MLS Week 12 News & Notes: LAFC’s Diego Rossi Pacing Golden Boot Race Among Fastest Starts

MLS MEDIA RESOURCES: WEEK 12 NEWS & NOTES
News and notes and statistical trends from around Major League Soccer
LAFC’S DIEGO ROSSI PACING GOLDEN BOOT RACE AMONG FASTEST STARTS
Diego Rossi of Los Angeles Football Club continued his hot start to the 2020 season last weekend, netting his 10th goal of the year in his club’s 4-2 win against the Portland Timbers at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday evening.
Rossi has equaled the fifth-fastest to 10 goals from the start of a season, hitting the mark and leading the 2020 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi standings after 11 games played. Last season, Rossi’s LAFC teammate, Carlos Vela, set the all-time league record by hitting the 10-goal mark in just the opening nine games of the season.
FASTEST TO 10 GOALS FROM START OF SEASON

INTER MIAMI’S LUIS ROBLES CONTINUING PENALTY KICK SAVE PROWESS
Luis Robles made another mark in Inter Miami CF history last weekend, stopping a penalty kick from Atlanta United’s Ezequiel Barco in his club’s 2-1 win on Sept. 9.
It was the second consecutive unsuccessful penalty kick against Robles, who has seen just one of three converted against him in 2020. But it was the first penalty kick save for Robles with Inter Miami and the first ever for the club.
Robles has saved nine penalty kicks over his nine-year MLS career – now tied for fifth-most in league history. Robles pulled even with New York City FC’s Sean Johnson with nine penalty kick saves, one behind Tim Melia of Sporting Kansas City in fourth – the trio having the most saved spot kicks among active goalkeepers.
The all-time leader is still Real Salt Lake’s Nick Rimando, who made 24 saves among the 92 penalty kicks he faced (59 of those goals, with nine off-target).
MOST PENALTY KICK SAVES (CAREER)

CREW SC LEAD SUPPORTERS’ SHIELD RACE WITH NOTABLE START
Columbus Crew SC have gotten off to one of the best starts in Major League Soccer. Current leaders of the 2020 race for the Supporters’ Shield, three points ahead of the Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC in the East, and four points ahead of Western Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City, the Crew have gained 24 points through the opening 11 games of the season – or roughly the one-third mark of a typical regular season.
The 24 points are tied for the eighth-most of any team through the opening 11 games of a season. Three teams lead the way with a record 29 points at the 11-game mark: the LA Galaxy in both 1996 and 2010, and the Kansas City Wizards in 2000.
MOST STANDINGS POINTS, FIRST 11 GAMES OF SEASON

= two wins by shootout
*
= one win by shootout
Crew SC have moved to the top of the MLS table on the strength of their defense. Having conceded just four goals through 11 games – tying the second-fewest allowed through a team’s opening 11 games – Columbus has a plus-14 goal differential, equaling the fifth-best for a team through the first 11 games of a season.
BEST GOAL DIFFERENTIAL, FIRST 11 GAMES OF SEASON

Credit: Elias Sports Bureau
MLS WEEK 12 – LOOK AHEAD
FC DALLAS vs. COLORADO RAPIDS
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #86)
Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
7:30 p.m. CT (FS-SW / FCDTV; Altitude)
REFEREE: Ismail Elfath. AR1 (bench): Corey Parker; AR2 (opposite): Cory Richardson; 4th: Matthew Thompson; VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.; AVAR: Jennifer Garner
MLS Career: 152 games; FC/gm: 25.6; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 43; pens: 48
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FC Dallas 33 wins (2 shootout), 113 goals … Rapids 24 wins (1 shootout), 92 goals … Ties 17
AT DALLAS: FC Dallas 24 wins (2 shootout), 67 goals … Rapids 8 wins (1 shootout), 40 goals … Ties 6

• FC Dallas won a second consecutive home game, defeating the Houston Dynamo 2-1 at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening. Andres Ricuarte celebrated his first MLS start with a stunning long-range strike, before Franco Jara scored his second league goal for the game-winner.
  
• The Rapids ended a seven-game winless run and claimed the Rocky Mountain Cup in stunning fashion, defeating Real Salt Lake 5-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening. It was the largest margin of victory in the club’s 25 seasons and Colorado’s first win in the series since 2017. Diego Rubio scored two goals in the opening 10 minutes and added an assist.
  
• The teams met a year ago, each winning on their home ground. Ryan Hollingshead netted the game-winner eight minutes from time, leading FC Dallas to a 2-1 win on March 23 at Toyota Stadium; the Rapids then returned the favor with 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.
  

FCD:
Michael Barrios
recorded his second assist of the season, coming in the last two games. …
Ryan Hollingshead
collected his first assist of the season, his last coming last Aug. 25.
RAPIDS:
Diego Rubio
scored his first two goals since coming to the Rapids; it was the fourth two-goal game of his MLS career. …
Sam Vines
scored his first career MLS goal, coming in his 37th appearance over three seasons. …
Younes Namli
recorded two assists, now with three for his MLS career. …
Cole Bassett
scored a goal and added an assist in the same game for the second time in his career (also: 4/6/2019 vs. Orlando City). …
Jeremy Kelly
was credited with the first assist of his MLS career. …
William Yarbrough
was credited with one save in recording the first shutout of his MLS career, in his seventh appearance.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC vs. MONTREAL IMPACT
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #142)
BC Place, Vancouver, B.C.
6:30 p.m. PT (TSN 1 / 4 / 5; TVA Sports)
REFEREE: Drew Fischer. AR1 (bench): Michael Barwegen; AR2 (opposite): Chantal Boudreau; 4th: Alain Ruch; VAR: David Gantar; AVAR: Rene Parra
MLS Career: 128 games; FC/gm: 25.2; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 18; pens: 33
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Whitecaps FC 4 wins, 15 goals … Impact 5 wins, 15 goals … Ties 1
AT VANCOUVER: Whitecaps FC 2 wins, 8 goals … Impact 2 wins, 8 goals … Ties 1

• The teams are meeting in the second of a pair of matches over four days’ time, both at BC Place. Orji Okwonkwo tallied a goal and an assist and Saphir Taïder added a goal and two assists as the Impact took a 4-2 victory on Sunday evening.
  
• The teams met once earlier this season. Romell Quioto and Lassi Lappalainen each scored in the first half as the Impact took a 2-0 win Aug. 25 at Stade Saputo.
  
• 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, which included a 2-1 ‘Caps win March 4, 2018 in the last meeting at BC Place.
  
• 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.
  

WHITECAPS FC:
Theo Bair
scored his first goal of the season, the third of his MLS career over two seasons. …
Michael Baldisimo
recorded an assist for a second consecutive game, the first two assists of his MLS career. …
David Milinkovic
collected his third assist of the season, the last coming July 15.
IMPACT:
Saphir Taïder
was involved in three goals for the second time in his MLS career (also: 1 goal, 2 assists vs. Columbus, 10/6/2018). …
Samuel Piette
scored the first goal of his MLS career, in his fourth season in the league, and also added his first assist of 2020, his last coming in 2018. …
Romell Quioto
scored his fourth goal of the season, his last coming Aug. 25.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #89)
Earthquakes Stadium, San Jose, Calif.
6:30 p.m. PT (FS1 / FOX Deportes)
REFEREE: Alex Chilowicz. AR1 (bench): TJ Zablocki; AR2 (opposite): Diego Blas; 4th: Michael Radchuk; VAR: Fotis Bazakos; AVAR: Michael Kampmeinert
MLS Career: 32 games; FC/gm: 24.3; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 5; pens: 11
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Earthquakes 5 wins, 26 goals … Timbers 11 wins, 33 goals … Ties 7
AT SAN JOSE: Earthquakes 5 wins, 17 goals … Timbers 2 wins, 10 goals … Ties 4

• The Earthquakes returned home and gained a second draw in three games, reaching a scoreless decision with the LA Galaxy at Earthquakes Stadium on Sunday evening.
  
• The Timbers weren’t able to build upon a first win in five matches, dropping a 4-2 decision to Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday evening. Eryk Williamson scored for a second consecutive game, the first two goals of his MLS league career.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, each winning on their home ground. The Quakes took a 3-0 win on April 6 at Earthquakes Stadium; the Timbers claimed a 3-1 win on Decision Day (Oct. 6) at Providence Park which secured a place in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
  
• The Timbers have never lost to the Quakes at home in their MLS history. The Timbers have won nine of 12 meetings between the teams in Portland (with three draws), including the past seven meetings there. The away team has won just twice in the all-time league series, last a Timbers win May 5, 2018, in San Jose.
  

QUAKES:
Daniel Vega
was credited with two saves in recording his third shutout of the season, his first since recording two shutouts in three group matches in the MLS is Back Tournament.
TIMBERS:
Diego Valeri
collected his fourth assist of the season; he has a goal or an assist in four consecutive games, with 1 goal and 3 assists in that span. …
Jeremy Ebobisse
scored his fourth goal of the season, his first since netting goals in each of the group games during the MLS is Back Tournament. …
Felipe Mora
recorded the first assist of his MLS career. …
Jorge Villafaña
collected his first assist of the season, now eight consecutive MLS campaigns with at least one assist.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC vs. LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB
Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #143)
CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Wash.
7 p.m. PT (JOEtv; YouTube TV / Estrella TV)
REFEREE: Joseph Dickerson. AR1 (bench): Cameron Blanchard; AR2 (opposite): Mike Rottersman; 4th: Brad Jensen; VAR: Timothy Ford; AVAR: Joshua Patlak
MLS Career: 31 games; FC/gm: 25.8; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 6; pens: 8
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sounders FC 1 win, 5 goals … LAFC 3 wins, 8 goals … Ties 1
AT SEATTLE: Sounders FC 1 win, 4 goals … LAFC 1 win, 3 goals … Ties 1

• Sounders FC became the ninth team in MLS history to score at least seven goals in a game, rolling to a 7-1 against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 10 at CenturyLink Field. The Sounders scored five goals in the opening 33 minutes of the game, the fastest five goals from the start of a match in MLS history, tying the record for most goals in the first half in league annals.
  
• Raúl Ruidíaz, Joevin Jones and Jordan Morris all played a part in four goals each, Ruidiaz and Jones with two goals and two assists each, while Morris had three assists with a goal.
  
• LAFC put an end to a two-game losing slide in convincing fashion, claiming a 4-2 win against the Portland Timbers at Banc of California Stadium. Diego Rossi scored his MLS Golden Boot-leading 10th goal of the season, while Bradley Wright-Phillips netted the 113th goal of MLS league career, now one behind Ante Razov for No.6 on all-time goalscorers list.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season in league play. Jordan Morris scored a pair of goals as Sounders FC took a 3-1 on Aug. 30 at CenturyLink Field, their first win in five meetings with LAFC all-time in league play.
  
• The teams also met in the round-of-16 in the MLS is Back Tournament, and Los Angeles Football Club gained a measure of redemption with a 4-1 win, as Diego Rossi netted a pair of goals and Brian Rodríguez added a goal and an assist.
  
• The teams met in the MLS Cup Playoffs last year. Raúl Ruidíaz scored a pair of goals, and 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.
  

SOUNDERS FC:
Kelvin Leerdam
scored a goal and added an assist for the third time in his MLS career (last: 5/26/2019 vs. Kansas City). …
Joao Paulo
scored the first goal of his MLS career, in his seventh appearance. … Xavier Arreaga collected his second assist in MLS. …
Nicolás Lodeiro
collected his fourth assist of the season; he has two goals and four assists over the last six games.
LAFC:
Bradley Wright-Phillips
also added an assist, the 10th time in his MLS career he’s had at least one goal and one assist in the same game. …
Mark-Anthony Kaye
scored a goal and added an assist in the same game for the first time in his MLS career. …
Brian Rodríguez
recorded a pair of assists, the second two-assist game of his MLS career (first: July 18 vs. LA Galaxy). …
Danny Musovski
scored the second goal of his MLS career, both coming in the last four games.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs. FC DALLAS (updated)
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #144)
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kan.
2:30 p.m. CT (Univision / TUDN)
REFEREE: Alex Chilowicz. AR1 (bench): Peter Manikowski; AR2 (opposite): Peter Balciunas; 4th: Fotis Bazakos; VAR: Allen Chapman; AVAR: Jeffrey Swartzel
MLS Career: 32 games; FC/gm: 24.3; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 5; pens: 11
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sporting 25 wins (2 shootout), 92 goals … FC Dallas 25 wins (1 shootout), 101 goals … Ties 13
AT KC: Sporting 15 wins (0 shootout), 58 goals … FC Dallas 10 wins (1 shootout), 41 goals … Ties 8

• Sporting put paid to a four-game winless slide, defeating Minnesota United FC by the game’s only goal at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday evening. Johnny Russell netted the game-winner 10 minutes from the end.
• FC Dallas won a second consecutive match at home, rolling to a 4-1 win against the Colorado Rapids at Toyota Stadium on Wednesday evening. It marked the first back-to-back wins for FCD this season.
• Santiago Mosquera scored a hat trick, the first multiple-goal game of his MLS career. It marked the eighth time in Dallas club history a player had scored three or more goals in a game, the sixth time in a home game, the last hat trick coming by Michael Barrios 7/28/2018 at KC.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Franco Jara gave FCD an early lead, but Khiry Shelton equalized just before halftime, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw Sept. 2 at Children’s Mercy Park.
• FCD has come away with points from the last three meetings in Kansas City, winning the previous two, the club’s first wins there since 2011. SKC had won five of the seven meetings in between, with two draws.
• Sporting last won at Toyota Stadium on Oct. 21, 2018, a 3-0 win, their first in Frisco since 2011; FC Dallas had a five-game home undefeated streak in the series put to an end.

SPORTING:
Graham Zusi
recorded his first assist of the season, his last coming last April 29 vs. New England. …
Tim Melia
was not called upon to record a save in posting his third shutout of the season.
FCD:
Michael Barrios
collected an assist for a third consecutive game, his third assist of the season. It matches the longest stretch with an assist in his MLS career (also, 6/23-7/4/2017). …
Franco Jara
scored for a second consecutive game, his third goal in MLS, all coming over the last four matches (since Sept. 2 when he scored vs. SKC). …
Matt Hedges
collected his first assist of the season, his last coming March 30, 2019 vs. Real Salt Lake. It was the fourth assist in his MLS career, over his nine seasons (252 league appearances).
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION vs. NEW YORK CITY FC
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #145)
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
4:30 p.m. ET (NBCS-Bos)
REFEREE: Ramy Touchan. AR1 (bench): Brian Poeschel; AR2 (opposite): Jeremy Kieso; 4th: Luis Arroyo; VAR: Jorge Gonzalez; AVAR: Brian Dunn
MLS Career: 29 games; FC/gm: 26.0; Y/gm: 3.9; R: 4; pens: 4
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Revolution 6 wins, 19 goals … NYCFC 5 wins, 17 goals … Ties 3
AT NEW ENGLAND: Revolution 4 wins, 10 goals … NYCFC 2 wins, 7 goals … Ties 1

• The Revolution weren’t able to make it back-to-back wins, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on Saturday evening. Tajon Buchanan netted the first goal of his MLS career for the New England tally.
  
• NYCFC extended their undefeated streak to five games with a fourth win in that span, defeating FC Cincinnati 2-1 at Red Bull Arena on Saturday evening. Alexander Ring netted a third goal in the last five games, and Anton Tinnerholm scored his second in the last four.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. An own goal and a Héber tally in the second half gave NYCFC the 2-0 win on Sept. 2 at Gillette Stadium.
  
• The NYCFC win in the first meeting this year ended a four-game undefeated streak for the Revs in the series in Foxborough; NYCFC has won four of the seven meetings all-time in the Bronx. NYCFC’s 2-1 win in the first meeting last year, Sept. 7 at Yankee Stadium, ended a three-game Revolution undefeated streak in the series.
  

REVOLUTION:
Gustavo Bou
collected his first assist of the season, his first coming in the season opener on Feb. 29
NYCFC:
Gary Mackay-Steven
recorded his first assist of the season, the second of his MLS career, the last coming last July 26 vs. Sporting KC.
NEW YORK RED BULLS vs. FC CINCINNATI
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #146)
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
7 p.m. ET (MSG; WSTR – Star 64)
REFEREE: Robert Sibiga. AR1 (bench): Adam Garner; AR2 (opposite): Ian McKay; 4th: Guido Gonzales Jr.; VAR: Chris Penso; AVAR: Thomas Supple
MLS Career: 108 games; FC/gm: 21.9; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 24; pens: 30
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Red Bulls 3 wins, 6 goals … FCC 1 win, 4 goals … Ties 0
AT RED BULLS: Red Bulls 2 wins, 4 goals … FCC 0 wins, 2 goals … Ties 0

• The Red Bulls snapped a four-game winless slide, defeating D.C. United 2-0 at Audi Field on Saturday evening. Kaku set up both goals, his fourth career two-assist game, from Aaron Long and Daniel Royer.
  
• FC Cincinnati saw their winless slide extended, falling 2-1 to New York City FC at Red Bull Arena on Saturday evening. Brandon Vasquez netted the FCC goal, snapping the club’s scoreless streak at 558 minutes, the fourth-longest in MLS history.
  
• The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Yuya Kubo sent FCC on their way to a 2-0 win with a first-half goal as the clubs met in group play in the MLS is Back Tournament on July 22. The teams met in the season opener, and the Red Bulls claimed a 3-2 win at Red Bull Arena on March 1.
  
• The teams met twice in FCC’s inaugural season, and the Red Bulls won both without conceding a goal. Connor Lade netted the only goal of the game as the Red Bulls won April 27 at Red Bull Arena; Kaku and Omir Fernandez scored late goals as they claimed a 2-0 win May 25 at Nippert Stadium.
  

RED BULLS:
Ryan Meara
started the match in goal and played the first 62 minutes before leaving through injury, replaced by
David Jensen
. It marked the 25th time in MLS history two goalkeepers combined on a shutout, the first time in MetroStars/Red Bulls history. …
Jason Pendant
collected his first MLS assist.
FCC:
The goal was the first with FC Cincinnati for
Brandon Vasquez
; he scored three goals in three seasons with Atlanta United.
ATLANTA UNITED vs. INTER MIAMI CF
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #147)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
7 p.m. ET (FS-SE; CBS 4 (WFOR) / UniMás 69)
REFEREE: Jair Marrufo. AR1 (bench): Kevin Klinger; AR2 (opposite): Tom Felice; 4th: Elvis Osmanovic; VAR: Alejandro Mariscal; AVAR: Craig Lowry
MLS Career: 266 games; FC/gm: 23.0; Y/gm: 2.8; R: 43; pens: 86
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: ATLUTD SC 0 wins, 1 goal … Inter Miami 1 win, 2 goals … Ties 1
AT ATLANTA: ATLUTD SC 0 wins, 0 goals … Inter Miami 0 wins, 0 goals … Ties 1

• Atlanta United completed a three-game road swing with a 4-2 loss to Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium on Saturday evening. Jeff Larentowicz scored his first goal since the 2018 season, while 18-year-old George Bello scored his second career MLS goal.
  
• Inter Miami weren’t able to make a third win in their inaugural campaign, dropping a 2-1 decision to Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening. Brek Shea scored his first goal for the club.
  
• The teams are meeting for the third time this season, the first matches in their club histories. Lewis Morgan scored both goals for Inter Miami, leading the club to a 2-1 win on Sept. 9 in Fort Lauderdale; the teams reached a goalless draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 2.
  

ATLUTD:
Adam Jahn
recorded his first assist of the season, the third of his MLS career, his first since 2017. Jahn has a goal and an assist in the last two games. …
Jürgen Damm
recorded his second career assist in MLS, in his fifth appearance. …
Ezequiel Barco
recorded his third assist of the season.
IMCF:
Rodolfo Pizarro
collected his third assist of the season, his second in as many games.
D.C. UNITED vs. TORONTO FC
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #148)
Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
7:30 p.m. ET (TSN; WJLA 24/7 News)
REFEREE: Armando Villarreal. AR1 (bench): C.J. Morgante; AR2 (opposite): Jose da Silva; 4th: Joshua Encarnacion; VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero; AVAR: Jeff Muschik
MLS Career: 144 games; FC/gm: 22.3; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 28; pens: 33
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: D.C. United 14 wins, 53 goals … Toronto FC 10 wins, 45 goals … Ties 9
AT D.C.: D.C. United 6 wins, 31 goals … Toronto FC 4 wins, 22 goals … Ties 5

• D.C. United had their brief two-game undefeated run put to an end, falling 2-0 to the New York Red Bulls at Audi Field on Saturday evening.
  
• TFC return to action after putting an end to a brief two-game losing slide last time out, defeating the Montréal Impact 2-1 at Stade Saputo on Sept. 9. Pablo Piatti netted his third goal of the season, while Jozy Altidore scored his first in league play in 2020.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. TFC’s Ayo Akinola netted a brace before halftime, but Federico Higuaín and Frederic Brillant scored late goals to pull D.C. United, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw in a fractious encounter on July 13 in group play at the MLS is Back Tournament.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, reaching a pair of draws. In the opening encounter May 15 at BMO Field, TFC took 36 total attempts toward goal – tied for the second-most in a single game in MLS history, and the most ever from a team without scoring a goal – in a goalless draw. They then played to a 1-1 draw June 29 at Audi Field.
  
• The teams also met in the MLS Cup Playoffs last year – Toronto FC claiming a 5-1 win in extra time in the Round One match Oct. 19 at BMO Field. The game was knotted 1-1 after 90 minutes; the four goals in extra time were an all-time MLS record, both for a single game and for one team.
  

UNITED:
Gelmin Rivas
made his first MLS start, playing 61 minutes in the attack.
TFC:
Nick DeLeon
collected his second assist of the season, his first coming July 16.
ORLANDO CITY SC vs. CHICAGO FIRE FC
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #149)
Exploria Stadium, Orlando, Fla.
7:30 p.m. ET (FOX 35 Plus; ESPN+ / WGN-TV)
REFEREE: Nima Saghafi. AR1 (bench): Jason White; AR2 (opposite): Tyler Wyrostek; 4th: Natalie Simon; VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.; AVAR: Jozef Batko
MLS Career: 66 games; FC/gm: 26.9; Y/gm: 3.9; R: 9; pens: 21
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Orlando City 2 wins, 12 goals … Fire 4 wins, 22 goals … Ties 5
AT ORLANDO: Orlando City 0 wins, 5 goals … Fire 2 wins, 9 goals … Ties 3

• Orlando City SC won for a third time in extending their undefeated streak to five games, defeating Inter Miami CF 2-1 at Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening. Mauricio Pereyra scored his second goal of the season for the match-winner.
  
• Fire FC gained a third result in the last five games, reaching a 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew SC at Soldier Field on Saturday afternoon. Djordje Mihailovic and Robert Berić netted goals in the opening 14 minutes, the Fire scoring as many goals in that time as the Crew had allowed all season.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago. Przemyslaw Frankowski scored a pair of goals as the Fire cruised to a 5-2 win on Decision Day (Oct. 6) at Exploria Stadium; on March 9 at SeatGeek Stadium, Dom Dwyer gave Orlando City the lead early in the second half, but CJ Sapong netted the leveler in stoppage time, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw.
  
• The Fire now have a eight-game undefeated streak in the series, over the past four seasons. Orlando City’s last win vs. Chicago came Sept. 19, 2015, a 1-0 win at Bridgeview, Ill.; the Fire have won four meetings since, with four draws.
  

OCSC:
Chris Mueller
collected his fourth assist of the season; he has four assists (with two goals) over the last six games. … The Orlando City undefeated run is one game shy of the club’s record in MLS, set March 31-May 6, 2018.
FIRE FC:
Robert Berić
also added an assist, his first in MLS. …
Álvaro Medran
recorded his third assist of the season; he has a goal and two assists over the last four games. …
Fabian Herbers
collected his first assist of the year; he has a goal and an assist in the last two matches.
COLUMBUS CREW SC vs. NASHVILLE SC
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #150)
Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
7:30 p.m. ET (FS-OH; MyTV 30)
REFEREE: Silviu Petrescu. AR1 (bench): Andrew Bigelow; AR2 (opposite): Matthew Nelson; 4th: Calin Radosav; VAR: David Gantar; AVAR: Cory Richardson
MLS Career: 160 games; FC/gm: 27.5; Y/gm: 3.9; R: 25; pens: 39
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting.

• Columbus Crew SC conceded a pair of goals for the first time this season, but still came away with a point in a 2-2 draw with Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field. Crew SC had conceded two goals through the club’s opening 10 games, matching the fewest in MLS history.
  
• Goalkeeper Eloy Room saw his personal shutout streak come to an end after 472 minutes, the third-longest in Crew club history.
  
• Nashville SC extended their undefeated streak to four games with a second win in that time, defeating Atlanta United 4-2 at Nissan Stadium on Saturday evening. Dominique Badji netted the opener in the first minute, while Dax McCarty played a part in all four goals – one goal, three assists – the most combined goals and assists in his 371 career MLS league appearances.
  
• The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories.
  

CREW SC:
Gyasi Zardes
scored his eighth goal of the season, sitting in second place in the MLS Golden Boot standings, two goals behind LAFC’s Diego Rossi. … Zardes also added an assist, the ninth time in his MLS career he’s had at least one goal and one assist in a game, the second time this season, both vs. Chicago (also: Aug. 20). …
Fatai Alashe
scored his first goal of the season, his last coming last May 11 while with FC Cincinnati. …
Pedro Santos
recorded an assist for a third consecutive game (also with a goal in that span), his fifth of the season.
NASHVILLE SC:
Hany Muhktar
scored his first MLS goal, and also added his third MLS assist, all coming in the last five games. …
Dominique Badji
also added an assist, the second time in his MLS career he’s had a goal and an assist in the same game (also: 5/13/2017, with Colorado). …
Abu Danladi
scored his first goal of the season and first with Nashville SC, the 12th of his MLS career in four seasons.
HOUSTON DYNAMO vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #151)
BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas
7 p.m. CT (QuestTEXAS 55; FS-North+)
REFEREE: Victor Rivas. AR1 (bench): Frank Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Gjovalin Bori; 4th: Chris Ruska; VAR: Luis Guardia; AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
MLS Career: 9 games; FC/gm: 26.6; Y/gm: 4.4; R: 2; pens: 6
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Dynamo 4 wins, 13 goals … MNUFC 2 wins, 6 goals … Ties 2
AT BBVA STADIUM: Dynamo 4 wins, 12 goals … MNUFC 0 wins, 3 goals … Ties 1

• The Dynamo saw their four-game undefeated run come to an end, falling 2-1 to FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday evening. Memo Rodríguez scored directly from a free kick, the first of his MLS career, the second by a Dynamo player this season (also: Darwin Quintero, July 23 vs LA Galaxy).
  
• Minnesota United FC saw their two-game winning run put to an end, falling by the game’s only goal to Sporting Kansas City on Sunday evening.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Darwin Quintero scored against his former club and Ariel Lassiter hit for his first two Dynamo goals, in a 3-0 win Sept. 2 at BBVA Stadium.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, each winning on their home ground. Romain Métanire scored the game’s only goal as Minnesota United took the victory on May 25 at Allianz Field; Mauro Manotas and Christian Ramírez netted goals as the Dynamo won 2-0 on Sept. 11 at BBVA Stadium.
  
• The home team has won each of the past six meetings in the series, and the visiting team has yet to win. The teams split their two league meetings in 2018. Minnesota United took a come-from-behind 2-1 win on April 28 at TCF Bank Stadium, their first victory vs. the Dynamo. Then, the Dynamo captured a 3-0 victory July 7 at BBVA Stadium.
  

DYNAMO:
The Dynamo’s six-game undefeated run matched the 10th-longest streak without loss in the club’s 15 MLS seasons.
MNUFC:
Minnesota United were held without a shot on target by Sporting KC, the first time in their MLS history.
REAL SALT LAKE vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC (updated)
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #152)
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
7:30 p.m. MT (TSN; KMYU-12)
REFEREE: Kevin Stott. AR1 (bench): Eric Weisbrod; AR2 (opposite): Chris Elliott; 4th: Lukasz Szpala; VAR: Younes Marrakchi; AVAR: Fabio Tovar
MLS Career: 354 games; FC/gm: 24.6; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 82; pens: 96
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Real 9 wins, 24 goals … Whitecaps FC 9 wins, 27 goals … Ties 4
AT SALT LAKE: Real 7 wins, 16 goals … Whitecaps FC 1 win, 6 goals … Ties 3

• Real Salt Lake saw their long undefeated streak against Rocky Mountain rivals Colorado Rapids come to an end, falling 5-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening.
• Whitecaps FC won for a second time in the last three matches, defeating the Montréal Impact 3-1 in the second of their two matches over a four-day span.
• Fredy Montero scored a pair of goals, his first of the 2020 season. It was the 10th multiple-goal game of his MLS career, the last coming July 29, 2017 at FC Dallas.
• Real Salt Lake won both meetings a season ago. Albert Rusnák converted a penalty kick for the game’s lone goal after 21 minutes, giving Real the win March 9 at Rio Tinto Stadium, then Damir Kreilach scored the game’s only goal for the RSL win on Decision Day (Oct. 6) at BC Place.
• RSL has won the past four meetings at Rio Tinto Stadium. The RSL win in the second meeting last year ended a six-game winning streak for the ‘Caps at BC Place, dating back to 2014.

REAL:
RSL lost their hold on the Rocky Mountain Cup for the first time since 2015. … The loss was the heaviest defeat at home in the club’s history.
WHITECAPS FC:
Fredy Montero
also added an assist, the fifth time in his MLS career he was involved in at least three goals in a single game, the 18th time he’s had at least one goal and one assist in a game.
… Cristian Dajome
scored his third MLS goal, the last coming during the MLS is Back Tournament (July 23 vs. Chicago). …
David Milinkovic
recorded an assist for a second consecutive game, his fourth of the season. …
Leonard Owusu
collected the first assist of his MLS career.
LA GALAXY vs. COLORADO RAPIDS (updated)
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #153)
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif.
7:30 p.m. PT (SpecSN; Altitude)
REFEREE: Ted Unkel. AR1 (bench): Jeremy Hanson; AR2 (opposite): Nick Balcer; 4th: Michael Radchuk; VAR: Ricardo Salazar; AVAR: Kathryn Nesbitt
MLS Career: 101 games; FC/gm: 23.6; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 32; pens: 53
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Galaxy 37 wins (2 shootout), 119 goals … Rapids 28 wins (1 shootout), 87 goals … Ties 11
AT GALAXY: Galaxy 24 wins (1 shootout), 73 goals … Rapids 8 wins (1 shootout), 35 goals … Ties 6

• The Galaxy extended their undefeated streak to six games, reaching a goalless draw with the San Jose Earthquakes at Earthquakes Stadium on Sunday evening.
• The Rapids saw their four-game undefeated streak come to an end, falling 4-1 to FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Wednesday evening.
• The Rapids won both meetings between the teams a season ago. Andre Shinyashiki netted the game’s only goal in the 82nd minute as the Rapids took the victory on May 19 at Dignity Health Sports Park, then Nicolás Mezquida and Cole Bassett scored six minutes apart late as the Rapids took the 2-0 win Sept. 11 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
• The Rapids have come away with points in the last four meetings between the teams, with three victories. The Rapids’ victory in the first meeting in 2018, a 2-1 win on Aug. 4 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, snapped a four-game winless streak, and two-game losing streak, in league play in the series, their first vs. the Galaxy since March 12, 2016.
• The Rapids win in the first meeting last year snapped a six-game Galaxy undefeated streak in Carson, Calif., in the series, with two wins and four draws over the span, their first win there since Sept. 7, 2013, a 1-0 victory.

GALAXY:
David Bingham
was credited with two saves in recording a second consecutive shutout, his third of the season. He extended his shutout streak to 180 minutes.
RAPIDS:
Andre Shinyashiki
scored the Rapids goal, his first of the season. Shinyashiki scored seven goals in 2019, leading all rookies in MLS. …
Nicolás Mezquida
collected his first assist of the season, his last coming last Sept. 29 vs. FC Dallas.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS (updated)
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #154)
Earthquakes Stadium, San Jose, Calif.
7:30 p.m. PT (NBCS-CA; KPDX)
REFEREE: Rosendo Mendoza. AR1 (bench): Nick Uranga; AR2 (opposite): Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein; 4th: Elijio Arreguin; VAR: Edvin Jurisevic; AVAR: Ian Anderson
MLS Career: 8 games; FC/gm: 27.0; Y/gm: 2.8; R: 1; pens: 1
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Earthquakes 5 wins, 27 goals … Timbers 11 wins, 34 goals … Ties 8
AT SAN JOSE: Earthquakes 5 wins, 18 goals … Timbers 2 wins, 11 goals … Ties 5

• The teams played to a 1-1 draw at Earthquakes Stadium on Wednesday evening, the first game of their two-match series over four days’ time, both in San Jose.
• Yimmi Chará scored the Timbers goal, the first of his MLS career, in his ninth appearance. The goal was assisted by his brother Diego, his first assist of the season. It marked the sixth time in MLS history a pair of brothers combined on a goal, the fifth set of brothers overall.
• The result was a second consecutive draw for the Earthquakes, their third in a row on their home ground.
• The Timbers are playing in a fourth consecutive away match; they have gained points from two of their three road games thus far (1-1-1).
• The away team has won just twice in the all-time league series, last a Timbers win May 5, 2018, in San Jose. The Quakes have gained points from the last two games in San Jose (1 win, 1 draw).
• 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.

QUAKES:
Vako Qazaishvili
scored his third goal of the season, his last coming Aug. 29 vs. LA Galaxy. …
Chris Wondolowski
collected his first assist of the season; he has two goals and an assist in the last four games.
TIMBERS:
Diego
Chará
collected the 20th assist of his MLS career, fourth-most in the Timbers’ MLS history, and the ninth player in the club’s all-eras history to record 20 or more assists.
MONTREAL IMPACT vs. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 (Week 12, MLS Game #155)
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
7 p.m. ET (TVA Sports; PHL 17)
REFEREE: Marcos de Oliveira. AR1 (bench): Kyle Atkins; AR2 (opposite): Adam Wienckowski; 4th: Thomas Snyder; VAR: Alan Kelly; AVAR: Claudiu Badea
MLS Career: 35 games; FC/gm: 24.6; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 3; pens: 9
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Impact 9 wins, 38 goals … Union 5 wins, 25 goals … Ties 6
AT IMPACT: Impact 7 wins, 22 goals … Union 2 wins, 10 goals … Ties 1

• The Impact fell 3-1 to Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday evening, in the second match of their two-game series over four days’ time at BC Place. The Impact won the opening game 4-2.
• The Union won for a second consecutive game and a fourth time in five matches, defeating the New England Revolution 2-1 at Subaru Park on Saturday evening. Anthony Fontana scored both Union goals, over the last 17 minutes, now with four goals in 20 career league appearances.
• Each team won at home by a big margin in their two meetings a season ago. The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Cory Burke, Haris Medunjanin and Alejandro Bedoya all netted goals as the Union claimed a 3-0 win on April 30 in Chester; Lassi Lappalainen and Orji Okwonkwo each netted a brace as the Impact took a 4-0 win July 27 at Stade Saputo.
• Each team won away from home in 2018, the Union taking a 2-0 win May 12 in Montréal, and the Impact claiming a 4-1 victory Sept. 15 in Chester.

IMPACT:
Romell Quioto
scored his fifth goal of the season, his second in as many games. Quioto has two goals and an assist over the last four games. … With the Impact loss on Wednesday, Toronto FC took the spot in the Canadian Championship Final, gained by the team with the best record over the nine matches between Major League Soccer's Canadian clubs to kick off the continuation of play in the 2020 season. …
Saphir Taïder
collected an assist, his sixth of the season; Taïder has four goals and five assists over the last seven games, since July 16. …
Victor Wanyama
recorded the first assist of his MLS career.
UNION:
The goal from
Anthony Fontana
five minutes into stoppage time matched the latest game-winning goal in Union history (José Kléberson, 10/5/2013, 1-0 vs TOR; Sebastien Le Toux, 7/17/2010, 2-1 vs TOR).