MLS Week 13 News & Notes: Sounders FC’s Nicolás Lodeiro Staying Perfect from the Spot

MLS MEDIA RESOURCES: WEEK 13 NEWS & NOTES
News and notes and statistical trends from around Major League Soccer
SOUNDERS FC’S NICOLÁS LODEIRO STAYING PERFECT FROM THE SPOT
Nicolás Lodeiro of Seattle Sounders FC achieved a new standard for penalty kick conversion in Major League Soccer history, when he netted a pair of goals – both on spot kicks – in his club’s 3-0 win against the Los Angeles Football Club on Sept. 18.
Lodeiro is now 14-for-14 in penalty kicks for his MLS career which started in 2016 – the most conversions with a 100 percent rate by a player in league history. Lodeiro entered the match tied with Benny Feilhaber, who converted all 12 of the penalty kicks he took over his nine-year MLS career from 2011-19.
Lodeiro is one of two active players with a perfect mark from the penalty spot, with at least nine attempts. Saphir Taïder of the Montréal Impact is 9-for-9 for his three-year MLS career.
MOST PENALTY KICKS CONVERTED WITHOUT MISS

Minimum: 9 attempts
Lodeiro’s streak of 14 consecutive penalty kick conversions is also now the second-longest in MLS history. Jaime Moreno holds the record, converting 20 spot kicks in a row from April 2005 through June 2008. Moreno is the MLS record holder with 44 penalty kick goals, from 52 total attempts.
MOST CONSECUTIVE PENALTY KICK CONVERSIONS

REFEREE TORI PENSO ADDS TO LEGACY IN NASHVILLE-D.C. UNITED GAME
Tori Penso will take another step forward in Major League Soccer when she serves as the referee in charge of the Nashville SC-D.C. United match on Wednesday evening.
Penso will become the first woman to serve as the referee in a match in Major League Soccer in 20 years. She will become the fourth woman to run the center in an MLS game, the first since Sandra Hunt on May 13, 2000.
Penso is one of nine women who have been part of the referee crew in MLS matches in 2020, including assistant referees and video assistant referees.
WOMEN REFEREES IN MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

CHARÁ BROTHERS LATEST ON LIST OF BROTHER-TO-BROTHER GOALS
The Chará brothers – Diego and Yimmi – added their names to MLS lore when they combined on the goal for the Portland Timbers in a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on Sept. 16.
Diego’s pass to Yimmi led to his first career goal in MLS, in the 33rd minute of the match, and marked the sixth time in Major League Soccer a pair of brothers had combined on the same goal. One set of brothers – Jamar and DaMarcus Beasley – combined on a pair of goals in their careers, while the others have all done it once (Chris and Sean Henderson, Bradley and Shaun Wright-Phillips, Cristian and Alex Roldan).
BROTHERS COMBINED ON A GOAL IN MLS

Credit: Elias Sports Bureau
FC CINCINNATI’S HARIS MEDUNJANIN JOINS OLIMPICO CLUB
Haris Medunjanin of FC Cincinnati became the seventh player in Major League Soccer history to score an
olimpico
– a goal coming directly from a corner kick – when he netted the only goal of the game in his club’s win against the New York Red Bulls on Sept. 19.
It was the second time it happened at Red Bull Arena – joining current Montréal Impact head coach Thierry Henry’s effort for the Red Bulls vs. Columbus in 2012. One other stadium has seen it happen twice – CenturyLink Field in Seattle, which saw the first of Michel’s two
olimpicos
in his MLS career for FC Dallas, the only player to have performed the feat twice.
OLIMPICO GOALS IN MLS HISTORY

MLS WEEK 13 – LOOK AHEAD
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION vs. MONTREAL IMPACT
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #158)
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
5 p.m. ET (TVA Sports; NBCS-Bos)
REFEREE: Fotis Bazakos. AR1 (bench): Ian McKay; AR2 (opposite): Gjovalin Bori; 4th: Ted Unkel; VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.; AVAR: Thomas Supple
MLS Career: 97 games; FC/gm: 25.8; Y/gm: 3.8; R: 19; pens: 36
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Revolution 10 wins, 30 goals … Impact 10 wins, 31 goals … Ties 3
AT NEW ENGLAND: Revolution 5 wins, 13 goals … Impact 4 wins, 10 goals … Ties 1

• The Revolution returned home and gained a point, playing to a goalless draw with New York City FC at Gillette Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
  
• The Impact dropped a 4-1 decision to the Philadelphia Union on Sunday evening – a game played as an Impact home game at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. Romell Quioto scored the Impact directly from a free kick in the fifth minute, his sixth of the season and third in as many games – then was sent off before halftime.
  
• The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Teal Bunbury gave the Revolution an early lead, but Romell Quioto and Maxi Urruti scored on either side of halftime to give the Impact the 2-1 win on Opening Day (Feb. 29) at Olympic Stadium. They also met in group play in the MLS is Back Tournament, Gustavo Bou scoring the game’s only goal to give New England the win on July 9.
  
• The Impact have won the last two meetings at Gillette Stadium, ending a four-game Revolution winning streak there in the series dating back to 2016. The Impact have a win and a draw from their last two home games, which ended a two-game Revolution winning streak in Montréal.
  

REVOLUTION:
Matt Turner
was credited with four saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season. It’s one shutout shy of his single-season career-high, set each of the last two seasons.
IMPACT:
The
Romell Quioto
goal vs. Philadelphia was the first for the Impact directly from a free kick since April 14, 2018, when Jeisson Vargas did it against the New York Red Bulls – at Red Bull Arena.
NEW YORK CITY FC vs. TORONTO FC
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #156)
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
7 p.m. ET (TSN; YES)
REFEREE: Joseph Dickerson. AR1 (bench): Kyle Atkins; AR2 (opposite): Ryan Graves; 4th: Sergii Demianchuk; VAR: Chris Penso; AVAR: TBD
MLS Career: 32 games; FC/gm: 25.9; Y/gm: 4.1; R: 6; pens: 10
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: NYCFC 4 wins, 21 goals … Toronto FC 3 wins, 20 goals … Ties 5
AT NYCFC: NYCFC 2 wins, 13 goals … Toronto FC 0 wins, 10 goals … Ties 4

• NYCFC extended their undefeated run to six games with a second draw in that span, reaching a goalless draw with the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• Toronto FC gained a second result from a third consecutive away match, playing to a 2-2 draw with D.C. United at Audi Field on Saturday evening. Ayo Akinola netted his sixth goal of the season, tied for sixth in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
  
• The teams have already met this season in league play. Ifunanyachi Achara scored the game’s only goal nine minutes from full time as Toronto FC claimed the victory March 7 at BMO Field. The teams also met in the round-of-16 in the MLS is Back Tournament, as Maximiliano Moralez assisted on goal and scored one, leading NYCFC to a 3-1 win on July 26.
  
• TFC have taken points from the last three league meetings, last year winning 4-0 on March 29 at BMO Field, and reaching a 1-1 draw Sept. 11 at Yankee Stadium. TFC has won three times in 12 regular-season meetings in the series – the first two by 4-0 scorelines at BMO Field, before this year’s win.
  
• The teams also met in the Eastern Conference Semifinals a year ago, 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.
  

NYCFC:
Sean Johnson
was credited with seven saves in recording his fifth shutout of the season, his third in the last four games. It was the 65th shutout of Johnson’s MLS league career, now all alone in 10th place in the all-time standings.
TFC:
Pablo Piatti
collected his third assist of the season; he has a goal or an assist now in three consecutive games, with a goal and two assists in that span. …
Alejandro Pozuelo
scored his fourth of the season, his second in the last three games and third in the last five.
ATLANTA UNITED vs. FC DALLAS
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #157)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
7 p.m. ET (FS-South; FS-SW / FCDTV)
REFEREE: Timothy Ford. AR1 (bench): Corey Rockwell; AR2 (opposite): Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein; 4th: Matthew Thompson; VAR: Jorge Gonzalez; AVAR: TBD
MLS Career: 18 games; FC/gm: 23.5; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 2; pens: 1
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: ATLUTD 1 win, 6 goals … FC Dallas 2 wins, 5 goals … Ties 0
AT ATLANTA: ATLUTD 1 win, 4 goals … FC Dallas 1 win, 2 goals … Ties 0

• Atlanta United had their winless slide extended, falling 2-1 to Inter Miami CF at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• FC Dallas won a third match on the trot, getting a late winner from Ryan Hollingshead to secure a 3-2 win against Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday evening. Carlos Jara gave FCD a two-goal lead with a brace, extending his goalscoring streak to four games.
  
• The teams met once a season ago, FC Dallas taking a 2-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 20, the first win by the away side in three meetings all-time.
  
• Each team has won once at home on their home ground. Atlanta United won the first meeting between the teams, a 3-0 win on Sept. 10, 2017, in the grand opening of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. FC Dallas claimed a 3-2 victory July 4, 2018 at Toyota Stadium.
  

ATLUTD:
Jon Gallagher
scored his first career goal in MLS, making his fifth career league appearance and second in the starting XI. …
Jeff Larentowicz
collected his first assist of the season; he has a goal and an assist in the last two games.
FCD:
John Nelson
collected his first career assist in two MLS seasons, in his 15th career league appearance.
COLUMBUS CREW SC vs. MINNESOTA UNITED FC
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #159)
Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
7:30 p.m. ET (FS-OH; FS-North+)
REFEREE: Ismail Elfath. AR1 (bench): Corey Parker; AR2 (opposite): C.J. Morgante; 4th: Elvis Osmanovic; VAR: Sorin Stoica; AVAR: Brooke Mayo
MLS Career: 153 games; FC/gm: 25.6; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 43; pens: 48
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Crew SC 2 wins, 4 goals … MNUFC 1 win, 3 goals … Ties 0
AT MAPFRE STADIUM: Crew SC 1 win, 3 goals … MNUFC 0 wins, 2 goals … Ties 0

• Crew SC extended their undefeated streak to five games and extended their home shutout streak to record proportions, defeating Nashville SC 2-0 at Mapfre Stadium on Saturday evening. Gyasi Zardes sealed the win with his ninth goal of the season, one behind LAFC’s Diego Rossi in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
  
• The shutout was the fifth at home this season for the Crew, matching the most shutouts at home from the start of a season in MLS history (also: New England Revolution, 2005), the first team ever to win its first five home contests all by shutout.
  
• Minnesota United gained a third result in four matches, playing to a 2-2 draw with the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Stadium on Saturday evening. Kevin Molino scored his third goal in the last three games, and Robin Lod netted a third in the last four.
  
• The teams did meet earlier this year in the round-of-16 in the MLS is Back Tournament. The teams reached a 1-1 draw over 90 minutes, then goalkeeper Tyler Miller made one save during the penalty shootout and Minnesota United converted all five of their attempts to advance.
  
• Minnesota United won the lone meeting between the clubs a year ago, Ethan Finlay netting the game’s only goal May 18 at Allianz Field. Crew SC won the first two meetings between the teams, over Minnesota United FC’s first two MLS seasons. Crew SC took a 1-0 win the inaugural meeting, July 4, 2017, at TCF Bank Stadium; they also took a 3-2 win on Oct. 28, 2018 as Gyasi Zardes hit for a hat trick, canceling out a brace from MNUFC’s Francisco Calvo.
  

CREW SC:
Gyasi Zardes
also collected his third assist of the season, his second in as many games, the second consecutive game where he had a goal and an assist in the same match and the 10th time in his MLS career he’s had at least one goal and one assist in a game, the third this season. …
Eloy Room
was credited with two saves in recording his seventh shutout of the season, leading MLS, coming in nine appearances. …
Lucas Zelarayán
collected his third MLS assist, his last coming July 11. …
Artúr
recorded his third assist of the season, his second in four games.
MNUFC:
Jan Gregus
collected his sixth assist of the season, one of five players tied for second place in the MLS assist standings; he will miss out on the Crew SC after being sent off late vs. Houston. …
Kei Kamara
is expected to make his debut for Minnesota United FC, after his arrival via trade from the Colorado Rapids. MNUFC is the eighth club for which Kamara has appeared in his MLS career, tying Dominic Oduro for the most in league history.
FC CINCINNATI vs. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #160)
Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
7:30 p.m. ET (WSTR – Star 64; PHL 17)
REFEREE: Guido Gonzales Jr. AR1 (bench): Cory Richardson; AR2 (opposite): Peter Balciunas; 4th: Natalie Simon; VAR: Hilario Grajeda; AVAR: Craig Lowry
MLS Career: 11 games; FC/gm: 25.9; Y/gm: 4.1; R: 5; pens: 4
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FCC 0 wins, 0 goals … Union 2 wins, 4 goals … Ties 0
AT NIPPERT STADIUM: FCC 0 wins, 0 goals … Union 1 win, 2 goals … Ties 0

• FC Cincinnati put an end to a six-game winless slide, their first victory since the MLS is Back Tournament, defeating the New York Red Bulls by the game’s only goal at Red Bull Arena on Saturday evening.
  
• Haris Medunjanin scored the goal through an olimpico – directly from a corner kick – the seventh time in MLS history that’s happened.
  
• The Union won their third game in a row and a fifth in the last six matches, defeating the Montréal Impact 4-1 on Sunday evening in a game played at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. as an Impact home match.
  
• Kacper Przybylko scored a pair of goals for the Union, now with seven goals for the season, tied for fifth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings, a second consecutive match with a goal and his sixth in the last six games.
  
• The teams met twice in FC Cincinnati’s inaugural season in MLS, and the Union won both, each by a 2-0 scoreline – March 30 at Nippert Stadium, and May 1 in Chester.
  

FCC:
Spencer Richey
was credited with two saves in recording his first shutout of the season, in his third league appearance, his last coming March 7. It was the third shutout of his MLS career in his two seasons, both previous coming in back-to-back games March 17-24, 2019, vs. Portland and at New England.
UNION:
Anthony Fontana
scored his third goal of the season, both coming in the last two games; he had two goals for his MLS career in his first two seasons. …
Matt Real
recorded a pair of assists; he had one previous assist in MLS, coming last July 7 vs. Orlando City. …
Mark McKenzie
recorded a pair of assists – the first two of his MLS career, in his 37th league appearance over three seasons. …
Andrew Wooten
collected his fourth assist of the season, his third in the last three games. …
Alejandro Bedoya
scored his second goal of the season, the first coming during the MLS is Back Tournament, July 9 vs. NYCFC.
CHICAGO FIRE FC vs. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #161)
Soldier Field, Chicago, Ill.
6:30 p.m. CT (ESPN+ / WGN-TV; QuestTEXAS 55 / TeleXitos)
REFEREE: Marcos de Oliveira. AR1 (bench): Andrew Bigelow; AR2 (opposite): Peter Manikowski; 4th: Ismir Pekmic; VAR: David Gantar; AVAR: TBD
MLS Career: 36 games; FC/gm: 24.5; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 4; pens: 9
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Fire FC 7 wins, 29 goals … Dynamo 10 wins, 36 goals … Ties 8
AT FIRE: Fire FC 4 wins, 16 goals … Dynamo 4 wins, 17 goals … Ties 4

• Fire FC had their winless skid extended, falling 4-1 to Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• The Dynamo gained points for the seventh time in the last eight matches, coming back to grab a 2-2 draw with Minnesota United FC at BBVA Stadium on Saturday evening. Darwin Quintero netted his fifth goal of the season, tied for 10th place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
  
• The Fire won the lone meeting between the teams a year ago, a 1-0 win at BBVA Stadium on Aug. 3. It was their first win in Houston since the 2007 season, going 10 consecutive visits without a victory – after the Fire won on their first two visits there ever.
  
• The teams have never met at Soldier Field. The Dynamo won on their last visit to SeatGeek Stadium, a 3-2 win May 20, 2018 – each team won four meetings there, with four draws, in 12 matches.
  

FIRE FC:
Robert Berić
scored for a second consecutive game, his fourth of the season, converting a penalty kick. He has two goals and an assist in the last two games.
DYNAMO:
Maynor Figueroa
scored his first goal in two seasons with the Dynamo, his last in MLS coming Aug. 18, 2018 while with FC Dallas.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs. ORLANDO CITY SC
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #162)
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kan.
6:30 p.m. CT (FS1 / FOX Deportes)
REFEREE: Victor Rivas. AR1 (bench): Cameron Blanchard; AR2 (opposite): Matthew Nelson; 4th: Alejandro Mariscal; VAR: Daniel Radford; AVAR: Fabio Tovar
MLS Career: 10 games; FC/gm: 27.1; Y/gm: 4.5; R: 3; pens: 7
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sporting 2 wins, 6 goals … Orlando City 2 wins, 7 goals … Ties 1
AT KC: Sporting 2 wins, 3 goals … Orlando City 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 0

• Sporting saw their two-game home undefeated run come to an end, falling late to FC Dallas in a 3-2 decision at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday evening. Johnny Russell scored both SKC goals; he has each of Sporting’s last three tallies, over the last two games.
  
• Orlando City SC stretched their undefeated streak to six games with a second consecutive win, rolling to a 4-1 win against Chicago Fire FC at Exploria Stadium on Saturday evening. Chris Mueller and Nani each had a goal and an assist; for Mueller, it was his seventh of the season, in fourth place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
  
• The teams met once a season ago, Tesho Akindele scoring the game’s lone goal to lead Orlando City to the win at Exploria Stadium on Aug. 14. Orlando City are undefeated on their home ground vs. Sporting KC, with two wins and a draw in three meetings there
  
• Sporting have won both meetings all-time in KC, including a 1-0 victory in the last encounter between the clubs, on Sept. 8, 2018.
  

SPORTING:
Gianluca Busio
collected his first assist of the season, the third of his MLS career in four seasons, in 41 career league appearances.
OCSC:
Benji Michel
scored his third goal of the season, all coming over the last four games. …
Mauricio Pereyra
collected his fourth assist of the season; he has a goal and an assist in the last two games. …
Junior Urso
scored his second goal of the season, his last coming Aug. 29 at Atlanta United.
INTER MIAMI CF vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #163)
Inter Miami CF Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
8 p.m. ET (MyTV33 / TUDN App; MSG)
REFEREE: Alex Chilowicz. AR1 (bench): Brian Poeschel; AR2 (opposite): Jose da Silva; 4th: Jonathan Bilinski; VAR: Armando Villarreal; AVAR: Jozef Batko
MLS Career: 34 games; FC/gm: 24.4; Y/gm: 3.8; R: 6; pens: 11
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting.

• Inter Miami CF won away from home for the first time in the club’s history, a second victory in the last three matches, defeating Atlanta United 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday evening. Juan Agudelo and Brek Shea scored the goals, the second of the season for each.
  
• The Red Bulls weren’t able to build upon a first victory in five matches, falling by the game’s lone goal to FC Cincinnati at Red Bull Arena on Saturday evening. Haris Medunjanin scored the only goal from an olimpico – directly from a corner kick.
  
• The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories.
  

IMCF:
Rodolfo Pizarro
collected an assist for a third game in a row, now with four assists in MLS. … Lewis Morgan collected his third assist in MLS; he has two goals and an assist in the last two games.
RED BULLS:
The olimpico from FC Cincinnati’s
Haris Medunjanin
was the seventh scored in Major League Soccer history, the second at Red Bull Arena (also: Thierry Henry, Sept. 15, 2012 vs. Columbus).
NASHVILLE SC vs. D.C. UNITED
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #164)
Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
7:30 p.m. CT (MyTV30; WJLA 24/7 News)
REFEREE: Tori Penso. AR1 (bench): Logan Brown; AR2 (opposite): Jeremy Hanson; 4th: Robert Sibiga; VAR: Alan Kelly; AVAR: TBD
MLS Career: First game.
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: First meeting.

• Nashville SC had their four-game undefeated streak put to an end, falling 2-0 to Columbus Crew SC at Mapfre Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• D.C. United gained points for a third time in four games with a second draw in that time, reaching a 2-2 result with Toronto FC at Audi Field on Saturday evening. 17-year-old Griffin Yow netted the 88th-minute equalizer for his first career goal in MLS.
  
• The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories.
  

NASHVILLE SC:
Nashville SC has nine goals thus far in its inaugural MLS season – all scored by different players. No player has more than one this season.
D.C. UNITED:
Ola Kamara
scored his second goal of the season, his first coming Aug. 25 vs. New England.
COLORADO RAPIDS vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #165)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo.
7:30 p.m. MT (Altitude; NBCS-CA+)
REFEREE: Drew Fischer. AR1 (bench): Eric Weisbrod; AR2 (opposite): Chris Elliott; 4th: Adam Kilpatrick; VAR: Malik Badawi; AVAR: Jason White
MLS Career: 129 games; FC/gm: 25.2; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 19; pens: 34
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Rapids 22 wins (2 shootout), 82 goals … Earthquakes 30 wins (1 shootout), 95 goals … Ties 17
AT COLORADO: Rapids 14 wins (1 shootout), 45 goals … Earthquakes 13 wins (0 shootout), 40 goals … Ties 8

• The Rapids took points for a fifth time in the last six games with a second victory in three matches after defeating the LA Galaxy 2-0 at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday evening. Cole Bassett scored his third goal of the season, his second in the last three games.
  
• The Quakes had a two-game undefeated streak put to an end in another heavy defeat, falling 6-1 to the Portland Timbers at Earthquakes Stadium on Saturday evening. Carlos Fierro scored his first career goal in MLS for the San Jose tally.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Chris Wondolowski (163 career MLS league goals) and Kei Kamara (129 career MLS league goals) each tallied, as the teams ended in a 1-1 draw at Earthquakes Stadium on Sept. 5.
  
• The Quakes are undefeated in the six meetings all-time at Earthquakes Stadium, winning four of those, and are undefeated in their last 10 home meetings with the Rapids, since a defeat Aug. 25, 2012. The Colorado goal in last year’s meeting was their first at San Jose since May 18, 2013, snapping a span of 692 scoreless minutes for the Rapids in the Bay Area.
  
• The Rapids are undefeated in the past eight meetings with the Quakes at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, including a 2-0 win last Aug. 10 in the last matchup there, the last San Jose win in Commerce City coming in 2013. The Rapids have won four times, with four draws. The Rapids win at home on Oct. 13, 2016, ended a 14-game overall winless streak in the series.
  

RAPIDS:
Jonathan Lewis
scored his fourth goal of the season, his first since netting in back-to-back games in the MLS is Back Tournament, on July 12 and 17. …
William Yarbrough
was credited with four saves in recording his second consecutive shutout, his first two in MLS. He has not conceded a goal in his 224 minutes. …
Andre Shinyashiki
recorded his first assist of the season, his first since last Sept. 29 vs. FC Dallas, the last of the three assists in his rookie season. …
Braian Galván
collected his first assist in MLS, in his sixth game. …
Sam Vines
notched his second career assist in MLS, the first coming Sept. 9.
QUAKES:
Eric Calvillo
collected his first career assist in MLS, making his ninth career appearance over three seasons. …
Marcos López
recorded a second assist this season, his third over two seasons in MLS.
REAL SALT LAKE vs. LA GALAXY
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #166)
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
7:30 p.m. MT (KMYU-12; SpecSN)
REFEREE: Silviu Petrescu. AR1 (bench): Claudiu Badea; AR2 (opposite): TJ Zablocki; 4th: Nima Saghafi; VAR: Edvin Jurisevic; AVAR: TBD
MLS Career: 161 games; FC/gm: 27.6; Y/gm: 3.9; R: 25; pens: 39
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Real 14 wins, 69 goals … Galaxy 17 wins, 65 goals … Ties 9
AT SALT LAKE: Real 7 wins, 37 goals … Galaxy 5 wins, 28 goals … Ties 7

• Real suffered a second reverse in a row, dropping a 2-1 decision to Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• The Galaxy had their six-game undefeated streak come to an end, their last loss coming during the MLS is Back Tournament, in a 2-0 defeat by the Colorado Rapids at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday evening.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, and the Galaxy won both, each by a 2-1 scoreline, with Zlatan Ibrahimović scoring a late game-winner both times, first April 28 at Dignity Health Sports Park, then Sept. 25 at Rio Tinto Stadium. The Galaxy have won the last two meetings in Carson; their win in Sandy last year was their first there since 2017.
  
• The teams also met five times in eight seasons in the MLS Cup Playoffs, last in the Knockout Round in 2016. The Galaxy have won on three occasions, RSL won via penalty shootout when the clubs met in the 2009 MLS Cup, and also in the Western Conference Semifinals in 2013.
  

REAL:
Justin Meram
netted his third goal of the season, his second in the last three games. …
Maikel Chang
recorded his fourth assist of the season, all coming over the last seven games, since Aug. 22.
GALAXY
: Javier “Chicarito” Hernández
made a second consecutive appearance off the substitutes’ bench, his first since July 13 …
Giancarlo González
made his first appearance since July 18.
PORTLAND TIMBERS vs. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #167)
Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
7 p.m. PT (KPDX; JOEtv)
REFEREE: Allen Chapman. AR1 (bench): Kathryn Nesbitt; AR2 (opposite): Jeff Hosking; 4th: Farhad Dadkho; VAR: Ramy Touchan; AVAR: Joshua Patlak
MLS Career: 169 games; FC/gm: 22.0; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 42; pens: 74
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Timbers 8 wins, 39 goals … Sounders FC 12 wins, 45 goals … Ties 6
AT PORTLAND: Timbers 6 wins, 27 goals … Sounders FC 5 wins, 25 goals … Ties 3

• The Timbers set an MLS club record with six goals, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 6-1 at Earthquakes Stadium in a second meeting there in four days on Saturday evening. Diego Valeri scored a pair of goals while Diego Chará collected a pair of assists.
  
• Sounders FC won a second consecutive match in impressive fashion, hitting for a 3-0 win against Los Angeles Football Club at CenturyLink Field on Friday evening. Nicolás Lodeiro netted the opening two goals from penalty kicks – now 14-for-14 for his MLS career – while Raúl Ruidíaz scored his eighth goal of the season, sitting in third place in the MLS Golden Boot standings.
  
• The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Eryk Williamson scored the opener and set up the late winner as the Timbers took a 2-1 win at CenturyLink Field on Sept. 6; Raúl Ruidíaz scored two goals and set up a third as Sounders FC hit for a late three-goal blitz in 14 minutes on their way to a 3-0 win Aug. 23 at Providence Park.
  
• The last six league meetings in the series have been won by the away team. Sounders FC have won the last three regular-season matchups at Providence Park, the win in 2018 their first win in Portland since 2014. When the Timbers took a 4-1 win on June 28, 2015, the three-goal victory equaled Portland’s largest margin of victory against the Sounders since 1977.
  
• The Timbers have won the last three meetings at CenturyLink Field – their only wins ever in Seattle in MLS regular season games (Sounders FC were 7-0-3 leading up to that match), though the Timbers won at home in the MLS Cup Playoffs meeting between the clubs.
  
• The teams met in 2018 in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the Timbers winning in a dramatic penalty shootout in the Western Conference Quarterfinals after ending 4-4 on aggregate. The Timbers won the first leg 2-1 at Providence Park, then Sounders FC won 3-2 in extra time, sending the tie to the decider. It was a second win in a playoff series for the Timbers, also winning the 2013 Western Conference Semifinals.
  
• The Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers have met 109 times in all competitions, the most between two U.S.-based clubs, the second-most in U.S./Canadian soccer history. Since their first meeting in 1975 in the old North American Soccer League, Seattle has won 54 times and Portland has won 41, with 14 draws. In MLS league play, Sounders FC have won 12 matches, the Timbers have won nine, and six have been draws.
  

TIMBERS:
Yimmi Chará
scored for a second consecutive game. …
Diego Valeri
recorded an assist, a third game in a row with an assist and the fourth in the last five. It was the 19th time in his MLS career he had at least one goal and one assist in the same game, the 10th time he’s been involved with three or more goals in the same match. …
Jeremy Ebobisse
scored his fifth goal of the season, his second in the last three games. …
Julio Cascante
scored his first career MLS goal, making his 47th appearance over three seasons. …
Jorge Villafaña
collected his second assist, both coming in the last three games.
SOUNDERS FC:
Joao Paulo
recorded his third assist, the last coming Aug. 30. …
Stefan Frei
was credited with two saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season, the 80th of his MLS career, fifth-most all-time.
LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 (Week 13, MLS Game #168)
Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif.
7:30 p.m. PT (TSN; YouTube TV / Estrella TV)
REFEREE: Rubiel Vazquez. AR1 (bench): Adam Garner; AR2 (opposite): Tiffin Turpin; 4th: Michael Radchuk; VAR: Kevin Stott; AVAR: Michael Kampmeinert
MLS Career: 38 games; FC/gm: 22.3; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 7; pens: 6
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: LAFC 2 wins, 10 goals … Whitecaps FC 1 win, 4 goals … Ties 1
AT BANC OF CALIFORNIA STADIUM: LAFC 1 win, 8 goals … Whitecaps FC 0 wins, 3 goals … Ties 1

• LAFC weren’t able to expand upon a first victory in three matches, falling 3-0 to Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on Friday evening. It’s been 300 minutes since a goal on away turf for LAFC, now four road games in a row with a reversal.
  
• Whitecaps FC won a second consecutive match and a third in the last four games, defeating Real Salt Lake 2-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday evening. David Milinković scored his first career MLS goal, while Lucas Cavallini netted his second.
  
• The teams split their two meetings a season ago, each winning on their home ground. Hwang In-beom scored the game’s only goal to lead Whitecaps FC to the victory April 17 at BC Place, their only win in four meetings all-time in the series. On July 6 at Banc of California Stadium, Carlos Vela scored a pair of goals and added an assist, leading LAFC to a 6-1 win.
  

LAFC:
LAFC returns home for a third match at Banc of California Stadium in the last seven, having scored nine goals in their last two games in LA (5-1 vs San Jose on Sept. 2; 4-2 vs. Portland on Sept. 13).
WHITECAPS FC:
Fredy Montero
collected a pair of assists, the third two-assist game of his MLS career, the last coming Oct. 21, 2012, while with Seattle Sounders FC. Montero has been involved in all five of Vancouver’s goals over the last two games, with two goals and three assists. …
Cristian Dajome
has a goal and an assist over the last two games. …
Michael Baldisimo
recorded his third assist, all coming over the last four games.