Items for Matchday 11 of MLS

By Anonymous (not verified), April 26, 2024

For Immediate Release
MLS Communications

Expected Goals: Upcoming Milestones for Matchday 11

Messi Contributing at Record Rate

Ranking second in MLS with 13 goal contributions in only six matches, Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi has been dynamite for the Herons in 2024 and has totaled nine goal and eight assists across MLS regular season and Concacaf Champions Cup play this year. The Argentine legend notched two goals and an assist in the club’s 3-1 victory over Nashville SC on Matchday 10, marking his fourth consecutive MLS match with at least two goal contributions.

With two or more contributions against the New England Revolution on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Messi would become the first player in MLS history to record multiple goal contributions in five consecutive games. Including Messi, 14 players in league history have accomplished the feat in four consecutive games.

The most consecutive matches with multiple goal contributions by a player in MLS history:

Chicho Climbing into the Record Books

The MLS leader in goal contributions through Matchday 10 resides in Salt Lake City, as forward Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango has totaled eight goals and six assists through nine games for Real Salt Lake, while leading the club to 15 points (4-2-3).

With a pair of contributions against Philadelphia on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Arango would tie his former teammate Carlos Vela (16 in 2019) for the most goal contributions by a player in his team’s first 10 games of a season in MLS history. Vela captured the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award following that season. Only five players in league annals have recorded at least 15 goal contributions through their team’s first 10 games of a season.

The most goal contributions by a player in his team’s first 10 games of a season in MLS history:

Johnson Keeping the Net Clean for Toronto FC

With three shutouts this season, Toronto FC goalkeeper Sean Johnson sits tied atop the league leaderboard in clean sheets in 2024. In his 15-year MLS career, Johnson has recorded 99 career clean sheets and will look to make history in his next start.

With a shutout against Orlando City SC on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Johnson would become the fourth goalkeeper in MLS to reach 100 career clean sheets, joining Nick Rimando (154), Kevin Hartman (112), and Stefan Frei (107). He would join Frei as just the second active player to reach the milestone.

The goalkeepers to record at least 100 clean sheets in MLS history:

Galaxy Pouring in the Goals

Sitting atop the Western Conference entering Matchday 11 is the LA Galaxy, who have totaled 18 points (5-1-3) and a conference-best 21 goals through nine games. Leading the charge for the Galaxy has been breakout forward Dejan Joveljic (six goals), offseason acquisition Joseph Paintstil (four goals), and standout midfielder Riqui Puig (three goals).

With three goals against Austin FC on Saturday afternoon (1:45 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / FOX), the Galaxy would match the second-best scoring total through 10 games in club history with 24 goals – a mark set in 1996 and 2016. The Galaxy’s best 10-game scoring start (31 goals) occurred in 1998, a season that the club captured its first Supporters’ Shield.

The most goals scored by the LA Galaxy through 10 games in club history:

Whitecaps Winning Away From Home

Vancouver Whitecaps FC (16 points, 5-2-1) currently sit in second place in the Western Conference and much of their early-season success can be attributed to their unblemished road record. The club has won each of their first three road games of the season with victories in Dallas, San Jose, and Seattle, and will look to continue their winning ways as they travel to Red Bull Arena on Matchday 11.

With a win against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), the Whitecaps would become just the second team in MLS history (excluding the shootout era) to win each of their first four road games of a season. The 2022 Red Bulls won each of their first five road matches and finished with a 9-5-3 record away from home, while earning a postseason berth.

The MLS clubs to win each of their first four road games of a season (excl. shootout era):

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