MLS at 30: Arena Part of History from Opposite Touchline
Thirty seasons after they took the field for the first-ever MLS game, the San Jose Earthquakes under sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena will welcome D.C. United to PayPal Park in a rematch of the league’s inaugural game on April 6, 1996. Arena was manning the touchline for D.C. United in the inaugural match, which was ultimately won by the San Jose Clash, 1-0, behind a goal from Eric Wynalda.
The all-time winningest coach in MLS history, Arena’s coaching career in the league will officially span 30 seasons on Sunday from his first game with D.C. United to his 2025 stint with the Earthquakes. Only one other head coach’s MLS career has spanned more than 20 years, with Bob Bradley – another former United States Men’s National Team head coach – ranking second at 25 years (1998-2023).
The most years between a head coach’s first game and most recent game in MLS history:
Messi Making History in Miami
After scoring just two minutes after coming on in Inter Miami CF’s 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union on Matchday 6, Lionel Messi once again etched his name into the club’s record book with his 43rd goal contribution in the pink and black. Messi’s 43 goal contributions (23 goals, 20 assists), which have come in just 28 regular season games with the club, tied Gonzalo HiguaĂn (43) for the most contributions in club history – reaching the mark in 39 fewer games with the club.
With a goal or assist against Toronto FC on Sunday (7 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / Apple TV+), Messi would break the tie and become the all-time leading goal contributor in Inter Miami history. The Argentine World Cup winner is already the club’s all-time leader in assists (20) and needs only seven goals to pass HiguaĂn (29 goals) as the leading scorer in club history.
The most goal contributions by a player in Inter Miami CF history:
Charlotte FC Building Fortress in Queen City
One of the most impactful home environments in Major League Soccer, Bank of America Stadium has turned into a fortress for Charlotte FC in 2025 with the club winning each of their first three matches on home soil. Saturday afternoon’s match against Nashville SC (2:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) will feature the opportunity for Charlotte to reach a significant milestone in front of their supporters.
With a win against Nashville, Charlotte FC (98 points, 28-12-14) would become the fifth fastest team in MLS history to reach 100 points at home, excluding the shootout era and MLS is Back matches in Orlando in 2020. The club would reach the milestone in its 55th home match, which would rank behind only Atlanta United (46 games), the Los Angeles Football Club (46 games), Houston Dynamo FC (51 games), and Seattle Sounders FC (53 games). Three of the four clubs – Atlanta, LAFC, and Houston – won an MLS Cup presented by Audi title within their first five seasons of play.
The clubs to reach 100 points at home in the fewest games in MLS history (excl. shootout era and MLS is Back matches in Orlando in 2020):
Gil Entering Legendary Realm for Revolution
New England Revolution midfielder Carles Gil opened his 2025 account in style on Matchday 6, scoring both goal in the club’s 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls. With his brace, Gil (41 goals) became the eighth player in Revolution history to score at least 40 goals with the club and continues to be one of the most outstanding offensive contributors in Revolution history.
With a goal contribution against FC Cincinnati on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV), Gil would tie Steve Ralston (115) for the second-most goal contributions in club history. Only fellow former Landon Donovan MLS MVP and current MLS Season Pass analyst Taylor Twellman (129) has more goal contributions in a Revolution uniform.
The most goal contributions by a player in New England Revolution history:
Evander Dynamite from Distance
FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander added another sensational strike to his goal-scoring résumé on Matchday 6, delivering a perfectly struck free kick from outside the 18-yard box to jumpstart the club’s 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Nashville SC (Watch Here). The Brazilian midfielder has scored from outside of the 18-yard box in each of his last two matches, including another set-piece score against Atlanta United on Matchday 5 (Watch Here).
"He's a threat,” said FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan. “He's a real threat in all of these moments with direct free kicks, with the wide free kicks, corners – all of it is."
Since 2023, Evander leads Major League Soccer with 11 goals from outside the penalty area (18-yard-box), which is three more than the next closest player – former Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada (eight). Rounding out the top five are former Crew striker Cucho Hernández (seven) and Toronto’s Federico Bernardeschi (six), LA Galaxy’s Riqui Puig (six), and Seattle’s Albert Rusnak (six) in a three-way tie for fourth.
The players with the most goals from outside of the penalty area since 2023:
