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MLS Homegrown Team to face Tigres UANL Under-20 Champions in 2018 MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer®

Homegrown Team to face defending Mexican league U-20 Champions live on UDN and Twitter on July 31;

Atlanta United Academy Director to coach Homegrown Team

NEW YORK (June 12, 2018) – Major League Soccer today announced that the MLS Homegrown Team will take on Tigres UANL, the reigning Mexican league’s Under-20 champion, in the fifth annual MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer® on July 31 at 8 p.m. ET at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, part of a week of events during 2018 MLS All-Star Atlanta. In addition to the live national broadcast on Univision Deportes Network (UDN), the MLS Homegrown Game will be streamed live on Twitter for the first time in the history of the event.

Tickets, starting at $15, may be purchased on Ticketmaster.com and includes entrance to the Special Olympics Unified Sports® All-Star Soccer Match presented by MLS WORKS and ESPN, held immediately prior at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. Tickets are now available by CLICKING HERE.

The MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer® is the latest initiative between Major League Soccer and Liga MX after the two leagues announced an increased partnership in March including a focus on youth development highlighted by an annual showcase match. Joining a list of formidable opponents to participate in the MLS Homegrown Game, Tigres UANL’s Under-20 team brings an accomplished track record to the match. The club captured the Liga MX Under-20 title last month and features numerous players that have received time with both the Tigres reserve squad and the first team side that has captured the Liga MX title in three out of the previous six tournaments.  

Atlanta United Academy Director Tony Annan will serve as the head coach for the Homegrown Team against Tigres. Annan, who helped build Atlanta’s academy from the ground up and brings over 20 years of youth development experience to the match, is one of only six coaches to hold licenses from the U.S. Soccer Academy Director’s Course and the Elite Formation Coaching License course (EFCL). With a focus on cultivating talented academy products, Annan has helped Atlanta identify and develop standout youth players from the academy to the first team, coaching the club’s U-17 squad to a national title in the first year of the program.

CLICK HERE for media assets including video soundbytes from Atlanta United Academy Director Tony Annan

One of the many highly anticipated events during the week of events surrounding 2018 MLS All-Star Atlanta, the MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer® provides an annual platform in which to showcase MLS’ burgeoning young talent and demonstrate the growth of the League’s youth development system. MLS academies continue to attract and cultivate topflight prospects and have now produced over 150 Homegrown Players who have signed professional contracts with MLS clubs. Vital to the long-term success of their clubs, Homegrown Players now serve more important and visible roles than ever, with academy products logging a record number of goals, assists, minutes and games played in 2017. Of note, the 94 assists compiled by Homegrown Players in 2017 is more than double the total compared to 2016. 

Homegrown Players have also become significant contributors at the international level with the U.S. and Canadian youth and senior national teams relying on some of the league’s most exciting and promising young players. In the past year, 13 current Homegrown standouts have been called to represent the U.S. Men’s National Team, including MLS Homegrown Game alumnus Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls), Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas) and Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake). In addition, 11 current Homegrown Players played for the United States in the 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup while seven Homegrown Players represented the U.S. at the 2017 FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Outside of the U.S., five Homegrown Players were called to represent the Canada Men’s National Team at the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, with Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps FC) winning the tournament’s golden boot.

“The continued growth of Major League Soccer’s youth academy system and development of the future stars of the sport remain at the forefront of the league’s long-term initiatives,” said Todd Durbin, Executive Vice President of Player Relations and Competition. “The MLS Homegrown Game offers a unique opportunity to showcase the talent our clubs have produced. We are excited to have the Tigres Under-20 team as this year’s opponent in another example of how MLS continues to build upon its partnership with Liga MX in the area of youth development.”

MLS Homegrown Players are a specialized group of players that have been a member of an MLS club’s youth development program for at least one year and have met the necessary training and retention requirements. Players that meet those qualifications can sign a professional contract with the club’s senior team without being subject to the SuperDraft.

Media planning to cover the MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer®, the Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Soccer Match presented by MLS WORKS and ESPN, along with the 2018 MLS All-Star Game may now apply for credentials by CLICKING HERE.

MLS All-Stadium credentials, team season credentials and credentials from previous MLS and SUM events will not be recognized for any of the media events surrounding the All-Star Game. Credential applications must be received by Wednesday, July 18.

MLS Homegrown Game History

2017: MLS Homegrown Team 2-2 Chivas de Guadalajara U-20s

2016: MLS Homegrown Team 0-1 Mexico U-20s

2015: MLS Homegrown Team 1(4)-1(5) Club América U-20s

2014: MLS Homegrown Team 0–0 Portland Timbers U-23s

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer features 26 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including future expansion teams in Nashville, Miami and Cincinnati. The League plans to have 28 clubs in the coming years. For more information about MLS, visit www.MLSsoccer.com.

ABOUT ENERGIZER

Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ENR), headquartered in St. Louis, MO, is one of the world's largest manufacturers of primary batteries and portable lighting products and is anchored by its two globally recognized brands Energizer® and EVEREADY®. Energizer is also a leading designer and marketer of automotive fragrance and appearance products from recognized brands such as Refresh Your Car!®, California Scents®, Driven®, Bahama & Co.®, LEXOL® and Eagle One®. Visit http://www.energizerholdings.com for more details.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Midfielder Alphonso Davies Voted Alcatel MLS Player of the Week

NEW YORK (Tuesday, June 12, 2018) – Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Alphonso Davies was voted the Alcatel Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the 15th week of the 2018 MLS season.

Vancouver extended its unbeaten streak to six matches with a 5-2 victory over Orlando City SC at BC Place on Saturday, with Davies netting one goal and adding three assists to help lift the club. With the outstanding performance, the 17-year-old Davies became the youngest player in league history to record three assists in a match and the youngest player to factor into a combined four goals and assists, according to Elias Sports Bureau. On the season, Davies has two goals and seven assists, the latter tied for third in MLS. Whitecaps FC sit fourth in the Western Conference with 23 points (6-5-5 overall record).

Davies’ tremendous pace was on full display during a Vancouver counter in the 36th minute, with the midfielder dribbling past multiple defenders before displaying some fancy footwork in the box. The Canada National Team midfielder then laid the ball off to Kei Kamara, setting up the forward’s strike to the center of goal to give Whitecaps FC a 1-0 lead (Watch Assist). Following an Orlando equalizer, Davies would reclaim Vancouver’s advantage capitalizing off goalkeeper Joe Bendik’s deflection with a close-range finish in the 76th minute for a 2-1 advantage (Watch Goal).

Whitecaps FC continued a relentless attack, with Davies’s speed once again proving to be a difference maker as he outran an Orlando defender on the left flank before setting up Yordy Reyna’s easy finish in the center of the box in the 87th minute for a 4-1 lead (Watch Assist). Davies finished a historic day when recording his third assist in the 90th minute on Nicolás Mezquida’s strike, becoming the first Vancouver Whitecaps FC player to record three assists in one match (Watch Assist).

Vancouver Whitecaps FC return to MLS regular season action on Saturday, June 23 to face the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium (5:00 p.m. ET, TSN1 / TSN5 / ESPN+).

The Alcatel MLS Player of the Week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the North American Soccer Reporters. The organization includes print, television, radio and online journalists who cover domestic men's soccer in the United States and Canada. Learn more about the NASR and apply to join at https://www.facebook.com/soccerreporters/.

As the most diverse sports league in the world, MLS sees players from six countries set to participate in World Cup in Russia

NEW YORK (Thursday, June 14, 2018) – The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia begins today, and for Major League Soccer’s contingent of 19 players, representing six countries, it is a chance to be immortalized in history books during the greatest sporting event in the world.

Celebrations were in full swing Wednesday as FIFA announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, but now all eyes turn to this year’s tournament as the globe halts to watch the world’s game.

MLS PLAYERS IN 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP

COSTA RICA (6): Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United FC), David Guzmán (Portland Timbers), Rónald Matarrita (New York City FC), Marco Ureña (Los Angeles Football Club), Rodney Wallace (New York City FC), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

EGYPT (1): Omar Gaber (Los Angeles Football Club)

MEXICO (3): Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Carlos Vela (Los Angeles Football Club)

PANAMA (6): Harold Cummings (San Jose Earthquakes), Fidel Escobar (New York Red Bulls), Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes), Adolfo Machado (Houston Dynamo), Michael Murillo (New York Red Bulls), Román Torres (Seattle Sounders FC)

PERU (2): Andy Polo (Portland Timbers), Yoshi Yotún (Orlando City SC)

SWEDEN (1): Gustav Svensson (Seattle Sounders FC)

MLS: The World’s Most Diverse Sports League: As the league of choice for many top players, MLS is the most diverse sports league in the world with players from more than 70 countries competing in 2018. Again leading the charge in diversity (as determined by birthplace) in the North American sports landscape, from a pool of 637 current players, 72 countries are represented in MLS compared with the second-most diverse league, the NBA, that boasts players from 45 countries.

Among those 637 players, 234 have been capped by their national teams and a total of 27 players from 11 FIFA World Cup-bound countries played a part in their respective nations’ World Cup Qualifiers during 2017.

Six-nation representation: For a second straight World Cup, six nations have current MLS players on their rosters, which, alongside the 2014 tournament, ties for the most in league history. The country representation includes six MLS players on both Costa Rica and Panama, three for Mexico, two for Peru and one each for Egypt and Sweden. Two other countries include former MLS players, with Australia featuring former New York Red Bulls forward Tim Cahill and former Montreal Impact midfielder Blerim Džemaili representing Switzerland.

Sixteen are new to the big stage: A total of 16 players will be competing in their first FIFA World Cup. Six players among this group are part of Panama’s first trip to the World Cup, including Seattle Sounders FC defender Román Torres, whose late goal against Costa Rica in the finale of the qualifying stage propelled his nation to Russia.

Three World Cup returnees: The MLS pool features three players who have competed at the World Cup previously, led by the LA Galaxy’s Giovani dos Santos, who is headed to his third World Cup for Mexico (2010, 2014, 2018). Dos Santos and the Los Angeles Football Club’s Carlos Vela (in his second World Cup appearance) were teammates on Mexico’s 2010 squad. LAFC forward Marco Ureña also prepares for his second World Cup appearance after representing Costa Rica at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Dos Santos duo marks first MLS brother pairing in World Cup: Heading into the 2018 FIFA World Cup, there have been 58 individual brothers who have played in FIFA World Cup history, either in the same tournament or in different tournaments. This year is unique one for MLS as the LA Galaxy’s Jonathan dos Santos and Giovani dos Santos will play alongside each other for Mexico. This year’s World Cup includes four sets of brothers: the dos Santos (Mexico), Eden and Thorgan Hazard (Belgium), Noureddine and Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco), and Anton and Alexei Miranchuk (Russia). Two sets of brothers have won the World Cup alongside each other: Germany’s Ottmar and Fritz Walter (1954) and England’s Bobby and Jack Charlton (1966).

FIFA World Cup Winners: Only 422 players throughout history have lifted the world’s most coveted trophy, two of whom currently play in MLS in the Chicago Fire’s Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany, 2014) and New York City FC’s David Villa (Spain, 2010).  All-time, 11 World Cup winners have played on MLS squads yet none have won both the World Cup and MLS Cup in the same year. The 19 MLS players headed to Russia have the opportunity to join some illustrious company, for both country and club.

FLASHBACK TO QUALIFYING:

LA trio leads Mexico to most successful qualifying run: Mexico clinched its trip to Russia 2018 with several qualifying matches to spare following a 1-0 win against Panama on Sept. 1, 2017. It marked Mexico’s earliest World Cup qualification clinch in the country’s history. The Los Angeles Football Club’s first signing, Carlos Vela, and LA Galaxy brothers Giovani dos Santos and Jonathan dos Santos all featured during the qualifying stage to help Mexico earn its 16th FIFA World Cup appearance.

Torres boosts Panama to first World Cup: Seattle Sounders FC defender Román Torres is being hailed a hero after scoring the winning goal that lifted Panama to its first-ever FIFA World Cup. The last-minute drama took place on Oct. 10, 2017, when Torres’ right-footed strike in the 88th minute completed a 2-1 rally victory over favorited Costa Rica to book Panama’s spot in Russia.

Montreal Impact Midfielder Ignacio Piatti Voted Alcatel MLS Player of the Week

NEW YORK (Friday, June 15, 2018) – Montreal Impact midfielder Ignacio Piatti was voted the Alcatel Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the 16th week of the 2018 MLS season.

Montreal defeated Orlando City SC 3-0 on Wednesday night at Stade Saputo, with Piatti scoring two goals to help lift the Impact. Piatti has seven goals and six assists this season, making him the only player in the league to rank in the top 10 of both categories in 2018. The Impact sit ninth in the Eastern conference with 15 points (5-11-0 overall record).

Piatti put Montreal on the board in the early moments of the match with a penalty kick driven into the bottom left corner to give the Impact a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute (Watch Goal). Montreal doubled its lead when Piatti sent a ball out wide to Daniel Lovitz, whose cross in front of goal in the 55th minute forced the defense into an error resulting in an own goal to push the Impact lead to 2-0 (Watch).

The Argentine finished his impressive outing, scoring Montreal’s third goal in second half stoppage time. Piatti broke in behind the defense in the box with a pass from Saphir Taïder, then rounded Orlando goalkeeper Joe Bendik, finishing with a strike to goal to cap the Impact’s dominant 3-0 victory (Watch Goal). The brace was Piatti’s second multi-goal performance of the season and 12th in his MLS regular season career.  

Montreal returns to MLS regular season action on Saturday, June 23 to face Orlando City SC at Orlando City Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, TVAS / ESPN+).

The Alcatel MLS Player of the Week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the North American Soccer Reporters. The organization includes print, television, radio and online journalists who cover domestic men's soccer in the United States and Canada. Learn more about the NASR and apply to join at https://www.facebook.com/soccerreporters/.

Mexico Head Coach on Carlos Vela: 'He was one of our best' in win vs. defending World Cup champion Germany

World Cup precedes can't-miss Atlanta-Portland matchup on FOX

LAFC, league's new guard stay in thick of U.S. Open Cup race

MLS Week 17: Match Notes

Mexico Head Coach on Carlos Vela: 'He was one of our best' in win vs. defending World Cup champion Germany

With Mexico (and all soccer fans around the world) still buzzing about yesterday’s 1-0 win over defending World Cup champions Germany, head coach Juan Carlos Osorio heralded LAFC’s Carlos Vela play in the hard-fought match.  

World Cup precedes can’t-miss Atlanta-Portland matchup on FOX

The energy and excitement of the 2018 FIFA World Cup will flow into one of the most raucous of all MLS atmospheres this Sunday on FOX (4:30 p.m. ET), as the attacking style of league-leading Atlanta United prepares to host the Portland Timbers, who are undefeated in their last 10 games in all competitions.

In only their second season, Atlanta United have proven they are a force to be reckoned with, breaking attendance records with a passionate fanbase at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and charting major production on the field. Atlanta sits atop the league standings with a 10-3-3 record, collecting more regular season wins than any other club, and scoring 33 goals to lead all MLS finishing. Atlanta forward Josef Martinez leads the Golden Boot race with a tally of 14 goals, which is four more than the next-closest contenders.  

Portland is riding a 10-game unbeaten streak and has newfound success in the winning combination of a two-forward front that features forward Fanendo Adi and Samuel Armenteros. The two combined to take down the LA Galaxy in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup competition last week as part of a diamond formation that also could feature reigning MVP Diego Valeri as the playmaker.

The World Cup Group H match between Poland and Colombia (2 p.m. ET / FOX) precedes this fixture, and with the global event placing the sport center stage, Atlanta-Portland is one MLS matchup not to miss.

LAFC, league’s new guard stay in thick of U.S. Open Cup race

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 takes over the first half of this week, and the new guard in MLS is still in the thick of this year’s tournament. The league’s four newest teams over the past four seasons have advanced to this stage, and each has an opportunity to move into the tournament quarterfinals. U.S. Open Cup games are available live via U.S. Soccer’s Match Center.

Starting Monday night, 2017 expansion Minnesota United FC visit the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium. Then on an action-packed Wednesday, Orlando City SC (2015) visit D.C. United, Atlanta United (2017) will host four-time Open Cup winners the Chicago Fire and 2018 newcomers Los Angeles Football Club – led by head coach and two-time Open Cup champion Bob Bradley – welcome the United Soccer League’s Sacramento Republic FC.

All four teams posted clean sheets during the tournament’s fourth round, with Minnesota garnering a shootout victory against future MLS side FC Cincinnati, the Cinderella Story of the 2017 U.S. Open Cup with their run to the semifinals. Orlando is the only team among this group since 2015 to previously advance to the Open Cup Quarterfinals, reaching that stage during its inaugural MLS season before falling to Chicago in the 2015 U.S. Open Cup.

This year’s Open Cup Round of 16 already drew some earthshattering attention on Saturday as Yohan Croizet’s game-winning volley propelled defending Open Cup champions Sporting Kansas City to a 3-2 victory against FC Dallas. The 26-year-old Frenchman called his 89th-minute strike “the best goal of my career.” (Watch goal)

Round of 16 schedule (times ET):

Monday, June 18

Houston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United, 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 20

D.C. United vs. Orlando City SC, 7 p.m.

Atlanta United vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Football Club vs. Sacramento Republic FC (USL), 10:30 p.m.

MLS Week 17: Match Notes

Saturday, June 23, 2018

Philadelphia Union vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 5 p.m. ET (TSN 1/5; ESPN+)

The Union have suffered back-to-back losses in league play, last a 2-0 defeat to Toronto FC at Talen Energy Stadium on June 8.

Whitecaps FC extended their undefeated streak to six games with a second consecutive victory, defeating Orlando City SC 5-2 at BC Place on June 9. The six-game unbeaten run is one game shy of the club’s record in its MLS history, set last season.

Alphonso Davies scored a goal and added a club-record three assists – the youngest player in MLS history to collect three assists, and record a combination of at least four goals plus assists in one game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The five goals scored by Whitecaps FC were also a club record in an MLS league game.

Whitecaps FC have a four-game undefeated streak alive in the series, the last Union win vs. Vancouver coming in 2013. The ‘Caps have won twice in that span with two draws, including a goalless draw in the only meeting between the teams last year, March 5 at BC Place.

Whitecaps FC have come away with points on their past three visits to Chester, including a 3-2 win in the last meeting at Talen Energy Stadium, June 25, 2016. The Union have won just one home match vs. Vancouver – the first meeting ever between the teams, a 1-0 victory on March 26, 2011.

New York Red Bulls vs. FC Dallas, 6 p.m. ET (UniMás)

The Red Bulls put an end to a brief two-game winless run last time out, defeating Seattle Sounders FC 2-1 at Red Bull Arena last Wednesday.

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored his 10th goal of the season, tied for second in the MLS Golden Boot standings. It was the fifth consecutive season where Wright-Phillips has hit double figures in goals, the fourth player in league history to do that.

FC Dallas won their fourth consecutive game and extended their overall undefeated streak to seven matches, defeating the Montréal Impact 2-0 at Toyota Stadium on June 9. The winning streak is two games shy of the club record, set in 1999-2000.

The Red Bulls have a five-game undefeated streak in the series, the last FC Dallas victory coming March 11, 2012. The Red Bulls have won three of the five encounters since, with two draws, including a 2-2 result last Sept. 2 at Toyota Stadium.

The first goal scored by FC Dallas in last year’s match ended a 443-minute goalless drought vs. the Red Bulls, their last goal scored in the series coming in the 2012 victory in Frisco, a 2-1 win.

FC Dallas haven’t won at the Red Bulls since 2006, when they took a 2-1 victory at Giants Stadium. FCD has never won at Red Bull Arena (0-2-2). The Red Bulls have won on three of their last six visits to Frisco, with two draws, in both league and MLS Cup play.

Orlando City SC vs. Montreal Impact, 7:30 p.m. ET (TVA Sports; ESPN+)

The teams are meeting in the back end of a home-and-home series on either side of the World Cup recess, with the Impact taking a 3-0 win at Stade Saputo last Wednesday evening.

Ignacio Piatti scored a pair of goals, now with seven on the season. Of the past 12 goals scored by the Impact, dating back to April 21, Piatti has been involved in nine (six goals, three assists). The Impact win was their second in the past three games, coming off a four-game losing run.

The defeat was a club-record sixth in a row for Orlando City SC, having conceded multiple goals in each. It was the final game in charge for head coach Jason Kreis, relieved of his duties in the days following the match.

The Impact have a four-game undefeated streak alive in the series after the 3-0 win in the first meeting, the last Orlando City win vs. Montréal coming Sept. 7, 2016, a 4-1 triumph at Stade Saputo.

The Impact have come away with points on their past two visits to Orlando, after the teams reached a 3-3 draw last June 17 at Orlando City Stadium in the only meeting there. OCSC had won the first two encounters all-time in Orlando. The Impact have now won the past two meetings between the teams in Montréal.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Houston Dynamo, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Sporting Kansas City extended their undefeated streak to six games with a third draw in that time, reaching a goalless draw with the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on June 9.

The Dynamo put an end to a brief two-game losing slide, getting a pair of first-half goals on their way to a 2-0 win against the Colorado Rapids at BBVA Compass Stadium on June 9.

The teams met twice a year ago in league play, both games coming over a five-day span in the penultimate week of the season. The Dynamo took a 2-1 win on Oct. 11 at BBVA Compass Stadium; the teams then reached a goalless draw at Children’s Mercy Park.

The teams also met in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs, an Alberth Elis goal in extra time giving the Dynamo a 1-0 win in Houston.

Sporting’s last win at home in the series came in 2011, winless in the past seven meetings at Children’s Mercy Park (0-1-6). The Dynamo have won the last three league meetings in Houston, the only victories for the home team in the series in the last 12 matches.

The teams have also met each of the past three years in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, with Sporting claiming a 2-0 win in Houston last year in a fifth-round meeting.

Colorado Rapids vs. Minnesota United FC, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

The Rapids put an end to their club-record eight-game losing run but still saw their winless streak extended, playing to a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park last Wednesday evening. The nine-game winless streak matches the third-longest in the club’s history, last achieved last season (from July 4-Sept. 2).

Tommy Smith netted his first MLS goal for the Rapids while also contributing an assist, the third of his league career.

MNUFC weren’t able to build upon a first win in four matches, falling 4-1 to Sporting KC in their last match, June 3 at Children’s Mercy Park.

The teams met twice in Minnesota United’s inaugural campaign. They reached a 2-2 draw in the first encounter, March 18 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park; MNUFC then claimed a 1-0 win on April 18 at TCF Bank Stadium.

Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10 p.m. (ESPN+)

Real saw their three-game winning run put to an end last time out, falling 3-0 to the LA Galaxy at StubHub Center on June 9.

The Quakes put an end to their four-game losing skid, but still saw their winless streak extended to six matches, reaching a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution at Avaya Stadium on June 13.

Danny Hoesen scored the Quakes’ goals in the draw, his second two-goal game in his MLS career, now with nine goals on the season, tied for fourth in the MLS Golden Boot standings.

The teams split their season series a year ago. The Quakes took a 2-1 win on June 24 at Avaya Stadium in the first meeting, before Real returned the favor with a 4-0 victory Aug. 23 at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Real are undefeated in their past four home meetings with the Quakes, with two wins and two draws in that time, the last San Jose victory in Sandy coming in 2013.

The Quakes now own a three-game winning streak in the series in San Jose, the last RSL win there a 1-0 triumph on April 5, 2015.

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Chicago Fire, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

Sounders FC weren’t able to build upon a first win in four matches, suffering a 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls on June 13 at Red Bull Arena, their third consecutive away defeat.

The Fire extended their undefeated streak to three games with a second consecutive draw, reaching a 2-2 result with the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park last Wednesday.

Aleksandar Katai netted his fifth goal of the season for the Fire, a sixth consecutive game with either a goal or an assist, with three goals and three assists over that span.

The Fire won the lone meeting between the teams a year ago, a 4-1 victory on May 13 at Toyota Park. The Fire have won the past two meetings in Bridgeview.

The Fire have never won in Seattle in five league visits, Sounders FC now hold a four-game winning streak at CenturyLink Field dating back to 2010. Sounders FC have also won twice at home in U.S. Open Cup matches, including a 2-0 victory in the final in 2011.

Los Angeles Football Club vs. Columbus Crew SC, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)

LAFC put an end to their four-game winless run, coming back for a dramatic 4-3 win against the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium on June 9.

Adama Diomandé scored a pair of goals, his second in the 90th minute as LAFC overturned a deficit after the regulation 90 minutes were complete. Diomandé has three goals in his first three MLS appearances.

Crew SC saw their nine-game undefeated run put to an end, a string of three draws followed by a 2-0 loss to Atlanta United at Mapfre Stadium on June 13. Zack Steffen returned from international duty and saw his personal shutout streak come to an end after 525 minutes, the eighth-longest in MLS history.

The teams are meeting for the first time. Crew SC have lost to an expansion team in their first meeting just three times in the club’s history, after a 3-1 loss to Atlanta United in their inaugural match last year. The Crew lost 2-0 to the Chicago Fire in their first encounter in 1998 – then did not lose to an expansion team in the inaugural meeting until 2011, when they lost to Portland. All-time, Crew SC are 9-3-3 when playing expansion sides for the first time.

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Atlanta United vs. Portland Timbers, 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX / FOX Deportes)

Atlanta United extended their undefeated run to four games with a second victory in that time, defeating Columbus Crew SC 2-0 at Mapfre Stadium on June 13.

Josef Martínez scored for a fourth consecutive game, with six goals in that span (dating back to May 30), now with 14 goals for the season to lead the MLS Golden Boot standings.

The Timbers extended their undefeated streak to eight games with a second consecutive draw, reaching a goalless result with Sporting Kansas City at Providence Park on June 9. The eight-game unbeaten run is the fourth-longest in the club’s MLS history.

The teams met once in Atlanta United’s inaugural campaign, reaching a 1-1 draw May 14 at Providence Park.

New York City FC vs. Toronto FC, 5 p.m. ET (TSN 4/5; ESPN+)

NYCFC saw their perfect record at home come to an end, but still remain undefeated at Yankee Stadium this season following a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United on June 9. NYCFC are undefeated in their past nine home games, the third-longest undefeated run in the Bronx in club history.

Toronto FC extended their undefeated run to three games with a second draw in that time, coming back from three goals down to claim a share of a 4-4 draw with D.C. United at BMO Field on June 13.

The teams met twice in a year ago, both coming in a span of 11 days. The teams reached a 2-2 draw July 19 at Yankee Stadium, then TFC rolled to a 4-0 victory July 30 at BMO Field as Sebastian Giovinco scored two more goals vs. NYCFC.

The TFC win in the last meeting was their first in league play against NYCFC, in seven regular-season meetings. NYCFC had won two of the first six meetings all-time, with four draws.

The teams did also meet in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2016 – and Toronto FC won 7-0 on aggregate, winning 2-0 at BMO Field, then 5-0 at Yankee Stadium.

David Villa has scored seven goals with one assist in four league appearances vs. Toronto FC, five of those goals coming in meetings in the Bronx.

Sebastian Giovinco has six goals and two assists in league play vs. NYCFC, including a hat trick in a nine-minute span in a 4-4 draw on July 12, 2015, at Yankee Stadium; he also scored a hat trick and added an assist in the second leg of the MLS Cup Playoffs series.

Philadelphia Union Midfielder Borek Dockal Voted Alcatel MLS Player of the Week

NEW YORK (Tuesday, June 26, 2018) – Philadelphia Union midfielder Borek Dockal was voted the Alcatel Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the 17th week of the 2018 MLS season.

Philadelphia defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC 4-0 at Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday, with Dockal scoring two goals to lift the Union and snap Vancouver’s six-game unbeaten streak. In 15 games played this season, Dockal has five goals and six assists, leading the team in both categories. The Union sit sixth in the Eastern Conference with 21 points (6-7-3 overall record).

The Czech Republic international opened the scoring with a goal with a left-footed shot from the right side of the box in the 24th minute. Ilsinho recovered a failed clearance, finding Dockal in the box, who then sent a curling shot through three defenders into the bottom left corner of goal, leaving Vancouver goalkeeper Brian Rowe helpless (Watch Goal).

The midfielder showed his playmaking skills once again in the 71st minute with his second goal of the match to give Philadelphia a 2-0 lead, completing his first career MLS brace. Dockal found an Alejandro Bedoya pass at the top of the box then sidestepped past two defenders, firing a shot from the center of the box into the left side of the goal (Watch Goal).

The Philadelphia Union return to action on Saturday, June 30 to face the Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

The Alcatel MLS Player of the Week is chosen each week of the regular season by members of the North American Soccer Reporters. The organization includes print, television, radio and online journalists who cover domestic men's soccer in the United States and Canada. Learn more about the NASR and apply to join at https://www.facebook.com/soccerreporters/.

NEW YORK (Wednesday, June 27, 2018) – Major League Soccer announced on Wednesday the complete five-day schedule of entertainment and charitable events prior to the 2018 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target. MLS, Atlanta United and the city of Atlanta welcome fans to enjoy a wide array of festivities, highlighted by a free concert and open training sessions before the best of MLS take on Italian giants Juventus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The match will be televised domestically on ESPN and UniMás in the U.S., and on TSN and TVA Sports in Canada, as well as in more than 170 countries around the world.

Tickets are available for purchase here.

MLS All-Star week kicks off with the MLS Block Party on Saturday, July 28 at Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark on the iconic Atlanta BeltLine. The MLS Block Party is a celebration of Atlanta and soccer culture.  Free and open to the public, the daylong party will include food and drinks, music, a soccer mini-pitch, games, apparel, and an Atlanta United viewing party.  Atlanta recording artist Waka Flocka will be there to celebrate along with other celebrity friends and soccer legends. Iconic Atlanta artist Greg Mike will also be there finishing his MLS All-Star inspired mural live.

The party will continue Sunday, July 29, with a free concert beginning at 6 p.m. ET to celebrate the cross-section between soccer and music. The artist, an Atlanta native, will be announced at a later date. At that time, fans wishing to attend the MLS All-Star Concert presented by Target can secure their RSVP reservation by visiting MLSsoccer.com/FanPass. Due to space restrictions, registration does not guarantee entry, which will be first come, first served.

The Digital HQ presented by Wells Fargo opens on Sunday and will remain available for fans through Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET. The Digital HQ is a prime destination for fans featuring lounges to experience Digital HQ through games, giveaways and access to live productions. MLS All-Stars will be dropping in for interviews and roundtable discussions throughout the week and Digital HQ will also be the home of the eMLS All-Star Challenge presented by Wells Fargo, where eMLS competitors will team up with influencers from the gaming community, MLS players and amateur gamers for a dynamic, fun and entertaining 2 v 2 competition.

Men in Blazers LIVE MLS All-Star Extravaganza will once again take place during MLS All-Star week. Known for their “occasionally intelligent, always passionate take on global football's unspooling narrative,” Roger Bennett and Michael Davies will bring their live show to Atlanta to celebrate all things soccer, featuring guest appearances by MLS All-Stars and other prominent characters of the beautiful game. The show will be at the Tabernacle (6:30 p.m. ET) on Monday night and tickets can be purchased here.

Tuesday, July 31, just one day before the MLS All-Star Game, welcomes the most robust day of programming beginning first with Juventus and MLS All-Stars’ open training sessions. Juventus will take the pitch at 10 a.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium followed by the MLS All-Stars. Tickets are available for purchase here, with one ticket providing access to both sessions.

Tuesday evening, the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground will play host to a doubleheader as the fifth annual Special Olympics Unified Sports All-Star Showcase presented by MLS WORKS and ESPN precedes the annual MLS Homegrown Game presented by Energizer. The Unified Sports All-Star soccer teams will play an 11 v 11 match, featuring athletes with and without intellectual disabilities representing MLS clubs. The match will be livestreamed on MLS YouTube beginning at 6 p.m. ET. The MLS Homegrown Game will showcase the next generation of MLS stars against Tigres UANL, the reigning Mexican league’s Under-20 champion. The game will be broadcast nationally on Univision Deportes Network and livestreamed on Twitter. Tickets to the doubleheader, starting at $15, are available for purchase by clicking here. 

The festivities will continue at the Soccer Celebration presented by Scott, an interactive fan zone with music, games, autographs and free giveaways taking place on the International Plaza outside Gate 2 of Mercedes-Benz Stadium over a four-hour window leading up to the main event – the MLS All-Stars taking on the seven-time defending Italian champions Juventus.

View the full list of activities surrounding the MLS All-Star Game presented by Target below.