MLS Media Resources: Week 2 News & Notes

MLS MEDIA RESOURCES: WEEK 2 NEWS & NOTES
News and notes and statistical trends from around Major League Soccer
MORRIS LEADS WAY WITH OPENING-DAY HEROICS TO KICK OFF 2020
Coming into the 2020 season, just two players had opened the season with multiple goals in the season opener on more than one occasion. That total was doubled in barely 24 hours over the season’s opening weekend – including a bit of history for Jordan Morris of Seattle Sounders FC.
Morris came off the bench and scored both Sounders FC goals in their 2-1 win vs. Chicago Fire FC at CenturyLink Field. It was the second consecutive year where Morris netted a brace in the season opener, scoring both Sounders FC goals in the win vs. FC Cincinnati last year – the first player in MLS history to score multiple goals in back-to-back season openers.
On Sunday, Kevin Molino hit for a pair of goals in Minnesota United FC’s 3-1 win at the Portland Timbers – the second time he’s scored two goals in the opener for MNUFC, also doing it in 2018 at San Jose.
Coming into the season, just two players had scored multiple goals in multiple season openers – Mike Magee (2013 and 2016) and Ante Razov (1999 and 2006).
MULTIPLE GOALS IN SEASON OPENERS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS

VELA CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY AND EXTENDS STREAK IN WORLD-CLASS FASHION
Carlos Vela of Los Angeles Football Club celebrated his 31st birthday in dazzling fashion on Sunday afternoon. Vela netted the game’s only goal – from a stunning world-class chip from right on the edge of the penalty area – the only goal in LAFC’s victory against expansion side Inter Miami CF at Banc of California Stadium.
The goal also extended Vela’s goalscoring streak to 10 games in league play dating back to the end of last season – now the second-longest goalscoring streak in MLS history. Vela ended the 2019 campaign with goals in each of the final nine matches, a year that saw Josef Martínez of Atlanta United set the all-time league record with goals in 15 consecutive games from May 24 to Sept. 18.
CONSECUTIVE GAMES WITH GOALS

TRANSFERS FROM LIGA MX MAKE MARK IN 2020 SEASON OPENERS
A new standard was set in the offseason with nine players moving directly from Mexico’s Liga MX directly to Major League Soccer – and they certainly made their mark in the opening week of play in the 2020 season.
The nine players all started for their new clubs and combined for three goals and one assist, along with a shutout at the defensive end. The nine players (with a 10th signed who will arrive during the Secondary Transfer Window in July) represent the most transfers from the Mexican top flight to MLS in one season in the league’s history.
Of the group, Oswaldo Alanis first recorded an assist, then scored a dramatic equalizer directly from a free kick to give the San Jose Earthquakes a share of a 2-2 draw with Toronto FC. Alan Pulido opened his account with Sporting Kansas City just 17 minutes into his debut. Lucas Zelarayan scored the game’s only goal in Columbus Crew SC’s victory vs. New York City FC. Pedro Gallese recorded the shutout in Orlando City SC's season-opening draw with Real Salt Lake.
Of the 10 Liga MX transfers for the 2020 season, nine have represented their countries at full senior international level, for five different countries (Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Canada), with more than 200 total caps and 39 goals scored. They made more than 1000 appearances and scored more than 200 goals in all in Liga MX.

DEBUTANT GOALSCORERS REACH LEVEL NOT SEEN IN 25 SEASONS
The opening week of the 2020 Major League Soccer season saw 35 goals scored – seven of which were playing their first games ever in Major League Soccer.
The seven goalscorers on their league debut marked the most in a single match round since April 13-14, 1996 – the first full week of matches in league history.
MOST GOALSCORERS ON MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER DEBUT (SINGLE MATCHROUND)

MLS WEEK 2 – LOOK AHEAD
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION vs. CHICAGO FIRE FC
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #14)
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
1:30 p.m. ET (NBCS-Bos; ESPN+ / WGN-TV)
REFEREE: Fotis Bazakos. AR1 (bench): Peter Balciunas; AR2 (opposite): Brian Poeschel; 4th: Sergii Demianchuk; VAR: Alan Kelly; AVAR: Claudiu Badea
MLS Career: 91 games; FC/gm: 26.1; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 18; pens: 36
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Revolution 22 wins, 82 goals … Fire 27 wins, 91 goals … Ties 13
AT NEW ENGLAND: Revolution 17 wins, 46 goals … Fire 10 wins, 31 goals … Ties 4

• The Revolution opened their season with a 2-1 loss to the Montréal Impact at Olympic Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Teal Bunbury scored the lone Revolution goal.
  
• Fire FC kicked off their new season with a 2-1 defeat by Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on Sunday afternoon. New signing Robert Berić opened his MLS and Fire FC account with the opening goal of the match just after halftime.
  
• The teams split their two meetings in 2019, each winning on their home ground. The Fire rolled to a 5-0 win on May 8 at SeatGeek Stadium, then the Revolution claimed a 2-1 win Aug. 24 at Gillette Stadium.
  
• The Revolution win in the second meeting snapped a seven-game Fire undefeated streak in the series (5-0-2), New England’s first win since July 23, 2016. The Fire do have a nine-game home undefeated streak alive in the series.
  

REVOLUTION:
Cristian Peniila
collected his first assist of the season. He has a goal and/or an assist in each of his last four league games dating to last season, with a goal and three assists in that span. …
Gustavo Bou
recorded his first assist of the season, his third in MLS.
FIRE FC:
Djordje Mihailović
recorded his first assist of the season, his last coming on Aug. 31 of last season. …
Álvaro Medran
collected an assist on his MLS debut.
REAL SALT LAKE vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #15)
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
2 p.m. ET (KMYU-12; MSG)
REFEREE: Rosendo Mendoza. AR1 (bench): Nick Uranga; AR2 (opposite): Peter Manikowski; 4th: Nima Saghafi; VAR: Younes Marrakchi; AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
MLS Career: 2 games; FC/gm: 18.5; Y/gm: 0.5; R: 0; pens: 0
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Real 7 wins, 28 goals … Red Bulls 6 wins, 31 goals … Ties 9
AT SALT LAKE: Real 6 wins, 19 goals … Red Bulls 0 wins, 9 goals … Ties 5

• Real Salt Lake began their new season with a goalless draw on the road, vs. Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening. Zac MacMath recorded a pair of saves for the shutout.
  
• The Red Bulls got their new season off to a bright start, defeating FC Cincinnati 3-2 at Red Bull Arena on Sunday afternoon. The Red Bulls got goals from Kyle Duncan, Kaku and Danny Royer; last year, the Red Bulls equaled the all-time record with 18 different individual goalscorers.
  
• The Red Bulls won the lone meeting between the clubs last season, a 4-0 win June 1 at Red Bull Arena. It was the first win in the series for the Red Bulls since 2015, with RSL winning two of the three in between (with one draw).
  

• The Red Bulls have never won in league play at Salt Lake. Real have won six of the 11 regular season meetings all-time in Utah, with five draws, last a 1-0 win on March 17, 2018 at Rio Tinto Stadium. But the Red Bulls did claim the Western Conference Championship there in 2008, a 1-0 victory. The Red Bulls own a four-game home undefeated streak in the series; RSL’s win in Harrison, N.J., in 2011 was the last by the road team in the series.
  

REAL:
Real Salt Lake reached a draw for the sixth consecutive season opener. They are undefeated in their last 11 season openers (dating back to 2010), with a 5-0-6 record in that span, equaling the longest undefeated streak in opening day matches in MLS history (FC Dallas is also now undefeated in their last 11 season openers).
RED BULLS:
Kyle Duncan
also collected assists of the other two Red Bulls goals. The 2-assist game was a single-game career-high in his 18 MLS appearances, the first time in a league game he was involved in multiple goals. …
Florian Valot
also recorded a pair of assists, the first multiple-assist game in his MLS career (17 league appearances). …
Danny Royer
gained his first assist of the season, the sixth time in his MLS career he’s had a goal and an assist in the same game.
FC DALLAS vs. MONTREAL IMPACT
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #16)
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
2 p.m. CT (TVA Sports; FCDTV)
REFEREE: Victor Rivas. AR1 (bench): Ian McKay; AR2 (opposite): TJ Zablocki; 4th: Ramy Touchan; VAR: Sorin Stoica; AVAR: Craig Lowry
MLS Career: 3 games; FC/gm: 27.7; Y/gm: 4.7; R: 0; pens: 3
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FC Dallas 5 wins, 15 goals … Impact 1 win, 9 goals … Ties 2
AT DALLAS: FC Dallas 4 wins, 9 goals … Impact 0 wins, 3 goals … Ties 0

• FC Dallas started their new campaign off on the right foot, defeating the Philadelphia Union 2-0 at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening. Zdenek Ondrasek and Paxton Pomykal netted second-half goals to lead FCD to the win, in front of a three-save shutout from Jesse Gonzalez.
  
• The Impact opened a season at home for the first time in their MLS history – and came away winners, defeating the New England Revolution 2-1 at Stade Olympique. Romell Quioto put the Impact ahead in the first half, then Maximiliano Urruti netted the game-winner 10 minutes from full time.
  
• The teams played to a 3-3 draw in their lone meeting a season ago, Aug. 17 at Stade Saputo. The result ended a three-game FCD winning streak in the series.
  
• The Impact have won once in eight meetings all-time – a 2-1 win in 2015 in Montréal. FCD has won all four encounters at Toyota Stadium, last a 2-0 victory June 9, 2018.
  

FCD:
Jesús Ferreira
recorded his first assist of the season; he had a goal and an assist in the Decision Day season finale last year. …
Tanner Tessmann
recorded an assist on his professional debut.
IMPACT:
Maximiliano Urruti
collected his first assist of the season, the eighth time in his MLS career he had a goal and an assist in the same game. …
Saphir Taïder
recorded his first assist of the season, now with three assists in his last four league games dating back to last season. …
Joel Waterman
received an assist in his MLS debut.
D.C. UNITED vs. INTER MIAMI CF
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #17)
Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
3:30 p.m. ET (Univision / TUDN)
REFEREE: Rubiel Vazquez. AR1 (bench): Eduardo Mariscal; AR2 (opposite): Jeremy Kieso; 4th: Matt Franz; VAR: Geoff Gamble; AVAR: Jeff Muschik
MLS Career: 31 games; FC/gm: 21.3; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 6; pens: 5
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting.

• D.C. United saw the Colorado Rapids come back from a goal down to snatch a 2-1 victory in the season opener for both clubs, Saturday afternoon at Audi Field. Russell Canouse scored the United goal, the first in MLS in the 2020 season. The Rapids opener ended the D.C. league shutout streak at 571 minutes, the fourth-longest in MLS history.
  
• Inter Miami CF opened their history with a 1-0 loss to Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Goalkeeper Luis Robles made eight saves – some of the spectacular variety – the most of any goalkeeper on opening day this season.
  
• The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories. They will also face each other Aug, 8 at Inter Miami CF Stadium.
  

UNITED:
Julian Gressel
recorded an assist in his D.C. United debut; he had 35 assists in his first three MLS seasons with Atlanta United, hitting double digits in the last two.
INTER MIAMI:
Five players made their MLS debuts in starting for Inter Miami –
Lewis Morgan, Rodolfo Pizarro, Matias Pellegrini, Nicolas Figal
and
Robbie Robinson
– with a sixth debutant coming off the substitutes’ bench in
Christian Makoun
.
TORONTO FC vs. NEW YORK CITY FC
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #18)
BMO Field, Toronto, Ont.
5 p.m. ET (TSN; YES)
REFEREE: Ted Unkel. AR1 (bench): Adam Wienckowski; AR2 (opposite): Logan Brown; 4th: Marcos de Oliveira; VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero; AVAR: Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein
MLS Career: 97 games; FC/gm: 23.4; Y/gm: 3.9; R: 32; pens: 53
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Toronto FC 2 wins, 19 goals … NYCFC 4 wins, 21 goals … Ties 5
AT BMO FIELD: Toronto FC 2 wins, 11 goals … NYCFC 2 wins, 6 goals … Ties 1

• Toronto FC were hauled back into a late 2-2 draw by the San Jose Earthquakes in the season opener for both clubs, Saturday afternoon at Earthquakes Stadium. Goals from Alejandro Pozuelo and Richie Laryea on either side of halftime gave TFC a 2-goal lead.
  
• NYCFC started off their league campaign with a loss by the game’s only goal, to Columbus Crew SC at Mapfre Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Maxime Chanot was sent off in the third minute, equaling the third-fastest red card in MLS history.
  
• The teams met twice during the regular season in 2019. On March 29 at BMO Field, Alejandro Pozuelo scored a pair of goals and set up a third as Toronto FC rolled to a 4-0 win. The teams then reached a 1-1 draw Sept. 11 at Yankee Stadium. TFC have won twice in 11 regular-season meetings in the series – both coming by 4-0 scorelines at BMO Field.
  

• The teams also met in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Alejandro Pozuelo converted a penalty kick in the 90th minute for his second goal of the game to give TFC a 2-1 win at CitiField. The teams also met in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2016, Toronto FC winning 7-0 on aggregate, a 2-0 victory at BMO Field, then 5-0 at Yankee Stadium.
  

TFC:
Toronto FC extended their league undefeated streak to 11 games dating back to the end of last season, matching the club record set July 5-Sept. 16, 2017.
NYCFC:
Sean Johnson
recorded his 100th appearance for New York City FC in MLS league and postseason play, second-most in club history (behind David Villa).
ATLANTA UNITED vs. FC CINCINNATI
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #19)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
7 p.m. ET (FS-South; WSTR – Star 64)
REFEREE: Robert Sibiga. AR1 (bench): Eric Weisbrod; AR2 (opposite): Gjovalin Bori; 4th: Elvis Osmanovic; VAR: Edvin Jurisevic; AVAR: Jozef Batko
MLS Career: 101 games; FC/gm: 21.9; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 24; pens: 28
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: ATLUTD 1 win, 3 goals … FCC 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 1
AT MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM: ATLUTD 0 wins, 1 goal … FCC 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 1

• Atlanta United started off their season with a victory, defeating expansion side Nashville SC 2-1 at Nissan Stadium on Saturday evening. Ezequiel Barco and Emerson Hyndman netted first-half goals for ATLUTD.
  
• FCC started their second season in Major League Soccer with a 3-2 reversal by the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Sunday afternoon. Allan Cruz netted FCC’s first goal of the season, then new acquisition Juergen Locadia scored late in his MLS debut.
  
• The teams met twice in FCC’s inaugural season. The first match ended in a 1-1 draw, March 10 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, then Atlanta United claimed a 2-0 win Sept. 18 at Nippert Stadium.
  

ATLUTD:
Franco Escobar
recorded his first assist of the season, the fourth of his MLS career, his first since last July 7. …
Ezequiel Barco
has a goal and two assists in his last four league outings, dating back to last Aug. 23.
FCC:
Brandon Vazquez
collected his first assist of the season, the third of his MLS career (in 33 appearances). …
Greg Garza
was credited with an assist, his first in league play since May 13, 2018.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #20)
Earthquakes Stadium, San Jose, Calif.
5 p.m. PT (NBCS-BA+; FS-North)
REFEREE: Baldomero Toledo. AR1 (bench): Adam Garner; AR2 (opposite): Apolinar Mariscal; 4th: Luis Guardia; VAR: Kevin Stott; AVAR: Fabio Tovar
MLS Career: 288 games; FC/gm: 25.3; Y/gm: 3.6; R: 105; pens: 111
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Earthquakes 4 wins, 11 goals … MNUFC 2 wins, 11 goals … Ties 0
AT SAN JOSE: Earthquakes 2 wins, 6 goals … MNUFC 1 win, 7 goals … Ties 0

• The Quakes got a moment of brilliance to gain a point from their season opener, coming back for a 2-2 draw with Toronto FC at Earthquakes Stadium. Down 2-0 in the second half, Andres Rios netted San Jose’s first goal, then in stoppage time, Oswaldo Alanís whipped home a free kick from the right flank for the leveler. It was the first goal directly from a free kick for the Quakes since 2013.
  
• Minnesota United FC opened their new season with a quality result, taking a 3-1 away victory against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Kevin Molino netted a pair of goals and Luis Amarilla added the third; it was the second time in three seasons Molino opened the MNUFC season with a brace.
  
• The teams met twice a year ago, and Minnesota United FC won both, taking a 3-0 win at Avaya Stadium on March 9, and a 3-1 win July 3 at Allianz Field.
  
• The Quakes had won the first four meetings between the teams over the previous two seasons, with a pair of wins in both San Jose and Minneapolis.
  

QUAKES:
Oswaldo Alanís
also recorded an assist, making his Quakes and MLS debut. …
Cristian Espinoza
recorded his first assist of the season; he had the final of his 13 assists last year in the Decision Day season finale.
MNUFC:
Ethan Finlay
recorded two assists on the night, the fifth two-assist game of his MLS career.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #21)
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kan.
7:30 p.m. CT (FS-KC; KUBE 57)
REFEREE: Allen Chapman. AR1 (bench): Brian Dunn; AR2 (opposite): Jason White; 4th: Lukasz Szpala; VAR: Hilario Grajeda; AVAR: Thomas Supple
MLS Career: 162 games; FC/gm: 22.1; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 41; pens: 71
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sporting 8 wins, 37 goals … Dynamo 10 wins, 41 goals … Ties 13
AT KC: Sporting 4 wins, 20 goals … Dynamo 4 wins, 19 goals … Ties 7

• Sporting KC began their season with a quality win, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3-1 at BC Place. Sporting were sent on their way with goals from a pair of newcomers in Alan Pulido and Gadi Kinda, before Erik Hurtado netted the third against his former club.
  
• The Dynamo opened their new season with a 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy before a sold-out crowd at BBVA Stadium. Mauro Manotas netted Houston’s first goal of the year.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago. They first reached a 1-1 draw June 1 at BBVA Stadium, then Sporting claimed a 1-0 win Aug. 31 at Children’s Mercy Park.
  
• Sporting have a five-game undefeated streak alive in the series, with three wins and two draws. The Dynamo’s last win came in 2017 in Houston.
  

• Sporting have won the last two 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.
  

SPORTING:
Gerso Fernandes
collected his first assist of the season, his last coming last Sept. 15. …
Luis Martins
recorded the first assist of his MLS career, making his 11th appearance. …
Roberto Puncec
gained an assist in his MLS and Sporting debut.
DYNAMO:
Zarek Valentin
recorded an assist, his first since Aug. 29, 2018, while with the Portland Timbers, the seventh of his MLS career.
COLORADO RAPIDS vs. ORLANDO CITY SC
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #22)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo.
7 p.m. MT (Altitude; FOX 35 Plus)
REFEREE: Joseph Dickerson. AR1 (bench): Eric Boria; AR2 (opposite): Kevin Klinger; 4th: Alejandro Mariscal; VAR: Jorge Gonzalez; AVAR: Cory Richardson
MLS Career: 24 games; FC/gm: 26.3; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 5; pens: 7
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Rapids 0 wins, 4 goals … Orlando City 4 wins, 10 goals … Ties 1
AT COLORADO: Rapids 0 wins, 1 goal … Orlando City 1 win, 2 goals … Ties 1

• The Rapids won for the first time in a decade at D.C. United, coming from behind for a 2-1 win in the MLS season opener at Audi Field on Saturday afternoon. Kei Kamara netted the equalizer in the 67th minute – the 127th of his MLS league career – then Jonathan Lewis struck for the game-winner in stoppage time.
  
• Orlando City SC started off their new season with a scoreless draw, vs. Real Salt Lake at Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening. New signing Pedro Gallese was credited with one save in keeping the clean sheet.
  
• Orlando City SC have never lost to the Rapids, now with four wins and a draw in the four meetings all-time between the clubs. OCSC has won the past three encounters, including a 4-3 victory last April 6 at Exploria Stadium in the lone meeting between the teams, their third win in the series in Orlando.
  
• The teams played to a goalless draw at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in 2016; Orlando City won the last meeting in Commerce City, a 2-1 win in 2018.
  

RAPIDS:
Keegan Rosenberry
collected an assist, his third assist in his last seven league appearances dating back to last season. …
Jack Price
recorded his first assist of the season; he has a goal and four assists over his last five league appearances, dating back to last season. …
Diego Rubio
gained his first assist of the season; he has a goal and/or an assist now in each of his last four MLS games dating back to last season, with two goals and two assists in that span.
OCSC:
Orlando City SC still have yet to lose in a season opener in six MLS seasons, now 1-0-5 to start league campaigns.
LA GALAXY vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #23)
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif.
7 p.m. PT (TSN; SpectrumSN)
REFEREE: Ismail Elfath. AR1 (bench): Kyle Atkins; AR2 (opposite): Corey Parker; 4th: Alex Chilowicz; VAR: Timothy Ford; AVAR: Cameron Blanchard
MLS Career: 145 games; FC/gm: 25.5; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 41; pens: 46
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Galaxy 11 wins, 35 goals … Whitecaps FC 6 wins, 20 goals … Ties 5
AT COLORADO: Galaxy 8 wins, 21 goals … Whitecaps FC 3 wins, 7 goals … Ties 1

• The Galaxy opened their new campaign with a result on the road, reaching a 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Stadium. Cristian Pavón netted the game’s opening goal for LA, the assist coming from goalkeeper David Bingham.
  
• Whitecaps FC kicked off their new season with a 3-1 home loss to Sporting Kansas City at BC Place. Jake Nerwinski netted the first goal of the season for Vancouver.
  
• The teams met twice last season, each winning on their opponent’s ground. The Galaxy took a 2-0 win on April 5 at BC Place as Zlatan Ibrahimović set up one goal and scored a second; Whitecaps FC claimed a dramatic 4-3 win Sept. 29 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
  
• Whitecaps FC have won two of the last three meetings in Carson. The win in the first meeting last year was the Galaxy’s first at BC Place since Aug. 24, 2013, ending a five-game Whitecaps FC undefeated streak on their home ground in the series.
  

• There has been a shutout in 12 of the past 15 meetings between the teams, dating back to 2013, including three scoreless draws.
  

GALAXY:
The assist was the third for
David Bingham
in his MLS career, his first since 2017 while with the San Jose Earthquakes. His first came in his league debut, for San Jose, Oct. 8, 2011 vs. New England (on a Chris Wondolowski goal).
WHITECAPS FC:
The goal was the second for
Jake Nerwinski
in his MLS career; both have come in his last five appearances. …
David Milinkovic
gained an assist in his MLS and ‘Caps debut.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC vs. COLUMBUS CREW SC
Saturday, March 7, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #24)
CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Wash.
7 p.m. PT (JOEtv; STOhio)
REFEREE: Jair Marrufo. AR1 (bench): Frank Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Jeff Hosking; 4th: Guido Gonzales Jr.; VAR: Ricardo Salazar; AVAR: Joshua Patlak
MLS Career: 258 games; FC/gm: 23.1; Y/gm: 2.8; R: 42; pens: 82
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sounders FC 6 wins, 21 goals … Crew SC 4 wins, 16 goals … Ties 4
AT SEATTLE: Sounders FC 2 wins, 10 goals … Crew SC 2 wins, 8 goals … Ties 3

• Jordan Morris came off the bench to lead Sounders FC to victory in their season opener, netting both goals as they overturned a deficit for a 2-1 win at CenturyLink Field on Sunday afternoon. Morris became the first player in MLS history to score multiple goals in a season opener in back-to-back seasons.
  
• Crew SC opened their season with a victory, defeating New York City FC 1-0 at Mapfre Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The game’s lone goal came from new signing LucasZelaráyan.
  
• The teams met once a year ago, Sounders FC taking a 2-1 win July 6 at Mapfre Stadium. The win ended a two-game Crew SC home winning run in the series; Seattle won three of the first four meetings all-time in Columbus, with one draw.
  
• Sounders FC have a win and a draw from the last two meetings in the series at CenturyLink Field, including a goalless result in the last meeting there, May 5, 2018. Crew SC had won the previous two matchups in Seattle.
  

SOUNDERS FC:
Cristian Roldan
recorded a pair of assists, the third multiple-assist game of his MLS career, his last coming last Sept. 15. …
Kelvin Leerdam
collected his first assist of the season, the 10th of his MLS league career. …
Joao Paulo
recorded an assist on his MLS debut; he had a goal and two assists for Sounders FC in Concacaf Champions League play.
CREW SC:
Eloy Room
was credited with three saves in keeping the clean sheet, the second of his MLS career (in 13 appearances), both coming in the last three games dating back to last season.
PORTLAND TIMBERS vs. NASHVILLE SC
Sunday, March 8, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #25)
Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
4 p.m. PT (ESPN / ESPN Deportes)
REFEREE: Armando Villarreal. AR1 (bench): Jose da Silva; AR2 (opposite): Chris Elliott; 4th: Guido Gonzales Jr.; VAR: Ricardo Salazar; AVAR: Rene Parra
MLS Career: 136 games; FC/gm: 22.2; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 27; pens: 33
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting.

• The Timbers fell to defeat in their season opener in 2020, falling 3-1 to Minnesota United FC at Providence Park. Diego Valeri converted a penalty kick for the lone Portland goal, the 77th of his MLS career.
  
• Nashville SC kicked off their MLS history on a famous night at Nissan Stadium, falling 2-1 to Atlanta United on Saturday evening. Walker Zimmerman netted the club’s first goal in their MLS history; the game drew a crowd of 59,069, the largest ever for a soccer game in the state of Tennessee and the third-largest for an MLS team making its debut.
  
• The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories. They will also face each other July 5 at Providence Park.
  

TIMBERS:
Diego
and
Yimmi Chará
became the 15th set of brothers to play for the same team at the same time in MLS history.
NASHVILLE SC:
Nashville SC featured two players making their MLS debuts in their first starting XI –
Hany Mukhtar
and
Randall Leal
.
LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB vs. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Sunday, March 8, 2020 (Week 2, MLS Game #26)
Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif.
7:30 p.m. PT (FOX / FOX Deportes)
REFEREE: Chris Penso. AR1 (bench): Corey Rockwell; AR2 (opposite): Jeremy Hanson; 4th: Alex Chilowicz; VAR: Timothy Ford; AVAR: Ian Anderson
MLS Career: 169 games; FC/gm: 23.7; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 51; pens: 65
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: LAFC 1 win, 5 goals … Union 0 wins, 2 goals … Ties 1
AT BANC OF CALIFORNIA STADIUM: LAFC 1 win, 4 goals … Union 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 0

• Carlos Vela and LAFC got their new season off to a magical start, defeating Inter Miami CF 1-0 at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Vela netted the game’s only goal with a world-class chip late in the first half; he has now scored a goal in each of the last 10 league matches, the second-longest goalscoring streak in MLS history.
  
• The Union started off their new season with a 2-0 loss to FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• The teams met once a season ago, playing to a 1-1 draw Sept. 14 at Talen Energy Stadium. LAFC won the first meeting ever between the clubs, a 4-1 win June 30, 2018 at Banc of California Stadium.
  

LAFC:
Kenneth Vermeer
was credited with six saves in recording the shutout in his MLS and LAFC debut.
UNION:
One newcomer to the Union squad was featured in the team on opening day – defender
Jakob Glesnes
.