This Week in MLS
Published on September 14, 2015 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
MLS newcomers, spanning 38 countries, make significant impact in 2015; MLS clubs make final adjustments ahead of the 2015 Roster Freeze Deadline
The 2015 season has seen an influx of impact players across the league unlike any in recent years. Newcomers "" players that have never played in MLS but have professional playing experience "" contributed 160 goals and 132 assists leading into the September 15th Roster Freeze - more than both the 2013 and 2014 classes of newcomers. These players arrived from 38 countries, also surpassing the number of nations new players represented in 2013 and 2014. Most tellingly, the average age of this year's newcomers at the time of their debut was 26.18 years old, representing the youngest crop of new players in the last three years.
A number of MLS newcomers have become the backbone for their respective clubs, including MLS MVP candidate and Italian international Sebastian Giovinco, who has tallied 17 goals (second-most in MLS) and 13 assists (second-most in MLS) for Toronto FC this year, and Brazilian icon Kaká who has started all 25 of his matches for Orlando City SC, recording nine goals and four assists in the process. Also proving to be indispensable in their first years are New York City FC leading goal scorer David Villa (15 goals) and offensive sparkplug Kwadwo Poku, LA Galaxy's Sebastian Lletget, New York Red Bull's Mike Grella, Chicago Fire's David Accam, Vancouver Whitecaps FC's Octavio Rivero and Cristian Techera, and Montreal Impact's Laurent Ciman, whose defensive prowess helped the Impact reach the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League final.
A total of 36 players, including eight Designated Players, came into MLS midseason during the Secondary Transfer Window, many of whom made immediate impacts for their clubs. Mexican superstar Giovani dos Santos instantly gelled with his new side LA Galaxy, notching two goals and three assists in just five appearances. North of the border, Chelsea idol Didier Drogba settled in right away with the Montreal Impact and made history in the process, becoming the first player to record a hat trick within in his first two MLS appearances (watch hat trick here).
2015 Roster Freeze Deadline
The 2015 Roster Freeze Deadline is Tuesday, September 15, at 5:00 p.m. ET, at which time teams must submit their final 28-man roster that will close out the season's final six weeks and be eligible to participate in the Audi presents 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs. In other words, no changes may be made to a team's roster from the Roster Freeze Date through the day after MLS Cup 2015 (other than in the case of Extreme Hardship).
Playoff Scenarios: Four MLS clubs have the chance to qualify for the Audi Presents the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs
This week, four Eastern Conference clubs can punch their ticket to the Audi Presents the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs. Granted a multitude of scenarios fall into place, D.C. United, New York Red Bulls, Columbus Crew SC and New England Revolution can qualify for the postseason. Eastern Conference table-toppers with 45 points each, New York Red Bulls and D.C. United, need just a win this week to secure their 16th and 12th postseason appearances, respectively. Not far behind in the standings race are Columbus Crew SC (44 points) and New England Revolution (43 points), both clubs that are looking to make a return to the postseason for the 13th time.
D.C. United will clinch a berth in the Audi Presents the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs IF ?- D.C. United win vs. Columbus Crew SC on Saturday
OR
?- D.C. United tie vs. Columbus Crew SC on Saturday
AND
?- New York City FC lose or tie vs. Toronto FC on Wednesday OR vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday
AND
?- Orlando City SC lose or tie vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday
OR
?- New York City FC lose or tie vs. Toronto FC on Wednesday OR vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday
AND
?- Philadelphia Union lose or tie vs. Houston Dynamo on Sunday
AND
?- Orlando City SC and Chicago Fire tie on Saturday
New York Red Bulls will clinch a berth in the Audi Presents the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs IF ?- New York Red Bulls win vs. New England Revolution on Wednesday OR vs. Portland Timbers on Sunday
OR
?- New York Red Bulls tie vs. New England Revolution on Wednesday OR vs. Portland Timbers on Sunday
AND
?- New York City FC lose or tie vs. Toronto FC on Wednesday OR vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday
AND
?- Orlando City SC lose or tie vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday
OR
?- New York City FC lose or tie vs. Toronto FC on Wednesday OR vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday
AND
?- Philadelphia Union lose or tie vs. Houston Dynamo on Sunday
AND
?- Orlando City SC and Chicago Fire tie on Saturday
Columbus Crew SC will clinch a berth in the Audi Presents the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs IF ?- Columbus Crew SC win vs. D.C. United on Saturday
AND
?- Orlando City SC lose or tie vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday
New England Revolution will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF ?- New England Revolution win vs. New York Red Bulls on Wednesday OR vs. Montreal Impact on Saturday
AND
?- New York City FC lose or tie vs. Toronto FC on Wednesday OR vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday
AND
?- Orlando City SC lose or tie vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday
Darlington Nagbe ready to make his case for inclusion on the U.S. Men's National Team
The U.S. Men's National Team player pool grew by one player with some exciting news coming from the Pacific Northwest.
Last Thursday, Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson tweeted out confirmation that forward Darlington Nagbe became an American Citizen. If selected, the 25-year-old would become the Portland Timbers player to represent the U.S. Men's National Team.
It has been a long time coming for Nagbe, a native of Liberia, to obtain his U.S. citizenship. After leaving civil war-torn Liberia as a five-month-old with his mother and brother, Nagbe and his family joined his professional soccer-playing father Joe in Europe. The Nagbe family eventually moved stateside to Ohio, where Darlington would go on to play college soccer for current coach Caleb Porter at Akron University. In 2010, Nagbe helped the Zips win their first ever national championship in the College Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Louisville. As a result of his incredible season, Nagbe was named the 2010 MAC Hermann Trophy as the college soccer player of the year.
After leaving Akron, Nagbe was the selected by the Timbers with the second overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft and would go on to have a memorable rookie campaign, including winning the 2011 MLS Goal of the Year (watch goal here). Nagbe has been a consistent producer for the Timbers, notching 20 goals and 18 assists in his five MLS seasons, and helping Portland make its first ever postseason appearance and eventual run to the Western Conference Championship in 2013. This year, Nagbe currently leads MLS with 53 chances created from open play and is also tied for the league lead in fouls suffered (70) with Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco. With Nagbe's citizenship secured, the USMNT would be bringing in a dynamic player whose electric pace and vision could help break down opposing defenses for years to come.
Nagbe has the Timbers in playoff contention and will be one of the players to watch when the Timbers host Eastern Conference leading New York Red Bulls at Providence Park this Sunday at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN Deportes).
NYCFC, Toronto FC set for rematch at Yankee Stadium; Eastern Conference leading New York Red Bulls head cross-country to take on Portland
Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC eye first win versus New York City FC
When Sebastian Giovinco and Toronto FC (11-12-4, 37 points, East #5) last visited New York City FC (7-14-7, 28 points, East #9) at Yankee Stadium, this happened. Giovinco recorded the second-fastest hat trick in MLS history (nine minutes), later adding an assist in arguably one of the greatest individual efforts the league has ever seen. However, even that wasn't enough to secure the Reds a win versus New York City FC - something they're yet to accomplish this season. When the sides meet at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday night (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, TSN), TFC can add some much-needed cushion to its Eastern Conference playoff slot, but New York City FC enters the match with its backs against the wall. That kind of motivation should make NYCFC a dangerous opponent.
Red hot FC Dallas to tango with Sporting Kansas City on Viernes de Fútbol
Sporting Kansas City (11-8-8, 41 points, West #5) play host to FC Dallas (14-8-5, 47 points, West #2) at Sporting Park in a Western Conference showdown in this week's edition of Viernes de Fútbol at 7 p.m. ET (UniMas, UDN). Dallas enters the match on a timely three-match winning streak with midfielder and set-piece specialist Michel being introduced back to the starting lineup at just the right time. After not having played since July 11, Michel unleashed an olimpico (watch goal here) and an assist in FC Dallas' 2-1 win over NYCFC last week. Midfielder Benny Feilhaber will be the man to watch for SKC as his assist last week brings his season total 14, tied with Philadelphia Union midfielder Cristian Maidana for the league lead.
Cascadia Cup on the line as Seattle, Vancouver battle for regional crown
The Cascadia Cup is up for grabs as Seattle Sounders FC (13-3-3, West #4) and Vancouver Whitecaps FC (15-10-3, West #1) meet on Saturday night at BC Place (7 p.m. ET, TSN). With only one point separating the sides on the Cascadia Cup table, Saturday's showdown amounts to a championship game. Vancouver is eyeing both the first three-peat in the Cascadia Cup's 11-year history and a historic MLS campaign. Sitting in the Supporters' Shield race pole position with Canadian Championship hardware already in stow, Whitecaps FC has a chance to bring home four trophies and make 2015 a year to remember. However, a healthy Sounders FC squad is returning to form after a forgettable summer. Now riding a three-game unbeaten streak thanks to a run of prolific performances from Obafemi Martins, Seattle is poised to bring the Cascadia Cup back to the Emerald City for the first time since 2011. Martins - a 2014 Volkswagen MVP runner-up - has five goals in five games since returning from a groin injury that kept him on the shelf for nearly two months. With Martins doing his thing, Clint Dempsey issued a clean bill of health, and summer signings Andreas Ivanschitz, Roman Torres, and Nelson Valdez settling in, the tide is turning for Sounders FC at the perfect time. Seattle can win Cascadia Cup with a win or draw, as goal differential is the tournament's first tiebreaker.
Cascadia Cup Standings Team Points GP W L D GF GA GD
1. Seattle 9 5 3 2 0 6 8 -2
2. Vancouver 8 5 2 1 2 6 4 +2
3. Portland 5 6 1 3 2 7 7 0
Eastern Conference leaders Red Bulls looking to snap Timbers unbeaten run at home on MLS Soccer Sunday
The Portland Timbers (11-9-8, 41 points, West #6) welcome the New York Red Bulls (13-7-6, 45 points, East #1) to Providence Park to kick off MLS Soccer Sunday at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN Deportes). Portland will look to extend their nine-game unbeaten run (6-0-3) at home dating back to May 27 led by MLS shutout leader goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey (12) "" eight of his shutouts have come at home. New York Red Bulls enter the match with seven wins in their last nine matches (7-1-1) dating back to July 11 with U.S. international Sacha Kljestan notching four goals and seven assists during the club's impressive run of form during that span. With the Red Bulls just three points behind Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the Supporters' Shield race with two games in hand, they'll be looking to make up as much ground as possible.
Union and Dynamo face off in must-win game to keep postseason hopes alive on MLS Soccer Sunday
The Houston Dynamo (9-11-8, 35 points, West #8) travel to PPL Park to take on the Philadelphia Union (8-15-6, 30 points, East #8) to cap off MLS Soccer Sunday at 7 p.m. ET (FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes). The Dynamo will hope that club captain Brad Davis' streak of quality performances "" two goals and two assists in four games "" will translate into an important road win with only six regular season games left to play. The Union will be relying on club leading goal scorer C.J Sapong to keep the team in the playoff race. With his eighth goal of the season last week, Sapong is now one goal shy of his career high of nine which he notched in 2012 while with Sporting KC. His four assists on the year are also one shy of his career high of five recorded the year before.
Week 29 National Television Schedule
Wednesday, September 16
New York City FC vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, TSN, RDS2)
Friday, September 18
FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City, 7 p.m. ET (UniMás)
Saturday, September 19
Toronto FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 2 p.m. ET (TSN, RDS2)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7 p.m. ET (TSN, RDS2)
Sunday, September 20
Portland Timbers vs. New York Red Bulls, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)
Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamo, 7 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1, FOX Deportes)
Three MLS clubs resume CONCACAF Champions League group stage play
Tuesday, September 15 - D.C. United vs. Ãrabe Unido, 8 p.m. ET
D.C. United can advance to the CONCACAF Champions League knockout stage with a win versus Club Deportivo Ãrabe Unido at RFK Stadium on Tuesday night. United visited the Panamanian side at Estadio Maracana on August 19 and secured a crucial 1-0 result. First-round SuperDraft selection Miguel Aguilar has scored in both CCL matches, including the game-winner that first meeting versus Ãrabe Unido. If D.C. United finishes out on top it would mark the second consecutive year the Black & Red have won its CCL group.
Tuesday, September 15 "" Santa Tecla vs. Real Salt Lake, 10 p.m. ET (Fox Soccer Plus)
Tuesday night's CCL double-header wraps up when Real Salt Lake visits El Salvadorian side Santa Tecla FC at Estadio Las Delicias. RSL has only played one CCL match to date - a 1-0 win versus Municipal in Guatemala on August 4 - but can jump into the Group G driver's seat with a win. Real Salt Lake and Santa Tecla meet again on September 24 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Wednesday, September 16 "" Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Olimpia, 10 p.m. ET
Before Vancouver Whitecaps FC takes aim at a third straight Cascadia Cup on Saturday, it faces Club Deportivo Olimpia at BC Place on Wednesday night. Vancouver played Seattle Sounders FC to a 1-1 draw in its lone CCL match, but Group F is there for the taking. A win on Wednesday puts the "?Caps atop the group with a game in hand on both Olimpia and Seattle. The Honduran side lost a heated match in Seattle, 2-1, before topping Sounders FC in Honduras in a 1-0 win.
Quotables
"I didn't know that, but 16 is a special number to me. I really cherish that number as I came to the US at the age of 16, so it's always been my favorite number. But I don't want to stay as the 16th player. I want to go on and hopefully get some more goals that will put us in a good place going forward."
Columbus Crew SC forward Kei Kamara on becoming the 16th player in MLS history to reach the 20-goal mark
"It's a dream come true, to be a part of it and finally get on the score sheet. Two good results. It's something that's going to stay with me for a really long time. I scored that goal for the country, that second one. I wrote that on my wristband and it's for all the people watching going through the hardship. We want to bring something for them all and I couldn't be happier that I could deliver for my country."
Columbus Crew SC midfielder Justin Meram on scoring two goals for the Iraqi national team Meram energized to help Crew after stint with Iraqi national team (Columbus Dispatch)
"This is always a very difficult place to play. It was a hard-fought draw. I tell you the real winner today is the city of Portland. Every time we come here it gets harder to leave. I bet you guys put something in the water."
Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler, referencing Happy Gilmore's Shooter McGavin, following the club's scoreless draw in Portland on Wednesday Quotes & Notes | Portland Timbers 0, Sporting Kansas City 0 (Timbers.com)
"We know that we can play with anyone in this league. Whether it is at home or on the road, we know that if we prepare right, focus right, and play well, we can play and outperform anyone. I think that as long as we keep that in our heads and keep our heads on our shoulders, we have the ability to do a lot of big things this year."
Vancouver Whitecaps FC rookie Tim Parker's outlook on the current Supporters' Shield leading club Tim Parker Is Making a Big Impact with Vancouver (American Soccer Now)
Sweet Tweets
Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson): Congrats to @darlingtonnagbe on officially becoming a United States citizen today.
https://twitter.com/MerrittPaulson/status/642148822806761472
Kei Kamara (@keikamara): "Education for All" is now open in Allen Town, Freetown Sierra Leone. Thank you. Y'all made this possible. ????
https://twitter.com/keikamara/status/642094895981850624
Aurelien Collin (@ampC2): It will always be special to play against @SportingKC. Take care my brothers
https://twitter.com/ampC2/status/643245966729048064
Mix Diskerud (@MixDiskerud): Had the opportunity to meet some future U.S soccer stars in Texas ?? ????????
https://twitter.com/MixDiskerud/status/643170932039618560
Graham Zusi (@gzusi): No one's safe ????@MattBesler @jacob__peterson @Amadou_iT11 @MLopez12_5 @JonKempin21 @Saad_Abdul ?????
https://twitter.com/gzusi/status/642102284739084288
Week 29 Game Previews
Wednesday, September 16
New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET
?- The Revolution extended their winning streak to five games, matching the longest this season in MLS and matching the club's longest since a club-record six-game winning run in 2005, following their 3-1 win at Toronto FC on Sunday afternoon.
?- The Red Bulls are also rolling, winning for a ninth time in the last 12 games, coming back from two goals down for a 3-2 win against the Chicago Fire on Friday evening at Red Bull Arena.
?- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Bradley Wright-Phillips scored a pair of goals and set up another as the Red Bulls rolled to a 4-1 win July 11 at Red Bull Arena. Charlie Davies and Teal Bunbury netted goals for the Revolution in their 2-1 win, May 2 at Gillette Stadium.
?- The Revolution defeated the Red Bulls 2-1 at Red Bull Arena in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Championship a year ago, their first win of any sort in New Jersey since 2007, ending a 10-game winless streak there in all competitions.
?- When the Red Bulls won 2-0 in Foxborough last year, it 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.
New York City FC vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
?- New York City FC suffered their third consecutive defeat "" their longest losing slide since a club-record four-game losing run April 19-May 10 "" in their 2-1 loss at FC Dallas on Saturday evening.
?- Robbie Findley scored his second goal of the season "" his first since the March 7 season-opening win at Vancouver "" but still saw Toronto FC go down to a second consecutive defeat in a 3-1 loss to the New England Revolution on Sunday afternoon at BMO Field.
?- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. TFC's Sebastian Giovinco scored a hat trick in a nine-minute span in the first half, and NYCFC's David Villa scored a pair of goals, as the teams played to a wild 4-4 draw July 12 at Yankee Stadium. On June 20 at BMO Field, Villa also scored a pair of goals to lead NYCFC to a 2-0 win.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Montreal Impact, 10:30 p.m. ET
?- The Quakes concluded a three-game homestand with a win, a loss and a draw, after gaining a 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday evening at Avaya Stadiumm.
?- The Impact started their West Coast swing with a valuable road point, reaching a scoreless draw with the LA Galaxy on Saturday evening at StubHub Center.
?- The Impact won the only meeting between the teams a season ago, a 2-0 triumph on Sept. 20, their second win in two league meetings at Stade Saputo. The teams reached a 2-2 draw at Buck Shaw Stadium in 2013 in their only league meeting ever in San Jose.
?- The clubs also met twice in the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League in 2013, each team winning on their home ground.
Friday, September 18
Sporting Kansas City vs. FC Dallas, 7 p.m. ET (UniMas)
?- Sporting saw their winless streak extended to five games with a fourth loss in that time, after a 3-1 defeat by Orlando City SC on Sunday evening at the Citrus Bowl. Benny Feilhaber collected an assist on the SKC goal, moving into a tie in the MLS assist standings with 14 for the season.
?- FC Dallas won for a third consecutive match "" their eighth victory in their last 11 league games "" in a 2-1 win against New York City FC on Saturday evening at Toyota Stadium. Michel scored a gol olimpico "" a goal directly from a corner kick "" for the second time in his MLS career.
?- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Krisztian Nemeth, Benny Feilhaber, Kevin Ellis and Graham Zusi all scored as Sporting cruised to a 4-0 win May 29 at Sporting Park. Blas Perez scored on either side of halftime and Fabian Castillo put the match away with a late goal as FC Dallas claimed a 3-1 win March 14 at Toyota Stadium.
?- The wins are the first for either team in the all-time series since 2012, when Sporting won 2-1 in Kansas City. The last FCD victory had come in 2011, a 3-2 at Sporting Park on Aug. 27.
Saturday, September 19
Toronto FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 2 p.m. ET
?- The Rapids saw their two-game winning at Dick's Sporting Goods Park put to an end, D.C. United coming back for a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening.
?- The Rapids have won the last two meetings between the teams, both by 1-0 scorelines, including a victory last April 12, which was their first victory ever against Toronto FC at BMO Field (the Rapids did win MLS Cup 2010 there). TFC had won the first six meetings between the teams in Ontario.
?- The Rapids' 1-0 victory in the last meeting at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, in 2013, was their first victory against Toronto FC since 2010 in Commerce City, snapping a four-game winless streak in the series (0-3-1).
D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew SC, 7 p.m. ET
?- United put an end to their three-game losing slide, but still saw their winless run extended, as Steve Birnbaum headed home a late equalizer to pull them back into a 1-1 draw Saturday evening vs. the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
?- Kei Kamara scored a pair of goals "" giving him 20 for the season, leading the MLS Golden Boot standings and just the 16th player in league history to reach the 20-goal mark in a season "" as Crew SC won a third consecutive game on the road in a 2-1 win at Philadelphia Union on Saturday evening at PPL Park.
?- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Fabian Espindola scored one goal and set up the other as United claimed a 2-0 victory May 2 at RFK Stadium.
?- It was United's first victory against Crew SC since the final meeting in 2012, a 3-2 victory at RFK Stadium. Crew SC had won three of the five meetings in between, with two draws "" those two results coming in the previous two meetings between the teams.
?- The first meeting win also ended a three-game Crew SC undefeated streak at 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 York City FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 7 p.m. ET
?- Fatai Alashe scored his second career goal in the 1-1 draw Saturday with Seattle Sounders FC "" his first since March 22, the third game of his rookie season, and on a night when Fatai Alashe bobbleheads were given out to fans attending the match at Avaya Stadium.
?- Patrick Mullins has a goal and an assist in the last two games, converting a penalty kick in NYCFC's 2-1 defeat at FC Dallas on Saturday evening, their third consecutive loss. David Villa had converted each of NYCFC's first five penalties; he came off at halftime of the FCD loss.
?- The teams are meeting for the first time ever.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7 p.m. ET
?- Whitecaps FC won their fourth consecutive game at BC Place last time out, Octavio Rivero and Cristian Techera netting goals in a 2-0 win against the Colorado Rapids on Sept. 9. Whitecaps FC have not allowed a goal in a home game in league play since July 26, now 270 minutes since conceding at BC Place.
?- Obafemi Martins scored for a third consecutive game "" his fifth goal in five games in his return from injury "" as Sounders FC made it three games in a row without loss, coming back for a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening at Avaya Stadium.
?- The teams are meeting for the third time this season, each winning on the other's home ground. Center back Pa-Modou Kah scored two goals and Pedro Morales whipped in a free kick, leading Whitecaps FC to a 3-0 win Aug. 1 at CenturyLink Field. Chad Barrett scored twice in the first half to lead Sounders FC to a 2-0 win May 16 at BC Place.
?- The Sounders FC win in the first meeting snapped a five-game undefeated streak for Whitecaps FC in the series. It was also the first win ever for Sounders FC at BC Place.
?- Whitecaps FC have won three consecutive games against their Cascadia rivals at CenturyLink Field. Sounders FC's last home win in the series came June 8, 2013, a 3-2 victory, their last win previously before this season.
Montreal Impact vs. New England Revolution, 8 p.m. ET
?- Diego Fagundez scored for a third consecutive game in the Revolution's 3-1 win at Toronto FC on Sunday afternoon, their fifth win in a row (also stretching their undefeated streak to seven games). Fagundez has three goals and an assist over his scoring streak.
?- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. They reached a scoreless draw March 21 at Gillette Stadium.
?- The Revolution defeated the Impact for the first time in three tries at Gillette Stadium last Sept. 13, the only meeting in Foxborough last season. The Impact won both matches last year in Montréal.
?- Last year's Revolution victory was their first ever at Gillette Stadium vs. the Impact. The Revolution had won two games in a row in Montréal before last year's two Impact victories.
Chicago Fire vs. Orlando City SC, 8:30 p.m. ET
?- The Fire saw their winless run extended to three games in a second consecutive loss, concluding their three-game road swing with a 3-2 defeat at the New York Red Bulls on Friday evening. Jeff Larentowicz scored a goal for a second consecutive game, both from the penalty spot.
?- Orlando City SC put an end to their six-game winless run as Adrian Winter scored a pair of goals "" his first since coming to Orlando City and MLS "" in a 3-1 win against Sporting KC on Sunday evening at the Citrus Bowl.
?- The teams are meeting for the third time this season in league play. A goal from the Fire's David Accam and an own goal for Orlando City left the teams in a storm-plagued 1-1 draw Aug. 29 at the Citrus Bowl. On June 6 at the Citrus Bowl, Orlando City's Cyle Larin scored in the 82nd minute to pull the teams level "" then the Fire's Adailton scored his second own goal of the game four minutes later to hand OCSC a 3-2 win..
?- The teams also met in a U.S. Open quarterfinal, Kennedy Igboananike scoring two goals after the 88th minute to lead the Fire to a 3-1 win July 22 at Toyota Park.
Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy, 9:30 p.m. ET
?- Juan Manuel Martinez scored his first MLS goal and Javier Morales scored for a second time in three games as Real Salt Lake won for just the second time ever in league play in Houston, claiming a 3-1 win against the Dynamo on Saturday evening at BBVA Compass Stadium.
?- The Galaxy were shut out for a second consecutive game "" their first back-to-back attacking shutouts since March 28-April 4 "" reaching a goalless result with the Montréal Impact on Saturday evening at StubHub Center.
?- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Juninho scored the game's lone goal from a penalty kick after seven minutes for a Galaxy victory May 27 at StubHub Center; they played to a scoreless draw May 6 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
?- The last three meetings at StubHub Center have all ended in a 1-0 scoreline, the Galaxy winning two. The last two matchups in Sandy have ended in draws.
?- The teams have met three times in the last four years in the postseason. The Galaxy have advanced on two occasions, including in last year's Western Conference Semifinals, when they took the series after a 5-0 win in the second leg at StubHub Center. The teams also met in MLS Cup 2009, RSL winning in a penalty shootout.
Sunday, September 20
Portland Timbers vs. New York Red Bulls, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)
?- Bradley Wright-Phillips scored his sixth goal in the last seven matches, sending the Red Bulls on their way to a 3-2 come-from-behind win vs. the Chicago Fire on Friday. Wright-Phillips now has 41 goals over the last two seasons, three shy of the two-season scoring record in MLS (Stern John, 44, 1998-99). Sacha Kljestan collected an assist for a fifth consecutive game.
?- The Timbers had their winless run extended to three games with a second draw in that last time in their last match, a scoreless draw with Sporting KC on Sept. 9 at Providence Park.
?- The Timbers won the lone meeting between the teams a year ago, a 2-1 win May 24 at Red Bull Arena, their first win ever in Harrison. The Red Bulls had won both meetings at Red Bull Arena.
?- The teams have met twice in Portland and played to 3-3 draws on both occasions, including in the lone meeting between the clubs in 2013.
Philadelphia Union vs. Houston Dynamo, 7 p.m. ET (FOX Sports 1)
?- Union suffered a second consecutive defeat at PPL Park "" their home winless run now at four games "" following a 2-1 loss to Columbus Crew SC on Saturday evening.
?- The Dynamo saw their three-game home winning streak put to an end "" losing for the first time in seven matches at BBVA Compass Stadium "" in a 3-1 defeat by Real Salt Lake on Saturday evening.
?- The Dynamo have a six-game undefeated streak alive against Union, with four wins and two draws in that time. The Dynamo have won the last four meetings at BBVA Compass Stadium.
?- Dynamo have come away with points from each of their last three visits to PPL Park, including from scoreless draws in both league meetings there last season. The last Union home victory in the all-time series came Sept. 23, 2012, a 3-1 win.
Major League Soccer Stories from September 14, 2015
- LA Galaxy Travel for Match against Real Salt Lake on Saturday - LA Galaxy
- This Week in MLS - MLS
- New York City FC Surpass 19,000 Founding Members; Less Than 1,000 Spots Remain - New York City FC
- Houston Dynamo Enters Partnership with DeskSite - Houston Dynamo FC
- 2016 Season Tickets on Sale on September 21 - Club de Foot Montreal
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