10/31 - Matchday 33

Player of the Matchday

Marco Reus

Marco Reus is playing as well as he ever has for LA Galaxy as they look to stamp their place in the 2026 MLS Playoffs. Against Austin, Reus was pulling all the strings, registering 3 assists en route to a 4-1 victory that lifts the Gs to 7th in the West. Surrounded with talent in Vanney's 4-2-3-1, Reus is showing his high soccer IQ and playmaking abilities, getting his teammates in dangerous positions in front of goal. The Galaxy have scored multiple goals in 7 straight matches, and Reus is a reason why the offense is clicking into gear at the perfect time.

Photo via Houston Chronicle

Young Player of the Matchday

Owen Gene

Owen Gene was the personification of control in Minnesota's season-saving victory at LAFC in which the Loons were at full value for their 3 points. The Frenchman was a major part of this complete performance, all over the field for the Black & Blue. Gene completed 93% of his passes in possession, calm as ever in the middle of the park. His composure allows Minnesota to get out of tight spots and their stars, like Joaquín Pereyra, to take over the game. Gene was even better on the defensive side of the ball, constantly in the right position or sliding over to create a numbers up situation against LAFC's potent attackers. Gene won the ball back and retained possession all match for MNUFC.

Photo via Pioneer Press

Goal of the Matchday

Sergio Vásquez

In a match where LAFC couldn't get out of third gear, it took a moment of supreme quality to get on the scoresheet. That moment came not from one of their big stars, but from recent U22 Initiative signing Sergio Vásquez. After a blocked cross bounced in the box, it fell into the vicinity of Vásquez. The Ecuadorian midfielder produced a moment of magic, attempting a bicycle kick from nearly 18 yards out. It was perfectly placed, bouncing off the post and into the net for a fantastic first goal in Major League Soccer.

Assist of the Matchday

Jamar Ricketts

Jamar Ricketts delivered the final pass in a nice team goal from San Jose, where the 'Quakes combined quickly at the end of a lightning quick, ruthless counter attack. Tskakiris picked up the ball at halfway, drove 30 yars to the box, and scooped it to Judd, who showed his ingenuity to send the ball into Ricketts' path via a shouldered pass. Ricketts used his pace to get on the end of Judd's ball and calmly squared it to Kikanovic, who finished off the beautiful, one touch sequence in what would end up being the game winner in a huge victory for San Jose.

Statistic of the Matchday

-0.88 G-xG

New York Red Bulls had a goals minus expected goals of -0.88 in their loss against Nashville which eliminated them from playoff contention. This figure means Red Bulls underperformed their xG; in other words, their efficiency in the final third was poor. Again. It's the 12th straight match Red Bulls have had a negative G-xG, a streak no one else in the league is even remotely close to. In that span, the Red Bulls' cumulative G-xG is -9.89, about -0.82 G-xG per 90. Finishing has been a massive issue for Red Bulls down the stretch, and averaging scoring just under a goal less than they should each match is the biggest reason they will not be in the postseason.

Team of the Matchday

LW: Kristoffer Velde

CF: Joaquín Pereyra

RW: Miguel Almirón

CM: Marco Reus

CM: Owen Gene

CM: Ashley Westwood

LB: Jamar Ricketts

LCB: Sean Zawadzki

RCB: Mathías Laborda

RB: Jonathan Dean

GK: Roman Celentano

Team of the Matchday photos via MLSSoccer.com

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