MLS goes head-to-head against top Liga MX teams in Champions League

• MLS goes head-to-head against top Liga MX teams in Champions League

• Teenage Efraín Álvarez stars for boyhood club

• Strong road performances highlight Week 1

• Sounders FC’s Morris scores brace in triumphant return from injury

• Six teenagers among the 38 academy products to feature in opening week

• Week 2 Notes

MLS goes head-to-head against top Liga MX teams in Champions League

For just the second time in Concacaf Champions League history, four MLS teams advanced to the quarterfinals of the region’s top tournament. This week, three of those MLS clubs face three of the top six teams in the Liga MX table: frontrunners Tigres UANL (@ Houston Dynamo), second-place Monterrey (vs. Atlanta United) and sixth-place Santos Laguna (@ New York Red Bulls). Additionally, Sporting Kansas City will face Independiente of Panama.

Results from recent years are indicative of a changed dynamic in the region as MLS teams have won head-to-head CCL matches against Liga MX eight times in 14 games (57.1 percent win rate) since the 2018 edition of the CCL.

That wins total is approaching the previous decade’s worth of MLS victories vs. Liga MX in this tournament. From 2008-17, MLS clubs earned 11 wins in 70 CCL games against Liga MX, an indication of just how much stronger MLS has become in the quest for regional supremacy against Mexico’s top flight.

Teenage Efraín Álvarez stars for boyhood club after ascent with Galaxy

After registering a game-altering assist in his MLS debut on Saturday, 16-year-old Homegrown midfielder Efraín Álvarez announced to the world what the LA Galaxy have known for years – this kid can play. Born and raised in East Los Angeles, 15 miles from the LA Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park home, Álvarez is one of six children and has two older brothers who play professionally, while his youngest brother is following in his footsteps playing with the LA Galaxy Academy.

After joining the Galaxy Academy at age 14, Álvarez quickly ascended the club’s system, last year becoming the youngest player in USL history to play in a match at 15 years old while shining with 12 goals scored in a mere 17 appearances. Now only 30 minutes into his MLS career, Álvarez has immediately caught the attention of the entire league, becoming the youngest player in Galaxy history to appear in a match and the fifth-youngest to record an assist in MLS history.

Álvarez has most recently played with Mexico’s U-17 squad internationally, however he has represented both Mexico and the United States at the youth levels. While Álvarez is starring for the Galaxy first team, his Mexico U-17 counterparts will take on the Galaxy Academy today in Carson in a match that hits close to home for the youngster at both angles.

Strong road performances highlight Week 1

In Week 1, three teams (Toronto, Minnesota and Montreal) grabbed three road points – an even more important achievement this season under the new single-elimination structure for the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs

Toronto FC and Minnesota United FC, who combined for three road wins in all of 2018, have already made a case for a revitalized 2019 season.

The first seven games of the 2019 season featured the road team gaining at least one point, before the LA Galaxy ended that streak with a 2-1 home win against the Chicago Fire.

If the Playoffs Began Today:

Toronto FC in the East and Seattle Sounders FC in the West would each earn a bye for the top spots in each conference.

Sounders FC’s Morris scores brace in triumphant return from injury

A year’s worth of dedicated rehabilitation was rewarded on Saturday for Jordan Morris. After missing the entire 2018 season with a torn ACL, Morris announced his return to the field with a roar, scoring two goals in Seattle Sounders FC dominant 4-1 victory over FC Cincinnati at CenturyLink Field on Saturday while garnering MLS Player of the Week honors for the opening week of the season.

Six teenagers among 38 academy products to feature in opening-week play

The opening week of the 2019 MLS season saw 38 academy products take the field, with over 60 percent (23 of 38) of those players age 23 or under. Overall, the academy products tallied three goals and four assists with Seattle Sounders FC 24-year-old forward Jordan Morris leading all players with two goals scored.

The youngest player to take the field was LA Galaxy 16-year-old midfielder Efraín Álvarez who sparked the club with an assist in the 2-1 victory on Saturday. Álvarez was one of six teenagers to take the pitch along with 17-year-old defender Cole Bassett (Colorado Rapids) and 18-year-old James Sands (NYCFC), who both started in their club’s opening week matches. The other teenagers to play this weekend were a trio of standouts who could feature for the U.S. at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in 18-year-old FC Dallas forward Jesus Ferreira, 19-year-old FC Dallas midfielder Paxton Pomykal and 19-year-old D.C. United midfielder Chris Durkin.

MLS Regular Season: Week 2 Notes

Saturday, March 9

Chicago Fire vs. Orlando City SC, 1 p.m. ET

• The Fire opened their 2019 season with a 2-1 loss to the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. CJ Sapong scored for the Fire in his debut for the club after his arrival from the Philadelphia Union just before the start of the season.

• Orlando City SC stormed back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw with New York City FC in their season opener at Orlando City Stadium. Chris Mueller scored directly from a free kick before Tesho Akindele scored his first goal for the club with a 75th-minute equalizer, assisted by Nani in his MLS debut.

• The Fire have a three-game winning streak vs. Orlando City SC, winning both meetings a year ago, a 2-1 victory May 26 at Orlando City Stadium, and a 4-0 victory Sept. 16 in Bridgeview.

• The Fire undefeated streak vs. Orlando City is even longer – now three seasons long. Orlando City’s last win vs. Chicago came Sept. 19, 2015, a 1-0 win at Bridgeview; the Fire have won three meetings since, with three draws.

New England Revolution vs. Columbus Crew SC, 2 p.m. ET

• The Revolution came from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas in their season opener at Toyota Stadium, Carles Gil scored the New England goal on his MLS debut.

• Crew SC started off the new campaign with a 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls at Mapfre Stadium. Gaston Sauro scored the lone Columbus goal, his first in five MLS seasons.

• Crew SC won the second meeting between the teams a season ago, a 1-0 win at Gillette Stadium on May 19, their second victory in the last three seasons in Foxborough.

• The teams reached a 1-1 draw in their lone meeting last year in Columbus, on April 21; the Crew now have a five-game undefeated streak at home in the series between the clubs, the Revs’ last win at Mapfre Stadium coming in 2013.

FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy, 3:30 p.m. ET (Univision)

• FC Dallas began the new season with a 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution at Toyota Stadium. Michael Barrios scored FCD’s goal, with the assist from Dominique Badji.

• The Galaxy won their season opener in dramatic fashion, coming back from a goal down to claim a 2-1 win against the Chicago Fire at Dignity Health Sports Park. Daniel Steres scored the equalizer from an assist by Efraín Alvarez – the fifth-youngest player to record an assist in MLS history. Zlatan Ibrahimović then netted the game-winner in the 80th minute.

• FC Dallas have won the last four meetings between the teams, including both matches a year ago, both by 3-2 scorelines – May 12 at Toyota Stadium, and May 30 in Carson. FC Dallas have won each of the last two meetings in Frisco, and now have a six-game undefeated streak overall in the series (with five victories).

• FCD has won the last two meetings between the teams in Carson, coming on the heels of a nine-game home undefeated streak in the series for the Galaxy (dating back to 2009), having gone 7-0-2 over that stretch.

Houston Dynamo vs. Montreal Impact, 5 p.m. ET (TVA Sports)

• The Dynamo claimed a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake in their MLS season opener at BBVA Compass Stadium. Mauro Manotas hit for the equalizer midway just after the hour mark.

• The Impact rebounded from an early deficit to capture a 2-1 win against the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium to open their new campaign. Ignacio Piatti scored his first goal of the year for the leveler from an assist by Saphir Taïder, then Taïder netted the game-winner just before the halftime break.

• The visiting team has never won in the six-year history of the series between the clubs, after the Impact won the lone meeting between the teams a season ago, a 1-0 win on June 2 at Stade Saputo. The road team has come away with points just once – after a 1-1 draw in Houston in 2011.

• The Dynamo have won the past six meetings between the teams in Houston in all competitions, including in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2013, last with a 3-1 win on July 5, 2017. The Impact have won all six meetings in the series at Stade Saputo.

Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 6 p.m. ET (TSN1)

• Real kicked off their new campaign with a 1-1 road draw with the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium. Albert Rusnák scored RSL’s first goal of the season, off an assist by Corey Baird.

• Whitecaps FC suffered a 3-2 loss to Minnesota United FC in their 2019 season opener. A pair of defenders netted the two Vancouver goals in Erik Godoy and Doneil Henry.

• The teams split their season series last year, each winning on their home ground. Real Salt Lake took a 2-0 win on April 7 at Rio Tinto Stadium, then Whitecaps FC claimed a 2-1 win on April 27 at BC Place. It was the third consecutive season the teams have split their two meetings, each with a home victory.

• The ‘Caps have won the last six meetings at BC Place, dating back to 2014. RSL have won the last three meetings at Rio Tinto Stadium.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United FC, 8 p.m. ET

• The Quakes fell 2-1 to the Montréal Impact in their 2019 season opener at Avaya Stadium. Magnus Eriksson gave San Jose the lead after just 11 minutes, with assists from Vako Qazaishvili and Anibal Godoy.

• MNUFC won their season opener for the first time in the club’s MLS history, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3-2 at BC Place. The victory was the first on the road for Minnesota United since March 10, 2018, snapping a 15-game away winless streak.

• Darwin Quintero opened the scoring for MNUFC, converting a penalty kick, then assisted on the next two goals, from Francisco Calvo and Romario Ibarra. It’s the fourth time in his MLS career Quintero has been involved in three goals in a game (in 28 appearances).

• The Quakes have won all four meetings all-time between the teams, winning both encounters a year ago – a 3-2 win on March 3 at Avaya Stadium in the season opener for both teams, and a 3-1 win on May 12 at TCF Bank Stadium.

• The Quakes won both meetings in MNUFC’s inaugural campaign, a 1-0 win on April 29 in Minneapolis, and a 3-2 triumph Oct. 22 in San Jose.

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 10 p.m. ET

• Sounders FC started off their new season with a 4-1 win against expansion outfit FC Cincinnati at CenturyLink Field. Jordan Morris scored two goals for the Sounders, the second two-goal game of his league career and his first goals in MLS since Aug. 5, 2017 after missing the entirety of last season with a knee injury.

• The Rapids reached a dramatic 3-3 draw with the Portland Timbers in a wild season opener at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. In a game played in a driving snowstorm – the gametime temperature was 18 degrees, the coldest ever for an MLS league match – the Rapids first went a man down then twice came back from a goal down to gain the draw, the final equalizer scored by rookie Andre Shinyashiki in stoppage time.

• Sounders FC have won the last four meetings between the teams, over the last two seasons, including both meetings a year ago – a 2-1 win on July 4 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, and a 4-0 victory Sept. 29 at CenturyLink Field.

• Those victories came after a three-game winning streak for the Rapids in the series, including wins in both meetings in 2016. The Rapids winning streak had come on the heels of a five-game Sounders FC winning streak in the series, over the 2014 season and first two meetings in 2015.

• Sounders FC have won five of the past six meetings in Commerce City in both league and MLS Cup Playoffs competition, dating back to 2014. The Rapids had a two-game winning streak at CenturyLink Field before Sounders FC wins there the past two years – Colorado’s only wins ever in Seattle.

Sunday, March 10

New York City FC vs. D.C. United, 3 p.m. ET

• NYCFC reached a 2-2 draw with Orlando City SC at Orlando City Stadium in their 2019 season opener. Goals from Ebenezer Ofori and Alexander Ring gave NYCFC a two-goal lead by halftime.

• D.C. United started off their new season with a 2-0 win against defending MLS Cup champions Atlanta United at Audi Field. Paul Arriola netted the opener just before halftime from an assist by Luciano Acosta, then Acosta netted the second just before the hour mark.

• D.C. United won the last meeting between the teams a year ago, a 2-1 win on Oct. 21 at Audi Field, their third consecutive home victory in the series. NYCFC owns the only win by the road team in the series – a 2-0 triumph May 8, 2016 at RFK Stadium.

• The teams reached a 1-1 draw last Sept. 8 in the lone meeting at Yankee Stadium, the first time D.C. United took points there. NYCFC had won the first three encounters in the Bronx.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Philadelphia Union, 3 p.m. ET

• Sporting opened their new season with a 2-1 loss to Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium. Krisztian Nemeth scored the SKC goal, giving his side an early lead.

• The Union went down to a 3-1 defeat by Toronto FC in their season opener at Talen Energy Stadium. Marco Fabian netted the Union goal in his MLS debut, converting a penalty kick.

• The Union won the lone meeting between the teams a year ago, a 2-0 win on Sept. 23 at Talen Energy Stadium, their third consecutive home win in the series.

• The Union have taken points on four of their past five trips to face SKC, with two wins and two draws, including a 1-1 draw in their last meeting at Children’s Mercy Park on July 6, 2017.

Atlanta United FC vs. FC Cincinnati, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN4)

• Atlanta United went down to defeat to open the season for the third time in their three-year MLS history, falling 2-0 to D.C. United at Audi Field. The defending MLS Cup champions were the only team not to score a goal over the opening weekend of the season.

• FC Cincinnati started their MLS history with a 4-1 loss to Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field. Leonardo Bertone scored the club’s first-ever league goal, giving FCC the lead after just 13 minutes.

• Atlanta United have faced a new expansion team once in their history – a 5-0 win against the Los Angeles Football Club last April 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Los Angeles Football Club vs. Portland Timbers, 7:30 p.m. ET (FS1, FOX Deportes)

• LAFC won their season opener for a second consecutive year, claiming a dramatic 2-1 win against Sporting Kansas City at Banc of California Stadium. Diego Rossi netted in the opener for a second year running, pulling LAFC level early in the second half – then Adama Diomande hit for the game-winner deep in stoppage time.

• The Timbers reached a 3-3 draw with the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in a wild season opener. The game was played in a steady snowfall and kickoff temperature was 18 degrees – the coldest ever for an MLS league match. Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco netted goals for the Timbers, who also benefited from an own goal.

• The teams met twice in league play in LAFC’s inaugural season. The Timbers claimed a 2-1 win on May 19 at Providence Park; the teams also reached a goalless draw July 15 at Banc of California Stadium.

• The teams also met in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with LAFC winning their semifinal matchup 3-2 in Los Angeles.