Inter Miami Surging to 60 Points
The current leader in the Supporters’ Shield standings resides in South Florida, as Inter Miami CF sits atop the league table with 59 points (18-4-5) through 27 matches. Miami is looking to become the seventh team in MLS history to win the Supporters’ Shield after missing the playoffs in the season before and the first since LAFC in 2022.
With a result against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Inter Miami would reach 60 points in 28 games, joining the 1998 LA Galaxy (28 games), 2019 LAFC (26 games), and the 2021 New England Revolution (28 games) as the only teams in MLS history to eclipse 60 points in 28 games or fewer. All three of those teams won the Supporters’ Shield in their respective seasons, with LAFC (72 points in 2019) and the Revolution (73 points in 2021) each eclipsing 70 points.
The fastest teams to reach 60 points in MLS history:
Bouanga Makes His Mark on El Tráfico
In a star-studded matchup in the City of Angels, LAFC’s sensational striker Denis Bouanga has shined brightly, having scored in each of the last three editions of El Tráfico – all LAFC wins. The reigning Golden Boot presented by Audi winner has four goals across his last three regular season matches against the Galaxy and he looks to add to his tally on Saturday night (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) as he chases a second consecutive scoring title.
With a goal against the Galaxy on Saturday, Bouanga would become just the second player in the history of the El Tráfico rivalry to score in four consecutive meetings, joining former Golden Boot winner and Landon Donovan MLS MVP Carlos Vela, who scored in five consecutive games against the Galaxy (March 31, 2018 – August 25, 2019). Entering Saturday, the all-time regular-season series between the two clubs is tied with seven wins and five draws apiece and Bouanga will look to help his club secure the series edge.
The players with the most consecutive El Tráfico matches with a goal:
FC Cincinnati Eyes Rare Series Sweep in Columbus
One of the fiercest rivalries in MLS has been taken to a new level in recent seasons, as defending Supporters’ Shield champion FC Cincinnati and the reigning MLS Cup presented by Audi champion Columbus Crew have battled for Eastern Conference supremacy in the ‘Hell is Real’ derby. Cincinnati notched a 2-1 victory over the Crew at Lower.com Field in May and will look to secure a rare season sweep of their rivals with a victory on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).
With a win, Cincinnati would become the first team since the rivalry’s inaugural playing in 2019 to win each match against their rival in a single season. More than just playoff positioning and regional bragging rights are on the line as two of the league’s top clubs face off at TQL Stadium this weekend.
The clubs to complete the season-sweep of the ‘Hell is Real’ derby:
Galaxy Continue Postseason Push
Sitting atop the Western Conference, the LA Galaxy (52 points, 15-6-7) enter this weekend’s match against crosstown rival LAFC with a berth in the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs in sight. The Galaxy are aiming to get one step closer to a first-place finish in the Western Conference for the first time since 2011.
By punching their ticket to the postseason, the Galaxy would earn their 21st playoff berth in club history, which trails only the New York Red Bulls (24 entering the 2024 season). Only four clubs in MLS history have reached the postseason in at least 20 seasons: the Red Bulls (24), LA Galaxy (20), FC Dallas (20), and Sporting Kansas City (20).
The most playoff appearances by an MLS club:
Evander Making History in Portland
Powering the Timbers playoff push is MLS All-Star midfielder Evander, who has burst onto the scene in his second MLS season while leading the club with 28 goal contributions (12 goals, 16 assists). The dynamic Brazilian joins Inter Miami CF’s Lionel Messi as the only players in Major League Soccer with at least 12 goals and 12 assists in 2024 as he looks to build his own case for Landon Donovan MLS MVP.
With a goal contribution against Colorado on Saturday (9:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Evander would notch his ninth consecutive match with a goal or assist and tie club legend Diego Valeri (nine games) for the longest goal contribution streak in Timbers history. Valeri’s club record streak was set from July 29 to September 24, 2017, while leading the Timbers to the pole position in the Western Conference that season.
The longest goal contribution streaks in Timbers history:
