MLS is again with one other jam-packed weekend of motion across the league, and there’s a lot to debate earlier than the primary ball is kicked.
Let’s bounce into a few of the greatest speaking factors heading into the weekend.
Fixture of the weekend
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There are many video games of be aware on Saturday, together with a showdown of unbeaten groups in Cleveland, however you may’t assist however deal with LAFC’s journey to the Pacific Northwest to sq. off with the Portland Timbers.
This fixture is the highest-scoring in MLS historical past, so you may wager there will likely be fireworks. However for the primary time in a very long time, it’s the Timbers who doubtlessly come into the sport as slight favorites.
Phil Neville’s facet are winners of three of their final 4 video games in MLS, whereas LAFC have began sluggishly.
With the information that Steve Cherundolo will step down as LAFC boss on the finish of the season, the SoCal outfit might have some extent to show for the rest of the season — and a win at Windfall Park below the lights could be an incredible place to start out.
Participant to look at
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Columbus Crew made a press release of intent after they splashed the money on former Philadelphia Union attacker Dániel Gazdag in latest weeks, and the Hungarian could possibly be set to make his first begin in opposition to Inter Miami this weekend in Cleveland.
Gazdag performed 35 minutes in St. Louis after coming off the bench for his membership debut final weekend, however Crew followers will likely be primed and able to see how he suits in from the beginning.
Two questions forward of the weekend’s matches
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Can Atlanta United lastly get on observe?
It’s no secret that Atlanta United are performing nicely under expectations after a serious spending spree on attacking expertise within the winter switch window.
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The 5 Stripes have simply two MLS wins within the 2025 marketing campaign and sit a lowly eleventh place within the Japanese Convention.
Creating steadiness between assault and protection has been an almighty problem for brand spanking new head coach Ronny Deila, however they’ve a giant likelihood to make a press release in opposition to Philadelphia on Saturday.
Was a win in Dallas a flash within the pan for Seattle?
The Sounders lastly broke out of their hunch with a gutsy win in Dallas final weekend, however they should construct on that end result to make up for the four-game winless streak that proceeded it.
Brian Schmetzer’s facet have dominated loads of video games this season, however a scarcity of cutting-edge in entrance of purpose has seen outcomes that do not match the performances.
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With a return again to the Emerald Metropolis on Saturday in a showdown with Nashville, the Sounders have the right platform to show a standalone victory into the beginning of a streak.
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