Pablo Ruiz Scores Stunning Goal of the Year Contender
Another Matchday in MLS, another Goal of the Year contender, as Real Salt Lake’s Pablo Ruiz scored a ridiculous effort against D.C. United. Ruiz noticed D.C. goalkeeper Tyler Miller off his line and struck a sensational strike from 68.24 yards out and into the corner of the net to open the scoring.
Ruiz’s strike marked the second-consecutive Matchday in which an MLS player scored from at least 60 yards out, joining the Crew’s Lucas Zelarayán (60.98 yards), who did so last Saturday against the Chicago Fire. Ruiz’s goal helped Salt Lake earn a 2-1 road victory and up to seventh in the Western Conference standings. Salt Lake is now unbeaten in their last five road matches, going 3-0-2 away from home since the beginning of May.
Hat Trick Hany at It Again
Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar continues to stamp his case to become the first back-to-back Landon Donovan MLS MVP in league history. Mukhtar recorded his second hat trick of the season (May 6) on Saturday night, scoring all three goals in the club’s 3-1 win over St. Louis CITY SC. The German midfielder now has four career MLS hat tricks and is just the 12th player in league history to hit that mark. Only Inter Miami CF’s Josef MartĂnez (six) has more hat tricks among active players.
Mukhtar’s first goal on the night was also his 50th over the past three seasons. With that goal, he became just the third player in league history to score 50 goals and add 30 assists over a three-year span, joining Sebastian Giovinco (2015-17) and Robbie Keane (2012-14, 2013-15). Mukhtar now sits just 10 goal contributions shy (82) of tying Giovinco (92) for the most in a three-year stretch in league history.
Cucho Hernández Goes Nine-For-Nine
With Lucas Zelarayán out on international duty, the Columbus Crew turned once again to star forward Cucho Hernández to spark the offense. And yet again, the Colombian international came through with an assist on the opening goal to help the Crew earn a 1-1 draw on the road at New York City FC.
After his assist, Hernández became the first player in club history to record a goal contribution in nine-consecutive matches. Additionally, he joined four other players in MLS to produce a goal contribution streak of at least nine games since 2019. With the result, Columbus is now up to fifth in the Eastern Conference heading into Matchday 20.
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Revolution Fortifying Gillette Stadium
After a 3-1 victory against Orlando City SC on Saturday night, the New England Revolution have now climbed up to third in the Supporters’ Shield standings with 33 points. The Revolution are also 6-0-3 at Gillette Stadium in 2023, tying the longest home unbeaten streak to begin a season in club history (2005 and 2015). Only FC Cincinnati (9-0-0) and the San Jose Earthquakes (6-0-3) remain undefeated at home this season.
The Revs’ victory was buoyed by strong performances from both Gustavo Bou and Carles Gil, who each recorded a goal and an assist in the context. For Gil, he now has four goals and four assists in his last five matches as he is replicating the form that helped him earn the 2021 Landon Donovan MLS MVP.
