Around MLS & USL: Freese clean sheet, ElMedkhar winner & more

CJ dos Santos (Philadelphia, Pa.) recorded his 9th clean sheet of the season for San Diego FC in a scoreless draw with Portland Timbers. David Vazquez subbed into the game in the 42nd minute for the injured Corey Baird. San Diego is one point behind the Philadelphia Union in the Supporters’ Shield standings.

Paxten Aaronson (Medford, N.J.) made his Colorado Rapids debut off the bench in the 59th minute in a 3-0 loss to LA Galaxy. Zach Steffen (Downingtown, Pa.) made a pair of saves in the loss.

Jack McGlynn had an assist and a yellow card in 90 minutes for Houston Dynamo in their 2-1 loss to San Jose. It was his sixth assist of the season to go with five goals.

Brandan Craig (Philadelphia, Pa.) came off the bench in the 63rd minute for CF Montreal in their 3-2 win over Austin FC.

Matt Freese (Wayne, Pa.) made five saves and recorded his seventh clean sheet of the season in NYCFC’s 1-0 win at FC Cincinnati.

USL Championship

Kalil ElMedkhar (Middletown, Del.) scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win for FC Tulsa that extended their unbeaten streak to 14 games. The goal was his fourth of the season in 18 appearances.

Goldthorp 👉 ElMedkhar

Kalil ElMedkhar gives @FCTulsa a first-half lead! pic.twitter.com/C3SwrRRRgy

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) August 24, 2025

Zach Zandi (West Chester, Pa.) scored a goal in Colorado Springs Switchbacks’ 4-1 loss to Phoenix Rising. The goal was the first of the season for Zandi. Matthew Real (Drexel Hill, Pa.) came off the bench in the match and Anthony Fontana (Newark, Del.) is injured and did not dress.

Front-post finish 🎯@zachzandi gets @SwitchbacksFC back in it! pic.twitter.com/6budNrP2ok

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) August 24, 2025

Josh Jones (Hatfield, Pa.) started in a back three with Aiden McFadden (West Chester, Pa.) ahead of him as a right wing back in Louisville City’s scoreless draw with New Mexico United. McFadden made the USLC team of the week the previous week after scoring for Louisville City in their win. Kris Shakes recorded the clean sheet for New Mexico United.

MD Myers (Delran, N.J.) came off the bench and scored in a 4-1 win for Charleston Battery over Loudoun United. The goal was the 10th of the season for Myers and 14th in all competitions. Drew Skundrich (Lancaster, Pa.) came off the bench for Loudoun United.

Philadelphia Union loanee CJ Olney did not feature in Lexington SC’s 2-1 win over Oakland Roots but Cory Burke scored the 82nd minute equalizer and Danny Barbir (Allentown, Pa.) came off the bench to help seal the win.

Philadelphia Union loanee Oliver Semmle made his North Carolina FC debut on Saturday night in the starting lineup against Las Vegas Lights. Semmle made a pair of saves in the 2-1 win for North Carolina.

Philadelphia Union Academy grad Jahmali Waite recorded his third clean sheet of the season for El Paso Locomotive in their 1-0 win over Sacramento Republic.

Dawson McCartney (Voorhees, N.J.) didn’t start but came off the bench for Birminghan Legion in their 1-1 draw with Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

USL League One

Kemali Green (Philadelphia, Pa.) started for Portland Hearts of Pine in their 3-2 win over Westchester SC.

Ryan Becher (Hummelstown, Pa.) scored twice in Union Omaha’s 4-1 win over Charlotte Independence last Wednesday. Becher, on-loan from St. Louis City 2, leads the team with 6 goals. Former Philadelphia Union defender Anton Sorenson came off the bench for Charlotte in the match.