Rossi Could Become Youngest Golden Boot Winner Since Twellman, Ruiz
At age 22 this season, Los Angeles Football Club forward Diego Rossi has scored 12 goals over his 15 games (0.80 GPG), and could be well on his way to becoming the youngest player to win the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi since 2002.
Back then, the LA Galaxy’s Carlos Ruiz netted 24 goals in 26 games (.96 GPG) to win the Golden Boot – reaching his 23
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birthday in only the final week of the regular season. The MLS Scoring Champion that year was none other than 22-year-old and now ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman, whose league-leading combined goals and assists included 23 goals in 28 games (0.82 GAA) during a breakout first season with the New England Revolution.
Now fast forward 18 years, and Rossi has a very similar goals-per-game average as Twellman’s 2002 tally. Rossi’s goal-scoring pursuits could even bear the fruits of a Golden Boot double after he captured the MLS is Back Tournament leading scorer title and the Young Player of the Tournament award with seven goals and three assists during the return to play in Orlando this summer.
Rossi has earned a call-up to the Uruguay National Team for matches against Chile on Oct. 8 and Ecuador on Oct. 13.
However, with at least six games remaining to play for LAFC and a three-goal edge above the next closest contenders, Rossi could be joining the league’s most legendary finishers if he can maintain this consistent pace of scoring. Better yet, he could help keep LAFC above the playoff line.
Nashville SC Look to Extend Home Unbeaten Streak in front of Home Fans
With just eight weeks to go – all eyes turn to the playoff line. Only five first-year expansion teams have every qualified for the postseason, but 2020 newcomer Nashville SC, riding a five-game unbeaten streak at home, are sitting above the playoff line, with a game in hand, headed into two matches this week. After managing his 300
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match last week, head coach Gary Smith prepares the Boys in Gold for their seventh home game of the season tonight, and the team’s first in front of fans since the team debuted in front of more than 59,000 fans on Feb. 29.
Hosting Minnesota United tonight and traveling to Kansas City to face Sporting on Sunday, Nashville SC will be facing two of the top teams from the Western Conference this week. Sitting No. 3 (Sporting Kansas City) and No. 4 (Minnesota United), both of Nashville’s opponents are hungry for points as they look to push past the No. 2 (Portland Timbers) and No. 1 (Seattle Sounders FC) squads.
Tuesday, Oct. 6
8:30 p.m. ET
Nashville SC vs. Minnesota United
Sunday, Oct. 11
7:30 p.m. ET
Sporting Kansas City vs. Nashville SC
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Kei Kamara Finds Net for Record Eighth Team in MLS
Already having equaled the MLS record when making an appearance for his eighth team in MLS, Kei Kamara further burnished his contribution to the league record books when he scored his first goal for Minnesota United FC in their 2-0 win vs. FC Cincinnati on Saturday evening.
Kamara has now scored for all eight teams he has played for in his MLS career -- Columbus Crew, San Jose Earthquakes, Houston Dynamo, Sporting Kansas City, New England Revolution, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Colorado Rapids, Minnesota United FC -- more than any other player in league history. Seven players have scored for six different teams. Kamara is tied for the most different teams played for in an MLS career, along with Dominic Oduro. Kamara also has scored the fifth-most goals in league play in MLS history, with 130.
MLS Regular Season: Week 15 Game Notes
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Nashville SC vs. Minnesota United FC, 8:30 p.m.
- Nashville SC extended their undefeated streak to three games with a second successive draw, reaching a goalless draw with the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening.
- Minnesota United FC put an end to a four-game winless run, defeating FC Cincinnnati 2-0 at Allianz Field on Saturday evening.
- Kei Kamara scored the opening goal of the match, his first with Minnesota United following his trade from the Colorado Rapids – and became the first player in MLS history to score a goal for eight different teams. The goal was the 130th of Kamara’s league career, fifth-most all-time in MLS.
- The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories.
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Atlanta United vs. Orlando City SC, 7 p.m.
- Atlanta United won for the second time in three matches and won on their travels for the first time since the regular season opener at Nashville on Feb. 29, defeating D.C. United 4-0 at Audi Field on Saturday evening. Jon Gallagher scored a pair of goals; he now has three for his MLS career, all over the last four games.
- Orlando City SC extended their club record undefeated to nine games with a sixth victory in that time, defeating the New York Red Bulls 3-1 at Exploria Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Rookie Daryl Dike sent OCSC on its way with his fourth goal of the season.
- The teams are meeting for the third time this season, after playing twice in a home-and-home series over a week. Orlando City SC won for the first time in 10 meetings in all competitions between the clubs with a 3-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 29, then ATLUTD’s Adam Jahn hit for a stoppage-time equalizer to leave the teams in a 1-1 draw Sept. 5 at Exploria Stadium.
- In first eight league meetings all-time, Atlanta United had not lost to their neighbor to the south, with six wins and two draws. The OCSC win in the first meeting snapped a five-game ATLUTD winning streak in the series.
New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami CF, 7 p.m.
- The Red Bulls saw their two-game winning streak put to an end, dropping a 3-1 decision to Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Florian Valot netted the Red Bulls goal.
- Inter Miami had their losing skid extended, dropping a 3-2 decision to New York City FC at Inter Miami CF Stadium on Saturday evening.
- Lewis Morgan scored the Inter Miami goals, his second two-goal game of the season, the first coming Sept. 9 vs. Atlanta United.
- The teams are meeting for the second time this season and in their histories. The Red Bulls got goals from four different players in easing to a 4-1 win at Inter Miami CF Stadium on Sept. 23.
Columbus Crew SC vs. Montreal Impact, 7:30 p.m.
- Crew SC gained a result for the 13th time in 15 contests this season, reaching a 2-2 draw with FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening. Pedro Santos scored a goal and added an assist; he has four goals and five assists over the last seven games.
- The Impact put an end to a four-game losing streak, playing to a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire at Red Bull Arena on Saturday evening. Lassi Lappalainen scored his second goal in the last three games and Maximiliano Urruti also returned to the scoresheet.
- The teams met twice a season ago. Crew SC took a 2-1 win at Mapfre Stadium on July 20; Harry Novillo scored the game’s only goal as the Impact took the win at Stade Saputo on April 13.
- Crew SC have won eight of the 11 meetings all-time in Columbus, with two draws, including wins in the last two matchups at Mapfre Stadium. The lone Impact win there came in 2015. The Impact have won the past two meetings in the series in Montréal.
New England Revolution vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
- The Revolution extended their undefeated run to four games with a second draw in that time, reaching a scoreless draw with Nashville SC at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening. Matt Turner recorded a shutout for a second consecutive game.
- Toronto FC won a third consecutive game and extended their undefeated streak to five matches, defeating the Philadelphia Union 2-1 at Rentschler Field in Hartford, Conn. on Saturday evening.
- Alejandro Pozuelo scored his seventh goal of the season, his fourth consecutive game with a goal; since the continuation of play following the MLS is Back Tournament, Pozuelo has scored six goals and added four assists.
- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. They reached a goalless draw in the group stage of the MLS is Back Tournament on July 21.
- TFC are undefeated in the last three meetings between the clubs, with a 1-1 draw in the last encounter at Gillette Stadium, on Aug. 31, 2019, following a couple of victories. The last time the away team won in the series came Sept. 13, 2015, when New England won 3-1 in Toronto.
Philadelphia Union vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
- The Union saw their five-game undefeated streak put to an end, falling 2-1 to Toronto FC at Rentschler Field in Hartford, Conn. on Saturday evening. Sergio Santos netted the Union goal.
- FC Cincinnati suffered a second loss in a row, dropping a 2-0 decision to Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field on Saturday evening.
- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. They reached a goalless draw Sept. 23 at Nippert Stadium.
- The teams met twice in FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season in MLS, and the Union won both, each by a 2-0 scoreline – March 30 at Nippert Stadium, and May 1 in Chester.
Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas, 8 p.m.
- The Dynamo went down to defeat at their BBVA Stadium home for the first time all season, dropping a 2-1 decision to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday evening. Sam Junqua scored his first career goal in MLS for the Dynamo tally.
- FC Dallas played to a second draw in a row, a fifth result from the last six games, playing a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew SC at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening. Michael Barrios netted his first goal of the season.
- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Franco Jara hit for the winner to give FCD a 2-1 victory at Toyota Stadium on Sept. 12; the teams reached a goalless draw Aug. 21 at BBVA Stadium.
- The Dynamo 2-1 win on May 4 last year was just their second in the series over the last eight seasons. Since the start of 2013, FC Dallas are 9-2-7 in league play against Houston, and have won the three meetings between the teams in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
- FC Dallas has won five of the 12 matches (with four draws) between the teams over all competitions at BBVA Stadium. The Dynamo haven’t won in Frisco since 2011, FCD winning the last three there.
- The clubs play for “El Capitán,” the 19th-century Mountain Howitzer cannon to be awarded to the winner of the season series by supporters’ groups for both clubs.
New York City FC vs. D.C. United, 8 p.m.
- NYCFC won for a second consecutive match, defeating Inter Miami CF 3-2 at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday evening.
- Alejandru Mitrita scored a pair of goals for a second consecutive match, now with four goals for the season, the second time in his MLS career he’s scored goals in back-to-back games.
- D.C. United had their winless skid continued in a 4-0 loss to Atlanta United at Audi Field on Saturday evening.
- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. They reached a goalless draw at Audi Field on Sept. 6.
- NYCFC have a three-game undefeated streak alive in the series, including a pair of scoreless draws. The last win for either team was a 2-0 NYCFC win April 21, 2019 at Audi Field. The NYCFC win in the last meeting ended a four-game D.C. United undefeated streak in the series, NYCFC’s last previous win coming March 12, 2017, a 4-0 triumph at Yankee Stadium.
- D.C. United have taken points from their last two trips to Yankee Stadium, their first results there; NYCFC had won the first three encounters in the Bronx. The NYCFC win at Audi Field was just the second by the road team in the series.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire FC, 8:30 p.m.
- Sporting won their second match in the last four games, defeating the Houston Dynamo 2-1 at BBVA Stadium on Saturday evening. Alan Pulido netted both SKC goals, his first two-goal game in MLS, while Gianluca Busio assisted on both goals, his first career two-assist game.
- Fire FC extended their undefeated streak to three games, playing to a 2-2 draw with the Montréal Impact at Red Bull Arena on Saturday evening. Robert Berić scored for a fifth consecutive game, equaling the Fire club record.
- Sporting won the lone meeting between the teams a year ago, Yohan Croizet scoring the game’s only goal at Children’s Mercy Park on July 6.
- Sporting have won the last three meetings between the clubs, over the last three seasons. Sporting have won the last four meetings between the teams in KC, the Fire’s last win there coming in 2012 (seven meetings since).
- Sporting won 4-3 in 2018 in the last meetings in Bridgeview, snapping a three-game Fire home winning streak in the series.
Colorado Rapids vs. Los Angeles Football Club, 9 p.m.
- The Rapids had their scheduled match with the Portland Timbers on Saturday postponed. In their last game, the Rapids won a second consecutive game and a third in the last four in another big offensive explosion, rolling to a 5-0 win against the San Jose Earthquakes at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
- The five-goal victory was the second in four games for the Rapids, after defeating Real Salt Lake 5-0 on Sept. 12 – the largest margin of victory in the club’s 25-year history, coming twice in four matches after 773 league games.
- LAFC won for a third time in the last five games, defeating Real Salt Lake 3-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Sunday evening. Diego Rossi scored his 12th goal of the season, now leading the MLS Golden Boot standings by three goals.
- The teams met twice a season ago, each winning at home. Danny Wilson scored the game’s only goal on 49 minutes, giving the Rapids the victory on June 28 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, then on Decision Day (Oct. 6), Carlos Vela hit for a hat trick on his way to 34 goals for the season, in a 3-1 LAFC win at Banc of California Stadium.
- The teams met twice in LAFC’s inaugural season, and the expansion club won both, without conceding a goal. LAFC took a 2-0 win on Aug. 19 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, then claimed a 3-0 victory on Oct. 6 at Banc of California Stadium.
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Real Salt Lake, 10 p.m.
- Sounders FC won a second consecutive game and a fourth out of their last five, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3-1 at CenturyLink Field on Saturday evening. Raúl Ruidíaz scored his ninth goal of the season, now tied for second place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
- Real saw their two-game undefeated run come to an end, dropping a 3-1 decision to Los Angeles Football Club at Rio Tinto Stadium on Sunday evening.
- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Pablo Ruiz hit for a late equalizer for RSL, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw Sept. 2 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
- Sounders FC have won eight of the past nine league meetings between the teams at CenturyLink Field, the lone RSL win coming on May 26, 2018, a 1-0 triumph. Real are undefeated in the last nine home meetings vs. Seattle, winning eight in a row before the draw in the first meeting this year.
- The teams also met in the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Gustav Svensson and Nicolás Lodeiro scored second-half goals as Sounders FC took a 2-0 win in the Western Conference Semifinals, Oct. 23 at CenturyLink Field. The clubs had also met in the MLS Cup Playoffs in back-to-back seasons in 2011 and 2012, each advancing on one occasion.
LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers, 10:30 p.m.
- The Galaxy had their losing slide extended, falling 2-1 to the San Jose Earthquakes at Earthquakes Stadium on Saturday evening. Sebastian Lletget scored for a second consecutive game, now with six goals on the season.
- The Timbers had their scheduled match with the Colorado Rapids on Saturday postponed. In their last match, the Timbers won their third game in a row, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Providence Park in a game played as a Whitecaps FC home game. Felipe Mora netted his fourth goal of the season.
- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. The Timbers took a 2-1 win July 13 in the first match for both clubs in the MLS is Back Tournament, then the Galaxy claimed a 3-2 win at Providence Park on Sept. 2.
- The last away victory for either team in the league series came in 2017, a 1-0 Timbers win at Dignity Health Sports Park. The Galaxy have not won in Portland since 2016.
- The teams have also met three of the last four years in the U.S. Open Cup, the Galaxy advancing in 2016 with a 1-0 triumph in Portland, but the Timbers winning in both 2018 and 2019, also at Providence Park.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 10:30 p.m.
- The Quakes won a second consecutive game, defeating the LA Galaxy at Earthquakes Stadium on Saturday evening. Andrés Ríos sealed the victory with a late penalty kick, his third goal of the season.
- Whitecaps FC had their losing slide continued, falling 3-1 to Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on Saturday evening. Fredy Montero converted a penalty kick for the Vancouver goal.
- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Shea Salinas scored the game-winner eight minutes into second-half stoppage time, giving the Quakes a wild 4-3 win during group play at the MLS is Back Tournament on July 15.
- The Quakes have won the last three meetings in the series, winning both a season ago, each by a 3-1 scoreline. Chris Wondolowski scored a goal and added an assist in each match, first on July 20 at BC Place, then Aug. 24 at Avaya Stadium.
- The Quakes wins ended a five-game Whitecaps FC undefeated streak in the series in league and MLS Cup play in the first meeting, their first win vs. Vancouver since March 11, 2017.
Saturday, Oct. 10
Inter Miami CF vs. Houston Dynamo, 5 p.m.
- The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories.
Atlanta United vs. New York Red Bulls, 6 p.m.
- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Florian Valot scored the game’s only goal after just four minutes, giving the Red Bulls the victory during group play at the MLS is Back Tournament on July 11.
- The Red Bulls have never lost to Atlanta United in seven meetings all-time, winning five. The teams last met at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 7, 2019, reaching a 3-3 draw. The Red Bulls have won each of the last two matchups at Red Bull Arena – a place where Atlanta United has yet to score a goal, in four visits all-time over all competitions.
- Atlanta United did claim the Eastern Conference Championship in 2018, winning 3-0 at home in the first leg before the Red Bulls took the second leg 1-0 in Harrison.
Colorado Rapids vs. LA Galaxy, 7 p.m.
- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Cole Bassett and Jonathan Lewis netted goals as the Rapids took a 2-0 win Sept. 19 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
- The Rapids have come away with points in the last five meetings between the teams, with four victories. The Rapids’ victory in the first meeting in 2018, a 2-1 win on Aug. 4 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, snapped a four-game winless streak, and two-game losing streak, in league play in the series, their first vs. the Galaxy since March 12, 2016.
- The Rapids have won the last two meetings in Carson. Their win there in the first meeting last year snapped a six-game Galaxy home undefeated streak in the series, with two wins and four draws over the span, their first win there since Sept. 7, 2013, a 1-0 victory.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Real Salt Lake, 10 p.m.
- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Lucas Cavallini hit for the match-winner in the 84th minute, giving Whitecaps FC a 2-1 win Sept. 19 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
- Real Salt Lake won both meetings a season ago. Albert Rusnák converted a penalty kick for the game’s lone goal after 21 minutes, giving Real the win March 9 at Rio Tinto Stadium, then Damir Kreilach scored the game’s only goal for the RSL win on Decision Day (Oct. 6) at BC Place.
- RSL has won the past five meetings at Rio Tinto Stadium. The RSL win in the second meeting last year ended a six-game winning streak for the ‘Caps at BC Place, dating back to 2014.
Sunday, Oct. 11
New York City FC vs. New England Revolution, 4:30 p.m.
- The teams are meeting for the third time this season. NYCFC claimed a 2-0 win behind two second-half goals on Sept. 2; they also reached a goalless draw on Sept. 19, both contests at Gillette Stadium.
- The NYCFC win in the first meeting this year ended a four-game undefeated streak for the Revs in the series in Foxborough; NYCFC has won four of the seven meetings all-time in the Bronx. NYCFC’s 2-1 win in the first meeting last year, Sept. 7 at Yankee Stadium, ended a three-game Revolution undefeated streak in the series.
Los Angeles Football Club vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 7 p.m.
- The teams are meeting for the third time this season in league play. Jordan Morris scored a pair of goals as Sounders FC took a 3-1 on Aug. 30 at CenturyLink Field, then Nicolás Lodeiro converted a pair of penalty kicks to give the Sounders the 3-0 win Sept. 18 in Seattle.
- The wins this year were the first for Sounders FC in six meetings with LAFC all-time in league play. LAFC won the first three, before the teams played to a 1-1 draw April 28, 2019.
- The teams also met in the round-of-16 in the MLS is Back Tournament, and Los Angeles Football Club gained a measure of redemption with a 4-1 win, as Diego Rossi netted a pair of goals and Brian Rodríguez added a goal and an assist.
- The teams met in the MLS Cup Playoffs last year. Raúl Ruidíaz scored a pair of goals, and Nicolás Lodeiro scored a goal and set up the other two, and Sounders FC claimed a remarkable 3-1 win on Oct. 29 at Banc of California Stadium in the Western Conference Final.
Chicago Fire FC vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
- The teams met twice a season ago. Ulises Segura scored twice for D.C. United canceling out a two-goal Fire lead after the opening quarter-hour, but Chicago’s Francisco Calvo netted in stoppage time to leave the teams in a 3-3 draw May 29 at Audi Field; they reached a goalless draw July 17 at SeatGeek Stadium.
- Each of the last two games in Bridgeview ended in scoreless draws; the Fire have a five-game home undefeated streak alive in the series, with four draws in that span, the last D.C. United win at the Fire coming in 2015.
- The Fire won the final meeting at RFK Stadium, a 1-0 win May 20, 2017; United won the first meeting at Audi Field in 2018 before last year’s draw.
FC Cincinnati vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.
- Toronto FC won both meetings between the clubs in FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season. TFC took a 2-1 win July 27 at BMO Field, then got goals from five different players in rolling to a 5-1 victory Sept. 7 at Nippert Stadium.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.
- The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories.
Orlando City SC vs. Columbus Crew SC, 7:30 p.m.
- The teams met twice a season ago, and Orlando City won both. Chris Mueller and Tesho Akindele netted goals on either side of halftime as Orlando City took a 2-0 win on June 29 at Mapfre Stadium; Benji Michel scored the game’s only goal in the 84th minute for the win July 13 at Exploria Stadium.
- Orlando City have won the last three 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 last year was their first ever in Columbus, on their fifth visit. OCSC has won the last two matchups in Orlando, their first home wins in the series since the club’s inaugural MLS season of 2015.
Philadelphia Union vs. Montreal Impact, 7:30 p.m.
- The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Kacper Przybylko netted a pair of goals as the Union cruised to a 4-1 win Sept. 20 at Red Bull Arena in an Impact home game.
- Each team won at home by a big margin in their two meetings a season ago. The Union claimed a 3-0 win on April 30 in Chester, then the Impact took a 4-0 win July 27 at Stade Saputo.
- Each team won away from home in 2018, the Union taking a 2-0 win May 12 in Montréal, and the Impact claiming a 4-1 victory Sept. 15 in Chester.
FC Dallas vs. Minnesota United FC, 8:30 p.m.
- The teams are meeting for the third time this season, each winning on their home ground. Kevin Molino scored a pair of goals, including a late game-winning penalty kick, giving MNUFC a 3-2 win Sept. 9 at Allianz Field. Fafa Picault and Jesús Ferreira netted goals a minute apart early on, pacing FC Dallas to a 3-1 win Aug. 29 at Toyota Stadium.
- The teams met twice a season ago, also each winning at home. Mason Toye netted the game’s only goal in second-half stoppage time as MNUFC claimed the victory on July 13 at Allianz Field; Brandon Servania capped a wild match with a late brace as FC Dallas took a 5-3 win Aug. 10 at Toyota Stadium.
- FC Dallas won both meetings between the clubs in 2018, without conceding a goal. FCD took a victory by the game’s only goal June 29 at TCF Bank Stadium, then won 2-0 at Toyota Stadium on Aug. 18. The teams split their two meetings in MNUFC’s inaugural season in MLS, each winning at home.
Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10 p.m.
- The teams are meeting for the third time this season, meeting twice over four days’ time, both in San Jose. On Sept. 19, Diego Valeri scored two goals and added an assist as the Timbers set a club record in a 6-1 win; the teams played to a 1-1 draw at Earthquakes Stadium on Sept. 16.
- The Timbers have never lost to the Quakes at home in their MLS history. The Timbers have won nine of 12 meetings between the teams in Portland (with three draws), including the past seven meetings there. The away team has won just three times in the all-time league series; the Timbers have taken points from three of last four games in San Jose.