After a busy midweek round which included postponed matches as well as the US Open Cup quarterfinals, Major League Soccer is back for Matchday 18 with a full slate of games. Here’s our preview of all the action:
Toronto FC - Nashville SC
Toronto plays hosts to Nashville in a battle of two form teams to kick off the round on Saturday. Off the back of a win and two draws, the hosts could move into the playoff positions with a win while Nashville are in a strong second place, having won their last four matches. Hany Mukhtar is the league’s leading scorer, while Toronto’s two Italian attackers, Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi will try to counter the reigning MVP for the hosts.
Houston Dynamo FC - Los Angeles Football Club
After being held in the week against Atlanta United, the visitors will try to get back to winning ways in Houston. Dénis Bouanga is the league’s leading scorer, but off the back of an impressive US Open Cup win in the week, Houston are in strong form after heavy losses in the league to St. Louis CITY SC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Chicago Fire FC - Columbus Crew
With seven goals in their last two games, the Crew are one of the league’s form teams – and no one has scored more goals in the league. Lucas Zelarayán pulls the strings for the visitors, having been involved in thirteen goals so far, while Chicago are winless in six in all competitions after being knocked out of the US Open Cup by Houston Dynamo in the week.
San Jose Earthquakes - Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia head west on the back of four straight wins, and are set to take on a San Jose side who have fallen slightly out of form, but in Cristián Espinoza and Jeremy Ebobisse have a dangerous pair of forwards. The visitors will counter with the trio of Mikael Uhre, Julián Carranza and Dániel Gazdag – no trio of players in the league have scored more.
