Marco Reus is desperate to bring silverware to the LA Galaxy after making a flying start to his time in MLS, with St. Louis City the destination for his first road game on Sunday.

Reus registered a goal and an assist on debut last week as the Galaxy beat Atlanta United 2-0, maintaining their grip on top spot in the Western Conference.

The Galaxy are five points clear of local rivals Los Angeles FC at the top of the standings ahead of Sunday's trip to St. Louis, who are 13th and 10 points adrift of the playoff picture.

Reus' arrival in Los Angeles has caused plenty of fanfare, but he is focused solely on the team's collective aims.

"It's not about me, it's about the team," he said. "We want to be champions. So we take it game by game.

"Besides the traffic, it's really amazing. The people are so friendly. The weather, it's really nice. When you wake up in the morning and the sun is shining, you start the day differently.

"So I'm really, really happy every morning I come into the dressing room. I'm just happy and excited."

St. Louis played out a thrilling 4-4 draw with the Portland Timbers last week, twice throwing away a two-goal lead to leave interim coach John Hackworth bewildered. 

"Really don't know what to say," Hackworth said. "It's hard to imagine coming to a place like this and scoring four goals, being up, and then just losing one-versus-one defensive battles.

"Sometimes, the number of goals you give up, or the number of goals you score, can hide a lot of the transition moments.

"An easy way to prevent some of these defensive miscues from happening is to just be better with the ball."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

St. Louis City – Eduard Lowen

Lowen scored his fourth goal of the MLS season last time out, converting from the penalty spot as St. Louis drew 4-4 with the Timbers.

Only Joao Klauss, with five goals, has outscored him for St. Louis this term.

LA Galaxy – Marco Reus

Reus is one of 20 players in MLS history to record a goal and an assist on his regular-season debut. 

He is also the fifth Galaxy player to do so, after Steven Gerrard, Andreas Herzog, Giovani dos Santos and Sasha Victorine. No other team have had more than two players achieve the feat.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

The Galaxy have won 10 of their last 13 regular-season matches, the first time they have done so in a single season since 2011. LA have not recorded 11 wins in a span of 14 matches within a single regular season in the post-shootout era (since 2000).

It would be no surprise to see the points shared in this one, though. All three meetings between St. Louis and the Galaxy have ended level, all with different scorelines (1-1, 2-2, 3-3).

St. Louis have only won one of the last six matches in which they have held the lead in regular-season play dating back to the beginning of June (four draws, one defeat).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

St. Louis City – 35.8%

LA Galaxy – 38.1%

Draw – 26.1%

Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay is hopeful his team have settled into their new "identity" ahead of their trip to San Jose Earthquakes in MLS.

After snapping a winless streak in MLS before the Leagues Cup, Minnesota were beaten 3-2 by Seattle Sounders last time out, having come from behind to level twice before Albert Rusnak's winner.

They sit 11th in the Western Conference but still have the playoffs in sight.

Ramsay believes his team are starting to gel after introducing new signings and other returning from various injury setbacks.

"We're finding analyzing where we are now difficult as a group because the Seattle game felt like day one of a new season, and we've loved working with our new group over the last three weeks," Ramsay said.

"But we've got to analyze it with an element of urgency and desperation wrapped around it because it's a group that wants to reach the playoffs.

"We need to keep pushing to make sure we see the results on a weekend, and now we can start to see a real emergence of an identity in the team."

Meanwhile, San Jose Earthquakes got an impressive win over high-flying Real Salt Lake last time out, snapping their three-match losing streak in MLS.

They are still bottom of the table, but interim head coach Ian Russell was impressed with the manner of the win and is hoping they can continue their high-level performances on home soil.

"I told the guys the last six or seven games have been really, really good," he said.

"We haven't won them all, obviously, but ever since the Houston game at home, we started showing a lot of fight. And you know, we've had a couple losses late in games, but the win over Real Salt Lake was really good."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes – Cristian Espinoza

Cristian Espinoza has never scored in 10 career regular season matches against Minnesota.

The Loons are the only one of the 11 teams Espinoza has faced 10 or more times in his MLS career that he has never scored against.

Minnesota United – Kelvin Yeboah

Kelvin Yeboah scored both of Minnesota's goals against Seattle Sounders on Saturday, becoming the 22nd player in MLS history to score multiple goals on his debut and the first in over two years, since Nathan Fogaca did so for Portland in May 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Minnesota have lost only one of their last 11 matches against San Jose in all competitions (won six, drawn four) dating back to 2019 after the Earthquakes won each of the first four meetings between the sides in 2017 and 2018.

However, Minnesota are winless in eight straight road matches in all competitions (two draws, six losses). This is their longest winless run away from home since a 17-match stretch from March to October 2018.

Meanwhile, San Jose's 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday was just their fifth win of the season, but four of those five wins have been against teams in the top five in the current Western Conference standings (Los Angeles FC, RSL, Colorado Rapids, Seattle).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes – 38.1%

Draw – 26.5%

Minnesota United – 35.4%

Houston Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen has urged his team to find their clinical edge in a tough test against Los Angeles FC on Saturday.

The Dynamo had lost just one of their last 10 MLS matches before the Leagues Cup break, winning four and drawing five of the other games in that streak.

However, they returned to league action with a 1-0 defeat to Toronto FC last time out and sit eighth in the Western Conference.

And Olsen has challenged his team to improve their end product against the Leagues Cup finalists.

"The last game was not the result we wanted, that's for sure," he said.

"I'm starting to sound like a broken record: we play well, we have a lot of chances. We can do all that stuff, but we don't make the play.

"If we're going to be the team we want to be, we need to be killers, be way more cut-throat in the final third. We can't keep expecting our defence to get shutouts in every game."

Meanwhile, LAFC bounced back from Leagues Cup final heartbreak by reaching the US Open Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Seattle Sounders.

In MLS, they are five points behind leaders LA Galaxy, having lost their last league match 3-1 to San Jose Earthquakes, but head coach Steve Cherundolo has confidence in his team.

"Our LAFC players are monsters," he said. "They show great heart and skill, and their physical side of the game is great.

"Simple mentality gives them the edge. I've also been happy with the control and managing of the minutes in recent matches."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LAFC – Denis Bouanga

Denis Bouanga has not been involved in a goal in any of his four meetings with the Dynamo (incl. playoffs).

They are the only MLS opponent he has faced more than twice and not recorded at least one goal involvement against.

Houston Dynamo – Hector Herrera

Hector Herrera completed 101 passes against Toronto FC on Saturday, his sixth match with at least 100 completed passes in regular season MLS play.

He is tied with Riqui Puig for the most such games to complete 100+ passes since making his MLS debut in July 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN

This will be the first meeting between Los Angeles and Houston since LAFC's 2-0 win in last season's Western Conference Final. That win was their only clean sheet against the Dynamo (14 meetings).

However, LAFC's last two regular-season home matches were a loss to Columbus Crew and a draw with Real Salt Lake. They have gone three such matches without a win only twice since the start of the 2019 season but have not done so since 2021.

Meanwhile, the Dynamo won their final two regular-season road matches before the Leagues Cup break, winning at San Jose and Vancouver Whitecaps. However, they have not won three consecutive such games since a four-match run spanning the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LAFC – 61.8%

Draw – 20.2%

Houston Dynamo – 18%

Josh Wolff believes Austin FC's new signings have given them a much-needed boost and hopes that will carry on against Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.

Austin added Mikkel Desler, Oleksandr Svatok and Osman Bukari, who scored in their 2-0 win over Nashville SC last time out, helping to snap a three-match winless streak.

It means they sit ninth in the Western Conference, though only have a one-point advantage over the two teams sitting just below them.

However, Wolff says he is excited to see how the team continues to grow in the second half of the season.

"The guys that we got in the summer have performed well and that helps create better overall performances for the team and creates competition in the group and I think it's helped us immensely," he said.

"We labored through 24 games, but I think you see a team now that's competing home and away and generating goals.

"We're coming into good form, but we need to maintain that."

Meanwhile, Vancouver sit three places and four points above their opponents, with their form on the road particularly eye-catching in MLS this season, going unbeaten in the last three.

They return to league action after an extended break due to their Canadian Championship semi-final, and head coach Vanni Sartini aims to get his team back up and running in the competition as soon as possible.

"We need to go there knowing that we need to make points because that's the only curse when you're doing well," he said.

"We want to stay in the high position. We've done well on the road this season, and we need to keep doing it by being smart."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Jon Gallagher

Jon Gallagher scored his 12th goal for Austin in their win over Nashville last time out.

Only Sebastian Driussi (43) and Diego Fagundez (15) have scored more in regular-season play for the Verde.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

Brian White has scored a goal in each of his last three regular season away matches.

White had a four-match road scoring streak in 2023 and could become the first Whitecaps player to score in four straight MLS road games more than once.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

Vancouver have lost only one of their seven all-time meetings with Austin (winning four, drawing two), though Austin have managed draws in two of the last three meetings, including a scoreless match in Vancouver on May 4.

The Whitecaps are unbeaten in five straight road matches in all competitions (three wins, two draws) for the second time in 2024 (also in March-May). This is the first time since the club joined MLS in 2011 that they have had multiple five-match road unbeaten runs in a single year.

However, Austin have won three of their last four matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 win over Nashville (lost one). Austin had managed just two wins in their previous 11 matches beforehand (three draws, six losses).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 30.8%

Draw – 25.1%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 44.1%

D.C. United coach Troy Lesesne has called on his team to seize their opportunity to close the gap to fellow playoff hopefuls Toronto FC when they visit BMO Field on Saturday.

D.C. prop up the Eastern Conference standings with 26 points from as many games this term, but the congested nature of the table means they are within two points of a wild-card place.

Toronto currently occupy the first of those places, sitting five points clear of D.C. having played one additional game, and Lesesne knows that fact gives Saturday's matchup additional importance.

"We're all well aware of the table and we do try to bring that into view for the players," Lesesne said.

"But also, with eight games left, there's a lot still to be played for. This week, we have another opportunity right in front of us.

"We have to stick to what we want to do as a team. We have Toronto this week, they're in eighth place and a few points ahead of us, so closing that gap has to be our focus right now."

Toronto have won both of their matches since returning from the Leagues Cup break, beating the Houston Dynamo 1-0 in MLS last week then triumphing 1-0 versus Forge in the Canadian Championship semi-finals on Wednesday.

Youngster Kosi Thompson has impressed in central midfield for the Reds lately despite coming through the ranks as a winger, and he now has one eye on making it on the international scene.

"I've learned that it's a man's game," Thompson said. "I was born in Toronto, and it's one of the biggest hotspots in Canada for football, so I would love to represent the national team. 

"It's just about being patient and putting the work in to get there."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Toronto FC – Federico Bernardeschi 

Bernardeschi (eight goals, eight assists) is the fourth player in Toronto's MLS history to record at least eight goals and eight assists in a single regular-season campaign, after Sebastian Giovinco (four times), Alejandro Pozuelo and Victor Vazquez (twice apiece).

D.C. United – Christian Benteke 

Benteke headed home D.C. United's opening goal as they lost 4-3 to FC Dallas last week, his 11th headed goal in regular-season play, more than any other D.C. player over the last 15 MLS seasons.

MATCH PREDICTION – TORONTO FC WIN

Toronto have only lost one of their last seven home matches against D.C. (four wins, two draws, including playoffs), including winning the last two in a row. 

Toronto have never won three straight home matches against D.C. United, but after recording two straight shutout wins in regular-season play for the second time this term, could they achieve that feat here?

D.C. won 3-2 at Minnesota United on their last away outing in MLS, but that is their only road win in the competition since early May, losing four and drawing one of their last six.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

Toronto FC – 43.5%

D.C. United – 29.7%

Draw – 26.8%

Oscar Pareja is keen to ensure Orlando City's positive momentum does not dissipate after one poor result, as they look to return to winning ways against Nashville SC.

Orlando occupy the final automatic playoff place in the Eastern Conference, but their five-match unbeaten run in MLS play was halted by a 3-0 defeat to Sporting Kansas City last week.

With struggling Nashville the visitors to Inter&Co Stadium this week, Pareja is not worried about that defeat being a turning point.

"We recognise that we didn't have our best game in Kansas," Pareja said. 

"We tried to get our energy back during this week, understanding that we have had a good time with good results and good football. 

"We want to continue with that momentum, we feel it. We are just ready to play the next games here.

"We agreed with the players that we lost energy at Kansas, but it's not something that is common for our team."

Nashville, meanwhile, sit 14th in the standings, eight points adrift of Orlando, after losing seven straight regular-season games.

The last of those was their first MLS outing under B.J. Callaghan as they went down 2-0 to Austin FC, but the new head coach saw positive signs in their performance. 

"I think we played a game where the performance was good enough to win," he said. "We had a few moments that we lapsed. 

"That's unacceptable, we have to learn from it, we have to improve it. You have to give credit to Austin, they were able to capitalise on those moments.

"We just need to continue to sort of pound repetitions to get the timing right, get the technique right, get the service right."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Orlando City – Nicolas Lodeiro 

Six different Orlando City players have recorded at least four assists this season, led by Lodeiro's eight. 

Only Inter Miami (seven) have more players with at least four assists this MLS season, but Lodeiro is certainly the creative fulcrum for the hosts.

Nashville SC – Hany Mukhtar

Mukhtar has scored six goals against Orlando City in MLS play (including playoffs), tied for his most against any opponent (also six versus Atlanta and Chicago), though he has not scored in any of his last four meetings with the Lions.

MATCH PREDICTION – ORLANDO CITY WIN

Orlando have won four straight matches against Nashville, including in last season's playoffs, keeping clean sheets in all four matches.

The Lions saw their five-match regular-season unbeaten run (four wins, one draw) halted by a 3-0 loss at Sporting Kansas City last time out, conceding as many goals in that defeat as in their previous five outings combined.

However, they should bounce back here. Nashville's club-record regular-season losing streak extended to seven matches with a 2-0 loss at Austin last Saturday, and they have lost their last four on the road in MLS.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Orlando City – 58.7%

Nashville SC – 19.8%

Draw – 21.5%

Caleb Porter believes the New England Revolution are only "scratching the surface" of their true potential, with several key players back in form ahead of their visit to Real Salt Lake.

The Revs trounced CF Montreal 5-0 on the road last time out in a triumphant return to MLS action after the Leagues Cup break, moving within two points of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Former league MVP Carles Gil and winger Dylan Borrero both returned to action in that game after dealing with injury problems, and Porter senses his team have turned a corner at an ideal time.

"I don't think it is a coincidence when [Borrero] and Carles left, we were not quite as fluid," Porter said. 

"We hung in, we hung around, we did it in different ways, we got a few draws and a win in the Leagues Cup. But you can see our level. 

"That's what we want it to look like, and better. We are just scratching the surface. We’ve got to keep pushing and stay really hungry. 

"We've got to go back to work and work even harder next week. We've got a very difficult game against Salt Lake on the road."

Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, sit third in the West but were beaten 2-0 by the struggling San Jose Earthquakes on their return to MLS action last week.

Coach Pablo Mastroeni believes his side tried to force the issue too much in that match, saying: "There are two sides of the coin, we looked like a side that hadn't played for a few weeks, and what that does to the psyche is it doesn't allow us to reset.

"That was the story. We weren't sharp with the ball and we tried to force it. You have to build confidence in your attack."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango 

Arango (17 goals) and the since-departed Andres Gomez (13 goals) are the first pair of Real Salt Lake team-mates to combine for 30 goals in a single regular season in club history.

With Gomez now in France with Rennes, it is now up to Arango to fire RSL to the postseason.

New England Revolution – Emmanuel Boateng

Six of Boateng's 19 career MLS goals (including playoffs) have been scored against Real Salt Lake. The only other opponent he’s scored against more than once is FC Cincinnati (also three goals).

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN

This will be the first meeting between New England and Real Salt Lake in Utah since October 2018. RSL have not lost any of their last eight home matches against New England (six wins, two draws) dating back to 2008.

That may not change this weekend. RSL have only lost one of their last 24 home matches against Eastern Conference opponents (14 wins, nine draws), including going unbeaten through their last six (four wins, two draws).

New England have lost two of their last three MLS road games, with their last two ending in a 5-1 defeat (to the Philadelphia Union) and a 5-0 victory (at Montreal).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 51.4%

New England Revolution – 23.9%

Draw – 24.7%

Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Zack Steffen has called on his team-mates to make good on the side's excellent 2024 to date and finish the season strongly, starting with Saturday's trip to FC Dallas.

Colorado sit fourth in the Western Conference standings as they resume MLS action after finishing third in the Leagues Cup, beating the Philadelphia Union in the bronze-medal match.

Chris Armas has the Rapids eyeing home advantage in the playoffs in his first year at the helm, and Steffen says it is all about mental strength as they enter the run-in.

"It's been a long month with a lot of games and travel and everything. It's been good to come home and have a full week to look ahead to Dallas," Steffen said.

"It's back to MLS for us now, so we're fully focused on Dallas and making sure we pick up three points on Saturday. 

"We're getting better every day, it's been fun. We have a great group of guys who are hungry to compete and to grow. It's been a great start but now it's about finishing strong."

Dallas, meanwhile, are down in 10th, albeit just one point of Austin FC, who occupy the final play-in spot in the West.

Interim coach Peter Luccin oversaw a thrilling 4-3 victory at D.C. United last time out – Dallas' third win in four regular-season games, and he thinks it could be a major turning point.

"For us to win on the road, it wasn't easy," said Luccin. "We knew that they were going to fight until the end, they fought hard. 

"We need to stay focused. We need to have the same energy. We need to keep playing the football that we have been playing."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas – Sebastian Lletget 

Lletget had a goal and two assists in FC Dallas' win at D.C. United last Saturday, his second career match with three goal contributions in MLS, having also achieved the feat in September 2019 versus Sporting Kansas City.

Colorado Rapids – Rafael Navarro 

Navarro (11) and Djordje Mihailovic (10) are the second pair of Rapids team-mates to each score 10 goals in a single regular season since 2010, after Kei Kamara and Diego Rubio in 2019).

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW 

Colorado have won five of their seven meetings with Dallas since the start of 2021 (one draw, one defeat), including a 2-1 home win when the sides last faced off on April 20. 

The Rapids had won just five of their previous 24 meetings with Dallas from July 2012 through 2020 (eight draws, 11 defeats).

It appears difficult to split the teams for this one, with Dallas winning three of their last four regular-season matches (one draw), but not inspiring much hope in defence, conceding five times in their last three matches.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Dallas – 39.1%

Colorado Rapids – 34.3%

Draw – 26.6%

The target is clear for Inter Miami this season, and that is to win MLS Cup, so says goalkeeper Drake Callender.

Miami clinched their place in the playoffs thanks to a 2-0 win over FC Cincinnati, with Luis Suarez on target.

The Herons have taken 56 points in MLS this season, and are eight points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference.

And with Lionel Messi still yet to return to full fitness, Miami are setting their sights on MLS Cup glory.

Callender said: "Of course, our goals are set super high and our standards are set super high.

"We want to win – we want to win the Eastern Conference, we want to win MLS Cup."

The Chicago Fire are next up for Miami, and Gerardo Martino wants to see his team replicate the level they displayed against Cincinnati.

"What we have to do is continue to maintain our performance," Martino said.

"We don't want to try to modify the way in which the team is facing each of the matches because we're at the final stretch, and then have to review how to play the last few games before the playoffs because they're completely different situations."

Midfielder Diego Gomez said: "We achieved our first objective, which is to make it to the playoffs. We have to keep going, we still have to keep training, we have to keep improving."

When asked about Messi's comeback, Martino explained: "Leo, like I said the other day, I can't tell you exactly what time, but he's already on the field. He is working with his physical therapist, he's out of the medical ward, he is training with a ball.

"So he has to get back in shape or recover most of his fitness that any player loses when they are out for five or six weeks and to feel confident that his injury is behind him. But it is something that I believe is not very far from happening."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chicago Fire - Brian Gutierrez 

Gutierrez scored the equaliser from the penalty spot in the fourth minute of stoppage time in Chicago's draw with New York City FC last time out.

It was the Fire's first result-changing penalty in stoppage time of an MLS match in club history.

Inter Miami - Luis Suarez

Suarez's two goals came in the opening six minutes against Cincinnati, which is the fastest from kick-off any player has scored twice in an MLS match since Ross Paule (also two goals in the first six minutes) for the Colorado Rapids in 1998.

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Miami have won 14 of their last 18 regular season matches (D2 L2), including the last three in a row. The Seattle Sounders, in July-October 2018, are the only team in the post-shootout era (since 2000) to win 15 times in a span of 19 matches in a single regular season.

The Fire scored in the 78th minute and in second-half stoppage time to earn a 2-2 draw with NYCFC, the third time this season Chicago have avoided defeat in a match in which they trailed by multiple goals in the final 15 minutes.

The home side have won five of the seven all-time meetings between the Fire and Miami, including Chicago winning all three of their home matches against the Herons by a combined score of 8-2. 

However, Miami are firm favourites according to Opta's model.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chicago Fire - 24.6%

Inter Miami - 52.4%

Draw - 23%

Phil Neville knows the Portland Timbers' meeting with the Seattle Sounders on Saturday will be "pivotal" to the outcome of their season as the Cascadia Cup rivals battle for a playoff place.

Portland enter Saturday's game seventh in the Western Conference standings, two places and three points behind the in-form Sounders.

The Timbers were beaten 2-1 on home soil by their rivals when they last faced off in May, but they have not lost a regular-season home game since, winning seven and drawing two of their last nine.

Neville knows the importance of carrying that form into this weekend, saying: "We're looking forward to another big game.

"When we looked at the fixtures at the start of the season, to play Seattle home and away in the last eight games, we knew these games would be pivotal to our success.

"That's how it's panned out and we're all excited for it. When you get into football, you want to be involved in the biggest games.

"It's against our biggest rivals. I think both teams are in really good form, outstanding form. They get success with their group of players but this is about us. We're playing for three big points."

Seattle, meanwhile, have only lost one regular-season game since early June, though they were dumped out of the U.S. Open Cup at the semi-final stage by Los Angeles FC in midweek, losing 1-0 on home soil.

Boss Brian Schmetzer, though, senses a desire to set the record straight in this week's derby.

"They understand the importance of Portland. This is a proud group that has overcome a lot of adversity already this year," he said.

"I don't see any reason why they can't continue that and do it again."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portland Timbers – Evander

Evander has recorded an assist in seven straight home matches, equalling the longest single-season streak in MLS history. 

The only player to record an assist in eight straight regular-season home matches was Eric Wynalda, who did so spanning the 1996 and 1997 seasons.

Seattle Sounders – Raul Ruidiaz 

Ruidiaz has scored 13 goals against the Timbers in the regular season and playoffs. No other player has more than 10 goals against a single opponent since Ruidiaz made his MLS debut in July 2018.

MATCH PREDICTION – PORTLAND TIMBERS WIN

The Sounders are unbeaten in three straight matches against Portland (one win, two draws) including a 2-1 road win on May 12. Seattle haven't gone four straight MLS matches without defeat against Portland since 2014-15, though.

The Sounders have won six of their last seven regular-season matches (one loss), but they are facing a Timbers team that have won seven of their last nine at home (two draws), scoring 28 goals throughout that run.

Portland drew 4-4 with St. Louis City last week, marking the fourth time they have scored four goals in a match but failed to win since joining MLS in 2011. If they can tighten things up at the other end, they could continue their fine record on home turf.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Portland Timbers – 42.9%

Seattle Sounders – 30.4%

Draw – 26.7%

Dean Smith has set his Charlotte FC players the challenge of remaining unbeaten from now until the end of the season, starting with their MLS fixture against Atlanta United.

The Crown returned to league action after their Leagues Cup exit with a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls, as Karol Swiderski saw his penalty cancelled out by Elias Manoel.

Smith’s side extended their unbeaten run in the MLS to four matches, sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference standings but four points off fourth place.

And with the playoffs growing ever closer, Smith is keen to build a winning mentality among his players and is confident that his side will improve as the campaign progresses.

“I want them to be sharper,” Smith started. “They have worked really hard in the last three weeks, and they have had some rest when they have needed it. They will be good.

“I don’t worry about the players fitness wise; they are a strong group and I think as the season goes on now we will get better.

“The challenge for them now is keeping this unbeaten run going until the end of the season and I believe we can go and do that.”

Atlanta, meanwhile, marked their return to MLS action with a 2-0 defeat to LA Galaxy, halting their two-game winning run in the competition.

The Five Stripes currently occupy the final playoff place in the Eastern Conference, but a win will see them close the gap to the sides above them with the luxury of a game in hand over Toronto.

But after their showing against the Galaxy, interim head coach Rob Valentino is hoping for a quick start at the Bank of America Stadium this time around.

"I feel like we gave them the first one, or they didn’t have to earn it as much which is really disappointing because they defended so hard and aggressive for a good chunk of time," Valentino said.

"I was hoping that as we got the subs on they could make an impact. Unfortunately, we were chasing the game 1-0 and that changed quite a bit for us."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlotte FC – Karol Swiderski 

Karol Swiderski scored Charlotte's only goal in their 1-1 draw with the Red Bulls, his second strike in two regular season games since returning from a loan spell with Hellas Verona.

Swiderski is the only player in club history to score in three straight league games (October 2023).

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze

Saba Lobjanidze attempted five shots in the Five Stripes’ defeat at the Galaxy last time out.

It was the 141st time an Atlanta player took at least five shots in a regular season match, more than any other MLS team since they joined the league in 2017.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE WIN

Charlotte have won each of their last two matches against Atlanta, with both wins coming away from home. In fact, three of the last four meetings between the two sides have been won by the visitors.

The Crown, however, have drawn five of their last seven home matches (W1 L1) in all competitions. They have lost only two of their last 24 at home dating back to June 2023 (W10 D12).

Atlanta United have lost four straight regular season away matches for the first time since a six-match run in 2019. The Five Stripes have won just two of their last 17 matches away from home dating back to last September (D7 L8).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 50.3%

Draw – 25.1%

Atlanta United – 24.5%

Cincinnati assistant head coach Dominic Kinnear insisted that the team’s slow starts were "alarming" and needed to be put right ahead of the visit of CF Montreal.

With head coach Pat Noonan serving a suspension, Kinnear watched on as his side conceded two goals in six minutes against Inter Miami, with Luis Suarez netting both in a 2-0 victory for the Eastern Conference leaders.

Despite the result, the Orange and Blue remain second in the standings, but have Leagues Cup winners Columbus Crew breathing down their necks and the advantage of having two games in hand.

Kinnear believes that starting fast will set the tone for the remainder of the season, explaining that it must start sooner rather than later ahead of the playoffs.

“It's cause for alarms,” Kinnear said of the team conceding early in four of their last six matches. “It's the intensity and the, you know. I think at times, the lack of understanding of how the other team is going to come out.”

“These are some very important games. There are playoff positions and trophies on the line. You know, for me, that was a flat 10 minutes. As flat as I've seen coming out of the locker room.

“Are we out of shape? No. Is the preparation not there; are they understanding the opponent? I think everything is in line there. Sometimes that's the unknown answer. But you know, I won't disagree. We have come out flat and it's something we need to address for sure."

Montreal, meanwhile, returned from their Leagues Cup campaign with a whimper as they were thumped 5-0 by New England Revolution - their heaviest defeat of the season.

The result leaves the team in 11th place in the Eastern Conference table, but just a point behind Atlanta United, who occupy the final playoff spot in the division.

Head coach Laurent Courtois criticised his players for a combination of individual errors that led to the defeat, bemoaning his squad for a lack of discipline during the contest.

"We thought we had made the personal or tactical adjustments in the second half to turn things around, but when you lose your discipline, it becomes complicated,” Courtois said.

“There were individual errors that hurt. It's difficult for me to talk about positives tonight, even if we thought there was room for improvement.

“We struggled in transition and ran out of ideas in the second half.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta

Luciano Acosta has been the standout for Cincinnati this season, registering 26 goal involvements (11 goals and 15 assists) in 25 league appearances.

In his 15 appearances against Montreal, Acosta has found the back of the net seven times, level with the San Jose Earthquakes as the most he has struck against an MLS opponent.

Montreal – Joseph Martinez

Josef Martinez has scored seven regular-season goals against Cincinnati, tied with Gyasi Zardes for the most in regular season play.

MATCH PREDICTION: CINCINNATI WIN

While Cincinnati are the favourites to emerge victorious at the TQL Stadium, they have lost their last four straight regular season matches after losing just four of their previous 24 league games (W16 D4) dating back to last October.

The Orange and Blue conceded two goals in the opening six minutes of their loss to Inter Miami. Prior to that encounter, Cincinnati had conceded just once in the opening six minutes of matches since the start of the 2023 season.

But Montreal have struggled away from home and are winless in 13 straight away matches in all competitions (D4 L9) dating back to March. This is the club’s longest road winless run since going 34 without a win on their travels from September 2013 to May 2015.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Cincinnati – 63.3%

Draw – 19.5%

Montreal – 17.2%

Sandro Schwarz is keen to turn New York Red Bulls’ recent draws into wins heading into the business end of the season, starting with Philadelphia Union this weekend.

The Bulls returned from their disappointing Leagues Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Charlotte FC away from home, marking their 12th of the term, three more than any other side in the Eastern Conference.

Despite this, they sit fourth in the standings, four points behind Columbus Crew, and while Schwarz was happy with a draw in their last encounter, he acknowledged the momentum that comes with victories will be crucial for the playoffs.

“We have 12 draws this season and it’s too much, but this is what we have to analyse differently moving forward,” Schwarz said.

“I think the draw we had last time out was good against a solid team and especially in the first game after the break to come directly back into our rhythm.

“The whole team adapted but I don’t want to compare now this draw with other draws, especially in our home games. Our main goal every Saturday is to win games.”

Philadelphia, meanwhile, returned to MLS action in midweek against Columbus Crew, the side who beat them in the semi-finals on their way to lifting the Leagues Cup title.

And the same result transpired, with Yaw Yeboah’s 75th minute strike compounding them to a 1-0 defeat to leave them 10th in the Eastern Conference table and a point behind Atlanta United.

With the quick turnaround in matches, head coach Jim Curtin expressed his concerns about the level of fitness within his Union squad, revealing that rotation in the coming weeks will help aid his sides push for the playoffs in the final stretch of fixtures.

"We'll see how guys recover again tonight. Definitely took a lot out of our guys,” Curtin said. “We put a lot into the game. So did Columbus.

“Lot of tired bodies on the field at the end of the game. We'll have to assess things, see where guys are at, and then kind of go from there.

"Yeah, we'll need guys to step up for sure. We'll have a few changes, but not a ton, just because it's a big game again so we can't really afford to just rest and rotate a ton."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

NYRB – Elias Manoel

Elias Manoel scored the Red Bulls’ lone goal against Charlotte FC on Saturday, his seventh in six meetings with Charlotte (incl. playoffs), equalling the total from his other 57 MLS matches (incl. playoffs).

Philadelphia Union – Daniel Gazdag

After being so prolific for the Union this season, Daniel Gazdag did not attempt a shot or create a chance for a teammate in the Union’s defeat to Columbus Crew.

It was the first time Gazdag started a match but was not involved in a shot since May 2022 as he had recorded at least one shot involvement in his previous 69 MLS starts, and he will be hoping to have a bigger impact this time around.

MATCH PREDICTION: NYRB WIN

The Bulls extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 matches (W2 D9, incl. two penalty shoot-out defeats) with their draw against Charlotte FC. Only Los Angeles FC (13 straight in May-July) have a longer unbeaten streak in all competitions this campaign.

Philadelphia, however, are unbeaten in 13 straight matches against the Red Bulls in all competitions (W8 D5). New York’s last win over the Union was a 2—0 victory in the 2019 regular season.

The Union’s defeat to the Crew last time out was their 11th defeat of the regular season. They haven’t lost more than 11 games in any single regular season since losing 14 times in 2018.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

NYRB – 43.9%

Draw – 26.8%

Philadelphia Union – 29.3%

Nick Cushing said his New York City players must use the pain from recent results to progress as a team when they head to the Lower.com Field to face Columbus Crew this weekend.

The Pigeons returned from an impressive Leagues Cup display with a 2-2 draw against Chicago Fire but were left disappointed with the result after squandering a two-goal lead to share the spoils thanks to Brian Gutierrez’s late penalty.

NYCFC are now without a win in the MLS in their last five fixtures, with Cushing describing the mood in the dressing room as “flat” following their latest setback.

Despite their run of form, Cushing’s side sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings, and he is looking for his team to show character during the difficulties they are experiencing.

“In the good moments you realise you are making progress, and you are maturing and learning in that side of the game,” Cushing said.

“In the side of the game we are strong we are building the play and pressing the game, the other side of the game that experience gives you and going through those moments gives you.

“Progress is really difficult in the moment, but we have to make sure this isn’t every four weeks. We have to take the pain and I have said this before that tough times make top teams.”

Columbus returned to MLS action in midweek after their Leagues Cup success and continued their winning momentum with a 1-0 win over Philadelphia Union, a team they beat in the semi-finals on their way to the title.

They ended an almost nine-year losing streak at Subaru Park, with substitute Yaw Yeboah coming off the bench to strike the decisive blow in the 75th minute.

The Crew moved to within two points of second-placed Cincinnati with the victory and have the comfort of two games in hand, but head coach Wilfried Nancy has a difficult task in navigating their hectic fixture schedule.

Only Malte Amundsen and Sean Zawadzki kept their place from their Leagues Cup triumph over LAFC, with Nancy acknowledging the fighting spirit of his players, with special praise for Yeboah’s patience this campaign.

"They are human beings," Nancy said. "We cannot minimise the fatigue of the body and of the brain. They were exhausted, simple as that.

"What a game. This is a winning team, but the fact that everybody was involved, and we were able to start with a few guys and, after that, to finish with other guys, and they kept the level great (though) everybody was tired.

"To be a player, it's a beautiful job, but it's not easy. Sometimes you play, sometimes you don't play. But the idea was to be honest with him and to tell him the situation. When the moment would come, I knew that he was able to help us win the game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Columbus Crew – Cucho Hernandez

Cucho Hernandez has found a place he can call home at the Lower.com Field, and his comfort on home soil has been replicated in his sensational contributions up front.

He has been involved in 20 goals in 17 home matches in all competitions in 2024 (14 goals and six assists), totalling 14 goal involvements in his eight matches at Lower.com Field since the beginning of June (nine goals and five assists).

NYCFC – Alonso Martinez

Alonso Martinez was on target in NYCFC’s last match against Chicago Fire, scoring twice in the same match for the third time this season.

Only Spanish great David Villa and Valentin Castellanos (both three times) have recorded more multi-goal games in a single campaign in club history.

MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW WIN

Columbus are unbeaten in nine straight home matches against NYCFC in all competitions (W6 D3 including a penalty shoot-out win in this year’s Leagues Cup quarter-final). The Pigeons' only win in 13 visits to Columbus was a 3-2 victory in April 2017.

The Crew have lost only one of its last 37 home matches in all competitions (W25 D11) dating back to May 2023. They have won seven of their last nine matches at Lower.com Field, culminating in their Leagues Cup Final win over Los Angeles FC on Sunday.

NYCFC conceded in the 78th and 94th minute in their draw with Chicago Fire last time out, marking the first time in club history that they have failed to win a match that they led by multiple goals in the 75th minute or later (previous W85 D0 L0).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Columbus Crew – 64.5%

Draw – 19%

NYCFC – 16.5%

Leagues Cup champions the Columbus Crew made a winning return to MLS as they beat the Philadelphia Union 1-0.

The Crew beat Philadelphia 3-1 last week in the Leagues Cup semi-finals, before going on to defeat Los Angeles FC in the final.

And the reigning MLS Cup winners continued their excellent form in Wednesday's rearranged contest against the Union.

Substitute Yaw Yeboah grabbed the decisive goal, heading home from Max Arfsten's delivery in the 75th minute.

The Union had hit the woodwork twice in the first half, with Patrick Schulte tipping Tai Baribo's close-range attempt onto the post before Quinn Sullivan struck the crossbar.

Columbus are third in the Eastern Conference, though have two games in hand on the teams around them, while the Union sit 10th.

Data Debrief: Union's winning streak snapped

Wednesday's defeat marked the Union's first home loss to the Crew in MLS in the space of nine games, with Philadelphia having won seven and drawn one of the previous eight such meetings.

Philadelphia returned to form in MLS before the Leagues Cup break, winning two games, though they have won only three of their last 20 MLS games.