Seattle-LAFC battle for top spot in Western Conference

• Homefield advantage remains key to Western Conference supremacy
  
• Pozuelo and Altidore making Toronto’s new tandem
  
• Seattle, MLS U-15 academies impress in historic GA Cup performances
  
• U.S. calls 18 MLS academy products into U-17 Concacaf Championship
  
• LAFC is thriving from return of the MAK (Mark-Anthony Kaye)
  

Homefield advantage remains key to Western Conference supremacy
It will be It will be a return to form or an assertion of dominance in the second head-to-head between two Western Conference heavy weights after the top-ranked Los Angeles Football Club dismantled a then No. 2-ranked Seattle Sounders FC at Banc of California Stadium last Sunday. With the win, LAFC set a pair of records, charting a club-best 11-game home undefeated streak and a five-game home winning streak. However, Seattle is sitting on a home unbeaten streak of their own (4-0-0), and they will not lay down quietly in the rematch this Sunday at Century Link Field (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Known for their midseason turnarounds in recent years, Seattle has tied their best start since 2012 (5-1-1). With an unbeaten 2019 record last week before falling to LAFC, will they overcome the league’s giants to remain perfect at home?
Pozuelo and Altidore making Toronto’s new tandem
It’s an understatement to say that Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo is breaking into MLS. The Spanish international – with four goals and five assists in his first four games – has immediately made his impact known, creating highlight-worthy finishes for both himself and for U.S. Men’s National Team forward Jozy Altidore.
The new Toronto tandem accounts for eight of the club’s 18 goals, including Pozuelo feeding four Altidore finishes in three consecutive MLS games, and the midfielder shining in his own right with a pair of two goal outings. Of Pozuelo’s five total assists, only was has gone to a player other than Altidore.
Immediately rising among the top playmakers in MLS, Pozuelo has already tied the league-leading assists total (5) shared by LAFC’s Carlos Vela and Mark-Anthony Kaye. However, Pozuelo has only made half as many MLS appearances this season, notching that total in four matches to Vela’s nine and Kaye’s eight games played.
With a game in hand and Pozuelo on the pitch, TFC has a chance this weekend to overtake the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Seattle, MLS U-15 academies impress in historic GA Cup performances
Seattle Sounders FC were among a number of MLS clubs that impressed at the 2019 Generation adidas Cup, with Seattle making history to become the first MLS academy to win the Champions Division. The U-17 Sounders FC team rode a stellar defense that gave up one goal over six matches to the title, posting shutout victories over Flamengo, River Plate, West Ham United and Valencia in the tournament. Forward
Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez
tied for the Golden Boot with six goals scored in six matches, including a hat trick in a 4-0 semifinal victory over West Ham United, while 15-year-old midfielder
Daniel Leyva
won the tournament’s Golden Ball in leading Seattle to a dominant display.
The U-17 competition saw 13 players set to represent the United States at the 2019 U-17 Concacaf Championship participate at this year’s Generation adidas Cup, including both Ocampo-Chavez and Leyva.
MLS U-15 clubs also impressed in the inaugural MLS-Liga MX showdown, with the MLS side winning the challenge over their southern counterparts. While Chivas de Guadalajara defeated Toronto FC in the title match, MLS clubs compiled a 11-6-3 overall record in the tournament against their Liga MX counterparts. The tournament saw the Los Angeles Football Club, New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union and Toronto emerge victorious over Mexican clubs Chivas, CF Monterrey, Club Leon and Cruz Azul.
U.S. calls 18 MLS academy products into U-17 Concacaf Championship
U.S. Soccer called 18 MLS academy products into its 20-man roster for the 2019 U-17 Concacaf Championship taking place in Bradenton, Fla. from May 1-16. The U.S. will rely on the MLS-heavy roster for a chance to qualify to the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup with a top-four finish in the Concacaf Championship. Group F play will see the U.S. face Canada on May 2 (6 p.m. ET, UDN / Concacaf GO app), Barbados on May 4 (4 p.m. ET, UDN / Concacaf GO app), and Guatemala on May 6 (6 p.m. ET, UDN / Concacaf GO app).
Sporting Kansas City 16-year-old midfielder
Gianluca Busio
is one of six players called who is signed to an MLS Homegrown contract.
Busio became the youngest player in MLS history to score in three consecutive regular season matches, totaling three goals in six matches played for SKC this season. SKC also sees 16-year-old Homegrown
Tyler Freeman
included on the roster, one of four players born in 2003 to be called by the U.S.
Seattle Sounders FC are one of five clubs with multiple academy players called by the U.S. joining D.C. United, New York City FC and Sporting Kansas City with two current players each, while the LA Galaxy led all clubs with three players. Sounders FC 15-year-old midfielder
Daniel Leyva
is the youngest played called by the U.S. and earlier this season became the youngest player in club history to sign a Homegrown Player contract. This past weekend Leyva helped Seattle become the first MLS club to win the Generation adidas Cup Champions Division, winning the tournament Golden Ball, while teammate
Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez
won the Golden Boot with six goals scored in six matches.
2019 Concacaf U-17 Championship Roster by Position
(Club; Hometown; U-17 Caps/Goals)
*
Current MLS academy products in italics
GOALKEEPERS (2): 1-
Damian Las
(Chicago Fire; Norridge, Ill.; 13/0), 12-
Chituru Odunze
(Vancouver Whitecaps FC/CAN; Calgary, Alta.; 4/0)
DEFENDERS (7): 4-Axel Alejandre (FC United; Chicago, Ill.; 14/0), 3-Adam Armour (North Carolina FC; Cary, N.C.; 11/0), 13-
Mauricio Cuevas
(LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.; 2/0), 14-
Tayvon Gray
(New York City FC; Bronx, N.Y.; 10/0), 5-
Kobe Hernandez
(LA Galaxy; Los Angeles, Calif.; 14/1), 2-
Joseph Scally
(New York City FC; Lake Grove, N.Y.; 14/1), 15-
John Tolkin
(New York Red Bulls; Chatham, N.J.; 3/0)
MIDFIELDERS (5): 7-
Gianluca Busio
(Sporting Kansas City; Greensboro, N.C.; 7/2), 20-
Gilbert Fuentes
(San Jose Earthquakes; Tracy, Calif.; 13/0), 8-
Bryang Kayo
(D.C. United; Poolesville, Md.; 0/0), 6-
Daniel Leyva
(Seattle Sounders FC; Las Vegas, Nev.; 0/0), 16-
Adam Saldana
(LA Galaxy; Panorama City, Calif.; 17/1)
FORWARDS (6): 18-
Jack de Vries
(Philadelphia Union; Wayne, Pa.; 0/0), 17-
Tyler Freeman
(Sporting Kansas City; Shawnee, Kan.; 3/1), 19-
Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez
(Tacoma Defiance; Kent, Wash.; 14/5), 9-
Ricardo Pepi
(North Texas SC; McKinney, Texas; 6/1), 10-Giovanni Reyna (Unattached; Bedford, N.Y.; 8/1), 11-
Griffin Yow
(D.C. United; Clifton, Va.; 6/3)         
LAFC is thriving from return of the MAK (Mark-Anthony Kaye)
LAFC midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye is having the comeback campaign of his life. Providing the game-opening goal or game-opening assist in half of LAFC’s matches this season, it’s hard to believe that the 24-year-old suffered a season-ending ankle fracture last July. 
After undergoing surgery and missing the final 13 regular season games last year, Kaye has quickly reaffirmed his role as a difference-maker. He scored the first goal in LAFC’s 4-1 routing of the Portland Timbers on March 10 before assisting the first goal against the San Jose Earthquakes on March 30. He also scored the first goal against FC Cincinnati on April 13 and assisted the first two goals in his three-assist outing last week over Seattle Sounders FC. Through consistent production in only seven games this year, the midfielder has already equaled his career highs for goals (2) and assists (5) that were achieved over three times as many appearances last season.
A Toronto native and product of the Toronto FC Academy, Kaye made the leap to MLS after winning the United Soccer League Cup win with Louisville City FC in 2017.
He has international experience with seven caps, four starts, and an assist for Canada Men’s National Team, and represents the next generation of prime Canadian internationals. Following appearances in the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, and after a strong showing during a March friendly against French Guiana, Kaye could be among those chosen for this summer’s Gold Cup event.
MLS Regular Season: Week 9 Notes
Wednesday, April 24
New York City FC vs. Chicago Fire, 7 p.m.

• NYCFC won for the first time this season, defeating D.C. United 2-0 at Audi Field on Sunday afternoon. The win put an end to a six-game winless streak to start the campaign – five of those matches were draws.
  
• The Fire extended their undefeated streak to four games with a second win in that time, defeating the Colorado Rapids 4-1 at SeatGeek Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Nemanja Nikolic scored for a third consecutive game
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, each winning on their home ground. The Fire took a 3-2 win June 30 in Bridgeview, then NYCFC claimed a 2-0 victory Sept. 26 at Yankee Stadium.
  
• The Fire have never won at Yankee Stadium. NYCFC have won the past three meetings between the teams in the Bronx, their first home wins in the series after the first two meetings ended in draws.
  
• The Fire win in the first meeting last year ended a six-game NYCFC undefeated streak in the series, the Fire first win since a 1-0 victory on April 24, 2015 in Bridgeview in the first-ever encounter between the teams.
  

Columbus Crew SC vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.

• Crew SC suffered their second consecutive defeat, falling 3-1 to the Portland Timbers at Mapfre Stadium on Saturday evening. The loss put an end to the club’s 11-game undefeated streak at home, their first loss at Mapfre Stadium since last June 13, equaling the third-longest such stretch in club history; Crew SC also saw their home shutout streak come to an end after 385 minutes.
  
• D.C. United suffered their second loss of the season and saw their home undefeated streak reach three games, falling 2-0 to New York City FC at Audi Field on Sunday afternoon.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, each winning in their home match. Federico Higuaín collected a pair of assists, becoming the 19th player in MLS history to reach 50 goals and 50 assists, as Crew SC took a 3-1 win March 24 at Mapfre Stadium. Then on April 14, in a match played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., Ulises Segura scored after 43 seconds and D.C. United took a 1-0 win – the third-longest in MLS history a team had held on for a 1-0 win.
  
• United have not won in Columbus since the 2007 season. Crew SC have won eight of the 11 meetings since on their home ground, with three draws.
  
• Crew SC concluded their history at RFK Stadium having won on three of their final seven trips to East Capitol Street (against two United victories), dating back to the 2013 season. The teams meet for the first time at Audi Field on May 4.
  

New England Revolution vs. Montreal Impact, 7:30 p.m. (TSN / TVA)

• The Revolution put an end to a two-game losing slide and won for the second time in four games, defeating the New York Red Bulls by the game’s lone goal at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening.
  
• The Impact had their three-game undefeated run put to an end, falling 3-0 to the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Impact were shut out for a third consecutive game on the road, now 271 minutes since their last goal scored on their travels.
  
• The teams played three times last season, and home form held out. The Revolution won twice, both at Gillette Stadium, a 4-0 win April 6 and a 1-0 win on Decision Day (Oct. 28). The Impact won the lone encounter at Stade Saputo, 4-2 on May 5.
  
• The Impact win last season ended a five-game winning streak for the Revolution in the series, over the past three seasons. That streak snapped a five-game undefeated streak for the Impact in the all-time series and ended a three-game Montréal winning run.
  
• The Revolution have also won the past four meetings at Gillette Stadium, their first home wins in the series in Foxborough since Sept. 13, 2014.
  

Minnesota United FC vs. LA Galaxy, 8 p.m.

• Minnesota United FC had their brief two-game undefeated run put to an end, falling 4-3 to Toronto FC at BMO Field on Friday evening. It was a fourth time this season (in seven matches) where MNUFC scored three or more goals in a game, tied for most in MLS with Los Angeles FC.
  
• The Galaxy won their fifth consecutive game – the club’s longest winning streak since 2014 – defeating the Houston Dynamo 2-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park on Friday evening. The five-game winning streak matches the club’s longest since the end of the shootout era, set three times previously (also in 2007, 2009, 2014).
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Jonathan dos Santos and Chris Pontius netted goals five minutes apart in the first half and Sebastian Lletget added a late one as the Galaxy held out for a 3-2 win March 16 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
  
• The Galaxy have never lost to Minnesota United FC, now in five meetings between the teams all-time. Last year, the teams reached a 2-2 draw on Aug. 11 in Carson – the first point taken in the series by MNUFC. The Galaxy then claimed a 3-1 win on Oct. 21 in Minneapolis. The Galaxy won both meetings in Minnesota United’s inaugural season – a 2-1 win at TCF Bank Stadium, and a 3-0 win in southern California.
  

Seattle Sounders FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 p.m.

• Sounders FC saw their undefeated start to the season put to an end, falling 4-1 to Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday evening. It was the club’s first loss in a league game since last Sept. 23 (a 3-0 loss to the LA Galaxy), putting an end to an 11-game undefeated streak in regular season play.
  
• The Quakes won for the second time in three matches, rolling to a 4-1 win against Sportig Kansas City at Avaya Stadium on Saturday evening. Danny Hoesen scored a pair of goals, his third two-goal game since coming to MLS.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, and Sounders FC won both. Raúl Ruidiáz scored the game’s lone goal to give Sounders FC the victory on July 25 at Avaya Stadium, then Seattle took a 2-1 win at CenturyLink Field on Decision Day (Oct. 28), both coming from Ruidiáz.
  
• Sounders FC have a seven-game undefeated streak alive in the overall series; the win in the first meeting last year was 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).
  
• Sounders FC have won the past three meetings at CenturyLink Field. The Seattle home win in 2016 put an end to a five-game Quakes undefeated streak in the league series.
  

Saturday, April 27
New York City FC vs. Orlando City SC, 1 p.m.

• Héber made his first start in MLS for NYCFC in their 2-0 win vs. D.C. United on Sunday afternoon, which ended the club’s six-game winless run to start the season, netting his first league goal after gaining his first assist on the opener.
  
• Nani was credited with the game’s lone goal, deflecting home the game-winning for Orlando City in their win vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Orlando City Stadium. It was the club’s second successive win at home.
  
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Chris Mueller netted a direct free kick and Tesho Akindele scored late as Orlando City SC overcame first-half goals from NYCFC’s Ebenezer Ofori and Alexander Ring, leaving the teams in a 2-2 draw in the March 2 season opener at Orlando City Stadium.
  
• The first meeting this year ended a four-game NYCFC winning streak in the series, two wins coming at each ground. All four wins had come by shutout; the first OCSC goal this year ended a 458-minute shutout streak vs. New York City FC.
  

Toronto FC vs. Portland Timbers, 3 p.m. (CTV / TSN)

• Toronto FC put an end to a brief two-game winless run, defeating Minnesota United FC 4-3 at BMO Field on Friday evening.
  
• Alejandro Pozuelo scored a pair of goals – his second two-goal game in MLS – and also added an assist in TFC’s win. Pozuelo now has four goals and five assists in four appearances for Toronto FC, playing a part in nine of the club’s 12 goals over that span.
  
• The Timbers won for the first time in 2019 and put an end to a five-game losing slide, defeating Columbus Crew SC 3-1 at Mapfre Stadium on Saturday evening. Sebastian Blanco had a pair of assists, while Diego Valeri had his fourth assist of the season (on nine Portland goals scored).
  
• TFC have never lost to the Timbers at home, winning the past three meetings there, including a 4-1 win on Aug. 12, 2017 at BMO Field in the last meeting there.
  
• The Timbers have never lost to Toronto FC in Portland in four matches all-time, winning the past three meetings there, including a 2-0 win last year on Aug. 29.
  

FC Dallas vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 3:30 p.m. (Univision)

• FC Dallas won for a second consecutive match and a fourth time in the last five games, defeating Atlanta United 2-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday evening. Jesús Ferreira scored for a second consecutive game as Michael Barrios set up both FCD goals.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, and the Quakes took both – a 3-1 win on Aug. 4 at Toyota Stadium behind a pair of goals from Vako Qazaishvili, and a 4-3 win Aug. 29 at Avaya Stadium with two more goals from Vako.
  
• The Quakes’ victory in the first meeting ended a nine-game winless streak in the all-time series, their first victory against FC Dallas since 2014 (0-5-4).
  
• The Quakes’ win at Avaya Stadium was their first at home vs. FC Dallas since 2014, and their first ever vs. FCD at Avaya Stadium. FCD had come away with points on their previous five trips to northern California, with two wins and three draws.
  

Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Philadelphia Union, 5 p.m. (TSN)

• Whitecaps FC weren’t able to build upon a first win in seven games to open the season, falling by the game’s only goal in a loss to Orlando City SC at Orlando City Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The ‘Caps had their road winless streak extended to five games.
  
• The Union won for the fourth time in their last five games after seeing a three-game winning streak put to an end, defeating the Montréal Impact 3-0 at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Cory Burke and Alejandro Bedoya each scored goals, the second of the year for both, each the second goal in the last three games.
  
• The Union took a 4-0 win in the lone meeting between the teams a year ago, June 23 at Talen Energy Stadium, ending a four-game Whitecaps FC undefeated streak in the series. The last Union win vs. Vancouver had come in 2013. The ‘Caps have won twice in that span with two draws.
  
• The teams played to a goalless draw in their last meeting at BC Place, May 5, 2017. The Union have won just two home matches vs. Vancouver – the first in the first meeting ever between the teams, a 1-0 victory on March 26, 2011.
  

Atlanta United FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 6 p.m.

• Atlanta United weren’t able to build upon a first win of 2019, losing for the first time this season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a 2-1 defeat by FC Dallas on Saturday afternoon. The defeat put an end to a 12-game home undefeated run in league play, dating back to last June 2, matching the club record.
  
• Josef Martínez netted his second goal of the season for ATLUTD, converting a penalty kick, his first since scoring the club’s opening goal of the season on March 10.
  
• The Rapids suffered their fifth consecutive defeat, falling 4-1 to the Chicago Fire at SeatGeek Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Rapids are the only team still without a victory this season, now 0-6-2 on the campaign.
  
• The teams have met twice all-time, and Atlanta United have won both – without conceding a goal. ATLUTD won 1-0 on June 24, 2017 at Bobby Dodd Stadium, then they claimed a 3-0 win last year on Sept. 15 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
  

New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati, 7 p.m.

• The Red Bulls saw their winless streak extended to five games, falling by the game’s only goal to the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening. It’s the longest winless run for the Red Bulls since an eight-game streak Aug. 18-Sept. 30, 2017.
  
• FC Cincinnati suffered a second consecutive defeat, their winless streak now at four matches, falling 3-0 to Real Salt Lake at Nippert Stadium on Friday evening. It’s the first time FCC has been shut out in back-to-back games in its brief MLS history, now 251 minutes since the last goal.
  
• The teams are meeting for the first time in their histories.
  

Houston Dynamo vs. Columbus Crew SC, 8:30 p.m.

• The Dynamo saw their four-game winning run put to an end, falling 2-1 to the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Friday evening. Alberth Elis converted a penalty kick for the Dynamo goal, his fourth consecutive game with a tally, now his longest streak in his three MLS seasons.
  
• Pedro Santos netted his second goal of the season in Crew SC’s 3-1 loss to the Portland Timbers at Mapfre Stadium on Saturday evening; Santos has been involved in half of Crew SC’s eight goals this season, with two goals and two assists.
  
• Crew SC won the lone meeting between the teams a season ago, a 1-0 victory on Aug. 11 at Mapfre Stadium.
  
• The road team has not won in the series since 2011, when Crew SC claimed a 2-0 victory at Robertson Stadium in Houston. It is one of just two wins for the away team all-time in 24 meetings between the clubs.
  
• Crew SC have not lost to the Dynamo in Columbus since June 10, 2007, a 2-1 Houston victory. Since then, Crew SC have won seven of the 10 meetings at home, with three draws. The Dynamo have won four of the past six meetings in Houston, with two draws.
  

Sporting Kansas City vs. New England Revolution, 8:30 p.m.

• Cristian Penilla netted his first goal of the season, scoring the game’s only goal in the Revolution’s win vs. the New York Red Bulls at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening; Penilla last year led the Revolution with 12 goals.
  
• Sporting had their five-game undefeated run in league play put to an end, falling 4-1 to the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium on Saturday evening. Sporting are still winless on the road this season in four outings (0-2-2).
  
• The Revolution won the lone meeting between the teams a year ago, a 1-0 win April 28 at Gillette Stadium.
  
• The Revolution have won once on their last 11 trips to Kansas City, since 2008, a 3-2 win Sept. 26, 2014 which ended an eight-game winless streak there in the series. Sporting won the last meeting at Children’s Mercy Park, a 3-1 victory Sept. 16, 2017.
  
• The Revolution have won the last four meetings in Foxborough. The Revolution’s 2-0 win at Gillette Stadium on April 26, 2014 snapped a six-game Sporting undefeated streak in league play in the series, scoring their first goals vs. SKC since July 30, 2011, snapping a 592-minute shutout streak.
  

Sunday, April 28
Montreal Impact vs. Chicago Fire, 12:30 p.m. (TVA)

• The Impact return home for their second match of the season at Stade Saputo riding a seven-home undefeated streak dating back to last Aug. 4, following their 1-0 win vs. Columbus in their home opener on April 13. The streak matches the longest of the club’s MLS history, set four times previously, last in 2015.
  
• CJ Sapong netted a goal, his fourth of the season, and added an assist, while Aleksandar Katai also netted a goal and added an assist in the Fire’s 4-1 win against the Colorado Rapids at SeatGeek Stadium on Saturday.
  
• The teams met twice a season ago, and each won on their home ground. Kevin Ellis scored the game’s lone goal in the 89th minute as the Fire took the victory May 9 at Toyota Park, then the Impact got a stoppage-time game-winner from Daniel Lovitz for a 2-1 win Aug. 18 at Stade Saputo.
  
• The Fire have won on two of their four three visits to Stade Saputo, winning once in each 2016 and 2017.
  
• The Fire win in the first meeting last year ended a two-game winless streak in the series on their home ground, their first Bridgeview victory vs. the Impact since 2015. The Impact’s 2-1 win there April 16, 2016 was their first ever at Toyota Park; the visiting team had never won in the series before that season.
  

Minnesota United FC vs. D.C. United, 1:30 p.m. (FS1)

• Darwin Quintero netted a pair of goals in MNUFC’s 4-3 loss to Toronto FC at BMO Field on Friday evening, his fourth and fifth goals in six appearances this season. It was the second multiple-goal game of his MLS career – he had a hat trick last July 4, also vs. Toronto FC.
  
• D.C. United were shut out for a third consecutive game at Audi Field in their 2-0 home loss to New York City FC on Sunday afternoon, extending their home goalless streak to 280 minutes. The club record is four consecutive shutouts at home, set May 6-June 3, 2017.
  
• The teams have met twice all-time, each winning once, both wins coming at home. MNUFC took a 4-0 victory in the first meeting between the teams, July 29, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium, then D.C. United claimed a 2-1 win in the lone meeting last year, Sept. 12 at Audi Field.
  

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Los Angeles Football Club, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)

• The teams are meeting in the back end of a home-and-home series over successive weekends.
  
• Los Angeles FC rebounded from their first defeat of the season earlier at midweek in the 4-1 win against Sounders FC at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It was a fifth consecutive home win for LAFC.
  
• Carlos Vela scored a pair of goals, his third multiple-goal game this season, now with 10 goals in nine matches this season – matching the fastest to 10 goals from the start of a campaign in MLS history. Mark-Anthony Kaye had three assists, matching the club’s single-game record set last year by Diego Rossi.
  
• Sounders FC conceded four goals in a game for the first time since a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Fire on May 13, 2017, in the 4-1 loss to LAFC in the opening leg of their home-and-home series.
  

LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake, 8 p.m.

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored for a fourth consecutive game in the Galaxy’s 2-1 home win vs. Houston over the weekend, now with seven goals for the season, six coming over the four-game streak.
  
• Real won for a second consecutive match on the heels of a four-game losing slide, defeating FC Cincinnati 3-0 at Nippert Stadium on Friday evening. Albert Rúsnak netted a pair of goals in the win.
  
• The teams met twice a year ago, and each won on their home ground in dominant fashion. Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted a pair of goals as the Galaxy cruised to a 3-0 win on June 9 in Carson, then Real rolled to a 6-2 win Sept. 1 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 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. RSL’s last win in Carson, a 6-2 victory on July 4, 2017, ended a three-game Galaxy winning streak there in league meetings.
  
• 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 MLS Cup 2009, and also in the Western Conference Semifinals in 2013.