The Pitch: MLS Stars Back in Action Following International Break

Following the FIFA international window that saw 78 MLS players called-up to global stage, MLS returns with a full slate of 16 matches this week featuring all 28 teams in action. As league play approaches the midway point, the following clubs and players are headlining the standings and statistical categories.

With nine MLS goals apiece, FC Dallas forward Jesús Ferreira and San Jose Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse are tied atop the Golden Boot presented by Audi leaderboard, powering two of the league’s most potent offensive attacks. Last Friday in the U.S. Men’s National Team’s victory over Grenada, Ferreira became just the fifth player in USMNT history to score four goals in a single match – and the first to do so since Landon Donovan in 2003. If his strong form continues, he could not only find himself at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but he could also follow in his father David’s footsteps as Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player.

Four players – San Jose’s Cristian Espinoza, Austin FC’s Diego Fagúndez, New England’s Carles Gil, and New York City FC’s Santiago Rodríguez – are tied among the league’s assist leaders with seven helpers each. Rodríguez has played a key role in leading the defending MLS Cup champions NYCFC on an eight-game unbeaten run and back into the driver’s seat atop the Eastern Conference standings (26 points, 8-3-2). The defending champs lead MLS with a plus-15 goal differential and are tied with Philadelphia Union for the fewest goals allowed this season (10), a figure aided by six consecutive shutouts. Goalkeeper Sean Johnson paces the league with eight clean sheets, two more than the next closest contender.

In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Football Club (29 points, 9-3-2) sits atop the Supporters’ Shield standings on the strength of the league’s top offense. LAFC leads MLS with 29 goals scored by a league-high 13 different players, including Carlos Vela’s team-high six scores.

With 24 clubs in or within three points of a spot in the postseason and the stars firing on all cylinders, Week 15 promises to continue delivering exciting performances around the league.

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