XG etc. in MLS

By Anonymous (not verified), July 3, 2025

For Immediate Release
MLS Communications

Expected Goals: Upcoming Milestones for Matchday 22

Surging Surridge Starring for Nashville

The leader in the race for the Golden Boot presented by Audi resides in Nashville, as forward Sam Surridge paces Major League Soccer with 16 goals this season, three more than the next-closest player (Tai Baribo, 13). The 26-year-old Englishman has scored in a club-record six consecutive games, totaling 10 goals over the stretch while helping Nashville extend its unbeaten run to 11 matches.

With a goal against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Surridge would become only the 10th player in MLS history to score at least 11 goals over a seven-game span in a single season. Only two different players – Josef Martínez (twice in 2018) and Robbie Keane (2015) – have scored 12 goals over a seven-game span and Martínez took home Golden Boot honors that season.

The players with the most goals in a single-season seven-game span in MLS history:

Takaoka Cleaning Up for Vancouver

A first-time MLS All-Star selection, goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka has been a force in net for Vancouver Whitecaps FC this season and leads the league with nine clean sheets in just 19 games this season. The nine clean sheets are already a career-best for Takaoka, who eclipsed his previous high of eight with a shutout at LAFC last week.

With a shutout at the LA Galaxy on July 4 (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / Apple TV+), Takaoka would tie for the fourth-fastest ‘keeper in MLS history to reach 10 shutouts in a single season, doing so in his 20th game. Only three goalkeepers have accomplished the feat in fewer games in a single season – Tony Meola (14 games in 2000), Brad Guzan (19 games in 2007), and Donovan Ricketts (19 games in 2010) – and all three of those players won MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in their respective seasons, with Meola also taking home MLS MVP and MLS Cup MVP honors in 2000.

The fastest goalkeepers to 10 shutouts in a single season:

San Diego Raising Expectations for Expansion Clubs

Winners of four consecutive matches, San Diego FC (39 points, 12-5-3) have taken over the pole position in the Western Conference standings and are one of only three teams in MLS with 12 wins this season, joining the Supporters’ Shield-leading Philadelphia Union (40 points, 12-4-4) and FC Cincinnati (39 points, 12-5-3). With 14 games remaining on its regular season schedule, San Diego has the opportunity to make expansion history by eclipsing St. Louis CITY SC’s record of 17 wins by an expansion club set in 2023.

With a win against Houston Dynamo FC on Saturday (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), San Diego would become the fifth expansion team in MLS history to record a winning streak of at least five matches in its debut season. The 1998 Chicago Fire won 11 consecutive matches from May 16 to July 4, 1998, while the 2012 Montréal Impact, 2015 Orlando City SC, and 2023 St. Louis CITY SC squads each won five consecutive matches in their respective debut seasons.

The longest winning streaks by an expansion club in its debut season:

Revolution Rollin’ on the Road

The New England Revolution are fighting its way back into the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs race and have done so on the back of strong performances on the road in 2025. New England is unbeaten across its last seven road matches dating back to April 12, a streak that includes four wins and three draws.

With a result against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Saturday night (10:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), the Revolution would tie for the third-longest single-season road unbeaten streak in the last decade at eight matches, last accomplished by the 2024 Philadelphia Union and 2024 Inter Miami CF. Only two clubs have recorded single-season road unbeaten streaks of at least nine matches in the last decade – 2024 Real Salt Lake (10 matches from Feb. 24 to June 19) and 2022 Columbus Crew (May 28 to Sept. 9).

The longest single-season road unbeaten streaks since 2016:

García Helping His Way to SKC History

Making his case for MLS Newcomer of the Year, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Manu García is making his impact on the club’s offense with a team-leading nine assists through 20 matches this season – the third-most in the league entering Matchday 22. Garcia has tallied at least one assist in each of his last four games, recording five in total over the span.

With a helper against the Colorado Rapids on Friday (9:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / Apple TV+), Garcia would become the third player in Sporting Kansas City history to record at least 10 assists in their first season with the club, joining Preki (13 assists in 1996) and Johnny Russell (10 in 2018). Preki earned Best XI honors for his play in the league’s inaugural season in 1996.

The Sporting Kansas City players with at least 10 assists in their first season with the club: