Timber! Four MLS Records Could Fall This Year

There are seven games left in the regular season for most teams and we here at STO have identified four MLS records that may fall before the season’s final whistle. As usual, the chase to break these MLS records hasn’t received much publicity, but here at STO we have our eyes firmly set on these marks so no true fans of the league will miss a moment of league history in the making.

• All-Time Saves

Kevin Hartman of the Kansas City Wizards is almost certain to eclipse Tony Meola’s all-time record of 1136 saves. The only question is whether he does it this year or next. Hartman needs just 22 more saves to break the mark, so he would need to average only a little more than three saves a game down the stretch to become the all-time save leader. With KCW struggling as of late, Hartman could see a ton of work in the last few games, so I would put the odds of the record falling this year at 2:1.

• All-Time Hat Tricks

In eight MLS seasons L.A. Galaxy forward Edson Buddle has had four hat tricks, including two this year. If he can notch one more three goal game, he will tie Stern John and Diego Serna for most hat tricks in league history and if he can drum up two more, he will be the outright all-time leader. Barring a transfer abroad, Buddle will likely end up owning the record, but his chances of sitting atop the list at the end of this year are slim. I’d put the odds of this record falling at 99:1.

• Single Season Assists

Guillermo Barros Schelotto has looked really good this season. It’s hard to imagine someone having more than the 18 assists he’s notched for the Columbus Crew this year. But, back in 2000, my all-time favorite MLS player, Carlos Valderrama of the now defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny, had an astonishing 26 assists. To eclipse that mark, Schelotto would need to average a little more than an assist a game the rest of the way. While he has been on a tear lately, CMB just announced Schelotto is injured and will miss at least this week’s match. Due to the injury, I doubt Schelotto will topple Valderrama’s record. I’d put the odds he can do it at 99:1.

• Single Season Goals Against Average

Just last season, Pat Onstad posted a seemingly unbeatable 0.82 goals against per game average. The Dynamo’s defense was so dominant and Onstad was so solid in goal it seemed improbable his GAA record would ever fall. Well, only one season later, Jon Busch of the Chicago Fire is currently in position to break Onstad’s record. Busch is currently perched at 0.78 goals against per game and needs to avoid multi-goal games in his last seven appearances to take the single season title. I’m betting he gets it done so I’m putting the odds at even money.