MLS MEDIA RESOURCES: WEEK 23 NEWS & NOTES
News and notes and statistical trends from around Major League Soccer
FCD’S RICARDO PEPI CONTINUING TO CHASE RECORDS IN HIS TEENAGE YEARS
Already an all-time record holder in Major League Soccer earlier this season, Ricardo Pepi of FC Dallas is on his way to further history in the league annals this year.
Still a few months shy of his 19th birthday, Pepi has scored 11 goals this season – currently ranking fifth in the standings for the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi. It’s just the second time in MLS history a teenager has scored in double digits in a single season – behind only the total from Diego Fagundez, who scored 13 goals at age 18 in 2013 for the New England Revolution.
Pepi now has 13 goals for his MLS career – the fourth-most of any players in their teenage years in MLS history. Earlier this year, Pepi became the youngest player in MLS history to score a hat trick, when he netted three goals on July 24 vs. the LA Galaxy aged 18 years, 196 days.
CREW’S BERRY SCORES ONE OF FASTEST BRACES EVER IN DERBY VICTORY
Miguel Berry of the Columbus Crew became the hero of the “Hell is Real” derby last Friday evening, netting the game-tying goal and the game-winning goal in consecutive minutes – the second and third goals scored in his MLS career.
In doing so, Berry became the 24th player in MLS history to score goals in consecutive minutes as timed by the game clock.
But since records have been available (since 2010) which include the exact timings of events in a game, the goals saw the fifth-shortest elapsed time between a brace netted by the same player in league history -- separated by just 76 seconds.
The record was set in 2014, when Pedro Morales scored goals 57 seconds apart (officially, in the 18th and 19th minutes) for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in a 3-2 win vs. San Jose Earthquakes on May 3, 2014. A year ago, Jordan Morris netted goals 58 seconds apart in Seattle Sounders FC’s in their 3-1 win vs. Los Angeles Football Club on Aug. 30 – it’s the only two times recorded where less than a minute separated goals scored by the same player.
ZELARAYÁN LEADING CREW TOWARD SEASON RECORD FREE KICK WIZARDRY
Lucas Zelarayán of the Columbus Crew scored his fifth goal directly from a free kick this season, netting the opening goal in the win vs. FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field.
The five direct free kick goals are the most since Sebastian Giovinco set the MLS record with six goals directly from a free kick in the 2017 season (since records are available starting with the 2003 season). Giovinco also scored five free kick goals in 2015.
The five goals total for the Crew are now tied for second-most by a team in a single season, behind the seven scored by Toronto FC in that 2017 season (when Victor Vazquez also netted one).
MLS WEEK 23 – LOOK AHEAD
PHILADELPHIA UNION vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 (Week 23, MLS Game #318)
Subaru Park, Chester, Pa.
7:30 p.m. ET (PHL17; WSBK-TV 38 / MyRITV)
REFEREE: Jair Marrufo. AR1 (bench): Brian Dunn; AR2 (opposite): Jeffrey Swartzel; 4th: Alan Kelly; VAR: Guido Gonzales Jr.; AVAR: Jose da Silva
MLS Career: 282 games; FC/gm: 22.9; Y/gm: 2.8; R: 44; pens: 87
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Union 17 wins, 55 goals … Revolution 7 wins, 36 goals … Ties 7
AT UNION: Union 11 wins, 34 goals … Revolution 3 wins, 17 goals … Ties 3
· The Union had their two-game undefeated run put to an end, falling 3-1 to D.C. United at Audi Field on Saturday evening.
· The Revolution saw their four-game winning streak and nine-game undefeated run put to a stop, dropping a 2-0 decision to New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season. In the last meeting, Matt Polster and Gustavo Bou each scored in the opening 39 minutes as the Revolution took a 2-1 win Aug. 8 at Gillette Stadium; on May 12 at Subaru Park, Teal Bunbury gave the Revs the lead in the 85th minute, but Kacper Przybylko netted the leveler just three minutes later, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw.
· The Revolution win in the last meeting was just their second since 2015; the Union have won 10 of the past 15 league meetings between the clubs, outscoring New England 29-7 in those victories. The Union had won seven consecutive games in Chester in the series before the draw this year.
· The teams also met in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs last year, as Adam Buksa and Tajon Buchanan scored goals four minutes apart midway through the first half as the Revolution took a 2-0 victory at Subaru Park. The teams also met in the MLS is Back Tournament Knockout Stage, the Union claiming a 1-0 win in the round-of-16 match July 25.
UNION: The Union had seven players called in for World Cup qualifiers – the most of any team in MLS (along with the LA Galaxy) this window: Andre Blake, Cory Burke, Alvas Powell (all Jamaica); Daniel Gazdag (Hungary); Jose Martinez (Venezuela); Jamiro Monteiro (Cape Verde Islands); Olivier Mbaizo (Cameroon)
REVOLUTION: The Revolution’s nine-game undefeated streak matched the third-longest in the club’s history (record: 12 games, 10/16/2004-6/11/2005).
NASHVILLE SC vs. NEW YORK CITY FC
Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 (Week 23, MLS Game #299)
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
6:30 p.m. CT (MyTV30; YES)
REFEREE: Timothy Ford. AR1 (bench): Claudiu Badea; AR2 (opposite): Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho; 4th: Silviu Petrescu; VAR: Fotis Bazakos; AVAR: Matthew Nelson
MLS Career: 33 games; FC/gm: 20.8; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 6; pens: 6
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting.
· Nashville SC won for the second time in three games, defeating Atlanta United 2-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Daniel Ríos scored his first goal of the season, while Randall Leal netted his fourth of the year late.
· Joe Willis gained an assist, the second of his MLS career, and regained the MLS lead with his ninth shutout of the year
· NYCFC won for a second time in three games, recording a 2-0 win against the New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium on Saturday evening.
· Valentin Castellanos scored both NYCFC goals, his second two-goal game in the last three matches; he now has 10 goals for the season, sitting in a tie for sixth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings. Castellanos has scored NYCFC’s last four goals.
· The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories. They are also scheduled to meet Oct. 3 at Red Bull Arena.
NASHVILLE SC: Hany Mukhtar recorded his eighth assist of the season, one of five players tied for second in the MLS assist standings, behind Carles Gil of New England (15). … Daniel Lovitz recorded his sixth assist of the season, a single-season career-high, surpassing his total in 2018 with Montréal.
NYCFC: Maximiliano Moralez recorded assists on both NYCFC goals, now with eight for the season, one of five players tied for second in the MLS assist standings. It was the ninth multiple-assist game of his MLS career (in 120 appearances). … Sean Johnson was credited with one save in recording his sixth shutout of the season, tied for fifth-most in MLS.
HOUSTON DYNAMO FC vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 (Week 23, MLS Game #294)
BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas
7 p.m. CT (QuestTexas 55 / TeleXitos 47.2; KPDX)
REFEREE: Rubiel Vazquez. AR1 (bench): Kathryn Nesbitt; AR2 (opposite): Peter Balciunas; 4th: Rosendo Mendoza; VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero; AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
MLS Career: 51 games; FC/gm: 22.4; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 8; pens: 11
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Dynamo 5 wins, 29 goals … Timbers 8 wins, 33 goals … Ties 6
AT HOUSTON: Dynamo 4 wins, 18 goals … Timbers 0 wins, 10 goals … Ties 5
· Dynamo FC weren’t able to build upon a first draw in five matches, falling 2-1 to Minnesota United FC at BBVA Stadium on Saturday evening. Adalberto Carrasquilla scored his first MLS and Dynamo FC goal just 56 seconds into the game, the fourth-quickest from the start of a match in club history.
· The Timbers snapped a three-game run without a win, defeating Seattle Sounders FC 2-0 at Lumen Field on Sunday evening. Sebastian Blanco scored a second goal in the last four games, while Felipe Mora sealed it late with his eighth goal of the season, his sixth in the last eight matches.
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Dairon Asprilla scored early and Cristhian Paredes netted the late winner, as the Timbers took a 2-1 win April 24 at Providence Park, the third consecutive win for Portland in the series; Jeremy Ebobisse scored the stoppage-time equalizer as the teams reached a 2-2 draw June 23 at BBVA Stadium.
· Over the history of the league series, the away team has won just once – in 2011, in the first meeting between the teams in Portland. The Timbers have an eight-game undefeated streak at Providence Park alive in the series, winning the past four; the Dynamo have never lost to the Timbers at home.
DYNAMO FC: Fafa Picault recorded his fourth assist of the season; he has a goal or an assist now in each of the last four Dynamo FC games, with three goals and one assist in that span. It’s the longest streak of consecutive games involved in a goal in his MLS career over five seasons.
TIMBERS: Felipe Mora recorded his fourth assist of the season, the first time in his MLS career he’s had a goal and an assist in the same game.
LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB vs. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 (Week 23, MLS Game #295)
Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif.
7 p.m. PT (UniMás / TUDN; Bally Sports KC+)
REFEREE: Drew Fischer. AR1 (bench): Frank Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Eduardo Mariscal; 4th: Victor Rivas; VAR: Ramy Touchan; AVAR: Fabio Tovar
MLS Career: 147 games; FC/gm: 25.1; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 21; pens: 43
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: LAFC 1 win, 2 goals … Sporting 1 win, 3 goals … Ties 0
AT BANC OF CALIFORNIA STADIUM: LAFC 2 wins, 8 goals … Sporting 2 wins, 6 goals … Ties 0
· LAFC put an end to a four-game losing skid, gaining a 3-3 draw with the LA Galaxy at Banc of California Stadium on Friday evening. Brian Rodríguez scored a pair of goals, his first in 2021 in MLS, the third and fourth in his league career.
· Sporting extended their undefeated streak to six games with a third consecutive draw, reaching a 1-1 result with the Colorado Rapids at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday evening. Johnny Russell scored the SKC goal directly from a free kick, his second this season from a free kick and fourth direct free kick goal over the last three seasons.
· The teams are meeting for the third time this season, and Sporting have won both. Alan Pulido and Daniel Sallói scored second-half goals as Sporting came back for a 2-1 win June 26 at Children’s Mercy Park; Sallói had a goal and an assist and Graham Zusi had two assists as SKC cruised to a 4-1 win Aug. 4 at Banc of California Stadium.
· LAFC won both meetings when the teams had last met, during the 2019 season. Adama Diomande netted the game-winner deep into second-half stoppage time, giving LAFC a 2-1 win in the season opener for both clubs, on March 3 at Banc of California Stadium, then LAFC exploded for a 5-1 win July 3 at Children’s Mercy Park.
· Sporting won the first two meetings ever between the clubs in LAFC’s inaugural season, a 2-0 win on Aug. 11 at Banc of California Stadium, and a 2-1 win on Decision Day (Oct. 28) at Children’s Mercy Park.
LAFC: Cristián Arango netted his first MLS and LAFC goal in his fourth appearance, converting a penalty kick.
SPORTING: The three direct free kick goals are the most in a single season in Sporting club history (since 2003 when records are available).
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. AUSTIN FC
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 (Week 23, MLS Game #201)
BC Place, Vancouver, B.C.
4 p.m. PT (TSN; KBVO [My Network])
REFEREE: Pierre-Luc Lauziere. AR1 (bench): Corey Rockwell; AR2 (opposite): Jeremy Hanson; 4th: Robert Sibiga; VAR: Carol Anne Chenard; AVAR: TJ Zablocki
MLS Career: 2 games; FC/gm: 27.0; Y/gm: 4.5; R: 2; pens: 1
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Whitecaps FC 1 win, 2 goals … ATXFC 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 0
AT VANCOUVER: First meeting.
· Whitecaps FC won a third game in a row and extended their undefeated streak to a club-record nine games, rolling to a 4-1 win against Real Salt Lake at BC Place on Sunday evening.
· Brian White scored his fourth goal of the season, a third consecutive game with a goal, while Ryan Gauld scored his second goal in as many games and had an assist, now with two goals and two assists over his last three games.
· Austin FC weren’t able to build upon a first win in four games, dropping a 5-3 decision to FC Dallas at Q2 Stadium on Sunday evening. Diego Fagundez scored his fifth goal of the season, his second in as many games, while Sebastian Driussi recorded a pair of assists, the second and third of his MLS career.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season and in their histories. Jake Nerwinski and Brian White netted goals in the second half as Whitecaps FC took a 2-1 win Aug. 18 at Q2 Stadium.
WHITECAPS FC: Javain Brown recorded his fourth assist of the season, his second in the last three games. Brown was called up to the Jamaica national team for the current round of FIFA World Cup qualifying. … Florian Jungwirth scored his first goal of the season and since coming to Vancouver; his last MLS goal came July 7, 2018, with San Jose.
ATXFC: Julio Cascante scored his first goal for Austin FC, the second of his MLS career (the first last Sept. 19 with Portland). … Nick Lima collected an assist for a second consecutive game, his first two of the season. … Hector Jiménez recorded his second assist of the season, both coming in the last six games. … Zan Kolmanić gained his third assist of the season, his last coming June 12.
ORLANDO CITY SC vs. COLUMBUS CREW
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 (Week 23, MLS Game #296)
Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
7:30 p.m. ET (FOX35 Plus / LionNation TV; Bally Sports OH)
REFEREE: Armando Villarreal. AR1 (bench): Kevin Klinger; AR2 (opposite): Logan Brown; 4th: Marcos de Oliveira; VAR: Jorge Gonzalez; AVAR: Kyle Longville
MLS Career: 160 games; FC/gm: 22.7; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 28; pens: 35
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Orlando City 5 wins, 20 goals … Crew 5 wins, 22 goals … Ties 3
AT ORLANDO: Orlando City 4 wins, 14 goals … Crew 2 wins, 12 goals … Ties 2
· Orlando City SC extended their undefeated streak to six games, reaching a goalless draw with Inter Miami CF at Exploria Stadium on Friday evening.
· The Crew put an end to a six-game losing slide, coming back for a 3-2 win against FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field on Friday evening. Miguel Berry scored the equalizer and game-winner 76 seconds apart for the late victory.
· Lucas Zelarayán scored a fifth goal this season directly from a free kick, the most in a single season since Sebastian Giovinco set the MLS single-season record of six in 2017 (since 2003 when records are available).
· The teams met once a season ago. Benji Michel scored the 84th-minute game-winner as Orlando City took a 2-1 win Nov. 4 at Exploria Stadium.
· Orlando City have won the last four meetings in the series, snapping a six-game Crew SC undefeated streak in the series, including 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 three matchups in Orlando, their first home wins in the series since the club’s inaugural MLS season of 2015.
OCSC: Pedro Gallese made his first MLS and Orlando City appearance since July 25, and was credited with two saves in recording his fifth shutout of the season, tied for seventh place in the league.
CREW: The Crew’s six-game skid equaled the club record, set three times previously – all over the first four seasons in MLS history.
FC CINCINNATI vs. INTER MIAMI CF
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 (Week 23, MLS Game #297)
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
8 p.m. ET (WSTR – Star 64; CBS 4 [WFOR] / UniMás 69)
REFEREE: Lukasz Szpala. AR1 (bench): Adam Garner; AR2 (opposite): Andrew Bigelow; 4th: Chris Penso; VAR: Edvin Jurisevic; AVAR: Cory Richardson
MLS Career: 3 games; FC/gm: 27.0; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 2; pens: 1
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FCC 0 wins, 3 goals … Inter Miami 2 wins, 5 goals … Ties 0
AT CINCINNATI: FCC 0 wins, 2 goals … Inter Miami 1 win, 3 goals … Ties 0.
· FC Cincinnati dropped a second decision in a row, falling 3-2 to the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field on Friday evening. Ronald Matarrita and Isaac Atanga netted the FCC goals, for Atanga, the first of his MLS career.
· Inter Miami extended their undefeated streak to three games in a scoreless draw with Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on Friday evening.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Gonzalo Higuaín netted a pair of goals, including the 85th game-winner, as Inter Miami CF won the first-ever game played at TQL Stadium in a 3-2 victory on May 16.
· The teams met once in Inter Miami’s inaugural season a year ago. Mikey Ambrose and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez netted goals as Inter Miami took a 2-1 win at home on Decision Day (Nov. 8).
FCC: Luciano Acosta recorded an assist for a second consecutive game and his third in the last four games, now with six for the season, tied for 10th-most in MLS this season.
IMCF: Nick Marsman recorded the first shutout of his MLS career, in his ninth appearance.
REAL SALT LAKE vs. FC DALLAS
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 (Week 23, MLS Game #298)
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
6 p.m. MT (UniMás / TUDN; KMYU-12)
REFEREE: Baldomero Toledo. AR1 (bench): Matthew Nelson; AR2 (opposite): Chantal Boudreau; 4th: Allen Chapman; VAR: Alex Chilowicz; AVAR: Chris Elliott
MLS Career: 297 games; FC/gm: 25.3; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 106; pens: 113
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Real 12 wins, 48 goals … FC Dallas 20 wins, 62 goals … Ties 10
AT SALT LAKE: Real 11 wins, 33 goals … FC Dallas 7 wins, 26 goals … Ties 5
· Real Salt Lake went down to defeat in Pablo Mastroeni’s first game in charge as head coach, falling 4-1 to Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on Sunday evening. Anderson Julio scored his fifth goal of the season for the RSL goal.
· FC Dallas put an end to a three-game winless skid, rolling to a 5-3 win against Austin FC at Q2 Stadium on Sunday evening.
· Ricardo Pepi scored two goals and added an assist; he now has 11 goals for the season, sitting in fifth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings. Jesús Ferreira also added a pair of goals, the first two-goal game of his MLS career.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. 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 May 22 at Toyota Stadium. The last three meetings have ended draws, with two goalless results, one at each ground, coming before the draw this season.
· 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.
REAL: Andrew Putna made his first start between the posts this season, after coming on as a halftime substitute the week before vs. Colorado. It was his first start since last Nov. 1 at the LA Galaxy.
FCD: Szablocs Schön collected a pair of assists, now with six for his first MLS season, all coming over the last eight games. Schön is in a tie for 10th place in the MLS assist standings. … Jader Obrian scored his fourth goal of the season, his last coming July 24.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. COLORADO RAPIDS
Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021 (Week 23, MLS Game #300)
PayPal Park, San Jose, Calif.
7 p.m. PT (UniMás / TUDN)
REFEREE: Joseph Dickerson. AR1 (bench): Jeff Hosking; AR2 (opposite): Mike Rottersman; 4th: David Gantar; VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.; AVAR: Mike Kampmeinert
MLS Career: 57 games; FC/gm: 27.3; Y/gm: 4.1; R: 11; pens: 16
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Earthquakes 30 wins (1 shootout), 96 goals … Rapids 23 wins (2 shootout), 88 goals … Ties 18
AT SAN JOSE: Earthquakes 17 wins (1 shootout), 55 goals … Rapids 8 wins (1 shootout), 37 goals … Ties 9
· The Quakes return to action after a weekend away, extending their undefeated streak to 10 games in a 2-1 win against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Aug. 20. Jeremy Ebobisse scored his first goal since coming to the Quakes via trade from Portland; the 10-game undefeated run is the third-longest in the club’s history.
· The Rapids extended their undefeated streak to six games with a second draw in that time, reaching a 1-1 result with Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday evening. Jonathan Lewis scored his third goal of the season, his second in the last three games.
· The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Eduardo López gave the Quakes the first-half lead, but Cole Bassett leveled in the 52nd minute, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw July 17 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
· The teams met twice a season ago. In the first meeting, Chris Wondolowski (then 163 career MLS league goals) and Kei Kamara (129 career MLS league goals) each tallied, as the teams ended in a 1-1 draw in San Jose on Sept. 5. In the return match, the Rapids took a 5-0 win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Sept. 23.
· The Quakes are undefeated in the six meetings all-time at PayPal Park, winning four of those, and are undefeated in their last 10 home meetings with the Rapids, since a defeat Aug. 25, 2012. The Colorado goal in the 2019 meeting was their first at San Jose since May 18, 2013, snapping a span of 692 scoreless minutes for the Rapids in the Bay Area.
· The Rapids are undefeated in the past 10 meetings with the Quakes at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the last San Jose win in Commerce City coming in 2013. The Rapids have won five times, with five draws. The Rapids’ win at home on Oct. 13, 2016, ended a 14-game overall winless streak in the series.
QUAKES: Luciano Abecasis recorded his second assist this season, his first coming May 1. … Eduardo López collected his second assist of the season; he has two goals and an assist over the last five games.
RAPIDS: The Rapids extended their road undefeated streak to four games, equaling the longest since the club-record six-game run from April 13-July 9, 2016.
