Sports stats

MLS Major League Soccer

Week Six Brings LA, Seattle Back to the Main Stage - This Week in MLS

April 6, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


Vancouver Whitecaps FC look to stay atop MLS table vs. Columbus Crew SC

The first Wednesday night match of the 2015 season brings Columbus Crew SC to British Colombia for a date with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at 10 p.m. ET (TSN). Since dropping its season opener to Toronto FC, Vancouver has turned scorching hot, rallying off four consecutive wins. The 'Caps most convincing effort yet came on Saturday, when they blanked the defending champs LA Galaxy 2-0 behind goals from Kekuta Manneh and reigning Player of the Month Octavio Rivero. David Ousted also delivered his third clean sheet of the win streak, proving to be an invaluable part of Vancouver's early success. Crew SC, meanwhile, look to avoid consecutive losses after falling to the New York Red Bulls two weeks ago. Columbus is not only tasked with cooling off one of MLS' hottest teams - it's also looking to snap a three-game losing skid versus Vancouver.

Charter clubs FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids face off in Western Conference showdown

Long standing Western Conference rivals face off in this week's edition of Viernes de Futbol (7 p.m. ET, UniMás) as FC Dallas play host to a Colorado Rapids, a club searching for their first goal and win of the season, at Toyota Stadium. The 63rd regular season matchup between the two clubs will be one where the two sides will try to rebound after both of their undefeated starts to the season ended last week. FC Dallas leads the series 31-20-11 and are riding a three-game win streak against the Rapids.

Portland Timbers welcome Orlando City SC to Cascadia

Orlando City SC makes its first ever trip to the Pacific Northwest for the first leg of MLS Soccer Sunday, paying a visit to the Portland Timbers at 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes). The Lions suffered an agonizing loss on Friday night, yielding a 91st minute goal to D.C. United's Luis Silva. It marked the second consecutive home match OCSC conceded via a stoppage-time goal. Now seeking its first win since March 13, Orlando faces a Timbers team fresh off its first win of the regular season. Portland handed FC Dallas its first regulation loss with a 3-1 victory on Saturday. Three Timbers players opened their 2015 accounts with goals, including Nat Borchers, Maximiliano Urruti, and Diego Chara. Portland will look to replicate Saturday's team effort against Orlando, but the Lions have held their own on the road so far, securing four points in two away matches.

Seattle Sounders FC, LA Galaxy square off in Western Conference Championship rematch

Seattle Sounders FC and LA Galaxy face off in their first meeting since last year's pulsating Western Conference Championship in the backend of MLS Soccer Sunday's doubleheader at 7 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes) at the StubHub Center. The two teams had contrasting weekends as Sounders FC forward Obafemi Martins scored his third goal in three matches, and a back line was resilient enough to overcome a 56th minute red card shown to Gonzalo Pineda to defeat the Houston Dynamo 1-0. The Galaxy will be happy to play at home again after losing their second consecutive game on the road as second half goals from Kekuta Manneh and Octavio Rivero propelled Vancouver Whitecaps FC to a 2-0 victory over the SoCal club. LA will hope to replicate last year's 1-0 win over the Sounders at the StubHub Center in the first leg of the 2014 Western Conference Championship series to get back to their winning ways.

MLS National TV Schedule

Wednesday, April 8

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Columbus Crew SC 10:00 p.m. ET (TSN)

Friday, April 10

FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:00 p.m. ET (UniMás)

Sunday, April 12

Portland Timbers vs. Orlando City SC, 5:00 p.m. ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7:00 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1, FOX Deportes)

Montreal Impact on cusp of CCL Final appearance

History is within arm's reach for the Montreal Impact as the club carries a 2-0 aggregate lead into Alajuelense's Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto for the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series. On Tuesday night at 10 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 2, UniMás), Montreal has the chance to become the first Canadian club to ever reach the CCL Final, a feat accomplished by only one other MLS club (Real Salt Lake in 2010-11). Coincidentally, that RSL team also entered the second leg of its semifinal tie riding a 2-0 lead, only to see Costa Rican side Deportiva Saprissa net a pair of second-half goals. Though RSL managed to advance 3-2 on aggregate thanks to a late dagger from Jamison Olave, its experience provides Montreal with a historical anecdote to heed. The Impact, now without Justin Mapp and Cameron Porter, will need to give a full, 90-minute effort on Tuesday night. With another showing reminiscent of the first leg, however, Montreal should secure a date with the winner of Club América and Club Sport Herediano's tie on the other side of the CCL bracket.

News and Notes from Around MLS

MLS WORKS teams up with Topps

MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative, has teamed up with Topps, official licensee of Major League Soccer, to create an interactive, online activity for kids and adults that promotes the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. The Topps Healthy Habits Card allows users to make and share their very own personalized trading card just like the stars that play for Major League Soccer. Participants can select their favorite team's jersey and create a customized card featuring healthy habits that highlight what each participant does to remain active and healthy. Once users create their Topps Healthy Habits Card, they will have three options which include - printing their virtual card, sharing their card with friends or purchasing a pack (8 cards per pack) of their very own trading card.

MLS WORKS and Topps encourages all to visit www.getactivewithmls.com/tradingcard and build their Topps Healthy Habits card today

Vancouver's Rivero voted MLS Player of the Month

Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Octavio Rivero was voted Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month by fans on MLSsoccer.com for the month of March of the 2015 MLS season.

Quotables

"I thought it was going straight in. I believe every time he shoots, he's going to score, or when he makes a final pass I believe it's going to come off. He works really hard at his craft."

Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman on Javier Morales' game-winning goal

Real Salt Lake: RSL beats San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0 (Salt Lake Tribune)

''I described it as we are ahead of schedule, so I don't think we are surprised. You could tell in the preseason that something was happening and so we all were all feeling it, and it was showing itself on the field. I think we were hopeful that we would be able to command games like we have, but we weren't sure.''

Red Bulls Head Coach Jesse Marsch on the team's early season success

Revamped New York Red Bulls off to best start since 2007 (Associated Press)

"I think there's more and more evidence out there that yoga does help. I know that Ryan Giggs, who's a friend of mine, has spoken so strongly about what it did for him, the benefits of what it did for him when he was at Manchester United. And I think that more and more players and more and more clubs are using it now."

Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath on the benefits of his team using yoga

Orlando City stretches its training regimen with yoga sessions (Orlando Sentinel)

"We've got a lot of good goalkeepers in Denmark. And the guys who are playing there now are playing at a high level. I'd love to represent my country. I'm not sure that they know where I am, but if you call them and tell them I'm over here ..."

Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted on not worrying about a national team call-up for Denmark

Whitecaps' David Ousted has big goals in mind, not behind (Vancouver Sun)

"I can sit and watch and get excited about the young guys. I like watching young players and they're our players. It's exciting to see, I guess, the future of the club because these guys, a lot of them, are hopefully the future of the club."

Portland Timbers Head Coach Caleb Porter on watching USL Pro side T2 and some of his younger players

Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter says T2 will help 'rapidly' develop players (The Oregonian)

Sweet Tweets

Matt Besler (@MattBesler) : Last night fun #SKCNation

https://twitter.com/MattBesler/status/585090084522844161

Dom Dwyer (@Dwyer14) : @AlexiLalas working hard to be at my best for you on Sunday! #Goals

https://twitter.com/Ddwyer14/status/583781835634675713

Robbie Rogers ( @RobbieRogers ): First day in the studio recording the audio version of my book #ComingOutToPlay trying to invoke my inner Morgan Freeman. @penguinusa

https://twitter.com/robbierogers/status/583733351506280448

DaMarcus Beasley ( @DaMarcusBeasley ): My favorite jersey of ALL time is that fire year where I had to put "D" Beasley on the back! It was a very special yr for me and my family!

https://twitter.com/DaMarcusBeasley/status/583717382910124032

AJ DeLaGarza ( @AJD_20 ): MLS Champ vs. NFL Champ

@StefanIshizaki vs. @DannyAmendola

Who do you think won? Stop parking in our parking spots...

https://twitter.com/AJD_20/status/583709678745423872

Week Six Game Previews

Wednesday, April 8

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Columbus Crew SC, 10 p.m. ET

Octavio Rivero scored his fourth goal in the opening five games of the season - leading the MLS Golden Boot standings - as Whitecaps FC won an MLS club-record fourth consecutive game in their 2-0 win against the LA Galaxy on Saturday evening at BC Place. The Crew return to action after a weekend off, falling for the second time in three games in their last match, a 2-1 home defeat to the New York Red Bulls. Crew SC have not defeated Whitecaps FC since the 2011 season - Vancouver's first year in MLS. The 'Caps have won the lone meeting between the teams each of the last three years, including a 1-0 victory in Columbus last May 10. Whitecaps FC have won the only meeting between the teams at BC Place, a 2-1 victory in 2013. Crew SC have won once in Vancouver - a 1-0 victory in 2011, at Empire Field.

Friday, April 10

FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids, 7 p.m. ET (UniMas)

FC Dallas saw their undefeated start to the season come to an end, losing 3-1 to the Portland Timbers on Saturday evening at Providence Park, despite a second goal this year from Tesho Akindele. FCD have recorded a draw and a loss after opening the year with three consecutive wins. The Rapids also saw their undefeated start to the season come to an end, falling 2-0 to the New England Revolution on Saturday at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The Rapids had opened the campaign with an MLS record three consecutive scoreless draws. With the loss to New England, the Rapids saw their overall winless streak reach 18 matches, tying the all-time MLS record set by Real Salt Lake in 2005-06. The Rapids are 23 minutes away from the all-time record for a scoreless streak to start an MLS season (Toronto FC, 2007); they have now not scored a goal in their last 600 minutes in league play. FC Dallas has a three-game winning streak alive against the Rapids, winning all three meetings a season ago. FC Dallas has won the last four meetings between the teams in Frisco, Colorado last winning there in 2012.

Saturday, April 11

New England Revolution vs. Columbus Crew SC, 3 p.m. ET

Lee Nguyen scored his first goal of the season, and Kelyn Rowe added an assist following a two-goal game the week before, as the Revolution won their second match on the trot in their 2-0 victory at the Colorado Rapids on Saturday. The Revs are 2-0-1 after dropping their opening two matches. During the regular season a year ago, Crew SC won two of the three meetings, including a 2-1 win July 26 at Gillette Stadium, their first victory there since 2011. But the Revolution won both legs of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series between the teams, a 4-2 victory in Columbus in the first leg, then a 3-1 triumph in Foxborough in the return match to win the series 7-3 on aggregate.

Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC, 4 p.m. ET

The Union suffered their third consecutive defeat in dramatic fashion, falling 3-2 to Sporting Kansas City on Sunday evening as the home side scored the tying and winning goals in second-half stoppage time. Fernando Aristeguieta scored his third goal of the season for Union in the loss at SKC. The club's other two goals this season have come through own goals. New York City FC return to action following a weekend off, their last match a 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City at Yankee Stadium on March 28, the club's first defeat in their MLS history. NYCFC have gone 186 minutes without netting a goal; they saw their shutout streak come to an end after 192 minutes with the Sporting goal.

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

D.C. United won a second consecutive game in dramatic fashion, with Luis Silva curling home a free kick in second-half stoppage time for a 1-0 win against Orlando City SC on Friday evening. It's the fifth time in MLS history a team has scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time in back-to-back matches. United had won 1-0 the week before on a 93rd-minute goal from Chris Pontius; it's the second time the lone goal of the game has been scored in stoppage time for back-to-back wins by one team (LA Galaxy, Sept. 14-21, 2002). The Red Bulls return to action following a weekend off after their second win in as many matches, a 2-1 win at Columbus Crew SC on March 28. For a second consecutive match, Bradley Wright-Phillips scored a goal and added an assist in pacing the Red Bulls. This is the second meeting of the season between the teams. The Red Bulls took a 2-0 victory on March 22 at Red Bull Arena, as Bradley Wright-Phillips and Lloyd Sam each scored on either side of halftime. Home form ruled in the regular season a year ago, with United winning both league meetings at RFK Stadium (both by shutout), and the Red Bulls winning their lone home game (also by shutout), and each team winning at home in the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series between the teams.

Houston Dynamo vs. Montreal Impact, 8:30 p.m. ET

The Dynamo were shut out for a third time in five matches in their 1-0 loss at Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday; they still have yet to allow more than one goal in any game this season. The Dynamo have now not scored in their last 259 minutes, currently the fourth-longest goalless drought in MLS. The Impact will be playing their first league match since March 28 with the visit to Houston. They are still looking for a first league win, gaining their first point with their first goals in MLS play in a 2-2 draw at Orlando City SC last time out. The visiting team has never won in the three-year history of the series between the clubs. The road team has come away with points just once - after a 1-1 draw at BBVA Compass Stadium in 2011. The Dynamo have won the last four meetings between the teams in Houston in all competitions, including in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2013. The Impact have won all four meetings all-time in Montréal.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Real Salt Lake, 8:30 p.m. ET

Sporting became the seventh team in MLS history to reverse a deficit in stoppage time, scoring the tying and winning goals after the 90th minute in their 3-2 victory against Philadelphia Union on Sunday afternoon. Krisztian Nemeth scored the winner (94+) after Jalil Anibaba netted the equalizer; Benny Feilhaber set up two of Sporting's three goals and now leads MLS with four assists this season. Javier Morales scored his second goal this season from a free kick to lead Real Salt Lake to their second consecutive win, a 1-0 victory at the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday afternoon as they remain undefeated on the season. The goals are Morales' first directly from free kicks since the 2012 season. MLS Cup 2013 opponents, the clubs reached a scoreless draw in their lone meeting a year ago, April 5 at Sporting Park. RSL has never won at Sporting Park in four meetings lifetime, including MLS Cup 2013. RSL last won in Kansas City in 2009 (at CommunityAmerica Ballpark). Sporting won on their last trip to Utah, in 2013.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 10:30 p.m. ET

The Quakes lost for the first time in their new Avaya Stadium home, suffering their second consecutive loss in their 1-0 defeat by Real Salt Lake on Sunday afternoon. Whitecaps FC are looking to win three consecutive away matches for the first time in the club's MLS history with their visit to San Jose. They have won back-to-back road games on three occasions, including the wins at Chicago and Orlando City this season. Whitecaps FC have an eight-game undefeated streak alive vs. the Earthquakes over the last three seasons. Since a 3-1 San Jose victory on April 7, 2012 at Buck Shaw Stadium, the 'Caps have won five meetings with three draws. The away team has never won in the all-time series. Whitecaps FC have come away with draws on four of their five visits to San Jose; the Quakes have lost on each of their last five visits to Vancouver, including both meetings at BC Place a season ago.

Sunday, April 12

Portland Timbers vs. Orlando City SC, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

The Timbers put an end to their four-game winless run to start the season, storming to a 3-1 win against FC Dallas on Saturday evening at Providence Park. Center back Nat Borchers scored his first goal since moving to Portland from Real Salt Lake in the offseason. He has now scored goals in seven consecutive seasons and in eight of his 11 career MLS seasons. Orlando City SC hit the road with their winless streak now at three matches, following a second consecutive home game where they have conceded the only goal of the game in stoppage time, suffering a 1-0 loss to D.C. United on Friday evening. Orlando City has taken four of their five points on the road, following their season-opening draw against New York City FC with back-to-back losses at the Citrus Bowl.

LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1)

The Galaxy suffered their second consecutive defeat on Saturday evening, falling 2-0 to Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place. It's the first time the Galaxy have been shut out in back-to-back league matches since the 2012 season (0-2 at Seattle on May 2; 0-1 vs. New York Red Bulls on May 5). Obafemi Martins made it three goals in three matches and Clint Dempsey made it three goals and two assists from his three games, as Sounders FC rebounded for a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo at CenturyLink Field on Saturday. Martins and Dempsey have combined for all six Sounders FC goals this season. The teams have met three times in the last five seasons in the MLS Cup Playoffs, including the Western Conference Championship a year ago, when the Galaxy won on away goals after a 1-0 win at StubHub Center and a 2-1 Sounders FC victory at CenturyLink Field. The teams met three times in the regular season a year ago, each winning once with one draw. The Sounders FC victory in the season finale at Seattle secured the club's first Supporters' Shield. Sounders FC have not won at the Galaxy since 2009, now nine trips in league and MLS Cup play without a win.

Check out the Major League Soccer Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from April 6, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central