There may be only six matches this weekend in Major League Soccer, but there’s no shortage of big games, headlined by Nashville SC, second in the Eastern Conference hosting Western Conference leaders St. Louis CITY SC. Here’s our preview of all six matches:
New York City FC-Columbus Crew
In-form Lucas Zelarayán and the Crew head to New York for an early kickoff at Yankee Stadium. The Armenian international scored an incredible last-minute winner last weekend and will make the hosts’ hopes of ending an eight match winless run difficult.
D.C. United-Real Salt Lake
Both of these sides will hope to solidify their playoff hopes; United are in the first play-in spot, while the visitors are level on points with eighth-place Portland. Christian Benteke has been the danger man for the hosts, with eight goals so far, while RSL will miss Jefferson Savarino, who is on international duty with Venezuela.
New England Revolution-Orlando City
The Revs ended a poor run of form last weekend with a win over Miami and will hope to make it two in a row against another Florida side. Orlando are in form as well, having won each of their last two matches, and could move to within a point of the hosts with a win.
Sporting Kansas City-Los Angeles Football Club
SKC are resurgent after a middling start to the season – they’ve won three of four to move into ninth place. LAFC, meanwhile, have suffered a bit of a downturn – they’ve not won in almost a month in the league, and will be looking to get back into form after a frustrating loss in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.
Nashville SC-St. Louis CITY SC
The marquee match of the day sees Nashville host Western Conference leaders St. Louis – they’ve conceded just five goals at home this season and have the league’s best defense. St. Louis are well-equipped to test the hosts, though; only Columbus and Atlanta have scored more goals this season.
San Jose Earthquakes-Portland Timbers
The Quakes have one of the best defenses in the league and will be eager to keep their four-match unbeaten run going at home. The Timbers haven’t been one of the league’s stronger away sides this season, though, making a home win likely.
