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A22 SPORTS
Thursday 23 augusT 2018
Rivalry Week turns intensity up a notch in MLS

By ANNE M. PETERSON between FC Dallas and
AP Sports Writer the Houston Dynamo, has
It's rivalry week in Major one of the most unusual
League Soccer, but there's trophies in pro sports, a rep-
one match that would be lica 19th century Mountain
important even if there Howitzer cannon. Dallas is
weren't rivals involved. the top team in the West
On Friday night, Atlanta while Houston has lost five
United will visit Orlando straight league games. The
City, a matchup that has two teams played to a 1-1
grown in intensity in the tie in their first meeting this
two seasons since Atlanta season.
joined the league as an ex- ROCKY MOUNTAIN CUP:
pansion team. The rivalry between Real
All eyes will be on United Salt Lake and the Colo-
striker Josef Martinez, who rado Rapids hasn't been
is on the verge of making much of a competition,
MLS history. with RSL winning the Rocky
Last weekend in a 3-1 United Mountain Cup for the last
victory over the Crew, Mar- nine seasons. RSL won the
tinez scored his 27th goal of first meeting and tied the
the season to tie the record second, but Colorado has
for most in a single season. home field for this one.
He joined Tampa Bay's Roy ATLANTIC CUP: The rivalry
Lassiter (1996), San Jose's between the New York Red
Chris Wondolowski (2012), Bulls and DC United is the
and the Red Bulls' Bradley longest running in league
Wright-Phillips (2014). play, dating to 1996. The
The 25-year-old Venezu- Red Bulls are the defending
elan was asked afterward champions, but United has
about joining the elite a new offensive weapon in
group. Wayne Rooney.
"I mean, I tied it, but what I Rooney was named the
really want is to break it. So league's Player of the Week
once I break it, I'll be even Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez throws the ball to the fans celebrating his goal for a 1-0 lead after scoring two goals in
during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Columbus Crew on Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018,
more happy," he said. in Atlanta. last week's victory at home
Martinez scored in the 31st Associated Press against the Timbers. The
minute, dedicating his goal English star has three goals
to his pregnant aunt, who really is," United defender us, we've had a run of very to a draw in the second. and three assists in his eight
lives with him, by tucking Michael Parkhurst said. "The good games. But I think LAFC, in its first season, has games with the team. Unit-
the ball under his shirt. fact that that record has we're not going to view it won two straight while the ed has gone 5-2-1 over that
"I thought about it, and I stood for as long as it has, like that. We're not going to Galaxy are coming off a span.
had thought about doing and he's crushing it in his get complacent," Seattle humbling 5-0 loss in Seattle. The match is set for Sunday
it before at some point this first full season. Last season, midfielder Harry Shipp said. TEXAS DERBY: This rivalry, at Red Bull Arena.q
season. But I wanted it to he missed months; I don't "I think the confidence is
be a special occasion," he know how many games, there. Also, we're trying to
Martinez is in his second first full year, he's crushing it. off seed as possible. I think MLB's opening day on
but a lot. This season in his fight for as high of a play-
said afterward.
season in MLS. His first It's unbelievable." for us, we've done a pret-
year he scored 19 goals Atlanta sits atop the Eastern ty good job the last two March 28 will be
in 21 matches. His 46 (and Conference at 15-4-6, while months."
back seasons are a league 2. The Union won the first previous two meetings this earliest ever
counting) goals in back-to-
Orlando is in 10th at 7-15-
The Timbers have won the
record. His six career hat two meetings this season. season. Because of the
tricks also top MLS. Among some of the other unbalanced schedule, the NEW YORK (AP) — Major be the second under the
Martinez has scored in eight matches for rivalry week, first meeting (a 1-0 Portland league baseball says all 30 scheduling format agreed
straight games, a game shy which kicks off Wednesday victory) won't count toward teams will play on March to as part of the 2017-2021
of the league record set with a match between the the three-way rivalry with 28, the earliest opening basic agreement. That for-
last season by Portland's Di- Red Bulls and NYCFC: the Vancouver Whitecaps. day in history, excluding in- mat adds an additional
ego Valeri. CASCADIA CUP: The Port- EL TRAFICO: Zlatan Ibra- ternational openers. weekend at the begin-
Friday night's game is the land Timbers, who had a himovic scored in his first The previous earliest open- ning of the season and
first of nine games remain- 15-match unbeaten streak match with the Galaxy ing day was March 29 of gives each team three to
ing, so it's entirely possible going before losing their against LAFC. He now has this year. four additional off days
that Martinez won't just last three games, host Cas- 15 goals to tie for second MLB released the 2019 throughout the season to
break the record, but pad cadia rival Seattle on Sun- in the league going into Fri- schedule Wednesday. It provide added rest and
it. He tied the mark in just 25 day. The Sounders, mean- day night's game between will begin with the Japan opportunities for resched-
games this season, putting while, have a club-record the two teams at StubHub opening series between uling. The Boston Red Sox
his average at over a goal six-game winning streak Center. It will be the third the Seattle Mariners and and New York Yankees
a game. going into the match. meeting this season: The host Oakland Athletics at will play the first-ever MLB
"The track record speaks "We're still fighting for a Galaxy won the first one the Tokyo Dome on March games in Europe, June 29-
for itself. It's incredible. It playoff spot. So, I think for and the two teams played 20-21. The 2019 season will 30 in London.q