Top Things to Watch in MLS This Week
Just 90 minutes of soccer stand between the Seattle Sounders FC and New York City Football Club and the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Final. Seattle will travel to the East Coast for the match to be played at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday (9 p.m. ET, FS1/TUDN). Following first-leg action in Seattle last week, the Sounders lead the two-game series 3-1, but a crucial away goal by Thiago Andrade means that New York City could overturn that deficit with a 2-0 win courtesy of the away goals tiebreaker.
Bring on the Goals
As NYCFC prepare Wednesday, one thing is certain: they need goals. Taty Castellanos continues to be one of the most dangerous attacking players in the region with four goals and four assists in the tournament, including setting up Andrade in the first leg against Seattle. New York also has the advantage of hosting the match, an advantage that has seen the team earn a 3-0-1 record in the tournament with eight goals scored and only two conceded.
While NYCFC have the attacking power to make up that two-goal deficit, Seattle Sounders have been defensive stalwarts, holding opponents to just two goals while scoring 12 in five games. The Seattle defense is also bolstered by the return of standout defender Nouhou, who missed the first leg of the semifinal due to yellow card accumulation.
Seattle has no intention of holding back either. Three Sounders are in the top ten scorers in the 2022 Concacaf Champions League: Fredy Montero (three goals), Jordan Morris (three goals) and Nicolás Lodeiro (two goals).
In particular, Montero has had an incredible career in Champions League play, having scored 10 career goals, which is tied for the most all-time of any MLS player in the history of the continental tournament. A goal against NYCFC on Wednesday would see Montero move past former Real Salt Lake player Alvaro Saborío into sole ownership of first place.
A Look Ahead
Only four teams from Major League Soccer have reached the final of the current tournament format, established in 2009, and on Wednesday night, a fifth MLS team will not only have earned a berth to the finals, but could be in position to host the crucial second leg of the two-game CCL Final. A win Wednesday would see the Sounders advance to the Final as hosts of the second leg against the winner of the Pumas UNAM and Cruz Azul series. The Sounders could also secure home-field advantage with a tie or loss on Wednesday if the LIGA MX teams play to a draw in their match tonight (10 p.m. ET, FS1 / UniMás / TUDN). Should NYCFC advance, the MLS side could host that CCL Final second leg match only with a win against Seattle, and a draw in the LIGA MX matchup tonight.
Union Are Last Remaining MLS Unbeaten
The Philadelphia Union are the last remaining unbeaten club in MLS this season at 5-0-1 and have been riding a wave of success dating back to last season. The Union have lost just one regular season match since Sept. 19, 2021, and have a league-best 35 points (10-1-5) over the span.
Veteran leaders have aided a young, burgeoning roster in helping Philadelphia to the top of the Eastern Conference table and the Supporters’ Shield standings. In his first full season in MLS, Dániel Gazdag has emerged as a Landon Donovan MLS MVP candidate, scoring in four consecutive weeks from Weeks 2-5. Tying for second in the league with four goals, Gazdag has already matched his scoring totals from the 2021 season, where he appeared in 23 games (17 starts).
Four players aged 21 or younger have started for the Union this year, including Leon Flach (21 years old), Julián Carranza (21) and Homegrowns Nathan Harriel (20) and Quinn Sullivan (18). Carranza, who was acquired from Inter Miami CF during the offseason and occupies a Young Designated Player spot, has quickly made his impact felt on the front line, registering a goal and two assists. Carranza and left back Kai Wagner (three assists) have helped lead an offensive attack that has the Union tied for fourth in the league in scoring (10 goals) and tied for second with a plus-8 goal differential.
The Union will look to extend their club-record five-game winning streak and aim for their fourth consecutive clean sheet as they travel to face Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday, April 16 (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS LIVE on ESPN+).
Cincinnati’s Scoring Sensation Brandon Vázquez Set to Face Former Club
With five goals and an assist through the first six games of the 2022 MLS season, FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vázquez has U.S. Men’s National Team fans taking notice and keeping an eye on the attacking talent.
Now in his sixth MLS season, the 23-year-old center forward has earned himself a consistent spot in the starting lineup to kick off the year. Having played off the bench for Atlanta United in his first three seasons (2017-2019) and contributing most of his minutes as a substitute to start his career in Cincinnati, Vázquez continues to state his case for starts and minutes.
The nod by FCC rookie head coach Pat Noonan comes on the heels of Vázquez lighting up the scoreboard at the end of last season when interim head coach Tyrone Marshall gave Vázquez the chance to start in the final five games. During that five-game span, he produced four goals and two assists.
Putting in countless extra hours on the training field, Vázquez is beginning to showcase that magic that U.S youth national team insiders spotted at early stages in his career. A member of the U.S. U-17 World Cup squad alongside current U.S. Men’s National Team standouts Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Luca de la Torre, it is no wonder that with his ability and work ethic, Vázquez sits behind just FC Dallas Designated Player Jesús Ferreira and the LA Galaxy’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernández in xG per 90 minutes, as well as third in the league in goals per 90 (among players with at least 200 minutes).
While critics will wait to see if this hot streak continues, there is no denying that nine goals in his last 11 MLS games, spanning two seasons, is an indication that Vázquez has quality to offer a Cincinnati team that has been desperate for a spark.
Following last week’s bye, the Orange and Blue head to familiar territory for Vázquez this week as they travel to take on hist former club Atlanta United on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+).
While Gregg Berhalter only has seven months, and two international windows, to prepare for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, there have been plenty of examples of MLS players parlaying strong play in league action into a callup to the world’s biggest stage. Could Vázquez be on that track?
Slonina and the Stalwart Chicago Defense Welcome Chicharito and the LA Galaxy to Soldier Field
After dropping its first game of the season last week, Chicago Fire FC will look to rebound in Week 7 as it welcomes Javier “Chicharito” Hernández and the LA Galaxy to Soldier Field on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, MLS LIVE on ESPN+). Led by 17-year-old goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina and his league-leading four clean sheets, Chicago’s dominant defense, which has allowed only two goals through six games, will look to slow Hernández and his league-high five goals. Expect fireworks in this clash of styles as both clubs look to solidify their positions in their respective conference tables.
Stars of Tomorrow Take Center Stage At the 2022 Generation adidas Cup
Following a two-year hiatus, Generation adidas Cup, North America’s elite youth championship, returns in 2022 and is bigger than ever, with 80 academies from nine countries competing in U-17 and U-15 tournament play.
The tournament’s group play began on Saturday, April 9 at the Toyota Soccer Center at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas and will conclude with championship matches on April 16 and 17. Results, standings and the tournament’s remaining schedule can be found here.
All 28 current MLS clubs will have academy representation in both divisions, while 2023 MLS expansion side St. Louis CITY SC will field a team in the U-17 division. These clubs are set to battle it out against each other and many of the top youth academies from around the world.
Alumni of GA Cup can be found throughout Major League Soccer and have represented their respective national teams. Eight former Generation adidas Cup standouts contributed to the United States Men’s National Team and Canadian National Team during the most recent round of qualifying, including George Bello, Gianluca Busio, Reggie Cannon, Jesús Ferreira, Weston McKennie, Ricardo Pepi, Ralph Priso and Zack Steffen.
With an expanded field and the MLS player development pipeline continuing to grow and prosper, this year’s GA Cup will showcase many of the games emerging talents. Here’s a look at the Rising XI for the 2022 Generation adidas Cup Rising XI presented by BODYARMOR. Several have already turned professional and will look to showcase their current ability and potential in Frisco, Texas this week.
2022 Generation adidas Cup Rising XI presented by BODYARMOR | Link
Goalkeeper: Emmanuel Ochoa, San Jose Earthquakes (U-17)
Defender: Noah Cobb, Atlanta United FC (U-17)
Midfielders: Brooklyn Raines, Houston Dynamo FC (U-17); Jude Wellings, Real Salt Lake (U-17); Esmir Bajraktarevic, New England Revolution (U-17); Reed Baker-Whiting, Seattle Sounders FC (U-17); Andre Gitau, Houston Dynamo FC (U-17); Bento Estrela, New York Red Bulls (U-17); Noel Buck, New England Revolution (U-17); Felipe Valencia, Inter Miami CF (U-17)
Forward: Axel Kei, Real Salt Lake (U-17)
First-Ever Hat Trick in MLS NEXT Pro Keeps Houston Dynamo 2 Perfect
It took just three weeks into the inaugural season of MLS NEXT Pro for the new league to see its first hat trick. Houston Dynamo 2’s Roberto Ávila recorded all three of his club’s goals in a 3-0 win over host Sporting KC II on Sunday (Watch Hat Trick).
With the victory, Houston remains the only unbeaten team in MLS NEXT Pro (3-0-0, 9 points). Dynamo Dos has not given up a goal through its first three matches, winning each of its first two games by a 1-0 score. Next up for Houston Dynamo 2: back home on Saturday to play Timbers 2 (9 p.m. ET, mlsnextpro.com).
There are eight other matches on the slate for Week 4, highlighted by the Game of the Week on Sunday, when Tacoma Defiance (1-1-1, 4 points) host Whitecaps FC 2 (0-1-2, 3 points). Sean Saint Jacques and Ricky Lopez-Espin will be on the call as WFC2 goes for its first win of the young season (6 p.m. ET, mlsnextpro.com).
