This Week in MLS: It’s Pity vs. Pizarro in Atlanta vs. Miami this Wednesday

It’s Pity vs. Pizarro in Atlanta vs. Miami this Wednesday
Two internationally-acclaimed scoring stars will meet this Wednesday
(8 p.m. ET, ESPN+/TSN2)
when Inter Miami CF’s leading scorer
Rodolfo Pizarro
of the Mexican National Team faces Atlanta United’s
Pity Martinez
, an Argentine scoring icon as a former South American Player of the Year. With both clubs back on a winning track behind Martinez’s first two-goal performance of his MLS career, and three goals on the season for Pizarro, a fast-paced game from spectacular finishers is sure to be an exciting precursor to set the tone before they meet again exactly one week later on Wednesday, Sept. 2
(8 p.m. ET, FS1).
Keeping tension high, Atlanta will face rival Orlando City SC in the interim this Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, Univision) before the Five Stripes travel to South Florida next week.
Nagbe’s near-perfect form leading Columbus Crew SC against FC Cincinnati in Hell is Real Derby
The fourth edition of the Hell is Real Derby, featuring Columbus Crew SC and FC Cincinnati kicks off on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN +), with Crew SC midfielder Darlington Nagbe sitting on the highest regular season passing accuracy (95.02%) of any player in MLS. His midfield dominance and
this unreal finish
against Chicago last week will have FC Cincinnati – who are unbeaten in their last three regular season matches under new head coach Jaap Stam – looking to do everything they can to remain on positive footing against a piercing instate rival.
MLS Academy Products Making History at Home and Abroad
Young standouts developed in MLS academies have made a mark across the globe in the past week with 19-year-old defender
Alphonso Davies
(Vancouver Whitecaps FC Academy) becoming the first MLS academy product to win the UEFA Champions League after playing a full 90 minutes in Bayern Munich’s victory on Sunday. Elsewhere in Germany, 21-year-old midfielder
Tyler Adams
(New York Red Bulls Academy) helped RB Leipzig advance to the Champions League Semifinals, its best finish in club history, and 17-year-old midfielder
Gio Reyna
(New York City FC Academy) has scored three preseason goals for Borussia Dortmund.
Academy products continue a strong run of performances in MLS regular season play, as 22-year-old forward
Ethan Zubak
(LA Galaxy Academy) and 23-year-old defender
Kyle Duncan
(New York Red Bulls Academy) each scored a game-winning goal in the respective victories over their intracity rivals. Real Salt Lake meanwhile saw academy products shine as 24-year-old midfielder Corey Baird registered a goal and an assist, while a trio of defenders in Justen Glad, Aaron Herrera and Donny Toia played a full 90 minutes in the club’s 4-1 victory over rival Colorado. Sporting Kansas City defeated Minnesota United FC behind 20-year-old defender
Jaylin Lindsey
’s assist and a full 90-minute performance from Lindsey and 18-year-old midfielder
Gianluca Busio
.
2020 Canadian Championship Final Qualification Tracker
Last week, Canada Soccer announced that coming out of the first phase of the revised MLS regular season schedule of home matches from August 18 to September 16, the Canadian MLS team that earns the most points in the first phase
will qualify for the 2020 Canadian Championship Final
.
Toronto FC faced Vancouver Whitecaps FC twice last week at home in the continuation of the MLS regular season in home markets.  Toronto took both matches, blanking Vancouver 3-0 on Tuesday and 1-0 on Friday.

• TFC have gone more than a year without a regular season defeat, 17 matches: READ MORE
  
• TFC offseason acquisition Pablo Piatti opened up his scoring account with a brace against Vancouver: WATCH HIGHLIGHTS
  

The Whitecaps will travel to Montreal on Tuesday to complete their three-game road swing on the East Coast. 
Montreal Impact get regular season play back underway this week hosting a pair of games at home, against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Tuesday, Aug. 25 (TSN/TVA Sports/ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET) followed by a match against Toronto FC on Friday, Aug. 28 (TSN/TVA Sports/ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET).
Current standings among Canadian clubs during phase one of the revised MLS regular season schedule:

Columbus, Toronto Have History at Stake  
Crew SC On Precipice of History vs. NYCFC Monday
Columbus Crew SC are on the verge of equaling MLS history heading into their match with New York City FC on Monday evening at Red Bull Arena (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+). Crew SC have won their last four league matches all by shutout – one shy of the all-time record of five consecutive shutout wins set by Atlanta United last season.
Toronto FC Put Record Undefeated Streak On The Line
Toronto FC will put their record undefeated streak on the line when they return to action Friday night against the Montréal Impact at BMO Field (8 p.m. ET; TSN / TVA Sports / ESPN+). TFC are undefeated in their last 17 matches in league play, dating back to Aug. 10 of last season – the fifth-longest such streak in MLS history. The record is 19 games, set by Columbus Crew SC over the final months of the 2004 season and the start of 2005.
MLS Regular Season: Week 7 Game Notes
Monday, August 24
New York City FC vs. Columbus Crew SC, 7 p.m.

• NYCFC weren’t able to build upon a first league win in five matches on the season, falling 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls on Thursday evening at Red Bull Arena.
  
• Crew SC remained undefeated on their league campaign for 2020, winning for the fifth time in six matches, defeating Chicago Fire FC 3-0 at Mapfre Stadium on Thursday evening.
  
• Crew SC have won their last four games all by shutout, one short of the all-time MLS record set last year by Atlanta United, who won five games in a row by shutout from April 27-May 15. Crew SC are now the 10th team in MLS history to record four consecutive wins by shutout.
  
• The teams met earlier this season, opening the 2020 season against each other. Lucas Zelarayán netted the game’s lone goal as Crew SC took the win March 1 at Mapfre Stadium.
  
• NYCFC have won the last two meetings at Yankee Stadium, winning there by the game’s only goal last Aug. 21 in the only meeting in the Bronx. NYCFC have won once all-time in Columbus, a 3-2 win there in 2017.
  

Tuesday, August 25
D.C. United vs. New England Revolution, 7 p.m.

• D.C. United gained a fourth result in the last five matches, playing to a goalless draw with FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium on Friday evening.
  
• The Revolution extended their undefeated run to four matches with a third consecutive draw, a second goalless result in a row with the 0-0 tie with the Philadelphia Union on Thursday evening at Gillette Stadium.
  
• The teams met during the group stage of the MLS is Back Tournament. Adam Buksa gave the Revolution the lead early in the second half, but Federico Higuaín netted the leveler in the 72nd minute, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw July 17.
  

• The teams met twice a season ago, reaching a pair of draws. Wayne Rooney converted a penalty kick in the 90th minute to give United a share of the points in a 1-1 draw May 25 at Gillette Stadium, then Quincy Amarikwa netted the leveler in the 86th minute as United overcame a two-goal deficit for a 2-2 draw July 12 at Audi Field. The away team has not won in the series since 2013, a Revolution 2-1 win at RFK Stadium.
  

• The teams have also met four times in the MLS Cup Playoffs, with United winning three of the four series all-time, last a 2-1 win at RFK Stadium in the Knockout Round in 2015. They have met five times in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the Revolution winning three, last in 2017.
  

Chicago Fire FC vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.

• Fire FC are making their return to Soldier Field, their first league match at the iconic stadium since Oct. 8, 2005, a 2-1 reversal by Columbus. The last match on the Lake Michigan waterfront came Oct. 21, 2005, a goalless draw with D.C. United in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
  
• The Fire saw their losing slide extended to three games to kick off the continuation of the MLS season, falling 3-0 to Columbus Crew SC on Thursday evening at Mapfre Stadium.
  
• FC Cincinnati extended their undefeated streak to three games with a third consecutive shutout in league play, reaching a goalless draw with D.C. United at Nippert Stadium on Friday evening.
  
• FC Cincinnati has recorded shutouts in three consecutive games for the first time in the club’s MLS history. The current 300-minute shutout streak is the second-longest in FCC’s MLS tenure (behind 312 minutes, March 10-30, 2019).
  

• The teams met twice a year ago in FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season. FCC won 2-1 on July 13 at SeatGeek Stadium; the teams reached a goalless draw Sept. 21 at Nippert Stadium.
  

Philadelphia Union vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

• The Union extended their league undefeated streak to five games with a second consecutive draw, reaching a goalless result with the New England Revolution on Thursday evening at Gillette Stadium.
  
• The Red Bulls put a halt to a two-game losing slide in league play, defeating New York City FC by the game’s only goal from Kyle Duncan on Thursday evening at Red Bull Arena.
  
• The teams met twice a year ago in league play, each winning at home. Ilsinho set up a goal from Jamiro Monteiro, then netted a brace himself, all three goals coming in a 12-minute blitz, as the Union claimed a 3-2 win on June 8 at Talen Energy Stadium. Then on Sept. 22 at Red Bull Arena, Tommy Barlow scored in the first half and Daniel Royer in the second, as the Red Bulls claimed the 2-0 win.
  
• The Union win in the first meeting ended a two-game Red Bulls winning streak at Talen Energy Stadium. It was the Union’s second win in the past eight meetings in Chester, dating back to 2014 (2-4-2 in that span).
  
• The teams also met in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Union overcame a two-game deficit in the second half before Marco Fabian netted the game-winner in extra time for a 4-3 win in their Round One matchup.
  

Montreal Impact vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 8 p.m.

• The Impact play their first match in the continuation of play in the 2020 MLS season, their last match a 1-0 loss to Orlando City SC in the round-of-16 in the MLS is Back Tournament. The Impact gained the Knockout Stage with a 1-0 win vs. D.C. United in the final of their group stage matches.
  
• Whitecaps FC suffered a second consecutive defeat by shutout in their two-game series at Toronto FC to begin the restart, falling by the game’s only goal on Friday evening at BMO Field.
  
• The Impact won the lone league meeting between the teams a year ago, a 2-1 win Aug. 28 at Stade Saputo, ending a two-game Whitecaps FC winning streak in the league series. The ‘Caps had won on their previous visit to Montréal, in 2017.
  
• The teams have met four times in the Canadian Championship, including each of the past two years, both times in the semifinals. Whitecaps FC took last year’s series 2-1 on aggregate, winning 2-0 at BC Place a week after the Impact won 1-0 at Stade Saputo.
  

Sporting Kansas City vs. Houston Dynamo, 8:30 p.m.

• Sporting Kansas City won their third consecutive game in league play, their fifth in six matches for the 2020 regular season, defeating Minnesota United FC 2-1 at Allianz Field on Friday evening.
  
• The Dynamo reached a second consecutive draw in their first match in the continuation of the MLS season, playing to a goalless result with FC Dallas at BBVA Stadium on Friday evening.
  
• The teams met earlier this season. Alan Pulido, Gadi Kinda and Khiry Shelton each scored a goal and added an assist as Sporting rolled to a 4-0 win March 7 at Children’s Mercy Park, the largest margin of victory in the all-time series.
  
• The win extended Sporting’s undefeated streak in the series to six games, with four wins and two draws. The Dynamo’s last win came in 2017 in Houston.
  

• Sporting have won the last three meetings at Children’s Mercy Park, their first at home in the series since 2011, following a seven-game winless streak in KC (0-1-6). Sporting have taken points from their two visits to Houston.
  

Wednesday, August 26
Orlando City SC vs. Nashville SC, 7:30 p.m.

• Orlando City SC saw their three-game undefeated streak in league play put to an end, falling 3-2 to Inter Miami CF in that club’s first-ever win on Saturday evening.
  
• Daryl Dike, the club’s first-round selection in the 2020 SuperDraft and the fifth selection overall, scored his first professional goal for the OCSC opener, then added his first professional assist as Nani scored his second league goal of the season (his fourth over all competitions).
  
• Nashville SC saw their two-game undefeated run put to an end, falling 2-0 to Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday evening. Nashville SC saw their shutout streak put to an end after 298 minutes, the third-longest stretch without conceding a goal in MLS league play this season.
  
• The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories. They are scheduled to play each other again Sept. 2 at Nissan Stadium.
  

Inter Miami CF vs. Atlanta United, 8 p.m.

• Inter Miami recorded the first victory in the club’s MLS history, defeating Orlando City SC 3-2 in their home debut Saturday evening at Inter Miami CF Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
  
• Julian Carranza netted a pair of goals, the first goals of his MLS career in his fourth league appearances. Rodolfo Pizarro scored a goal, his third in MLS, and added an assist, his first in the league. Pizarro has been involved in four of Inter Miami’s six goals this season.
  
• Atlanta United put an end to a three-game losing slide in Stephen Glass’s MLS head coaching debut, defeating Nashville SC 2-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Friday evening. Pity Martínez scored both ATLUTD goals, his first multiple-goal game in his MLS career (in 38 appearances).
  
• The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories. They are scheduled to play each other again Sept. 2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
  

FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids, 8:30 p.m.

• FC Dallas reached a second consecutive goalless draw, this time against the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Stadium on Friday evening.
  
• The Rapids fell to Real Salt Lake in their first match in the continuation of play in the 2020 MLS season, a 4-1 decision at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday evening.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, each winning at home. FC Dallas took a 2-1 win on March 23 at Toyota Stadium, while the Rapids cruised to a 3-0 win Sept. 29 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
  

• FC Dallas have now won the last three meetings at Toyota Stadium, ending a three-game winless streak in the series in Frisco. The Rapids’ last win there came in 2016.
  

• The Rapids have won the last two meetings in Commerce City, their first home wins in the series since 2013, a five-game home winless run; the teams had reached four consecutive 1-1 draws there.
  

Real Salt Lake vs. Los Angeles Football Club, 9:30 p.m.

• Real Salt Lake gained points for the fifth time in six matches this season, defeating Rocky Mountain rivals Colorado Rapids for a second time this season in a 4-1 defeat at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday evening. Maikel Chang scored a goal and added a pair of assists, both his first in MLS, while Damir Kreilach hit for his third goal of the season.
  
• LAFC had their five-game undefeated streak to open the 2020 league campaign put to an end, falling 2-0 to city rivals LA Galaxy at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
  
• LAFC have won all four league meetings between the teams. The teams met twice a season ago: Walker Zimmerman scored the game-winning goals two minutes into second-half stoppage time, giving LAFC a 2-1 win March 23 at Banc of California Stadium, then Carlos Vela and Adama Diomande each netted goals as LAFC took the 2-0 victory Aug. 17 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
  

• The teams also met in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2018, with Real pulling off an upset with a 3-2 win at Banc of California Stadium. The teams met in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup a year ago, LAFC taking a 3-2 win in Sandy.
  

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers, 10:30 p.m.

• The Quakes make their return to action following the MLS is Back Tournament, reaching the quarterfinals before suffering a 4-1 loss to Minnesota United FC. The Quakes were undefeated in group play, then knocking off Real Salt Lake for a third consecutive victory in the round-of-16.
  
• Chris Wondolowski scored three goals for the Quakes – all after coming off the substitutes’ bench, tied for the club lead with the departed Magnus Eriksson, who converted three penalty kicks all in the Knockout Stage.
  
• The Timbers saw their eight-game undefeated streak over all competitions, including winning the MLS is Back Tournament, come to an end in a 3-0 loss to arch-rivals Seattle Sounders FC at Providence Park on Sunday evening.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, each winning on their home ground. Shea Salinas, Danny Hoesen and Cristian Espinoza scored goals in the opening 34 minutes, leading the Quakes to a 3-0 win on April 6 at Avaya Stadium; Larrys Mabiala, Dairon Asprilla and Sebastián Blanco all netted goals as the Timbers took a 3-1 win on Decision Day (Oct. 6) at Providence Park.
  

• The away team has won just twice in the all-time league series, last a Timbers win May 5, 2018, in San Jose. 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.
  

LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 11 p.m.

• The Galaxy won for the first time in the 2020 campaign, defeating rivals Los Angeles Football Club 2-0 at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Ethan Zubak scored his first career MLS league goal in his second season to open the scoring, and Sebastian Lletget also hit the back of the net.
  
• Sounders FC won for a second consecutive match in league play, hitting for a 3-0 win against arch-rivals Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Sunday evening. Raúl Ruidíaz scored a pair of goals, the fourth two-goal game of his MLS league career (in 42 career appearances).
  
• The teams met twice a season ago. They reached a 2-2 draw Aug. 17 at Dignity Health Sports Park, then Cristian Roldan netted a pair of goals, including the 89th-minute match-winner, giving Sounders FC the 4-3 win Sept. 1 at CenturyLink Field.
  
• Sounders FC have come away with points on four of their last five trips to Carson, Calif., with two wins and two draws. The Seattle win in 2016 ended an 11-game winless streak there in league and MLS Cup play.
  
• Sounders FC have scored nine goals in the last two home meetings with the Galaxy. Sounders FC claimed a 5-0 victory Aug. 18, 2018 at CenturyLink Field, equaling the club’s record for margin of victory over its 10 MLS seasons, and the Galaxy equaling the biggest margin of defeat in their history (set twice previously). It was their first against the Galaxy at home in league play since 2014 (though Sounders FC did win twice at home in the MLS Cup Playoffs over that timeframe).
  

Friday, August 28
Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC, 8 p.m.

• Toronto FC extended their league undefeated streak to 17 games in their last match, a 1-0 win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Aug. 21 at BMO Field. The 17-game undefeated streak is the fifth-longest in MLS league history, two games shy of the all-time record set by Columbus Crew SC in 2004-05.
  
• The teams met during group play in the MLS is Back Tournament. 20-year-old Ayo Akinola scored a hat trick – the third-youngest player in MLS history to score three goals in a game – leading Toronto FC to a 4-3 on July 16.
  
• Toronto FC have won the last three league meetings in the series, winning both matchups a season ago, a 2-0 win on July 13 at Stade Saputo, then a 2-1 win Aug. 24 at BMO Field.
  

• The teams also met in the final of the Canadian Championship last year – the seventh time in the last eight years they met in the tournament – the Impact winning the title in a penalty shootout after each team won 1-0 at home, the Impact on Sept. 18 in Montréal, and TFC on Sept. 25 in Toronto. It was the second time the Impact defeated TFC for the Canadian crown, also in 2014; TFC defeated Montréal for the second of their three titles in a row in 2017.
  
• The teams also met in the MLS Cup Playoffs in back-to-back years in 2015 and 2016, the second an epic series for the Eastern Conference Championship where TFC won 7-5 on aggregate, taking a 5-2 win in extra time in the second leg at BMO Field.
  

Saturday, August 29
Atlanta United vs. Orlando City SC, 3:30 p.m.

• The teams met twice in league play a season ago, and Atlanta United won both by the game’s only goal. Pity Martínez scored in the 14th minute to give Atlanta United the win May 12 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, then Josef Martínez scored in the 60th minute for the victory Aug. 23 at Exploria Stadium.
  

• In eight league meetings all-time, Atlanta United has not lost to its neighbor to the south, with six wins and two draws – including victories in each of the last five meetings in league play.
  
• The teams also met in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal last year – and again ATLUTD took the victory, a 2-0 triumph behind goals from Eric Remedi and Emerson Hyndman on Aug. 6 at Exploria Stadium.
  

FC Cincinnati vs. Columbus Crew SC, 7:30 p.m.

• The teams met during group play in the MLS is Back Tournament. Lucas Zelarayán scored a stunning goal directly from a free kick and also added a pair of assists, while Gyasi Zardes netted a pair of goals, leading Crew SC to a 4-0 win July 11.
  

• The clubs met twice last year in FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season, over the span of two weeks. They reached a 2-2 draw Aug. 10 in Columbus at Mapfre Stadium, then Crew SC claimed a 3-1 win at Nippert Stadium on Aug. 25.
  

New York City FC vs. Chicago Fire FC, 7:30 p.m.

• The teams met twice a season ago. Valentin Castellanos netted the game’s only goal after nine minutes, giving NYCFC the victory on April 24 at Yankee Stadium; the teams reached a 1-1 draw May 25 at SeatGeek Stadium.
  
• Fire FC have won twice in the all-time series in 11 meetings, the last coming June 30, 2018 in Bridgeview, which ended a six-game NYCFC undefeated streak in the series. It was the Fire’s first win since a 1-0 victory on April 24, 2015 in Bridgeview in the first-ever encounter between the teams.
  

• The Fire have never won at Yankee Stadium. NYCFC have won the past four meetings between the teams in the Bronx, their first home wins in the series after the first two meetings ended in draws.
  

Philadelphia Union vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.

• The teams met twice a season ago, and the Union won both. Marco Fabian netted a pair of goals and added an assist, as the Union cruised to a 5-1 win on Aug. 4 at Audi Field, then Kacper Przybylko scored the opener then set up two more goals as the Union eased to a 3-1 on Aug. 24 in Chester.
  

• The Union have won the last six league meetings between the teams, over the past three seasons. The Union have won the past six meetings in Chester, Pa., over the last four seasons, also winning both meetings all-time at Audi Field.
  

• The teams also met last season in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with D.C. United winning 2-1 in dramatic fashion. Down a goal late, United leveled terms in the 118th minute, then Wayne Rooney converted a penalty kick two minutes later to give the D.C. the victory.
  

New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls, 8 p.m.

• The teams met twice a season ago. Cristian Penilla netted the game’s only goal in the 73rd minute, giving the Revolution the victory at Gillette Stadium on April 20; Marc Rzatkowski and Gustavo Bou traded goals as the teams reached a 1-1 draw Aug. 17 at Red Bull Arena.
  

• The visiting team has won just twice in the series over the past 12 seasons in league play. The Red Bulls won 3-2 on July 5, 2017 in Foxborough, their second win there in four seasons. When the Red Bulls won 2-0 at Gillette Stadium on June 8, 2014, it was the first for New York in New England since 2002. The Revolution had won 13 of 19 meetings in league and MLS Cup play since that previous New York win.
  
• The Revolution have never won at Red Bull Arena in league play. Since the stadium opened in 2010, the Red Bulls have won 10 of 12 regular-season games there, with two draws. When the Revolution won 2-1 in Harrison in the first leg of the 2014 Eastern Conference Championship, it was their first win of any sort in New Jersey since 2007, ending a 10-game winless streak there in all competitions.
  

FC Dallas vs. Minnesota United FC, 8:30 p.m.

• Minnesota United FC return to action after suffering their first loss in league play this season, falling 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City at Allianz Field on Aug. 21. The five-game undefeated run was the second-longest of the club’s MLS history (longest: 7 games, June 29-Aug. 4, 2019)
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. 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.
  

Colorado Rapids vs. Sporting Kansas City, 9 p.m.

• The teams met during group play in the MLS is Back Tournament. Graham Zusi scored the game-winner in second-half stoppage time, giving Sporting a dramatic 3-2 win on July 17.
  

• The teams met twice a season ago. The Rapids won the second contest, a 3-2 victory at Children’s Mercy Park, as Tommy Smith assisted on one goal then scored the match-winner five minutes from time as the Rapids overcame a 0-2 deficit after just 14 minutes. The teams also reached a 1-1 draw March 17 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park when SKC’s Johnny Russell whipped home a free kick for the leveler in the 88th minute.
  
• The Rapids win in the second meeting was their first in the series since May 27, 2017, a span of three matches (two of those draws).
  

Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m.

• The teams met twice during the regular season last year, and the Timbers won both. Sebastian Blanco and Diego Valeri scored on either side of halftime to lead the Timbers to a 2-1 win on May 4 at Rio Tinto Stadium, then Valeri scored the game’s only goal as the Timbers came away with the win Aug. 31 at Providence Park.
  
• The Timbers have won each of the past four league meetings between the clubs, over the last two seasons. The Timbers have come away with points on six of their last seven league visits to Rio Tinto Stadium, dating back to 2014, with five wins and a draw in that span.
  
• The teams also met in Round One of the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs. Jefferson Savarino scored the game-winner three minutes from the end, giving RSL the 2-1 win on Oct. 19 at Rio Tinto Stadium.
  

LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 p.m.

• The teams met twice a season ago, and the Quakes won both. Vako Qazaishvili and Shea Salinas each recorded a goal and an assist as the Quakes cruised to a 3-0 win in the annual game at Stanford Stadium on June 29; Qazaishvili then scored another goal and added another assist in a 3-1 San Jose win July 12 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
  
• The win the second meeting last year was just the second for the Quakes in Carson since 2012. The Galaxy won 4-2 on May 27, 2017 at Avaya Stadium in the last match there – just their second victory in the last 18 regular season games in northern California, across four stadiums.
  

• Known as the California Clásico, the Galaxy and Earthquakes have met 86 times in all competitions. In regular season play, the Galaxy have won 31 times and the Quakes 24, with 15 draws, since their first meeting April 28, 1996.
  

Sunday, August 30
Nashville SC vs. Inter Miami CF, 8:30 p.m.

• The two clubs in the expansion class of 2020 meet for the first time ever. They are scheduled to face each other again Sept. 6 at Inter Miami CF Stadium.
  

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Los Angeles Football Club, 11 p.m.

• The teams 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 twice during the regular season a year ago, in a home-and-home series over successive weekends. On April 21 at Banc of California Stadium, LAFC rolled to a 4-1 win, as Carlos Vela scored a pair of goals, giving him 10 goals in nine matches on the season. A week later at CenturyLink Field, Jordan Morris gave Sounders FC the lead after just 45 seconds, but Vela struck again in just the fourth minute, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw. LAFC has never lost to Sounders FC in four meetings all-time in league play, winning three.
  
• The teams also met in the MLS Cup Playoffs last year. Raúl Ruidíaz scored a pair of goals, and Nicolas 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.