Below is a selection of the notable performances and moments from the 14 matches played on the 24th matchday of the 2023 MLS season, Saturday, July 8.
Real Salt Lake Runs Rampant
Real Salt Lake bulldozed their way to a 4-0 win over Orlando City SC on Saturday night behind inspired performances from forward Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango and midfielder Pablo Ruiz.
Arango, who made his debut on the night, scored the opening goal of the match in the 23rd minute and became just the fifth player in the club’s history to score in their debut. Pulling the strings for RSL on the night, though, was 24-year-old Ruiz, who finished the night with a hat trick of assists, joining Argentine compatriot Fabián Espíndola (2012) as the only two players in club history to record three assists in a single game.
RSL will look to extend their current seven-game unbeaten streak in the league to eight when they travel to Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, July 12 for Matchday 25 (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
300 Milestones Hit for Austin and Philadelphia Duo
Matchday 24 marked both Austin FC midfielder Ethan Finlay’s 300th MLS regular season appearance and Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin’s 300th MLS regular season game as an MLS head coach.
Finlay’s 300 appearances spread across three clubs, making 116 for the Columbus Crew, 129 for Minnesota United FC, and 55 so far for Austin FC. Curtin led the Union into regular season battle for the 300th time on Matchday 24 as they took on the LA Galaxy, becoming the 11th head coach in league annals to accomplish the feat. Additionally, Curtin is just the fourth coach to reach the milestone with all 300 games coming at one club.
Houston's Herrera Heaps on the Helpers at Home
On Saturday night, Houston Dynamo FC midfielder Héctor Herrera recorded his fourth straight home game with an assist, putting a bow on an elegantly crafted team goal for Houston (WATCH HERE). Herrera is just the second player in the club’s history to put together this type of form at home, joining Brad Davis – who accomplished the feat in both 2014 and 2009.
Despite the game ending in a 2-2 draw, the point was enough to put Houston four points ahead of Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Sporting Kansas City, who sit ninth and 10th in the Western Conference, respectively.
Herrera will look to make it five assists in five straight home games on Matchday 25 when Houston host Minnesota United FC on Wednesday, July 12 (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
Pulido Continues to Prosper in Front of Goal for SKC
Sporting Kansas City forward Alan Pulido scored twice against Houston Dynamo FC on Matchday 24, registering his eighth and ninth goals in his last nine games. Pulido joined Johnny Russell (2021) and Eddie Johnson (2007) as the only SKC players to score nine goals in a seven-game stretch.
Voted MLS Player of the Month for June, Pulido’s free-scoring form has both earned him individual plaudits and helped SKC climb up the Western Conference standings. The club were (0-7-3) to start the season, but the club has since gone (6-3-4) after Pulido opened his account against Seattle Sounders FC on May 7.
SKC will need Pulido’s scoring touch to play a part in their Matchday 25 game against Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, July 21 (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass) as a win could potentially vault them over Vancouver Whitecaps FC for ninth in the Western Conference.
