This Week in MLS – July 23, 2018

• MLS primed for record-breaking All-Star event in Atlanta

• LA buzzing over Ibrahimovic, Vela in Galaxy-LAFC rematch

• Armenteros driving Timbers during robust 13-game unbeaten streak

• Red Bulls’ Wright-Phillips on brink of becoming fastest to 100 MLS goals

• Newcomer Ruidíaz adds spark to Sounders’ rise in West

• MLS Week 22: Match Notes

MLS primed for record-breaking All-Star event in Atlanta

With Atlanta United igniting the passion for soccer in the South, the stars are aligning for a history-making 2018 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target on Aug. 1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. More than 65,000 tickets have been sold for this can’t-miss midsummer showcase that is pacing to break the standalone MLS All-Star Game attendance record of 70,728 fans, which was set in Houston in 2010 with the Manchester United debut of Mexican National Team star Javier “Chicharito” Hernández.

Drawing the biggest names from around the league, the MLS All-Star Game will feature current Golden Boot leader and Atlanta United hometown headliner Josef Martínez, who last weekend netted his sixth MLS hat trick to break the all-time league record in front of the Atlanta faithful.

With Atlanta United leading MLS standings, attendance, goalscoring, and the number of All-Star players selected, this Southern city couldn’t be more prepared to host the biggest show this event has ever seen.

Armenteros driving Timbers during robust 13-game unbeaten streak

First-year Portland Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese has his side clicking on all cylinders, and a major part of the club’s 13-game unbeaten streak has been the play of striker Samuel Armenteros.

Following a stint with former Serie A side Benevento Calcio, the 28-year-old Sweden national team player Armenteros has sustained his scoring groove since mid-May, tallying seven goals over the past nine games to share the club lead in that category with 2017 Landon Donovan MLS MVP and five-time MLS All-Star Diego Valeri. Armenteros’ play has propelled Portland to an 8-0-5 stretch to turn around a five-game winless streak at the start of the 2018 season.

“(It has taken) a lot of consistency,” Armenteros said of the team’s unbeaten stretch following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with the Montreal Impact. “We knew it was going to be a lot of hard work getting to know each other on and off the field. Me being a new player, you have a coach that’s new, a lot of staff that’s new and a lot of new players also added onto this season, so we knew it was going to take a little bit of time.”

Portland is reaping the benefits of Armenteros, who has started in seven of his past eight appearances. The Timbers are now knocking on the door in matching their best unbeaten streak. Portland is two matches shy of equaling its 15-game unbeaten run in 2013 as it hosts the Houston Dynamo on Saturday (9 p.m. ET / ESPN, ESPN Deportes).

Red Bulls’ Wright-Phillips on brink of becoming fastest to 100 MLS goals

New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips is just one goal away from becoming the fastest to accumulate 100 during the MLS Regular Season. His first chance to reach this milestone takes place Wednesday when Wright-Phillips and Co. travel to face fellow Englishman Wayne Rooney and D.C. United at Audi Field on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET / ESPN+).

The league’s first two-time MLS Golden Boot winner notched his 99th career goal during the Red Bulls’ 2-0 victory against the New England Revolution on Saturday. His 99 goals have been accrued through 158 games since joining the Red Bulls in 2013.

The current record in achieving the fastest time to the century mark is former New England Revolution legend Taylor Twellman, who netted his 100th goal in 174 games.

Wright-Phillips, who was selected for his second MLS All-Star Game this year, has scored six career goals against D.C. United during his tenure. Will Wright-Phillips steal the limelight from Rooney, who could potentially make his first home start in MLS?

Newcomer Ruidíaz adds spark to Sounders’ rise in West

Seattle Sounders FC faithful caught a glimpse of what Peruvian forward Raúl Ruidíaz brings to the table when he made his MLS debut during the Sounders’ dominant 2-0 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday. Ruidíaz potentially could make his first league start when Seattle visits the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday at Avaya Stadium (10:30 p.m. ET / ESPN+).

Seattle has assembled a very respectable four-game unbeaten streak (2-0-2) in July that included a 1-1 road draw against Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta United on July 15.

The Sounders have shown signs of returning to the form that led to back-to-back MLS Cup appearances over the past two seasons as they prep for a two-game stretch this week. After their trip to San Jose, the Sounders host New York City FC on Sunday (5 p.m. ET / ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN). NYCFC also plays twice this week, carrying a three-game winning streak into Orlando on Thursday (8 p.m. ET / ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN).

MLS Week 22: Match Notes

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

• D.C. United saw their road winless streak stretched to six games, falling 3-1 to Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

• The Red Bulls won a second consecutive game and a fourth game in a row at Red Bull Arena, defeating the New England Revolution 2-0 on Saturday evening.

• Bradley Wright-Phillips scored his 13th goal of the season – the 99th goal in his MLS league career, in his 158th appearance. The fastest player to 100 goals in MLS league history is Taylor Twellman, who scored 100 goals in 174 games played.

• The Red Bulls have a five-game undefeated streak alive in the series, coming away with two wins and a draw in three meetings a season ago. United’s last win in the series came May 13, 2016, a 2-0 win at RFK Stadium.

• The Red Bulls won the final meeting ever between the clubs at RFK Stadium, a 2-1 triumph on Decision Day (Oct. 22) last year, ending a five-game home undefeated streak for United in the series.

• The Red Bulls have a nine-game undefeated streak going in regular season matches at Red Bull Arena, having won five of the past seven meetings in Harrison. United’s last win at the Red Bulls came in 2011.

• The teams play for the Atlantic Cup, awarded to the winner of the season series by supporters’ groups from both clubs. They have met 90 times in all competitions over the years – the most of any two clubs in MLS history. New York has won 32 and United have won 43, including a 7-4-2 record in the postseason.

Houston Dynamo vs. Philadelphia Union, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

• The Dynamo extended their undefeated streak to four games with a third draw in that run, reaching a 1-1 result with FC Dallas at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday evening.

• The Union suffered a second consecutive home loss, falling 3-1 to the LA Galaxy at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday evening.

• The Dynamo have won the past five meetings at BBVA Compass Stadium, including a 1-0 victory in the last meeting there on July 2, 2016, after the Union won on their first two visits ever to Houston.

• The Union are undefeated in the past four meetings between the teams at Talen Energy Stadium, taking a 2-0 win last year in the lone meeting between the teams on May 17. The Union have won the past two games in Chester; the Dynamo last won there in 2013.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders FC, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

• The Quakes return to league play after seeing their winless streak extended to 10 games, suffering a second consecutive loss in a 2-0 defeat by the Montréal Impact at Stade Saputo on July 14. The 10-game winless run is the longest since the club-record 16-game winless streak in 2014-15.

• Sounders FC extended their undefeated streak to four games, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-0 at CenturyLink Field on Saturday afternoon.

• Sounders FC have a four-game undefeated streak alive in the overall series, but they have not won in northern California since 2010. The Quakes have won four of eight home meetings since, with four draws. The teams have reached 1-1 draws each of the last three meetings at Avaya Stadium in their only encounters in that ground.

• Sounders FC have won the past two meetings at CenturyLink Field, including a 3-0 win last July 23 in the last encounter between the clubs. The Seattle home win in 2016 put an end to a five-game Quakes undefeated streak in the league series.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Orlando City SC vs. New York City FC, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN)

• Orlando City weren’t able to build upon a first win in 10 games, falling 3-2 to Columbus Crew SC at Mapfre Stadium on Saturday evening.

• NYCFC return to league play after winning a third consecutive game last time out, a 2-0 win against Columbus Crew SC at Yankee Stadium on July 14. NYCFC have not allowed a goal in any of those wins, the 308-minute streak without conceding a club record.

• The teams are meeting for the third time this season, NYCFC winning the first two by shutout. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Maxi Moralez netted second-half goals as NYCFC eased to a 2-0 win on March 17 at Yankee Stadium, then Tajouri-Shradi scored twice and Moralez once in a 3-0 NYCFC win June 2 in the Bronx.

• NYCFC have won three consecutive games in the series. The win in the first meeting ended a three-game undefeated run for Orlando City SC on trips to Yankee Stadium, with two wins and a draw over that span.

• NYCFC won the last meeting at Orlando City Stadium, a 3-0 victory on May 21, 2016, their first win ever in Orlando. OCSC won the three previous meetings in Orlando; the teams played to a 1-1 draw when they opened their MLS histories against each other on March 8, 2015.

Los Angeles Football Club vs. LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN)

• LAFC saw their six-game undefeated streak put to an end, falling 5-1 to Minnesota United FC at TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday evening.

• The Galaxy won a third consecutive game – their longest winning streak of the season – in a 3-1 win against the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday evening. Romain Alessandrini collected a pair of assists, his second consecutive two-assist, and a third game in a row where he’s played a part in multiple goals, with two goals July 7 vs. Columbus.

• The teams are meeting for the second time ever. Zlatan Ibrahimović made a debut for the ages, scoring the game-tying goal in the 77th minute and the game-winning goal in stoppage, as the Galaxy overturned a 3-0 deficit for a 4-3 win on March 31 at StubHub Center. It was just the second time in MLS history at the time a team overturned a three-goal for a victory, in 5,114 games.

• Ibrahimović became the 16th player in MLS history to score two goals in his first league game (no player has ever scored a hat trick on their debut), according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Ibrahimović was also just the third player in MLS annals to score the game-tying goal and the game-winning goals on his debut.

Saturday, July 28, 2018

Montreal Impact vs. Atlanta United, 7 p.m. ET (TVA Sports; ESPN+)

• The Impact reached a 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Saturday evening. Saphir Taïder scored his fourth goal in the last four games, while Ignacio Piatti collected an assist. Piatti has five goals and three assists over the past seven games, playing a part in eight of the Impact’s 13 goals in that span.

• Atlanta United ran their undefeated streak to three games, coming back for a 3-1 win against D.C. United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The win extended Atlanta’s home undefeated streak to five games.

• Josef Martínez scored the sixth hat trick of his MLS career, becoming the all-time league leader. Martínez has 22 goals in his 22 games this season, the fastest ever to score 22 goals in a league season. He has scored in five consecutive games, with eight goals in that span.

• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Miguel Almirón scored two goals and Kevin Kratz also netted twice – both directly from free kicks – as Atlanta United took a 4-1 win on April 28 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

• The teams split their two meetings a year ago in Atlanta United’s inaugural season in MLS. The Impact took a 2-1 win on April 15 at Stade Saputo; Atlanta United returned the favor with a 2-0 victory on Sept. 24 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew SC, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

• Crew SC put an end to a two-game losing slide in dramatic fashion, getting a late penalty kick equalizer, and then a stoppage-time game-winner from Wil Trapp, for a 3-2 victory against Orlando City SC at Mapfre Stadium on Saturday evening. Crew SC put an end to a 298-minute goalless streak in the win, the seventh-longest in the club’s history.

• Kaku collected an assist for a second consecutive game in the Red Bulls’ 2-0 win against New England, giving him 12 assists for the season, back atop the MLS assist standings.

• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Gyasi Zardes scored the first-half opener for Crew SC, but Alex Muyl netted the equalizer in the second half for the Red Bulls, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw on June 9 at Mapfre Stadium.

• Crew SC have won two of the past four meetings at Mapfre Stadium, with two draws – but the Red Bulls have taken points on seven of their past 10 visits to Columbus, dating back to 2011.

• The Red Bulls have won the past three league meetings between the teams at Red Bull Arena, the first home wins for the Red Bulls in the series since 2012.

Toronto FC vs. Chicago Fire, 7 p.m. ET (TSN, ESPN+)

• Toronto FC took a 2-1 win at Toyota Park on Saturday night in the front end of the home-and-home series between the teams. Sebastian Giovinco scored his fifth goal of the season, a fourth consecutive game with either a goal or an assist.

• The teams are meeting for the third time this season. In the first meeting, Alan Gordon scored the equalizing goal for the Fire four minutes deep in second-half stoppage time, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw April 28 at BMO Field.

• Toronto FC had a six-game winning streak in the series before the draw in the first meeting this season. The Fire’s last victory in the series came April 4, 2015, a 3-2 win at Toyota Park, which capped a 12-game Fire undefeated streak in the series (6-0-6), dating back to 2010.

• TFC have won the last two meetings at Toyota Park, their only wins ever there. The Fire had come away with five wins and five draws in the first 10 meetings all-time in Bridgeview. TFC are undefeated in the five encounters at BMO Field.

D.C. United vs. Colorado Rapids, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

• The Rapids reached a second consecutive draw, coming back to grab a share of a 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening.

• Zoltan Stieber scored his fourth goal of the season in D.C. United’s 3-1 loss at Atlanta United, giving him five consecutive games with a goal and/or an assist, with two goals and four assists over that span.

• United are undefeated in the last seven meetings in the series, with three victories and four draws, dating back to May 14, 2011, after a 1-0 win last Aug. 19 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in the only meeting between the teams.

• Last year’s win was the first for United in Commerce City since 2010, and their first victory in Colorado since 2000. United were undefeated in the past four encounters at RFK Stadium, with two wins and two draws; the Rapids’ last win in Washington also came in 2010, their first triumph in the nation’s capital since 1999.

Sporting Kansas City vs. FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

• Sporting return to action after a weekend off, their winless streak extended to four games in their last league match, a 3-2 defeat by the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on July 14.

• FC Dallas reached a 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday evening; they have taken points six times from nine away games this season (four wins, two draws).

• FC Dallas have not won at Children’s Mercy Park since 2011, the first match there in the series. SKC has won five of the seven meetings since, with two draws, including a 2-0 win there last Aug. 19 in the last meeting between the teams.

• FCD has a five-game home undefeated streak alive in the series, winning 1-0 at Toyota Stadium last April 22 in the only meeting there a year ago. Kansas City’s last victory in Frisco came on June 12, 2011, a 4-1 win.

Portland Timbers vs. Houston Dynamo, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN Deportes)

• Romell Quioto recorded his 11th assist of the season in the Dynamo’s 1-1 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday, ending the weekend in second place in the MLS assist standings. Quioto has five assists in the past five games, assisting on five of the Dynamo’s last seven goals scored.

• The Timbers extended their undefeated streak to 13 games in league play, reaching a 2-2 draw with the Montréal Impact at Providence Park on Saturday evening. The streak is the second-longest in the club’s MLS history, after a 15-game run without loss in 2013.

• Diego Valeri scored his seventh goal of the season; he has been involved in six of the past seven goals scored by the Timbers (one goal, five assists), over the last four games.

• The Dynamo have never lost to the Timbers at home. The Dynamo have won two of the five meetings all-time in Houston, with three draws, including a 2-2 win last July 29 at BBVA Compass Stadium in the last encounter between the teams.

• The Timbers have a five-game undefeated streak at Providence Park alive in the series, winning the past two, last a 4-2 victory there last March 18. The Dynamo’s lone league win there came in the first meeting between the teams in Portland in 2011.

• The teams also met in the MLS Cup Playoffs last season, with the Dynamo winning the semifinal series 2-1 on aggregate. The teams reached a goalless draw in the first leg in Houston, before the Dynamo won the return match 2-1 in Portland.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Minnesota United FC, 10 p.m. ET (TSN; ESPN+)

• Whitecaps FC suffered a second consecutive defeat, falling 2-0 to Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on Saturday afternoon.

• MNUFC set a club record for their MLS history, scoring five goals in defeating the Los Angeles Football Club 5-1 at TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday evening.

• Darwin Quintero scored for a third consecutive game, with three goals and four assists over that span. Quintero has six goals over the past five matches, since July 4.

• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Miguel Ibarra netted the game’s only goal on the hour mark to give MNUFC the win on May 5 at TCF Bank Stadium.

• The teams met twice in Minnesota United’s inaugural campaign. They reached a 2-2 draw in their first meeting ever, June 24 at TCF Bank Stadium, then Whitecaps FC rolled to a 3-0 win on Sept. 13 at BC Place.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Real’s Damir Kreilach and San Jose’s Danny Hoesen traded goals 10 minutes apart in the second half, leaving the teams in a 1-1 deadlock June 23 at Rio Tinto Stadium.

• Real are undefeated in their past five home meetings with the Quakes, with two wins and three draws in that time, the last San Jose victory in Sandy coming in 2013.

• The Quakes now own a three-game winning streak in the series in San Jose, the last RSL win there a 1-0 triumph on April 5, 2015.

• During their week away from MLS play, the Quakes reached a goalless draw with Manchester United of the English Premier League on Saturday evening at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

• Real Salt Lake extended their home undefeated streak to 10 games, reaching a 2-2 draw with the Colorado Rapids at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening. Joao Plata scored for a second consecutive game; he has played a part in each of Real’s last four goals, with three goals and one assist.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Seattle Sounders FC vs. New York City FC, 5 p.m. (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN)

• Nicolas Lodeiro scored a pair of goals in Sounders FC’s 2-0 win against Vancouver, the second two-goal game of his MLS career. Lodeiro has netted each of the last three goals scored by Seattle.

• Sean Johnson recorded his eighth shutout of the season in NYCFC’s 2-0 win vs. Columbus, a single-season career-high in his nine MLS seasons. His current 308-minute shutout streak following the win is the third-longest of his career, 26 minutes short of his personal record, set in 2011 with the Chicago Fire.

• NYCFC have won the past two meetings between the teams, once at each ground. NYCFC won 2-1 last June 17 at Yankee Stadium in the last encounter; they claimed a 2-0 win on June 25, 2016, in the only meeting all-time at CenturyLink Field.

• Sounders FC won the first meeting ever between the clubs, a 3-1 win on May 3, 2015, at Yankee Stadium, their only victory in the series.

LA Galaxy vs. Orlando City SC, 9:30 p.m. (FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN)

• Home form has ruled in the all-time series. Orlando City have won both meetings played in Florida, including a 2-1 victory last April 15 at Orlando City Stadium in the only encounter last season. OCSC also took a 4-0 win in the first meeting ever between the teams in 2015.

• The Galaxy have won the lone meeting between the clubs at StubHub Center, a 4-2 triumph Sept. 11, 2016.

• Zlatan Ibrahimović scored for a fifth consecutive game in the Galaxy’s 3-1 win against the Philadelphia Union, with seven goals in that span, dating back to June 9. Ibrahimović ended the week sitting in fourth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings, with 13 goals from 15 matches.