Looking for Soccer News?

Competition: MLS Market: Colorado Rapids sin Odds: 6/4 @ Bet 365 Looking to capitalize on LA Galaxy’s continued issues, a resurgent Colorado will welcome the former champions to Denver in the early hours of Thursday morning. Starting with the hosts, putting in yet another eye-catching display in their 2-0 victory over a high-flying Seattle last weekend, Colorado have […]

The post Colorado Rapids 6/4 to beat LA Galaxy in Thursday’s MLS matchup appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Colorado Rapids 6/4 to beat LA Galaxy in Thursday’s MLS matchup appeared first on Soccer News.

The Colorado Rapids kicked off a two-game home stand and played their first home match of the Robin Fraser era Saturday night, hosting the Seattle Sounders. Andre Shinyashiki stole the show for Seattle, opening the scoring with his goal in the 41st minute to give Colorado a 1-0 lead. The onslaught continued for Colorado’s offense into the second half, culminating with a second Shinyashiki goal in the 70th minute. Seattle only generated five shots total in the loss, falling in the 2-0 defeat.

Here are three takeaways from Colorado’s 2-0 win over Seattle:

Finger Lickin’ Good

Andre Shinyashiki was tabbed as a Rookie of the Year candidate early in the season, and has continued to strengthen his case.

In addition to the brace, Shinyashiki had five total shots in the match and was praised for his pressing and holdup play by the new Rapids head coach.

“My reaction was — as I was replaying it very quickly in my head — it was like ‘that was brilliant,’” Fraser said of the first goal. “Jack [Price] played it across the field. We got Sam [Nicholson] in a one-v-one, he played it across the field and then with a good action at the other side of it, Andre and Jon [Lewis] show up. My first thought was, ‘How the hell did he get that in?’ It was really a great moment because they worked really hard for it. They put Seattle under pressure and hadn’t really got that reward yet. To get it late in the half, and the way they did it, through a lot of things that we talked about and worked on — several of them showed up in that moment. It was great, I was extremely excited.”

As for the bleached blonde look Shinyashiki debuted for the game? Most of his teammates weren’t fans.

“I wore it better,” Kellyn Acosta said postgame.

“No chance I’ll wear that hairdo,” added Nicolas Mezquida.

Mezquida Season

As is common with coaching changes, some players are gaining new life from change. One example is Mezquida, who earned his first start and full run of 90 minutes since June.

Working in tandem with Shinyashiki, Mezquida was also active and dangerous in the attacking third, with six shots and two on-target efforts. The Uruguayan could’ve scored if not for a save by Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei that Seattle coach Brain Schmetzer called a “save of the year” candidate.

“I was happy to start. I like it because I like to press,” Mezquida said of Fraser’s system. “There’s more options. I like to play with the ball at my feet, so that helps me a lot. I feel happy about it.”

Fraser called Mezquida “forward thinking” and said that’s a good thing for the team.

“He’s an aggressive, attack-minded player. Put that together with him being in a pretty aggressive, defensive stance, it turns out to be a very good performance,” Fraser said.

So fresh and so clean

Again filling in for an injured Tim Howard, Clint Irwin put in a good shift in relief, this time earning his first clean sheet of the season and his first clean sheet since re-joining Colorado

“It’s great,” said Irwin. “We really focus on being difficult to beat, and I thought we did a good job of defending high up the field. It made my job easy.”

During the win, Irwin faced only five shots but made two saves, including a key save late in the match to preserve the clean sheet.

“The struggles were from our side — I don’t think we played up to our potential,” Schmetzer said postgame.

The result marked the second 2-0 win under Fraser, so the Rapids have yet to concede under the new hire.

The post Shinyashiki Shines: Takeaways from Colorado Rapids’ 2-0 win over Seattle appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

New York City moved top of the Eastern Conference with a thrilling win in MLS, while Los Angeles FC were held on Saturday. City rallied against the New England Revolution at Yankee Stadium and dramatically claimed victory thanks to a 96th-minute penalty from Jesus Medina. Juan Fernando Caicedo opened the scoring for New England in […]

The post MLS Review: In-form New York City go top, LAFC held appeared first on Soccer News.

The post MLS Review: In-form New York City go top, LAFC held appeared first on Soccer News.

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. – The Robin Fraser-era remains perfect.

The Colorado Rapids earned their second-straight win under the new coach and first home win since Fraser’s hire, defeating the Seattle Sounders, 2-0 at Dicks Sporting Goods Park Saturday night.

“They just picked it up and ran with it,” Fraser said. “The front group did a really good job about bringing pressure higher up the field. The resiliency of the group is the first thing that jumps out to me.”

Sporting a fresh look of bleached blonde hair and matching mustache, Rapids striker Andre Shinyashiki tallied a brace in the win.

“My reaction as I was replaying it in my head was: That was brilliant,” said Fraser. “It was really a great moment because they had worked really hard for it.”

With at least 14 outfield players out due to a combination of international duty, injury and suspension, Seattle (13-9-7, 46 points) was forced to call up two players from its USL affiliate Tacoma Defiance. Six of the Sounders starting XI had seen less than 1,000 minutes this season, and Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer only brought 16 players for the road trip.

Colorado (9-6-14, 33 points) was also missing key contributors with top goal scorers Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone) and Diego Rubio (Chile) away on international duty. Starting goalkeeper Tim Howard (hamstring) was out due to injury.

But with a relatively inexperienced lineup, Seattle found itself under pressure early and often in the first half.

Colorado took a 1-0 lead on Shinyashiki’s first goal. On a cross from Sam Nicholson, Jonathan Lewis backheeled to Shinyashiki, who buried the effort near post in the 41st minute.

By the end of the first half, the Rapids dominated attacking play with 11 shots to the Sounders’ two, including four on-target efforts.

Lewis, who had a brace last week in a 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls, nearly doubled Colorado’s lead in the 50th minute, but his effort was blocked by Sounders defender Jonathan Campbell. Nine minutes later, Lewis had another prime scoring opportunity, but his chipped effort missed wide of the mark.

“Certainly, what Jon has done has been electrifying going forward in counterattack situations,” Fraser said of Lewis. “He and Sam both do a great job of making outside backs defend. Both have done a really great job in 1-v-1 situations and making us dangerous.”

Colorado eventually broke through for a second goal in the 69th minute on a counterattack. Nicholas Mezquida found Keegan Rosenberry, who dished it far post to Shinyashiki, as the rookie scored his second goal of the night.

“I think Andre gave us some great holdup play early,” Fraser said. “Him and Nico [Mezquida] made it predictable not just for each other but for the rest of the group.”

In a losing effort, Stefan Frei came up with five saves on 22 shots by Colorado.

On the other end of the pitch, Rapids goalkeeper Clint Irwin earned his first clean sheet of the season and his first since re-joining Colorado from Toronto in December.

Despite the loss, Seattle remains second in the West and will return to CenturyLink Field to host the Red Bulls next Sunday. Colorado will play the second of a two-match home stand, hosting LA Galaxy Wednesday.

The post Colorado Rapids beat Seattle Sounders for second straight win under Robin Fraser appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Competition: MLS Market: Los Angeles FC win Odds: 7/10 @ Bet 365 Looking to bounce back from their shock defeat last time out, Western leaders LAFC will make the trip to a struggling Orlando on Sunday. Starting with the hosts, although Orlando may have shown some minor glimmers sporadically this season, the Purples are coming off the back […]

The post Los Angeles FC 7/10 to beat Orlando City in Sunday’s MLS clash  appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Los Angeles FC 7/10 to beat Orlando City in Sunday’s MLS clash  appeared first on Soccer News.

Competition: MLS Market: Toronto win Odds: 17/20 @ Bet 365 Looking to extend on what has been a very impressive unbeaten run in the West, Toronto will make the trip to a struggling Nippert Stadium in the early hours of Sunday. Starting with the hosts, putting in yet another very worrying display in their 3-1 loss away at […]

The post Toronto 17/20 to beat FC Cincinnati in Sunday’s MLS matchup appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Toronto 17/20 to beat FC Cincinnati in Sunday’s MLS matchup appeared first on Soccer News.

Olivier Giroud has extended his contract with Chelsea for further 12 months, and he’s now set to stay at Stamford Bridge until the end of June 2020. The French striker, who will turn 33 this month, has already hinted at where he might be plying his trade after that. ESPN claim he has been following […]

The post Giroud considering MLS move next summer appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Giroud considering MLS move next summer appeared first on Soccer News.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – This has always been home for Tim Howard.

And on Friday evening, prior to kickoff of the United States men’s national team’s friendly against Mexico, Howard – who grew up less than 40 miles away in North Brunswick – was honored by U.S. Soccer in front of a robust crowd at MetLife Stadium.

Howard, a former Central Jersey Cosmos and New York/New Jersey Metrostars product who is retiring at the end of the current Colorado Rapids season, received a framed U.S. jersey bearing his name and the number 121 — a reference to his number of international appearances — as a commemorative video played on screens around the stadium.

The pregame ceremony, which also included a photo-op with U.S. Soccer president Carlos Cordeiro, is part of the federation’s new initiative to “acknowledge outstanding achievement” and formally honor men’s or women’s national team standouts upon their retirement from professional soccer.

The criteria is to have earned at least 100 caps and appeared on at least two world championship rosters, including World Cups and Olympic Games.

“Anytime I’m in New Jersey, it feels fitting, you know? This is where it all started for me: an amazing upbringing both on and off the field,” Howard told reporters inside the MetLife Stadium press box. “So, yeah, I like coming back, and it seems like the fact that it’s going to end here is pretty cool.

“I was humbled. … The New Jersey element, the USA versus Mexico element – it’s very special.”

"I'm honored and humbled. This is a special moment." @USMNT legend @TimHowardGK joins our crew before getting honored at tonight's #USAvMEX game. pic.twitter.com/FaebXT0O6F

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 7, 2019

Howard, 40, represented the U.S. in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. His 15 saves against Belgium in the Round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is the single-game tournament record. He also holds multiple USMNT goalkeeping records, including most games (121), starts (119), wins (62) and World Cup appearances (8).

When asked about his favorite memories of playing Mexico, Howard mentioned all the times the Americans won, especially the program’s first, and so far only, victory at the Estadio Azteca, which came in 2012.

“Love, hate, passion,” Howard said of the rivalry. “I feel like you all know all the two-nils in Columbus, those are the more special ones. I can’t even imagine the nerves. I stayed away from the players [tonight]. I don’t want to see any of them, because you know, the week of USA-Mexico is incredible.

“I don’t want to be around those guys when they get ready for battle because for me this is one of the two biggest games you’ll ever play in as a U.S. player.”

One player Howard singled out before kickoff was Zack Steffen, who so far has emerged as the Americans’ next starting goalkeeper. Steffen, who left Columbus Crew SC last winter for Manchester City, has since joined Germany’s Fortuna Düsseldorf on loan.

Steffen is 24 years old, nearly the same age Howard was when he left for Manchester United.

“I think he’s going to be great,” Howard said of Steffen. “I hate to say that now, because it’s putting a lot of pressure on him. … I think he can handle it. Talent wise, he’s second to none.

“You know, I looked up to two of the greatest goalkeepers in the world when I was a kid. And it was Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel, and I desperately, desperately wanted to wear that shirt because they did. I wanted to break the records, and I did. And, you know, I think the kid out there tonight will hopefully break mine.”

The post Tim Howard reflects on USA-Mexico rivalry, praises Zack Steffen as USMNT goalkeeper appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Competition: MLS Market: Both teams to score Odds: 1/2 @ Bet 365 Handed the chance to climb to the top of the Eastern Conference, a high-flying NYCFC will welcome New England to Yankee Stadium on Saturday night. Starting with the hosts, putting in yet another rampant display in their 3-1 win away at Vancouver last weekend, NYCFC have […]

The post Both teams to score at New York City FC vs New England Revolution 1/2 for Saturday’s MLS matchup appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Both teams to score at New York City FC vs New England Revolution 1/2 for Saturday’s MLS matchup appeared first on Soccer News.

We have entered the penultimate month of the MLS regular season and there’s plenty to play for in each conference.

The teams making the most noise from both conferences in Week 26 also made positive moves in the upper echelon of the Pro Soccer USA MLS Power Rankings. The Philadelphia Union jumped two spots to No. 2 following a 3-1 win over Atlanta United and Minnesota United stunned LAFC 2-0 at Banc of California Stadium to move up three spots to No. 5.

The team trending the wrong way in Week 26 was the LA Galaxy, who lost to the Seattle Sounders, 4-3, to fall five spots to No. 12.

The Major League Soccer Power Rankings are created by averaging the rankings submitted by a committee of Pro Soccer USA’s editors and writers.

Pro Soccer USA writers Dylan Butler, Marco Cummings, Chris Fuhrmeister, Robert Jonas and Joe Tansey contributed to this report.

The post MLS Power Rankings Week 26: Philadelphia Union, Minnesota United make noise appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.

Minnesota United stole the show at the end of Week 26 with an impressive victory at Los Angeles FC powered by a Mason Toye brace. 

Toye is one of three Loons and six new entrants in the latest Major League Soccer Player Rankings. 

Toye and Vito Mannone weren’t the only pair of teammates to land into the top 20, with San Jose also producing two newcomers. 

At the top, Carlos Vela slipped a few places after sitting out Sunday’s match at Banc of California Stadium with an injury.

Our player rankings take into account a player’s form over the last four games, with the most-recent performance carrying a bit more weight. 

20. Latif Blessing, M, Los Angeles FC 

Previous Ranking: 7 

Sep 1, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles FC midfielder Latif Blessing (7) moves the ball while Minnesota United FC midfielder Hassani Dotson (31) defends during the first half at Banc of California Stadium. (Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)

Latif Blessing is only one of two Los Angeles FC players included in the list after Week 26, a total lower than this season’s average. 

Without Vela in the lineup, the do-it-all midfielder and his teammates were stunned by Minnesota United Sunday at Banc of California Stadium.

The 22-year-old dished out two key passes on 90 touches and made two tackles in the 2-0 defeat. 

19. Ryan Hollingshead, M, FC Dallas

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Aug 31, 2019; Frisco, TX, USA; FC Dallas midfielder Ryan Hollingshead (12) celebrates a goal during the first half against the FC Cincinnati at Toyota Stadium. (Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports)

Ryan Hollingshead was an unlikely source of scoring production in the FC Dallas lineup throughout August. 

The 28-year-old netted his sixth tally of the campaign and third of the month in Saturday’s 3-1 win over FC Cincinnati.

In addition to finding the back of the net, Hollingshead made three interceptions, two clearances and two tackles against the expansion side.

18. Cristian Espinoza, M, San Jose Earthquakes

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Aug 31, 2019; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Cristian Espinoza (10) reacts against the Orlando City FC during the first half at Avaya Stadium. (Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports)

Most Newcomer of the Year shortlists will include Cristian Espinoza. 

The 24-year-old Argentinian moved his assist total up to 12 in San Jose’s 3-0 thumping of Orlando City at Avaya Stadium. 

In the last four contests, Espinoza produced a trio of helpers in the Quakes’ playoff push. 

17. Vito Mannone, GK, Minnesota United

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Sep 1, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota United goalkeeper Vito Mannone (1) defends the goal against the LAFC in the second half at Banc of California Stadium. Minnesota United defeated LAFC 2-0. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Mannone became the third goalkeeper in MLS to hit double digits in shutouts Sunday in California. 

The former Arsenal man turned away each of the eight shots sent in his direction by the LAFC attack. 

The 31-year-old conceded on three occasions in the last four games and is two saves away from hitting the century mark. 

16. Ola Kamara, F, D.C. United

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Aug 31, 2019; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; D.C. United forward Ola Kamara (14) reacts with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Impact during the first half at Stade Saputo. (Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports)

No matter what team he’s playing for, all Ola Kamara has ever done in MLS is score goals. 

Since his return to the league from China, the Norwegian forward has scored three times for D.C. United in four matches. 

The 29-year-old’s brace in Saturday’s 3-0 win in Montreal moved him over 50 goals in his MLS career. 

15. Chris Wondolowski, F, San Jose Earthquakes

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Aug 31, 2019; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Jackson Yueill (14) celebrates with forward Chris Wondolowski (8) after scoring a goal against the Orlando City FC during the first half at Avaya Stadium. (Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports)

Speaking of MLS strikers who do nothing but hit the back of the net, Chris Wondolowski deposited two shots into the goal Saturday. 

The league’s all-time leading scorer is now up to 13 tallies for the season after bagging four in his last three starts. 

It is Wondolowski’s sixth-best single-season total during his streak of 10 straight double-digit scoring campaigns. 

14. Carles Gil, M, New England Revolution

Previous Ranking: 6 

Aug 24, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Revolution forward Carles Gil (22) passes the ball against the Chicago Fire at Gillette Stadium. (Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)

For just the second time since the start of July, Carles Gil failed to provide a goal or assist for the New England Revolution. 

The 26-year-old Spaniard was still active in the final third by making four key passes and putting a single shot on goal.

But the lack of a goal or assist and the production of others moving up the list dropped Gil out of the top 10 for the first time since Week 19. 

13. Miles Robinson, D, Atlanta United

Previous Ranking: 8

Aug 27, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Minnesota United midfielder Jan Gregus (8) and Atlanta United defender Miles Robinson (12) contest a corner kick during he first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

Miles Robinson and the Atlanta United defense gave up three goals for the first time since July 26 in their defeat to Philadelphia. 

The Five Stripes appeared to hit a wall in the second half due to the combination of tired legs and the Union controlling the contest for the final 30 minutes. 

When the international break ends, Robinson and Co. have a tough stretch of five games that includes back-to-back midweek contests .

12. Kai Wagner, D, Philadelphia Union

Previous Ranking: 15

Aug 31, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Union defender Kai Wagner (27) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Atlanta United at Talen Energy Stadium. (Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

Kai Wagner extended his advantage as the top assisting defender in MLS with his eighth handout in the Union’s come-from-behind win over Atlanta. 

The 22-year-old left back also came up big on the defensive end with five clearances, five tackles and a blocked shot. 

11. Mason Toye, F, Minnesota United

Previous Ranking: Not Ranked

Sep 1, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Minnesota United FC forward Mason Toye (23) reacts while chasing down the ball during the second half against Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium. (Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports)

Toye was the unexpected star of Week 26. 

The New Jersey native bagged a brace on the road for Minnesota United to hand LAFC a rare defeat. 

The 20-year-old has six goals in 492 minutes for the Loons and is in camp with the United States U-23 squad that is preparing for Olympic qualifying next year. 

10. Raul Ruidiaz, F, Seattle Sounders

Previous Ranking: 14

Sep 1, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC forward Raul Ruidiaz (9) dribbles against the Los Angeles Galaxy during the first half at CenturyLink Field. (Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)

Raul Ruidiaz’s scoring streak is up to three games after he netted one of four Seattle goals in Sunday’s win over the LA Galaxy. 

In his last three contests, the Peruvian forward has three goals and two assists for a Sounders side that has gotten back on track with seven points in that span. 

The Sounders are currently second in the Western Conference with 46 points, but the margins will be thin for the rest of the season with six points separating second and eighth.

9. Ike Opara, D, Minnesota United

Previous Ranking: 18 

Jul 20, 2019; Sandy, UT, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Sebastian Saucedo (23) and Minnesota United defender Ike Opara (3) battle for the ball in the second half at Rio Tinto Stadium. (Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports)

Ike Opara’s Defensive Player of the Year resume got a bit stronger in Week 26 thanks to his performance versus LAFC.

The 30-year-old made 10 clearances against the high-powered LAFC attack that sent eight shots at Mannone. 

If he wins the league’s top defensive honor, Opara will have earned it. Adrian Heath’s side has to face Houston, Real Salt Lake, Portland, Sporting KC, LAFC and Seattle to finish the regular season. 

8. Kacper Przybylko, F, Philadelphia Union

Previous Ranking: 11

Aug 31, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Union forward Kacper Przybylko (23) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half against the Atlanta United at Talen Energy Stadium. (Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

Kacper Przybylko continues to be one of the streakiest scorers across MLS. 

The 26-year-old struck twine for the fourth time in the last five games to help put Philadelphia back on top of the Eastern Conference. 

In addition to his current run, Przybylko has scoring runs of three and four matches.

7. Zdenek Ondrasek, F, FC Dallas

Previous Ranking: 10 

Aug 31, 2019; Frisco, TX, USA; FC Dallas forward Zdenek Ondrasek (13) runs on the field during the second half against the FC Cincinnati at Toyota Stadium. (Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports)

Zdenek Ondrasek’s unreal run in front of net extended into Week 26.

The Czech forward scored for the fourth time in three matches in FC Dallas’ victory over FC Cincinnati. 

During his recent run of form, the 30-year-old has been one of the most active attackers in MLS by placing nine shots on target. 

6. Maxi Moralez, M, New York City FC

Previous Ranking: 7

Aug 31, 2019; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; New York City FC midfielder Maximiliano Moralez (10) battles for the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Inbeom Hwang (4) during the first half at BC Place. (Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports)

Maxi Moralez was not credited with an assist in Week 26, but he delivered one of the passes of the week to Gary Mackay-Steven in New York City FC’s road win at Vancouver. 

The 32-year-old holds a three-assist advantage over Vela and Diego Valeri for the honor of MLS’ top passer. 

Moralez has ample opportunities to keep that title with NYCFC playing six September matches. 

5. Carlos Vela, F, Los Angeles FC

Previous Ranking: 2

LAFC forward Carlos Vela (10) scores a goal against LA Galaxy in the first half at Banc of California Stadium. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Vela takes a back seat to other top scorers in MLS this week because he did not step on the field for LAFC. 

The Mexican forward picked up a knock in El Trafico and was held out to rest ahead of the September 14 visit to Philadelphia. 

LAFC is 1-1 without the Golden Boot leader in the lineup in 2019.

4. Gustavo Bou, F, New England Revolution

Previous Ranking: 5

Aug 31, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Revolution forward Gustavo Bou (7) reacts after scoring against the Toronto FC during the second half at Gillette Stadium. (Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)

Gustavo Bou rescued a point for the New England Revolution Saturday night.

The Argentinian scored for the fourth straight game to force a 1-1 draw at home with Toronto FC.

The tie kept the Revs one point ahead of Toronto FC in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and moved them two in front of Montreal. 

3. Heber, F, New York City FC

Previous Ranking: 4

Aug 24, 2019; New York, NY, USA; New York City FC forward Heber (9) controls the ball against the New York Red Bulls during the second half at Yankee Stadium. (Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports)

Heber racked up his 14th tally of his initial MLS campaign in Vancouver. 

The goal occurred on the Brazilian’s lone strike of the contest in which he only played 21 minutes. 

The status of the 28-year-old is worth watching since NYCFC has a high volume of matches in the penultimate month of the regular season. 

2. Josef Martinez, F, Atlanta United

Previous Ranking: 3

Aug 31, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) and Philadelphia Union defender Jack Elliott (3) give chase for the ball during the first half at Talen Energy Stadium. (Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

Josef Martinez scored in his 13th straight league game Saturday.

The Venezuelan finished off a beautiful combination move with Darlington Nagbe for the Five Stripes’ lone goal at Talen Energy Stadium.

The last time Martinez failed to score in an MLS contest was May 19.

1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, F, LA Galaxy

Previous Ranking: 1

Sep 1, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) reacts after surrendering a goal to Los Angeles Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (9) during the second half at CenturyLink Field. (Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)

 Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted his seventh goal in four games during the seven-goal shootout at CenturyLink Field. 

The strike kept the Swede level with Martinez for second place in the Golden Boot race, four behind Vela. 

Ibrahimovic could end up with 30 goals since the Galaxy have a favorable finish to the season that begins with Colorado September 11. 

The post MLS Player Rankings Week 26: Mason Toye leads long list of newcomers appeared first on Pro Soccer USA.