MLS XG etc.

By Anonymous (not verified), August 21, 2025

For Immediate Release
MLS Communications

Expected Goals: Upcoming Milestones for Matchday 30

Cincinnati Goes for Record Three-Year Run

After struggling out of the expansion club gates, FC Cincinnati has turned it around under head coach Pat Noonan and general manager Chris Albright. With their win against Portland on Matchday 29, the Orange and Blue moved level on points with San Diego FC (52) atop the Supporters’ Shield standings as they look to capture the trophy for the second time in three years.

Cincinnati’s three-year run beginning in 2023 has been one of the most dominant in MLS’s post-shootout era (2000-present). Over the three years, the club has won 54 games, which is tied with LAFC (2022-24) and Atlanta United (2017-19) for the most in a three-season span in league annals. Returning home to TQL Stadium on Matchday 30, Cincinnati can become the first MLS team with 55 wins across three seasons when they host New York City FC on Saturday night (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV).

The most regular-season wins in a three-season span in MLS history (excluding the shootout era):

Can Martín Ojeda Join the Illustrious 15-15 Club?

Orlando City SC’s Martín Ojeda is in the midst of one of the most historic goal contribution runs in league history and has even more accolades in his sights. With an assist against Sporting Kansas City last Saturday, the Argentine midfielder tied Sebastian Giovinco (12 games in 2018) for the second-longest goal contribution streak of all time, just three shy of Josef Martínez’s record from 2019.

For Ojeda, the number 15 is not just Martinez’s MLS-record streak he is trying to reach, but also the number of goals and assists that could further cement a sensational season. The Landon Donovan MLS MVP candidate sits on 14 goals and 14 assists in 2025 and can become the eighth player in league history to hit the illustrious 15-goal, 15-assist tally in a single season. Ojeda’s MVP candidacy is a strong one and of the previous seven players to reach the 15-15 milestone, four won MVP that season, including Giovinco in 2015.

Next up for Ojeda in his chase for history is a trip to Nashville on Saturday night (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) in a battle of top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Players with at least 15 goals and 15 assists in a single regular season in MLS history:

Sounders to Hit 10 Million Fans This Sunday

Since joining the league in 2009, Seattle Sounders FC’s homefield advantage has been among the most impactful in MLS, leading to the club’s successful run of MLS Cups, a Supporters’ Shield, and a signature Concacaf Champions Cup title. These record crowds have flocked to Lumen Field and the Rave Green have led MLS in average attendance in eight different seasons.

On Sunday against Sporting Kansas City (9:15 ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / Apple TV+ / FS1 / FOX Deportes), Sounders fans will make even more history as they become the second club in league history to reach 10 million fans in attendance at regular-season MLS matches. Only the LA Galaxy have achieved this feat, but Seattle will do so in approximately175 fewer matches, reaching the milestone in their 274th regular-season home game. The Sounders will hope it’s a celebratory affair with a victory as they continue to try and solidify a top-four position in the Western Conference.

The highest total regular-season home attendances in MLS history:

Expansion Club History on the Horizon for San Diego

With less than two months to go in the regular season, the surprise atop the Supporters’ Shield standings is first-year expansion side San Diego FC. Winners of six-straight road games and riding the form of Landon Donovan MLS MVP candidate Anders Dreyer, San Diego is looking to become the first MLS club to win the Shield in their inaugural expansion season.

More expansion club history is on the horizon with a win on Matchday 30 as San Diego progresses toward eclipsing LAFC’s expansion-season points record of 57 set in 2018. A Saturday night victory against the Portland Timbers (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) would pull San Diego level with Atlanta United (55) for the fourth-most points by a debuting club and tie St. Louis CITY SC (17) for the most wins by an expansion club in league history (excluding the shootout era).

The most points by an expansion club in their debut season in MLS history:

Home Defenses Beware, Fire Bring the Goals

Chicago Fire FC enter Matchday 30 in the final Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs position in the Eastern Conference thanks to a five-game unbeaten streak as they look to return to the postseason for the first time since 2017. In Gregg Berhalter’s first season in charge, Chicago has seen their attack come to life with two double-digit goal scorers – Hugo Cuypers (15) and Philip Zinckernagel (11) – alongside Designated Player Jonathan Bamba (four goals, eight assists).

That attack has been especially strong on the road as the Fire lead MLS with 33 goals on the road in just 13 away games. In MLS history, only four clubs have scored 35-or-more goals away from home in a single season and only one club has hit at least 40 – the LA Galaxy in 1998 (46). Chicago will look to continue their high-flying road attack this Saturday when they travel to face the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / Apple TV+).

The most goals scored on the road in a single season in MLS history: