St Louis City vs. Earthquakes (Saturday, 7.30pm)
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After a change at the helm, struggling St Louis City welcome San Jose Earthquakes to Energizer Park for this weekend's edition of Major League Soccer, hoping the decision sparks a change in fortunes.
The Missouri outfit recently parted ways with Olof Mellberg following a frustrating stretch of 11 league games without victory and have turned to team 2 boss David Critchley to steady the ship on an interim basis.
We say: St Louis City 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes
With Critchley now in charge, St Louis might enjoy a lift from the so-called new manager bounce, but they face a San Jose side in good form, so the most realistic outcome may be a draw with both teams finding the net.
> Major League Soccer preview: St Louis City vs Earthquakes
Nashville vs. NY City (Saturday, 9.30pm)
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On Saturday, New York City FC can hand Nashville SC just their second home defeat of the 2025 MLS regular season when the two sides meet at Geodis Park in the Music City.
Earlier this week, the Boys in Gold moved up to third in the Eastern Conference with a 2-2 draw against the Columbus Crew, while New York are eighth following a 3-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo.
We say: Nashville SC 2-0 New York City FC
Conceding three times to an average offensive unit in Houston is hardly a confidence boost, and we expect the Pigeons to struggle against a Nashville side much stronger defensively at home, having conceded a goal or fewer in seven of their last eight home games.
> Major League Soccer preview: Nashville vs NY City
Cincinnati vs. DC United (Sunday, 12.30am)
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DC United can hand FC Cincinnati their first home defeat of the 2025 MLS campaign when the two teams meet on Saturday at TQL Stadium.
A 3-3 draw versus Dallas in mid-week dropped the Orange and Blue three points below the Philadelphia Union for first in the Eastern Conference, still well above DC, who are 13th following a 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution.
We say: FC Cincinnati 1-0 DC United
The Black and Red are having a difficult time scoring, regardless of who features, and that should allow Cincy to play their traditional tight defensive game and come away with a narrow triumph.
> Major League Soccer preview: Cincinnati vs DC United
Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Lionel Messi's inconsistent Inter Miami side will aim to beat visitors Columbus Crew on Sunday at Chase Stadium in their 16th Eastern Conference clash of the 2025 MLS season.
The hosts are sixth with 26 points and managed to defeat CF Montreal 4-2 on Thursday, while Columbus were held to a 2-2 stalemate by Nashville SC on the same date and are fourth with 28 points.
We say: Inter Miami 1-1 Columbus Crew
Despite struggling to win recently, Columbus may not concede many goals considering their defensive record is strong.
However, it is hard to see them keeping a clean sheet given Inter Miami have been excellent in the final third, and it would not be surprising if they settled for a draw on Sunday.
> Major League Soccer preview: Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew
Montreal vs. New England (Sunday, 12.30am)
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A three-game MLS road trip ends for the New England Revolution on Saturday, as they travel to Saputo Stadium for a date with CF Montreal.
Le CFM remain bottom of the Eastern Conference, losing 4-2 to Inter Miami the last time out, while the Revs are 10th after playing to a 1-1 draw with DC United.
We say: CF Montreal 1-2 New England Revolution
The Revs have found a way to be effective away from home, and we trust the creativity of Carles Gil will enable them to unlock a Montreal backline that have been shaky in recent matches.
> Major League Soccer preview: Montreal vs New England
NY Red Bulls vs. Atlanta (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Two MLS teams in strong form will lock horns in the Eastern Conference on Saturday night, with New York Red Bulls welcoming Atlanta United to the Sports Illustrated Stadium.
The Red Bulls are currently seventh in the Eastern Conference, boasting 24 points from their 16 league matches this term, while Atlanta United are 12th, picking up 17 points from their opening 16 games of the campaign.
We say: New York Red Bulls 2-1 Atlanta United
Both sides will enter this match in strong form, and it would not be a surprise to see the points shared on Saturday, but we just have a feeling that the home team's attacking quality will allow them to collect all three points in front of their own supporters.
> Major League Soccer preview: NY Red Bulls vs Atlanta
Orlando City vs. Chicago Fire (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Orlando City and Chicago Fire, both aiming to bounce back from defeats, will come together at the Exploria Stadium on Sunday in MLS.
The hosts are fifth in the Eastern Conference standings with 27 points from 16 games, while the visitors are 11th with 19 points from 14 fixtures.
We say: Orlando City 3-1 Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire may be enjoying a strong start to the campaign, but the hosts have dominated this fixture since joining MLS, and given they also boast the home advantage, we expect Orlando City to win this one.
> Major League Soccer preview: Orlando City vs Chicago Fire
Toronto vs. Charlotte FC (Sunday, 12.30am)
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A three-game homestand concludes for Toronto on Saturday as they welcome Charlotte FC to BMO Field for the first time in the 2025 MLS campaign.
The Reds remain second from the bottom in the Eastern Conference following a 2-1 defeat in midweek versus the Philadelphia Union, while the Crown are clinging to the final playoff spot in the conference after a 4-2 loss to the New York Red Bulls.
We say: Toronto 3-1 Charlotte FC
Having Bernardeschi back should invigorate the Toronto attack, and we expect they will have the lion's share of opportunities versus a Charlotte side that have been leaking goals away from home.
> Major League Soccer preview: Toronto vs Charlotte FC
Dallas vs. Philadelphia (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Two sides with contrasting recent records in the MLS will meet at the Toyota Stadium on Sunday morning, when FC Dallas play host to Philadelphia Union.
The hosts are in 11th place in the Western Conference with 17 points after 15 games, while the visitors are three points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
We say: Dallas 1-2 Philadelphia Union
These sides have been on contrasting paths over the last month, with the hosts winless in their last five league games and the visitors unbeaten in eight, six of which ended in victory.
Philadelphia Union have also won their last three league games on the road and have the best away record in the MLS. We feel the visitors will come away from this match with all three points.
> Major League Soccer preview: Dallas vs Philadelphia
Houston vs. Kansas (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Houston Dynamo will look to continue their climb up the Western Conference table when they host struggling Sporting Kansas City at Shell Energy Stadium this weekend.
Ben Olsen's men are unbeaten in their last four MLS outings, winning three of those matches, and they will fancy their chances against a Kansas side currently languishing near the bottom.
We say: Houston Dynamo 2-0 Sporting Kansas City
With form, home advantage and momentum in their favour, Houston Dynamo are well placed to pile more misery on a Kansas side that just cannot seem to find its footing in this campaign, which is why we are predicting an efficient victory for the hosts.
> Major League Soccer preview: Houston vs Kansas
LA Galaxy vs. Salt Lake (Sunday, 3.30am)
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Los Angeles Galaxy play host to Real Salt Lake on Saturday night looking to end their prolonged winless streak in MLS.
At a time when the home side sit at the bottom of the Western Conference table, the visitors are not much better off in 12th position.
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 1-1 Real Salt Lake
Although LA Galaxy already find themselves in a perilous position, their performances in general are not as bad as they look on paper. With that in mind, we are backing them to earn a spirited draw this weekend, albeit in a low-scoring contest.
> Major League Soccer preview: LA Galaxy vs Salt Lake
San Diego vs. Austin (Sunday, 3.30am)
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San Diego FC will welcome Austin FC to the Snapdragon Stadium this weekend in their gameweek 17 MLS fixture.
The home side are second in the Western Conference with 27 points, five adrift of leaders Vancouver Whitecaps, while the visitors are 10th in the standings.
We say: San Diego 2-1 Austin FC
While both sides recorded less than ideal results in their last outings respectively, San Diego are still the stronger side on paper, and given the recent form of the visiting team, the home side are favourites to register another victory, with a possible 2-1 scoreline.
> Major League Soccer preview: San Diego vs Austin
Ben Knapton
