New York Red Bulls reach record playoff clinching feat; are Sounders FC next?

MLS MEDIA RESOURCES: WEEK 30 NEWS & NOTES

News and notes and statistical trends from around Major League Soccer

RED BULLS REACH RECORD PLAYOFF CLINCHING FEAT; ARE SOUNDERS FC NEXT?

After clinching their place in the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs last weekend, the New York Red Bulls have now equaled the record for the most consecutive seasons reaching the postseason in Major League Soccer history.
The Red Bulls have now reached the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs each season since 2010 – matching the record first set by the LA Galaxy when they made it to the postseason in each of MLS’s first 10 seasons, from 1996-2005.
But the Red Bulls’ hold on the mark could be short-lived. Also having reached the postseason in 10 consecutive seasons are Seattle Sounders FC – who have never missed out on the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs since the club came into the league in 2009. Sounders FC are on the verge of reaching the postseason in a record 11th consecutive season, with the possibility of securing their place in the 2019 dance in Week 30.
CONSECUTIVE APPEARANCES – MLS CUP PLAYOFFS

NYCFC’S MAXI MORALEZ CHASING HISTORY IN ASSIST LEADERSHIP

While the race for the 2019 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi has turned into one of the greatest in league history, there has been a chase toward history in the MLS assist leadership as well.
Maximiliano Moralez of New York City FC collected his 19th assist of the season in his club’s 1-1 draw at FC Dallas last Sunday afternoon, leading MLS this season. The total is now tied for the third-most in a season in MLS history. He is only one assist from becoming just the third player in league annals to record 20 assists in a season, with three games still to be played entering Week 30.
MOST ASSISTS, SINGLE SEASON

RED BULLS SHARING THE WEALTH AT RECORD PROPORTIONS

When Kyle Duncan netted the opening goal of the game for the New York Red Bulls in their 2-0 win at the Portland Timbers last week, he became the 18th different goalscorer for the club this season.
That total matches the most of any team in a single season in MLS history, joining D.C. United in 2016, who also saw 18 different players score at least one league goal.
MOST GOALSCORERS, SINGLE SEASON

KEEPING IT CLEAN: HISTORY REPEATS AS FEWEST FOULS OCCUR

It took nearly 24 full seasons for a team to commit just a single foul over the course of an MLS game. Then it took less than 24 hours for the feat to be repeated.
On Saturday evening, in regular season game No. 5,841 in MLS history, the Montréal Impact committed just one foul in their 2-1 loss to the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. Then the following afternoon, Minnesota United FC committed just a single foul in their scoreless draw with the Portland Timbers at Providence Park.
Over the first 23-plus seasons in MLS, a team had committed as few as two fouls in a game on just four occasions, the last coming in 2013.
FEWEST FOULS COMMITTED, ONE GAME (ONE TEAM)

EAST VS. WEST – WHO HAS THE ADVANTAGE?

With this weekend’s interconference clashes between the San Jose Earthquakes and Philadelphia Union, and the Portland Timbers and the New England Revolution, the slate of matches between the Eastern and Western conferences for the 2019 season will be completed.
Heading into the midweek matches, the Western Conference holds the edge with 61 victories against the East, while the East has won 54 games vs. the West (there have been 27 draws).
CONFERENCE VS. CONFERENCE, 2019

JOSEF MARTÍNEZ CEMENTS HIS PLACE IN WORLD FOOTBALL HISTORY

When Josef Martínez was forced off by injury in Atlanta United’s 3-1 win against the San Jose Earthquakes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon, his MLS-record streak of 15 consecutive league games with a goal also came to an end.
The 15-game streak with at least one goal now ranks tied for the fifth-longest in all of world football history, according to FIFA, and it is the second-longest since the launch of MLS in 1996. Martínez ended six games behind the all-time recordholder, Lionel Messi, who netted 33 goals over a 21-game streak for FC Barcelona in Spain’s La Liga in 2013-14.
LONGEST GOALSCORING STREAKS IN WORLD FOOTBALL HISTORY

MLS WEEK 30 – LOOK AHEAD

NEW YORK CITY FC vs. ATLANTA UNITED
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #379)
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.
7 p.m. ET (YES; FS-South)
REFEREE: Allen Chapman. AR1 (bench): Adam Wienckowski; AR2 (opposite): Brian Dunn; 4th: Pierre-Luc Lauziere; VAR: Robert Sibiga; AVAR: Ian McKay
MLS Career: 158 games; FC/gm: 22.1; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 38; pens: 68
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: NYCFC 1 win, 8 goals … ATLUTD 2 wins, 9 goals … Ties 2
AT YANKEE STADIUM: NYCFC 1 win, 4 goals … ATLUTD 0 wins, 2 goals … Ties 1

• NYCFC extended their undefeated streak to eight games, reaching a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Valentin Castellanos gave NYCFC the lead with the earliest goal in club history, after 39 seconds.
  
• Atlanta United won for a second consecutive game, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Pity Martínez capped the win with his fourth goal of the season; he has a goal or an assist in three consecutive games, with a goal and two assists in that span.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Josef Martínez netted goals on either side of halftime, leading Atlanta United to a 2-1 win on Aug. 11 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
  
• Atlanta United have gained results in four of the five league meetings between the teams; the clubs played to a pair of draws in their two regular-season matchups a year ago. NYCFC’s lone win in the series came in the first meeting between the teams, a 3-1 win on May 7, 2017, at Yankee Stadium.
  
• The teams then met in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last year, with Atlanta United advancing 4-1 on aggregate, winning the first leg 1-0 in the Bronx before taking the home leg by a 3-1 scoreline.
  

NYCFC:
Maximiliano Moralez
contributed his 19th assist of the season – tied for the third-most in a single season in MLS history, the ninth player in league annals to reach that many assists for a season. …
Anton Tinnerholm
recorded his eighth assist of the season, with three over the last six matches.
ATLUTD:
Emerson Hyndman
netted his first MLS goal, making his 12th league appearance, his fourth in a row as a starter. …
Justin Meram
scored his fourth goal of the season, all since coming to Atlanta United via trade from Columbus. …
Brandon Vazquez
collected his first assist of the season, the second of his MLS career, the first coming June 24, 2017. …
Darlington Nagbe
collected his fourth assist of the season, his second in the last four games. …
Hector Villalba
recorded his fourth assist of the season, his last coming May 12. …
Josef Martínez
was forced out of the San Jose match through injury, his goalscoring streak coming to an end after 15 games, the all-time MLS record.
MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #380)
Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minn.
7 p.m. CT (FS-North; FS-KC+)
REFEREE: Ismail Elfath. AR1 (bench): Kyle Atkins; AR2 (opposite): Felisha Mariscal; 4th: David Gantar; VAR: Fotis Bazakos; AVAR: Craig Lowry
MLS Career: 141 games; FC/gm: 25.5; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 38; pens: 45
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: MNUFC 1 win, 5 goals … Sporting 4 wins, 12 goals … Ties 2
AT MINNESOTA: MNUFC 1 win, 4 goals … Sporting 0 wins, 2 goals … Ties 2

• Minnesota United gained a second successive result, playing to a scoreless draw with the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon.
  
• Sporting Kansas City saw their slide reach three games, falling 3-2 to the Colorado Rapids at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday evening.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Erik Hurtado netted the game’s only goal two minutes from time, giving Sporting the victory on Aug. 22 at Children’s Mercy Park. Sporting have a six-game undefeated streak alive in the league series; the teams have met seven times in the regular season, and Sporting have won four – all coming at Children’s Mercy Park.
  
• The teams have played to draws in the past two matchups in Minnesota, including a 1-1 deadlock last May 20 at TCF Bank Stadium in the only encounter there a year ago. MNUFC won the first matchup between the clubs, a 2-0 victory on May 7, 2017, in Minneapolis.
  
• The teams have also met twice in three years in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with Minnesota United this year taking a 4-1 win on June 12 at Allianz Field. Sporting won by a 4-0 decision in a fourth-round match in 2017.
  

MNUFC:
Vito Mannone
was credited with 11 saves in recording the shutout vs. Portland, setting the MNUFC single-game record for the club’s MLS history, the fourth-most in a single game in MLS this season. Mannone became the 28th goalkeeper in MLS history to record 10 or more saves while posting a shutout. … It was Mannone’s 11th shutout of the season, now third-most in MLS this season.
SPORTING:
Gerso Fernandes
netted his second goal of the season to give SKC an early lead; he has a goal and an assist over the last two games.
REAL SALT LAKE vs. LA GALAXY
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #381)
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
7:30 p.m. MT (KMYU-21; SpecSN)
REFEREE: Rubiel Vazquez. AR1 (bench): Frank Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Cory Richardson; 4th: Sergii Demianchuk; VAR: Hilario Grajeda; AVAR: TJ Zablocki
MLS Career: 27 games; FC/gm: 20.9; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 6; pens: 5
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Real 14 wins, 68 goals … Galaxy 16 wins, 63 goals … Ties 9
AT SALT LAKE: Real 7 wins, 36 goals … Galaxy 4 wins, 26 goals … Ties 7

• Real concluded their two-game road swing with a result, reaching a goalless draw with the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• The Galaxy recorded a second consecutive victory, defeating the Montréal Impact 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday evening.
  
• Zlatan Ibrahimović netted his 27th goal of the season, remaining two goals behind Carlos Vela of LAFC for the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi. Ibrahimović also added an assist, his fifth of the season, the ninth time in his MLS career he’s had at least a goal and an assist in the same game.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Ibrahimović scored the game-winner in the 78th minute, leading the Galaxy to a 2-1 win on April 28 at Dignity Health Sports Park, a second consecutive home win in the series.
  
• Real have won by 6-2 scorelines in each of the last two seasons, including that result last Sept. 1 in the last meeting at Rio Tinto Stadium, in the process becoming the first team in league history to score at least six goals in back-to-back games. The Galaxy last won at Rio Tinto Stadium on March 18, 2017, snapping a Real five-game home undefeated streak in the series, their first win in Sandy since April 27, 2013.
  
• 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:
Andrew Putna
was credited with three saves in recording the second shutout of his MLS career (in seven appearances), his first coming May 12 vs. FC Cincinnati.
GALAXY:
Uriel Antuna
scored a goal, his fifth of the season, and added an assist, his fourth of the year. It was a second consecutive game with both a goal and an assist, netting a goal for the third time in the last four games. …
Cristian Pavón
collected an assist for a fifth consecutive game; he has a goal and six assists in his eight appearances since coming to MLS.
LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB vs. HOUSTON DYNAMO
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #382)
Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, Calif.
7:30 p.m. PT (YouTube TV [LA] / KVMD; KUBE 57)
REFEREE: Ramy Touchan. AR1 (bench): Logan Brown; AR2 (opposite): Jason White; 4th: Joseph Dickerson; VAR: Kevin Stott; AVAR: Cameron Blanchard
MLS Career: 20 games; FC/gm: 24.9; Y/gm: 3.8; R: 1; pens: 2
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: LAFC 2 wins, 9 goals … Dynamo 0 wins, 5 goals … Ties 1
AT BANC OF CALIFORNIA STADIUM: LAFC 1 win, 4 goals … Dynamo 0 wins, 2 goals … Ties 0

• LAFC reached a third consecutive draw, playing to a 1-1 result with Toronto FC at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• The Dynamo gained a second win in the last three matches, gaining a late 2-1 win against Orlando City SC at BBVA Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Adama Diomande scored goals on either side of the halftime break and Diego Rossi added one late, as LAFC took a 3-1 win on July 12 at BBVA Stadium.
  
• The teams met twice a year ago, in LAFC’s inaugural season. LAFC took a 4-2 win in the last meeting, Oct. 12 at Banc of California Stadium; the teams reached a 2-2 draw at BBVA Stadium on July 3.
  
• The teams also met in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup a year ago, the Dynamo advancing to the final following a penalty shootout after the teams played to a 3-3 draw over 120 minutes.
  

LAFC:
Carlos Vela
netted his 29th goal of the season with a late penalty kick, maintaining his lead in the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi.
DYNAMO:
Christian Ramirez
set up the first goal, his third assist of the season, then netted the game-winner, his seventh of the season. The three assists equal his single-season career-high in his three MLS seasons (also 2017); it was the fourth time he has a goal and an assist in the same game. …
Mauro Manotas
collected his eighth assist of the season; he has two goals and two assists over the last three games. …
Alberth Elis
scored his eighth goal of the season, his first since a two-goal game July 3. …
Memo Rodríguez
collected his fifth assist of the season.
PORTLAND TIMBERS vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #383)
Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
7:30 p.m. PT (KPDX; NBCS-Bos)
REFEREE: Jair Marrufo. AR1 (bench): Mike Rottersman; AR2 (opposite): Ian Anderson; 4th: Farhad Dadkho; VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero; AVAR: Joshua Patlak
MLS Career: 255 games; FC/gm: 23.1; Y/gm: 2.8; R: 42; pens: 81
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Timbers 2 wins, 10 goals … Revolution 1 win, 6 goals … Ties 6
AT PORTLAND: Timbers 2 wins, 6 goals … Revolution 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 2

• The Timbers put an end to a two-game losing slide, reaching a goalless draw with Minnesota United FC at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon.
  
• The Revolution played to a second consecutive draw, playing to a scoreless result with Real Salt Lake at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• The teams have played to three consecutive 1-1 draws in the series, including that result last Sept. 1 at Gillette Stadium, a second 1-1 draw in a row in Foxborough, Mass. The Revolution have never lost to the Timbers at Gillette Stadium in five meetings all-time, their lone win in the series coming there in 2012.
  
• The Timbers have a six-game undefeated streak alive in the all-time series, with five draws. The Timbers’ last win came on June 6, 2015, a 2-0 victory in Portland; the teams reached a 1-1 draw on April 2, 2017, in the last meeting at Providence Park. The Revolution goal in their last visit was the club’s first ever in Portland in four visits all-time, after 354 minutes of play.
  

TIMBERS:
Steve Clark
was credited with four saves in recording his sixth shutout of the season, two away from his single-season career-high (set in 2014 and 2016).
REVOLUTION:
Matt Turner
was credited with three saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season, one shy of his single-season career-high set last season.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. PHILADELPHIA UNION
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #384)
Avaya Stadium, San Jose, Calif.
8 p.m. PT (NBCS-CA+; LiveWell)
REFEREE: Baldomero Toledo. AR1 (bench): Nick Uranga; AR2 (opposite): Adam Garner; 4th: Mark Allatin; VAR: Malik Badawi; AVAR: Chris Elliott
MLS Career: 286 games; FC/gm: 25.3; Y/gm: 3.6; R: 105; pens: 111
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Earthquakes 4 wins, 13 goals … Union 3 wins, 13 goals … Ties 4
AT SAN JOSE: Earthquakes 2 wins, 5 goals … Union 1 win, 4 goals … Ties 2

• The Quakes saw their skid reach three games, falling 3-1 to Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
  
• The Union had their three-game undefeated streak put to an end, falling 2-0 to the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Sunday evening.
  
• The teams have played to draws each of the past three seasons, including a 1-1 draw last April 7 at Talen Energy Stadium, a second draw in a row in Chester, Pa.
  
• The Union have come away with points on their past two visits to San Jose, last in a 2-2 draw Aug. 19, 2017, winning there in 2015. The Union have a five-game undefeated streak alive in the series, over the last five years, with two wins and three draws in that time. The last Quakes win came on Sept. 8, 2013, a 1-0 win at Buck Shaw Stadium.
  

QUAKES:
The Quakes return home riding a 12-game undefeated streak at Avaya Stadium, their last home defeat coming March 30 in a 5-0 loss to Los Angeles FC. The Quakes return home following a three-game road swing.
UNION:
In qualifying for the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs, the Union have won 15 matches this season, tying the club record for wins in a season set a year ago. The club is guaranteed to host a postseason game this year for the first time since 2011. …
Kacper Przybylko
has 14 goals for the season, tied for second-most in Union club history, with Sebastien Le Toux (2010). Only CJ Sapong (16 in 2017) has more.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION vs. NEW YORK CITY FC [updated]
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #385)
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
5 p.m. ET (NBCS-Bos; YES)
REFEREE: Nima Saghafi. AR1 (bench): Frank Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Andrew Bigelow; 4th: Yusri Rudolf; VAR: Timothy Ford; AVAR: Thomas Supple
MLS Career: 59 games; FC/gm: 26.8; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 9; pens: 21
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Revolution 5 wins, 17 goals … NYCFC 4 wins, 15 goals … Ties 3
AT NEW ENGLAND: Revolution 3 wins, 8 goals … NYCFC 1 win, 5 goals … Ties 1

• The Revolution gained a third consecutive draw, getting a late penalty kick to secure a 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Wednesday evening.
• Carles Gil converted the penalty kick seven minutes deep into second-half stoppage time, his 10th goal of the season (to go with 14 assists). Gil became the second player in Revolution club history to record 10 goals and 10 assists in a season, joining Lee Nguyen (11 goals, 15 assists in 2017).
• New York City FC extended their undefeated streak to nine matches, rolling to a 4-1 win against Atlanta United at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday evening. The nine-game streak is the second-longest in club history, after a 12-game stretch from April 6-July 3 this year. NYCFC also extended their home undefeated streak to eight games.
• Alejandru Mitrita scored a hat trick, the first multiple-goal game of his MLS career. The three goals came within the opening 34 minutes of the match, the fourth-quickest hat trick from the start of a game in MLS history. The 20-minute gap between the goals (14’, 23’, 34’) matched the 19th-fastest hat trick in league annals.
• Maximiliano Moralez collected his league-leading 20th assist of the season. The total equaled the second-most in a season in MLS history, just the third player in league annals to reach the 20-assist plateau in a single season (Carlos Valderrama, 26, 2000; Sacha Kljestan, 20, 2016).
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Jesús Medina scored a pair of goals, the game-winner coming on a penalty kick six minutes into second-half stoppage time, leading NYCFC to a 2-1 win on Sept. 7 at Yankee Stadium.
• The win ended a three-game Revolution undefeated streak in the series. The Revs are undefeated over the past three meetings in Foxborough, including a 2-2 draw there last March 24 in the last meeting at Gillette Stadium. NYCFC has won four of the seven meetings all-time in the Bronx.

REVOLUTION:
Gustavo Bou
scored his eighth goal of the season, in his 12th appearance since coming to MLS and the Revolution. …
Cristian Penilla
collected his seventh assist of the season, matching his total from a year ago, his first MLS season. …
Teal Bunbury
recorded his second assist of the season, his first coming March 30.
NYCFC:
Mitrita’s hat trick was the first for an NYCFC player since David Villa netted three Aug. 6, 2017 vs. NYR. …
Héber
scored his 15th goal of the season, his third consecutive game with a goal, his sixth goal in the last six games. The 15 goals are the fourth-most in a single season in NYCFC club history. …
Ismael Tajouri-Shradi
collected his fourth assist of the season, his single-season career-high in his two MLS campaigns.
MONTREAL IMPACT vs. ATLANTA UNITED [updated]
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #386)
Stade Saputo, Montréal, Qué.
5 p.m. ET (TSN / TVA Sports; FS-South)
REFEREE: Jair Marrufo. AR1 (bench): Cory Richardson; AR2 (opposite): Gianni Facchini; 4th: Fotis Bazakos; VAR: Geoff Gamble; AVAR: Robert Schaap
MLS Career: 255 games; FC/gm: 23.1; Y/gm: 2.8; R: 42; pens: 81
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Impact 1 win, 5 goals … ATLUTD 4 wins, 11 goals … Ties 0
AT MONTREAL: Impact 1 win, 3 goals … ATLUTD 1 win, 3 goals … Ties 0

• The Impact saw their league slide hit three games in their last MLS match, falling to a 2-1 loss to the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday evening.
• Atlanta United had their two-game winning streak put to an end, falling 4-1 to New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday evening.
• The Impact did claim the Canadian Championship on Wednesday evening, winning the title in a penalty shootout after Toronto FC won the second leg 1-0 at BMO Field, leaving the tie 1-1 on aggregate. It was the 10th time in the club’s history the Impact won the Voyageurs Cup, the third time in their MLS tenure (2013, 2014, 2019).
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Justin Meram scored a pair of goals, one in each half, as Atlanta United took a 2-1 win on June 29 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
• Atlanta United have won the last four meetings in the series, including a 2-1 win last July 28 at Stade Saputo in the last encounter in Montréal, thanks to a brace from Josef Martínez. The Impact’s lone win vs. ATLUTD came in the first meeting ever, a 2-1 win on April 15, 2017, at Stade Saputo.

IMPACT:
Lassi Lappalainen
scored his fifth goal in nine games since his arrival in MLS, his last coming in a two-goal game Aug. 17. …
Saphir Taïder
collected his sixth assist of the season, his second assist over the last six matches.
ATLUTD:
Pity Martínez
converted a penalty kick for his fifth goal of the season for the ATLUTD goal, a second consecutive game with a goal, a fourth in a row with a goal and/or an assist (two goals, two assists).
NEW YORK RED BULLS vs. D.C. UNITED
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #387)
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
5 p.m. ET (FS1 / FOX Deportes)
REFEREE: Ramy Touchan. AR1 (bench): Ian Anderson; AR2 (opposite): Corey Rockwell; 4th: Lukasz Szpala; VAR: Joseph Dickerson; AVAR: Ian McKay
MLS Career: 20 games; FC/gm: 24.9; Y/gm: 3.8; R: 1; pens: 2
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Red Bulls 30 wins (1 shootout), 117 goals … D.C. United 34 wins (1 shootout), 136 goals … Ties 14
AT RED BULLS: Red Bulls 17 wins (0 shootout), 54 goals … D.C. United 13 wins (0 shootout), 55 goals … Ties 7

• The Red Bulls are guaranteed of a berth in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for a 10th consecutive year, following their 2-0 win against the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium on Sunday evening. Daniel Royer scored for a second consecutive game, reaching 11 goals for the season.
  
• D.C. United clinched a berth in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, winning for a third consecutive game in a 2-0 defeat of Seattle Sounders FC at Audi Field on Sunday evening. The three-game winning run is a season-long for United.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Kaku scored early and Daniel Royer converted a second-half penalty kick, giving the Red Bulls a 2-1 win on Aug. 21 at Audi Field.
  
• The Red Bulls have a nine-game undefeated streak alive in the series, with United’s last win overall coming on May 13, 2016, at RFK Stadium. The Red Bulls have a nine-game undefeated streak going in regular season matches at Red Bull Arena, having won five of the past seven meetings in Harrison, N.J., including a 1-0 win last year on Aug. 26 in the lone meeting there. United’s last win at the Red Bulls came in 2011.
  
• The teams have met 94 times in all competitions over the years – the most of any two clubs in MLS history. New York has won 35 and United have won 43, including a 7-4-2 record in the postseason. They play for the Atlantic Cup, awarded to the winner of the season series by supporters’ groups from both clubs.
  

RED BULLS:
Tom Barlow
scored his third goal of the season, his last coming July 17. …
Bradley Wright-Phillips
collected his fourth assist of the season, his second in the last three games. …
Kaku
recorded his sixth assist of the season; he has a goal and an assist in the last three games. …
Luis Robles
was credited with two saves in recording his eighth shutout of the season, his shutout streak now at 180 minutes.
UNITED:
Lucas Rodríguez
scored his sixth goal of the season to send United on their way, his last goal coming Aug. 11. …
Fréderic Brillant
scored his second goal of the season, both coming in the last eight games. …
Wayne Rooney
collected his eighth assist of the season, a single-season career-high in his two MLS seasons. …
Bill Hamid
was credited with four saves in recording his 12th shutout of the season, now second in MLS. It was a third consecutive shutout, now 324 minutes since the last goal conceded, the seventh-longest streak in MLS this season.
COLUMBUS CREW SC vs. PHILADELPHIA UNION [updated]
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #388)
Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
5 p.m. ET (FS-OH; PHL 17)
REFEREE: Rubiel Vazquez. AR1 (bench): Jason White; AR2 (opposite): Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein; 4th: Marcos de Oliveira; VAR: Jon Freemon; AVAR: Craig Lowry
MLS Career: 27 games; FC/gm: 20.9; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 6; pens: 5
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Crew SC 12 wins, 32 goals … Union 9 wins, 34 goals … Ties 3
AT COLUMBUS: Crew SC 8 wins, 21 goals … Union 2 wins, 12 goals … Ties 2

• Crew SC extended their undefeated run to four games in their last match, reaching a 1-1 result with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on Saturday afternoon.
• The Union put an end to a two-game winless slide, coming back for a 2-1 win against the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium on Wednesday evening.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. David Accam scored a pair of goals then set up a third by Ilsinho, leading his former club in the Union to a 3-0 win against his future club in Crew SC at Talen Energy Stadium on March 23. There has a been a shutout in each of the past six meetings between the teams.
• Crew SC are undefeated in the last three meetings between the teams at Mapfre Stadium, including a 1-0 win and a goalless draw in the two matchups there a year ago. The Union are undefeated in the last four meetings in Chester.

CREW SC:
Gyasi Zardes
scored his 13th goal of the season, netting a penalty kick. It was a second consecutive game with a goal for Zardes; he has six goals in his last seven games, since the start of August.
UNION:
Kacper Przybylko
scored his 15th goal of the season, netting his sixth goal in the last eight games. It’s the second-most goals in a season in Union club history, behind only CJ Sapong (16 in 2017). …
Alejandro Bedoya
scored his fourth goal of the season, his single-season career-high in his four MLS seasons. …
Jamiro Monteiro
collected his ninth assist of the season, his last coming Aug. 4. …
Raymon Gaddis
collected his first assist of the season, extending his streak now to six consecutive seasons with at least one assist.
FC CINCINNATI vs. ORLANDO CITY SC
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #389)
Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
5 p.m. ET (WSTR – Star 64; YouTube TV [ORL] / FOX 35 Plus)
REFEREE: Robert Sibiga. AR1 (bench): Matthew Nelson; AR2 (opposite): Kyle Longville; 4th: David Barrie; VAR: Malik Badawi; AVAR: Peter Balciunas
MLS Career: 98 games; FC/gm: 21.9; Y/gm: 3.5; R: 24; pens: 28
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: FCC 0 wins, 1 goal … Orlando City SC 1 win, 5 goals … Ties 0
AT NIPPERT STADIUM: First meeting.

• FC Cincinnati gained a result for a second consecutive game, playing to a scoreless draw with the Chicago Fire at Nippert Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• Orlando City SC saw their two-game run of draws put to an end, falling 2-1 to the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Nani and Tesho Akindele each scored two goals as Orlando City SC cruised to a 5-1 win on May 19 at Exploria Stadium, the first meeting ever between the clubs.
  

FCC:
Przemyslaw Tyton
was credited with one save in recording his second shutout of the season. Both have come in the last three matches.
OCSC:
Dom Dwyer
scored for a second consecutive game, now with seven goals on the season. …
Mauricio Pereyra
collected his second MLS assist, in his fourth appearance, both assists coming in the last two games.
CHICAGO FIRE vs. TORONTO FC
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #390)
SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, Ill.
5 p.m. ET (TSN; ESPN+)
REFEREE: Kevin Stott. AR1 (bench): Nick Uranga; AR2 (opposite): Claudiu Badea; 4th: Elvis Osmanovic; VAR: Ricardo Salazar; AVAR: Peter Manikowski
MLS Career: 349 games; FC/gm: 24.6; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 82; pens: 95
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Fire 9 wins, 46 goals … Toronto FC 11 wins, 51 goals … Ties 10
AT CHICAGO: Fire 5 wins, 18 goals … Toronto FC 3 wins, 16 goals … Ties 5

• The Fire extended their undefeated run to three games with a second draw in that time, playing to a scoreless draw with FC Cincinnati at Nippert Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• Toronto FC extended their undefeated run in league play to eight matches, playing to a 1-1 draw with the Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. CJ Sapong and Nemanja Nikolic netted goals for the Fire, but they were answered by goals from TFC’s Jozy Altidore and Jonathan Osorio, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw on April 6 at BMO Field.
  
• TFC now has a 10-game undefeated streak alive in the series (8-0-2), dating back to Sept. 26, 2015. The Fire’s last victory in the series came on April 4, 2015, a 3-2 win in Bridgeview, Ill., which capped a 12-game Fire undefeated streak in the series (6-0-6), dating back to 2010.
  
• TFC has won the past three meetings in Bridgeview, its only wins ever there, including a 2-1 win last July 21 on the last visit. The Fire had come away with five wins and five draws in the first 10 meetings all-time in Bridgeview. TFC is undefeated in the past nine encounters at BMO Field.
  

FIRE:
Kenneth Kronholm
was credited with three saves in recording a shutout for a second consecutive game, his fifth of the season – all coming in his last eight appearances (dating back to July 27).
TFC:
Tsubasa Endoh
scored for a second consecutive game for the TFC goal, now with three goals for the season, a single-season career-high in his three MLS seasons. …
Jozy Altidore
collected an assist for a second consecutive game, his fourth assist in the last five matches. It was his seventh assist of the season, a single-season career-high in his eight MLS seasons (he had seven in 2017).
MINNESOTA UNITED FC vs. LOS ANGELES FOOTBALL CLUB [updated]
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #391)
Allianz Field, St. Paul, Minn.
6:30 p.m. CT (
FS1 / FOX Deportes
)
REFEREE: Drew Fischer. AR1 (bench): Brian Poeschel; AR2 (opposite): Jeff Hosking; 4th: Sergii Demianchuk; VAR: Hilario Grajeda; AVAR: Jeff Muschik
MLS Career: 121 games; FC/gm: 25.4; Y/gm: 3.1; R: 18; pens: 31
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: MNUFC 2 wins, 7 goals … LAFC 1 win, 3 goals … Ties 0
AT MINNESOTA: MNUFC 1 win, 5 goals … LAFC 0 wins, 1 goal … Ties 0

• Minnesota United FC qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in their third season, following a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Sporting Kansas City at Allianz Field on Wednesday evening. The win stretched MNUFC’s undefeated streak to three games.
• Los Angeles Football Club claimed the Supporters’ Shield in their second season of existence, following a 3-1 win against the Houston Dynamo at Banc of California Stadium on Wednesday evening.
• Carlos Vela converted a penalty kick for the first LAFC goal, his 30th goal of the season – just the second player in MLS history to reach the 30-goal plateau (Josef Martínez, 31 goals, 2018). It was his third consecutive game with a goal.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Mason Toye netted goals four minutes apart midway through the first half, leading Minnesota United to a 2-0 win on Sept. 1 at Banc of California Stadium.
• The teams split their first two meetings in LAFC’s inaugural season a year ago. LAFC won 2-0 on May 9 at Banc of California Stadium, then Minnesota United FC returned the favor with a 5-1 victory on July 22 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

MNUFC:
Rookie
Hassani Dotson
scored the game-winning goal in the 90th minute, his fourth goal of the season. …
Jan Gregus
collected two assists, his second multiple-assist game this season. The 11 assists are second-most in a season in the club’s MLS history. …
Osvaldo Alonso
scored his second goal of the season, his first coming April 13.
LAFC:
Diego Rossi
scored his 16th goal of the season, his second goal in the last four matches. …
Eduard Atuesta
whipped home a free kick, his third goal of the season, his last coming July 26.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS [updated]
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #392)
Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kan.
6:30 p.m. CT (FS-KC; ROOT-NW)
REFEREE: Allen Chapman. AR1 (bench): Adam Wienckowski; AR2 (opposite): Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho; 4th: Lorant Varga; VAR: Armando Villarreal; AVAR: Jozef Batko
MLS Career: 158 games; FC/gm: 22.1; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 38; pens: 68
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sporting KC 7 wins, 16 goals … Timbers 4 wins, 12 goals … Ties 4
AT KC: Sporting KC 3 wins, 10 goals … Timbers 1 win, 5 goals … Ties 2

• Sporting KC were officially eliminated from playoff contention, following their 2-1 loss to Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field on Wednesday evening, a fourth consecutive defeat. A streak of eight consecutive seasons reaching the postseason will come to an end, equaling the fourth-longest such streak in MLS history.
• The Timbers concluded their 10-game homestand with a second consecutive draw, reaching a 2-2 result with the New England Revolution at Providence Park on Wednesday evening.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Jeremy Ebobisse leveled terms in the 83rd minute, then Brian Fernandez scored the game-winner in stoppage time, giving the Timbers a 2-1 win on Sept. 7 at Providence Park. It was their first home win in the series since 2016.
• Sporting won the last meeting at Children’s Mercy Park, a 3-0 victory last Aug. 18. The Timbers’ lone win in Kansas City came on April 27, 2013, a 3-2 victory; Sporting are 2-0-2 in the last four home meetings in the series.

SPORTING:
Botond Barath
scored his first goal of the season, making his 19th appearance of his first MLS campaign. …
Johnny Russell
collected his eighth assist of the season, his last coming in back-to-back games Aug. 17-22.
TIMBERS:
Jeremy Ebobisse
scored both Timbers goals, now with 11 goals for the season. It was the first multiple-goal game of his MLS career, the 41st player in the Timbers’ MLS history to score two goals in a game. …
Sebastian Blanco
collected his 11th assist of the season, his last coming Aug. 10, the 11 assists matching his MLS single-season career-high set last year. …
Jorge Villafaña
collected his fourth assist of the season, matching his second-most in a season in his 11 MLS campaigns.
COLORADO RAPIDS vs. FC DALLAS
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #393)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo.
5:30 p.m. MT (Altitude; FCDTV)
REFEREE: Chris Penso. AR1 (bench): Jeremy Hanson; AR2 (opposite): Logan Brown; 4th: Mark Allatin; VAR: David Gantar; AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
MLS Career: 167 games; FC/gm: 23.7; Y/gm: 3.8; R: 51; pens: 64
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Rapids 23 wins (1 shootout), 89 goals … FC Dallas 33 wins (2 shootout), 113 goals … Ties 17
AT COLORADO: Rapids 15 wins (0 shootout), 49 goals … FC Dallas 9 wins (0 shootout), 46 goals … Ties 11

• The Rapids remained alive in dramatic fashion, coming back from two goals down for a 3-2 win against Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday evening, their fourth win in five games.
  
• Kei Kamara netted his 12th goal of the season to start the comeback for the Rapids, reaching the 12-goal mark for a fifth consecutive MLS season.
  
• FC Dallas gained a draw for a second consecutive game, playing to a 1-1 result with New York City FC at Toyota Stadium on Sunday evening.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Michael Barrios scored in the first half then 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 won the last meeting between the teams at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, a 2-1 victory in the season finale last year on Decision Day (Oct. 28). It was their first home win in the series since 2013, a five-game home winless run; the teams had reached four consecutive 1-1 draws in Commerce City, Colo.
  
• FC Dallas have now won the three meetings at Toyota Stadium, ending a three-game winless streak in the series in Frisco. The Rapids’ last win there came in 2016.
  

RAPIDS:
Jack Price
collected two assists, now with 11 on the season, tied for eighth in the MLS assist standings. The 11 assists are tied for seventh-most in a season in Rapids club history. …
Diego Rubio
netted his 10th goal of the season, giving the Rapids a pair of 10-goal scorers in the same season for the first time since 2010. …
Tommy Smith
netted a goal, his third of the season, and added an assist, his second this year, the second time in his MLS career he had a goal and an assist in the same game. Smith also scored an own goal into the Rapids net, the 16th player in MLS history to score a goal and an own goal in the same game, the second Rapids player this year (Kei Kamara, Aug. 3).
FCD:
Zdenek Ondrasek
scored his fifth goal of the season, all coming over the last six matches.
REAL SALT LAKE vs. HOUSTON DYNAMO [updated]
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #394)
Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah
5:30 p.m. MT (KMYU-21; KUBE 57)
REFEREE: Alex Chilowicz. AR1 (bench): Brian Dunn; AR2 (opposite): Chris Wattam; 4th: Pierre-Luc Lauziere; VAR: Jose Carlos Rivero; AVAR: Fabio Tovar
MLS Career: 25 games; FC/gm: 24.0; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 4; pens: 10
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Real 10 wins, 41 goals … Dynamo 12 wins, 40 goals … Ties 7
AT SALT LAKE: Real 7 wins, 15 goals … Dynamo 2 wins, 7 goals … Ties 5

• Real had their two-game winning run at Rio Tinto Stadium put to an end, falling 2-1 to the LA Galaxy on Wednesday evening.
• The Dynamo were officially eliminated from playoff contention, following their 3-1 to Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium on Wednesday evening.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Albert Rusnák gave RSL the lead before halftime, but Mauro Manotas hit for the equalizer midway through the second half, leaving the teams in a 1-1 draw in their 2019 season opener March 2 at BBVA Stadium.
• Real have a four-game undefeated streak alive in the series. They won both meetings a season ago, both by 2-1 scorelines, including last May 30 in the last matchup at Rio Tinto Stadium. The two RSL wins last year ended a four-game Dynamo undefeated streak in the series.
• Real have won three of the last six meetings in Houston, their first wins ever there, also gaining a draw; RSL suffered eight defeats and one draw in its first nine road games against the Dynamo.

REAL:
Nedum Onuoha
scored the RSL goal, the first of his MLS career in his second season. …
Sebastian Saucedo
collected his third assist of the season, his last coming May 18.
DYNAMO:
Goalkeeper
Joe Willis
was credited with six saves in the LAFC loss, matching his single-game high in 2019.
LA GALAXY vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC [updated]
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #395)
Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif.
4:30 p.m. PT (TSN; SpecSN)
REFEREE: Alan Kelly. AR1 (bench): Eric Weisbrod; AR2 (opposite): Apolinar Mariscal; 4th: Baldomero Toledo; VAR: Victor Rivas; AVAR: Cameron Blanchard
MLS Career: 124 games; FC/gm: 24.2; Y/gm: 3.3; R: 17; pens: 48
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Galaxy 11 wins, 32 goals … Whitecaps FC 5 wins, 16 goals … Ties 5
AT GALAXY: Galaxy 8 wins, 18 goals … Whitecaps FC 2 wins, 3 goals … Ties 1

• The Galaxy secured their berth in the Audi 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs, defeating Real Salt Lake 2-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium on Wednesday evening.
• Zlatan Ibrahimović scored the game-winning goal, his 28th of the season, still second in the MLS Golden Boot standings, two goals behind LAFC’s Carlos Vela. Ibrahimović is just the third player in MLS history to score as many as 28 goals in a single season (also, Josef Martínez, 31 in 2018). Ibrahimović has scored goals in seven of his last eight games, with 12 goals in that span.
• Whitecaps FC gained a second result in a row in their last match, playing to a 1-1 draw with Columbus Crew SC at BC Place on Saturday afternoon. Fredy Montero scored his eighth goal of the season, scoring for a second game in a row.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Zlatan Ibrahimović set up one goal, then scored the second, both eight minutes apart midway through the second half, leading the Galaxy to a 2-0 win on April 5 at BC Place.
• The Galaxy have won the last two meetings between the teams, ending a four-game Whitecaps FC undefeated streak in the series (since July 4, 2016 in Carson). The Galaxy won the last matchup at Dignity Health Sports Park, a 3-0 win last Sept. 29. The win in the first meeting was also the Galaxy’s first at BC Place since April 12, 2014, 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 14 meetings between the teams, dating back to 2013, including three scoreless draws.

GALAXY:
Zlatan Ibrahimović
also added an assist, his sixth of the season, a second consecutive game with an assist, the 10th time in his MLS career he’s had at least a goal and an assist in the same game and the second game in a row. …
Cristian Pavón
scored his second goal of the season, also adding an assist, his seventh of the year, in his ninth MLS appearance. Pavón has an assist now in six consecutive games, the longest such streak in MLS this season.
WHITECAPS FC:
Ali Adnan
collected his fifth assist of the season, his second in as many games.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 (Week 30, MLS Game #396)
Avaya Stadium, San Jose, Calif.
4:30 p.m. PT (NBCS-CA; JOEtv / YouTube TV [SEA])
REFEREE: Ismail Elfath. AR1 (bench): Kyle Atkins; AR2 (opposite): Corey Parker; 4th: Rosendo Mendoza; VAR: Edvin Jurisevic; AVAR: Michael Kampmeinert
MLS Career: 141 games; FC/gm: 25.5; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 38; pens: 45
LEAGUE HEAD-TO-HEAD: Earthquakes 10 wins, 29 goals … Sounders FC 10 wins, 32 goals … Ties 7
AT SAN JOSE: Earthquakes 5 wins, 14 goals … Sounders FC 2 wins, 8 goals … Ties 4

• The Quakes saw their slide extended to four games, falling 2-1 to the Philadelphia Union at Avaya Stadium on Wednesday evening. The defeat was the Quakes’ first at home since March 30, their 12-game home undefeated run the seventh-longest in the club’s history.
• Sounders FC saw their two-game undefeated run come to an end, falling 2-0 to D.C. United at Audi Field on Sunday evening.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Shea Salinas scored goals on either side of halftime, but Kelvin Leerdam and Harry Shipp responded with goals two minutes apart midway through the second period, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw April 24 at CenturyLink Field.
• Sounders FC have an eight-game undefeated streak alive in the overall series. They claimed a 1-0 win last July 25 in the last meeting at Avaya Stadium, their first in northern California since 2010. Sounders FC have come away with points on each of their four visits to Avaya Stadium (three draws and a victory).
• The draw in the first meeting ended a three-game Sounders FC winning streak at CenturyLink Field. The Seattle home win in 2016 to start the streak put an end to a five-game Quakes undefeated streak in the league series.

QUAKES:
Jackson Yueill
scored his third goal of the season, the third of his MLS career in his third season. …
Magnus Eriksson
collected his 10th assist of the season; he has a goal and four assists over the last six matches. …
Danny Hoesen
recorded his third assist of the season.
SOUNDERS FC:
Sounders FC come into Week 30 with a chance to qualify for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for an 11th season in a row – which would be the all-time MLS record for consecutive postseason qualifications. Sounders FC have reached the MLS Cup Playoffs in each of their seasons in the league.