Philadelphia Union vs. Columbus Crew, 3:30 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)
- Union return to action after a week off, their last match a scoreless draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at PPL Park that ended a three-game losing streak to start the season.
- Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath was credited with his first shutout in the game vs. Vancouver. He had three shutouts in seven starts in his rookie season last year.
- After seeing his streak of six consecutive seasons with a goal come to an end last year, Crew center back Chad Marshall got his goal for 2012 early, in the 4-1 loss Saturday to New York. Marshall has scored in seven of his nine MLS seasons, missing out also in his rookie year of 2004.
- Union won 1-0 last Sept. 17 at PPL Park, putting an end to a Crew three-game winning streak in the series that began with the first-ever meeting between the clubs.
New England Revolution vs. D.C. United, 4 p.m.
- The Revolution saw their first winning streak since October 2010 put to an end when FC Dallas scored a stoppage-time game-winner for a 1-0 win last Thursday. The Revolution haven’t won three games in a row since the 2009 season.
- While D.C. United were shut out for a third time this season, they have taken points from two of those games – the scoreless draw with Seattle Sounders FC was their second of the year.
- United goalkeeper Joe Willis, who took over in net after Bill Hamid joined the U.S. U-23 national team after the opening match of the season, has two shutouts in four starts this season, and three shutouts in seven starts for his MLS career.
- The Revolution currently own a five-game winning streak against their Eastern Conference rivals in league play. United haven’t defeated New England since a 2-1 win Oct. 16, 2008 at RFK Stadium; the Revs also won a U.S. Open Cup play-in match last year.
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Colorado Rapids, 4 p.m.
- A year ago, the Rapids won as many games at home – six – as on the road. This season, both of their wins have come at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, while their two losses (along with one victory) have come away from Commerce City.
- Seattle’s Fredy Montero has four goals and five assists in six games vs. Colorado, his highest output against a single club in his MLS career.
- Sounders FC are playing at home for the fourth time in five games already this season. They won two of their first three before heading to D.C. United last weekend.
- Sounders FC have won the last three meetings between the clubs. Colorado’s only victory in six all-time league meetings came May 29, 2010 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Toronto FC vs. Chivas USA, 4:30 p.m.
- Both of Chivas USA’s wins this season have come on the road, after the 2-1 win at Portland on Saturday. Chivas have lost all three of their games at The Home Depot Center.
- Ryan Smith recorded his second career two-assist game in Chivas USA’s win Saturday. Smith had two assists for Kansas City vs. Philadelphia in his first MLS season, on June 10, 2010.
- The only meeting of the teams this year will be in Toronto. Good thing: Chivas USA has won all five meetings in the series at The Home Depot Center (TFC’s lone two wins in 10 all-time meetings have come at BMO Field).
- At 0-4-0, Toronto FC have equaled the worst start to a season in club history, matching four losses in their first four games ever. TFC won game five in the club’s history, defeating the Chicago Fire 3-1 on May 12, 2007.
New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 7 p.m.
- The game features three of the hottest goal scorers in MLS. Thierry Henry of the Red Bulls leads the league with seven goals through five games, one ahead of San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski who is tied with New York’s Kenny Cooper at six goals a piece
- Henry’s seven goals after five games are tied for second-most in MLS history; only Landon Donovan’s eight goals after five games in 2008 is more (Edson Buddle had seven in 2010). Henry’s seven goals in three games is also one shy of the MLS record, set Sept. 2-9, 2000 when Diego Serna scored eight goals in three games for the Miami Fusion.
- Since last Aug. 27, Wondolowski has scored 14 goals in 14 games. No winner of the MLS Golden Boot has even averaged a goal per game over the course of the entire season.
- The Red Bulls have scored 13 goals in their last three games, tied for fourth-most in a three-game span in league history. The LA Galaxy scored 15 goals over three games from June 4-18, 1998. The Red Bulls became the first team ever to win three consecutive games by three goals or more.
- The Red Bulls have a four-game home winning streak vs. San Jose alive, including both meetings all-time at Red Bull Arena. The Quakes last won in New Jersey on May 7, 2005, a 2-1 win at Giants Stadium.
FC Dallas vs. Montreal Impact, 8:30 p.m.
- The Impact are coming off an historic 2-1 victory Saturday, their first win in MLS history coming against a long-time rival in Toronto FC.
- Andrew Wenger, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, made his fifth appearance as a substitute this season and scored the eventual game-winning goal, giving Montréal a 2-0 lead in the 81st minute.
- Ugo Ihemelu’s goal five minutes into second-half stoppage time to give FC Dallas a 1-0 win vs. New England on Thursday was the second-latest goal scored in FCD club history. On May 25, 2002, Chad Deering scored nine minutes added time to give Dallas a dramatic 1-1 draw with Columbus.
- In the first 4-1/2 years of his MLS career, with LA and Colorado, Ihemelu scored one goal in 118 appearances. He now has five goals in 63 appearances since joining FC Dallas midway through the 2009 season.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Real Salt Lake, 8:30 p.m.
- Sporting became just the third team in MLS history to start a season 5-0-0. The Los Angeles Galaxy did it in both 1996 and 1998, reaching MLS Cup on both occasions.
- Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen backstopped his fourth shutout in five games. SKC has allowed just one goal for the season, now the best defensive record in the league.
- Fabian Espindola scored his third goal of the season in RSL’s 2-0 win Saturday vs. Colorado. It was his 29th goal for Real Salt Lake, tying him with Robbie Findley for the all-time club lead.
- Both teams held serve in 2011, each winning on their own home field, including a 2-0 Sporting win on Aug. 3 in their first encounter at Livestrong Sporting Park.
LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers, 10:30 p.m.
- The LA Galaxy, with three points through four games, have equaled their second-fewest points after four games in club history. Only the 1999 team, which started 2-2 (both shootout wins, for two points), had fewer. The Galaxy played in the 1999 MLS Cup.
- The Galaxy have lost back-to-back games, something they haven’t done since Aug. 21-28, 2010. They have not lost three consecutive games since Bruce Arena took over as head coach in August 2008.
- The Timbers have matched their MLS club record with three consecutive losses. Their 2-1 loss to Chivas USA came after they scored the first goal of the game for the first time this season.
- The teams split their two games in Portland’s inaugural season, the Galaxy winning 3-0 on April 23, and the Timbers returning the favor with a 3-0 win Aug. 3 at Jeld-Wen Field.