1 win on March 10, 2018. The Revolution have won four of the five home meetings since, with one draw; the Rapids last won in Foxborough in 2010.

Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami CF, 7:30 p.m.

Atlanta United return to action after a weekend off, reaching a 1-1 result with New York City FC in their last match on Oct. 20. Marcelino Moreno scored his ninth goal of the season for the ATLUTD goal, a second consecutive game with a goal.

Inter Miami CF won a second consecutive game in historic fashion, hitting for a club record in a 5-1 win against FC Cincinnati at DRV PNK Stadium.

Gonzalo Higuaín scored his 11th goal of the season and added three assists, now with nine for the year; he assisted brother Federico for his third goal of the season, as the brothers scored in the same time for the second time (third time in MLS history).

The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Josef Martínez gave ATLUTD an early lead, but Lewis Morgan scored a late equalizer, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw May 9 at DRV PNK Stadium, then on Sept. 29, Martínez converted a 78th-minute penalty kick for the game's only goal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The teams met four times in Inter Miami's inaugural season, and Inter Miami were undefeated over the series, winning twice. Lewis Morgan scored both goals for Inter Miami, leading the club to a 2-1 win on Sept. 9 in Fort Lauderdale, then Juan Agudelo and Brek Shea scored in the opening 11 minutes as IMCF took the 2-1 win Sept. 19 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The teams reached a 1-1 draw Oct. 14 in south Florida, and played to a goalless draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 2.

Columbus Crew SC vs. Orlando City SC, 7:30 p.m.

The Crew had their four-game winning streak at Lower.com Field put to an end, falling 2-1 to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday evening. Miguel Berry scored his sixth goal in 15 appearances this season for the Crew tally.

Orlando City SC extended their undefeated run to five games with a second consecutive draw, playing to a 2-2 tie with the New England Revolution at Exploria Stadium on Sunday evening. Nani scored his 10th goal of the season and Daryl Dike contributed his seventh of the year, his fourth in the last six games.

The teams are meeting for the second time this season. OCSC took a two-goal lead, then the Crew scored twice in three minutes to level the match, but Junior Urso scored the game-winner in the 69th minute for the Orlando City 3-2 win Sept. 4 at Exploria Stadium.

Orlando City have won the last five meetings in the series, snapping a six-game Crew SC undefeated streak in the series, which included four wins. The last OCSC victory in the series had come Aug. 1, 2015.

The OCSC win in the first meeting in 2019 was their first ever in Columbus, on their fifth visit. OCSC has won the last four matchups in Orlando, their first home wins in the series since the club's inaugural MLS season of 2015.

New York City FC vs. Chicago Fire FC, 7:30 p.m.

New York City FC claimed an historic victory, scoring the most goals in a game in the club's seven-year history in a 6-0 win against D.C. United at Yankee Stadium.

Thiago Andrade sent NYCFC on their way after just 36 seconds - the second-quickest goal from the start of a game in club history, then Valentin Castellanos netted a brace over a 5-minute span, now with 15 goals for the season, tied for fifth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.

The Fire won their second game on the trot, defeating Real Salt Lake by the game's only goal before a crowd of 31,308, the third-largest crowd in the club's history (and largest since 1998). Robert Beric netted the goal, his eighth of the season and his fifth over the last five games.

The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Robert Beric scored a goal and set up another as the Fire took a 2-0 win at Soldier Field on Sept. 29; the teams also reached a goalless draw Aug. 4 at Soldier Field.

The Fire have won three times in the all-time series in 15 meetings, the win in the last meeting their first in the series since 2018, which ended a six-game NYCFC undefeated streak in the series. It was the Fire's first win since a 1-0 victory on April 24, 2015 in Bridgeview in the first-ever encounter between the teams.

The Fire have never won at Yankee Stadium. NYCFC have won the past five meetings as the home team, including last year's win at Red Bull Arena, their first home wins in the series after the first two meetings ended in draws.

Toronto FC vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. (TSN)

Toronto FC put an end to a two-game losing slide, reaching a 1-1 draw with CF Montréal at BMO Field on Saturday evening. Jozy Altidore scored the TFC goal directly from a free kick five minutes deep into second-half stoppage time, the third direct free kick goal of his MLS career and first since 2019 (which also came vs. Montréal).

The Union put an end to a brief two-game winless skid, defeating Nashville SC by the game's only goal at Subaru Park on Saturday evening. Kacper Przybylko converted a penalty kick for the tally, his 11th goal of the season.

The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Daniel Gázdag set up one goal then scored his first in MLS, pacing the Union to a 3-0 win at Subaru Park on Aug. 4.

The teams met twice a season ago, each winning their home matches. Ayo Akinola and Alejandro Pozuelo scored second-half goals to overcome an early Sergio Santos strike as TFC took a 2-1 win at Rentschler Field on Oct. 3, then on Oct. 24 at Subaru Park, Sergio Santos netted a hat trick as the Union cruised to a 5-0 victory.

The Union's 2-1 win May 11, 2019 at BMO Field, which ended a five-year long TFC undefeated streak in the league series, also snapping a four-game Toronto FC winning streak. The last Union victory vs. Toronto FC had come on Sept. 6, 2014, a 2-0 win at BMO Field. TFC won eight of the 10 matches in between, with two draws.

FC Cincinnati vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.

FC Cincinnati saw their losing streak extended, falling 5-1 to Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on Saturday evening. Brandon Vazquez scored the FCC goal, his third of the season, all over the last seven games.

Nashville SC had a six-game undefeated run come to an end, falling by the game's only goal to the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on Saturday evening.

The teams are meeting for the third time this season and in their histories. CJ Sapong scored a pair of goals and set up the third as Nashville SC took a 3-0 win at Nissan Stadium on July 24; Luciano Acosta and Brenner gave FCC a two-goal lead after 12 minutes, but Jhonder Cadíz and Randall Leal scored for Nashville SC, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw April 17 at Nissan Stadium.

D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

D.C. United saw a club record set in their 26th season, falling 6-0 to New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Red Bulls won their fourth game on the trot and extended their undefeated streak to eight games overall, getting a late goal for a 2-1 win against the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field on Saturday evening. Sean Nealis scored the game-winner in the 87th minute, his first MLS goal since 2019, after Cristian Casseres Jr. scored his sixth goal of the season, his second in as many games.

The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Ola Kamara scored the game's only goal in the 27th minute for a D.C. United win July 25 at Audi Field, then on Sept. 11, Dru Yearwood gave the Red Bulls an early lead, but Kamara converted a penalty kick just before halftime to leave the teams in a 1-1 draw at Red Bull Arena.

United have won two of the last four games in the series, which came after a 10-game Red Bulls undefeated streak in the series, United's last previous win coming on May 13, 2016 at RFK Stadium.

United have come away with results from the last two matches at Red Bull Arena, the previous a 1-0 win last Sept. 2 with the goal by Erik Sorga the latest in MLS history the game's only goal was scored, ending a 10-game Red Bulls undefeated streak in regular season matches at Red Bull Arena, their first win in Harrison since 2011. The Red Bulls have won three of the five meetings all-time at Audi Field.

The teams have met 99 times in all competitions over the years - the most of any two clubs in MLS history. New York has won 36 and United have won 45, including a 7-4-2 record in the postseason. They play for the Atlantic Cup, awarded to the winner of the season series by supporters' groups from both clubs.

FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake, 8 p.m.

FC Dallas gained a second result in three matches, reaching a 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday evening. Franco Jara scored his sixth goal of the season, his second in as many games, after Jesús Ferreira scored his seventh goal of the season.

The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Albert Rusnák assisted on the opener then scored the late winner, giving RSL a 3-2 win Sept. 4 at Rio Tinto Stadium. On May 22 at Toyota Stadium, the teams traded late goals, Ryan Hollingshead scoring for FCD in the 83rd minute then Damir Kreilach in the 86th, before reaching a 2-2 draw.

The teams have played to draws the last three meetings at Toyota Stadium. RSL is 1-13-5 at FC Dallas all-time in league games between the clubs, FCD undefeated in the last six meetings there. FC Dallas has also won a home game in the MLS Cup Playoffs (in 2010) and a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal (in 2011). The lone RSL win in Frisco came on July 13, 2013, a 3-0 victory. FC Dallas have won three of the last seven meetings in Sandy, with two draws, dating back to 2015.

Sporting Kansas City vs. LA Galaxy, 8:30 p.m. (FS1 / FOX Deportes)

Sporting Kansas City clinched a berth in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs with a fifth win in the last seven games, defeating Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field on Saturday afternoon. Johnny Russell scored his 12th goal of the season for the game-winner, a seventh consecutive game with a goal, now tied for the fifth-longest streak in MLS history.

The Galaxy extended their undefeated run to four games with a second draw in that time, reaching a 2-2 result with FC Dallas at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday evening. Javier Hernández scored his 14th goal of the season, his third in the last five games, tied for seventh place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.

The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Johnny Russell and Khiry Shelton netted goals in the final 10-plus minutes, giving Sporting the 2-0 win at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 4.

The teams had last met in the 2019 season. In the last meeting, the Galaxy equaled the second-most goals scored in a single game, with a 7-2 win on Sept. 15 at Dignity Health Sports Park. It marked the first time in MLS history a team conceded the opening goal, then went on to score seven goals in a game, after Sporting KC took the lead after 24 minutes. The Galaxy also took a 2-0 win on May 29 at Children's Mercy Park.

The Galaxy win in the first meeting in 2019 snapped an eight-game undefeated streak for Sporting KC in the series, their first win vs. SKC since April 18, 2015, a 2-1 victory in Carson, Calif.

The win was also the first for the Galaxy in Kansas City since 2007; Sporting won five of the 11 home games in between, with six draws. The win in the last meeting ended a two-game winning streak for Sporting in Carson, and a three-game undefeated run.

Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10 p.m.

The Timbers saw their stretch of defeats extended, falling 2-0 to the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday evening, ending a run of 20 consecutive games with a goal scored.

The Quakes reached a second consecutive result, playing to a 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at PayPal Park on Saturday evening. Benji Kikanovic scored his fourth goal of the season, his second in as many games and third in the last six.

The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Yimmi Chará scored early and Marvín Loría scored late, as the Timbers took a 2-0 win at PayPal Park on May 15, then on Aug. 4, San Jose's Eduardo López and Portland's Felipe Mora traded first-half goals as the teams played to a 1-1 draw at Providence Park.

The Timbers are now undefeated in their last three trips to San Jose, with two wins and a draw, outscoring the Quakes 9-2 over that span.

The Timbers have never lost to the Quakes at home in their MLS history. The Timbers have won 10 of 14 meetings between the teams in Portland (with four draws), the result in the last meeting ending a seven-game home winning streak for the Timbers in the series.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Minnesota United FC, 10 p.m. (TSN)

Whitecaps FC made it three games without loss, reaching a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes at PayPal Park on Saturday evening. Bruno Gaspar scored the Vancouver goal, the first of his MLS career in his 14th appearance.

Minnesota United FC stretched their undefeated run to three games, playing to a 1-1 result with Los Angeles Football Club at Allianz Field on Saturday evening. Osvaldo Alonso scored the MNUFC goal, his first in an MLS league match since Sept. 25, 2019.

The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Ramón Abila scored the game's only goal in the 72nd minute, leading MNUFC to the victory May 12 at Allianz Field, then on July 31, Cristian Dajomé scored a pair of goals, including a penalty-kick equalizer deep in stoppage time, to leave the teams in a 2-2 draw at BC Place.

Minnesota United is undefeated in four home meetings in the series, winning two with two draws. The Whitecaps won the first two meetings at BC Place, before MNUFC took a 3-2 win there in their previous trip to Vancouver, the season opener for both teams on March 2, 2019.

Saturday, October 30

Inter Miami CF vs. New York City FC, 1:30 p.m. (Univision / TUDN)

The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Valentin Castellanos scored both goals in the opening half as NYCFC took a 2-0 win Aug. 14 at Yankee Stadium.

The teams met twice during Inter Miami's inaugural season and NYCFC won both. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored the game's only goal as NYCFC took the victory July 20 during the MLS is Back Tournament, then Alejandru Mitrita and Lewis Morgan each scored a pair of goals, but Anton Tinnerholm netted the decider in a 3-2 NYCFC win Oct. 3, as all five goals came in the opening 43 minutes.

Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 3:30 p.m. (Univision / TUDN)

The teams are meeting for the third time this season. On Sept. 15 at PayPal Park, Rubio Rubin scored his second goal of the game for the game-winner in the 81st minute, overcoming an Eduardo López hat trick as Real took a 4-3 win. On May 7 at Rio Tinto Stadium, Chris Wondolowski scored goals five minutes late after coming off the substitutes' bench, leading the Quakes to a 2-1 comeback win.

In the previous meeting between the teams, last Oct. 28 at PayPal Park, Wondolowski scored both goals as the Quakes took a 2-0 win at home. The Quakes now own a six-game undefeated streak in the series in San Jose, with five wins in that span, the last RSL win there a 1-0 triumph on April 5, 2015.

The Quakes win in the first meeting ended a six-game home undefeated streak for Real in the series, with three wins and three draws in that time. The last San Jose victory in Sandy had come in 2013.

New York Red Bulls vs. CF Montreal, 4 p.m. (TVA Sports)

CF Montréal return to league play at the weekend, their last MLS match a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday evening. Sunusi Ibrahim scored his fourth goal in MLS, his second in the last four games as CFMTL extended their league undefeated run to four games.

The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Victor Wanyama converted a penalty kick eight minutes deep into second-half stoppage time for the game-winner, giving CF Montréal a 2-1 win Aug. 14 at Stade Saputo.

The Red Bulls won in the only meeting a year ago, a 4-1 victory Sept. 27 at Red Bull Arena, which ended a three-game Montréal winning streak in the series. Montréal has won the past five league meetings at home, all by shutout; the Red Bulls put an end to a 443-minute goalless streak in Québec in the first meeting this year. CFMTL has one win in 11 regular season meetings at Red Bull Arena, though they did win there in the 2016 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Atlanta United vs. Toronto FC, 6 p.m. (TSN)

The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and Atlanta United have won both. Ezequiel Barco netted the game's only goal in the 20th minute to give ATLUTD the win Aug. 18 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, then on Oct 16 at BMO Field, Luiz Araujo and Marcelino Moreno scored in stoppage time of each half as ATLUTD took a 2-0 win.

The Atlanta win in the last meeting was their first in three trips to BMO Field. ATLUTD has won the last two meetings in Atlanta.

The teams also met in the 2019 Eastern Conference Final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Nick DeLeon hit for the 78th-minute game-winner as Toronto FC took a 2-1 win to gain a place in 2019 MLS Cup.

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

The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Lucas Zelarayán scored directly from a free kick and the Crew took advantage of a pair of own goals, taking a 3-1 win at Historic Crew Stadium on May 8. Then on Aug. 4 in the first meeting at Lower.com Field, Yordy Reyna and Ola Kamara each netted a pair of goals as D.C. United claimed a 4-2 win, their third in a row in Columbus.

United have won both meetings all-time at Audi Field, including a win by the game's only goal there in the last meeting, last Oct. 28. United's win in their last visit to Columbus before this year, a 1-0 win April 24, 2019, was the first there for D.C. since the 2007 season. Crew SC had won eight of the 11 meetings in between on their home ground, with three draws.

FC Dallas vs. Austin FC, 8 p.m.

Austin FC snapped a brief losing slide with a wild 2-1 win against Houston Dynamo FC at Q2 Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Sebastian Driussi scored the game-winner, his fourth goal of the season, after a bizarre own goal gave ATXFC the lead.

The teams are meeting for the third time this season and in their histories, and FC Dallas have won both. Ryan Hollingshead and Jesús Ferreira scored second-half goals as FC Dallas took a 2-0 win at Toyota Stadium on Aug. 7, then on Aug. 29 at Q2 Stadium, Ferreira and Ricardo Pepi each netted a pair of goals as FCD rolled to a 5-2 victory.

Sunday, October 31

Minnesota United FC vs. Sporting Kansas City, 1 p.m. (ESPN / ESPN Deportes)

The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Johnny Russell scored a goal and added two assists as Sporting cruised to a 4-0 win Sept. 15 at Children's Mercy Park; the teams also reached a goalless draw Aug. 21 at Allianz Field.

SKC has won all six matchups at home in league play. Sporting's win at Allianz Field last year was their first in six visits to Minnesota all-time in all competitions; there have now been three draws there .

The teams also met in the Western Conference Semifinal at Children's Mercy Park last year, Minnesota United FC taking a 3-0 win. Kevin Molino scored a pair of goals while Emanuel Reynoso collected assists on all three MNUFC goals, a second consecutive game in the MLS Cup Playoffs with three assists - the first player to record three assists or more in multiple games in MLS postseason history.

Houston Dynamo FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 3 p.m.

Dynamo FC return to action, their last match a 2-1 loss to Austin FC at Q2 Stadium, the lone goal coming through an own goal.

The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and the Rapids have won both by 3-1 scorelines. Michael Barrios set up a pair of goals as the Rapids scored three before the break May 15 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, then on Aug. 14 in Houston, Barrios scored again in the Colorado victory.

The Rapids have taken points on three consecutive trips to Houston. The Rapids win in the first meeting this year was their first at home in the series since 2017.

Orlando City SC vs. Nashville SC, 4 p.m. (UniMás / TUDN)

The teams are meeting for the third time this season, reaching a pair of draws in the first two. CJ Sapong gave Nashville SC a first-half lead, but Antonio Carlos equalized after the break, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw Aug. 18 at Nissan Stadium. Then on Sept. 29 in Nashville, a late goal for Orlando City left the teams in a 2-2 deadlock.

The teams met three times in Nashville SC's inaugural season, evenly splitting the series. Daryl Dike scored a pair of goals and Chris Mueller added his fifth of the year as Orlando City took a 3-1 win at Exploria Stadium on Aug. 26; Hany Mukhtar and Jhonder Cadíz scored goals five minutes after the 87th minute as Nashville SC came back for a 3-2 win on Decision Day (Nov. 8) at Nissan Stadium. The teams also reached a 1-1 draw Sept. 2, also in Nashville.

Philadelphia Union vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.

The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Kacper Przybylko and Brendan Aaronson scored on either side of halftime as the Union took a 2-1 win at TQL Stadium on Oct. 9.

The teams have met five times during FCC's first two seasons, and the Union have won four, conceding their first goal in the series in 442 minutes in the first meeting this year. A year ago, the Union took a 3-0 win in the last meeting Oct. 7 at Subaru Park; they also reached a goalless draw Sept. 23 at Nippert Stadium.

The teams met twice in FC Cincinnati's inaugural season in MLS, and the Union won both, each by a 2-0 scoreline - March 30 at Nippert Stadium, and May 1 in Chester.

Monday, November 1

Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy, 10 p.m. (TUDN)

The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and Sounders FC have won both. Raúl Ruidíaz scored a pair of goals, and Brad Smith netted a goal and added an assist, as Sounders FC cruised to a 3-0 win at Lumen Field on May 2, then on June 19 at Dignity Health Sports Park, Yeimar Gómez Andrade and Ruidíaz scored on either side of halftime as Seattle took a 2-1 win.

Sounders FC have come away with points on seven of their last eight trips to Carson, with four wins and three draws. The Seattle win in 2016 ended an 11-game winless streak there in league and MLS Cup play.

‚¬â€¹ ‚¬â€¹ ‚¬â€¹ ‚¬â€¹ ‚¬â€¹ ‚¬â€¹ ‚¬â€¹ Sounders FC have scored 12 goals in the last three home meetings with the Galaxy. Sounders FC claimed a 5-0 victory Aug. 18, 2018 in Seattle, equaling the club's record for margin of victory over its 10 MLS seasons, and the Galaxy equaling the biggest margin of defeat in their history (set twice previously). It was their first against the Galaxy at home in league play since 2014 (though Sounders FC did win twice at home in the MLS Cup Playoffs over that timeframe).

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