Cincy’s Win Streak on the Line in Vancouver
FC Cincinnati continues to make MLS history week after week as they extend their lead in the Supporters’ Shield race this season. The Blue and Orange have been sensational at TQL Stadium, winning all of their home matches in 2023 (9-0-0), but recently, they have taken that form on the road as well. Entering Matchday 18, FC Cincinnati have won six consecutive games for the first time in club history.
With a victory at Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Matchday 18 (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass), Cincinnati would tie for the second-longest single-season winning streak in MLS history, excluding the shootout era. One of just three teams to have won at least seven consecutive games in a single season is the 2022 edition of LAFC, who utilized a seven-game winning streak to solidify their place at the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings.
The longest single-season winning streaks in MLS history, excluding the shootout era:
Can Cucho Make it Ocho?
The Columbus Crew attack cannot stop scoring goals and currently sits atop the league with 33 scores this season. Under head coach Wilfried Nancy, the free-flowing forwards have shared the wealth as three different players have at least six assists in MLS play. One of the players to benefit from this has been Cucho Hernández, who is making a late push to earn a position on the MLS All-Star Game roster.
Hernández has produced a goal or assist in seven consecutive matches for the Crew and he looks to join his teammate Lucas Zelarayán (2021-22) and Jeff Cunningham (2001) as the only players in club history to record a goal contribution in eight straight games. Additionally, only three players managed to hit this mark in 2022 – Sebastián Driussi (11 games), Hany Mukhtar (eight games), and Diego Rubio (eight games). Hernández and the Crew take on Chicago Fire FC on Matchday 18 (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass).
The longest goal contribution streaks in Columbus Crew history:
Another Week, Another Potential Expansion Milestone for St. Louis
St. Louis CITY SC returns to CITYPARK on Sunday where they will meet the LA Galaxy for the first time in club history (1 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass / FOX). When St. Louis play at home, the floodgate of goals has been open, as CITY SC has scored at least three goals in six of their first eight matches at CITYPARK. In the last three home matches, star midfielder Eduard Löwen has scored in all of them, with the game-winning strike in two of those.
The club currently sits on nine wins this season and they can make expansion club history on Sunday afternoon with another victory. Excluding the shootout era, 2018 LAFC holds the record for the fastest expansion club to 10 regular season wins, accomplishing the feat in 18 matches. However, St. Louis could do so in just 16 games by defeating the Galaxy on Sunday.
The fastest expansion clubs to 10 MLS wins, excluding the shootout era:
The Doop Gang Heads to San Jose Going for 10 Consecutive Unbeaten
The 2022 MLS Cup finalists Philadelphia Union are on the way back to their form last season, which saw them dominate the Eastern Conference. After a slow start to 2023, the Union are unbeaten in their last nine matches (7-0-2) and are currently on a four-game winning streak dating back to May 20. With a win or draw at the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass), Philadelphia would tie their longest unbeaten streak in club history.
As part of the nine-game span without a defeat, the Union have gotten a spark from Julián Carranza, who has six goals and an assist in his last six matches. Carranza has won two of the past three MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Continental Tire honors. Matchday 18 will mark the Union’s seventh trip to San Jose in club history; however, the club has won two of the last three road matchups against the ‘Quakes.
The longest regular season unbeaten streaks in Philadelphia Union history:
Lucho On Verge of 50/50 Club
FC Cincinnati’s winning streak has been led by their man in the midfield, Luciano Acosta. Acosta is already up to seven goals and three assists in 2022 and needs just three more goals to equal his career high, which he established in both 2018 and 2022.
The dynamic Argentine can make more MLS history on Matchday 18 by scoring two goals and taking his MLS regular season total to 50 career goals. By reaching 50 goals, Acosta (67 assists) would become the seventh active player to record at least 50 goals and 50 assists in the regular season. Of those players, only Austin FC’s Diego Fagúndez (66 goals, 66 assists) has at least 60 assists.
Active players with at least 50 goals and 50 assists in the regular season:
