Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire (Sunday, 12.30am)
© Reuters
The Columbus Crew will hope that the international break does not slow down their momentum as they get set to host the Chicago Fire on Saturday at Historic Crew Stadium.
The defending MLS Cup champions have won two consecutive matches heading into this fixture, while Chicago are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with just one win and a draw through their first seven games.
We say: Columbus Crew 2-0 Chicago Fire
Chicago have not beaten the Crew in Columbus since a 2-1 defeat back in June 2013, and while they have created more chances and competed harder in their last three matches, they still lack depth upfront and one of their top scoring threats, Robert Beric, has been struggling to score.
The top players for the Crew are starting to find their game, and along with a capacity crowd to see them play at Historic Crew Stadium for one final time, all signs point to a Columbus victory.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Toronto vs. Orlando City (Sunday, 12.30am)
© Reuters
After a three-week international break, Toronto and Orlando City return to Major League Soccer action on Saturday, as they square off in Florida.
The two sides have had contrasting starts to the season, as Orlando sit in third spot in the Eastern Conference, while Toronto occupy 12th spot having only won one league game.
We say: Toronto 1-2 Orlando City
Although both sides have been hit by absentees, we see a majorly depleted Toronto squad falling to another defeat on Saturday, given their disappointing start to the campaign.
While they will have the advantage of Orlando playing with a relatively inexperienced goalkeeper, the lack of attacking options means they could still struggle, and we see them being slightly outclassed.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Cincinnati vs. Colorado (Sunday, 12.30am)
© Reuters
FC Cincinnati will look to climb off the foot of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference table on Saturday, when they play host to high-flying Colorado Rapids.
Cincinnati sit at the bottom of the table having won just one game this season, while their opponents have had a much stronger start to the campaign, sitting in fourth spot in the Western Conference as a result.
We say: FC Cincinnati 0-2 Colorado Rapids
Despite Cincinnati beginning to look more positive in recent games, we still see the visitors being too strong on Saturday, picking up their fifth win of the season as a result.
Colorado have looked formidable at both ends of the pitch this season and come into this game with plenty of momentum, while their opponents are yet to pick up a point on home turf and could again fall short against a stronger outfit.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
NY City vs. New England (Sunday, 12.30am)
© Reuters
New York City FC will look to gain some ground on the New England Revolution when they host the Eastern Conference leaders at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.
The Pigeons scored twice in the last 20 minutes to beat LAFC 2-1 in their last match, while the Revs have won three in a row after blanking FC Cincinnati 1-0 in their previous fixture.
We say: New York City FC 1-2 New England Revolution
These are two evenly matched teams, with both sides possessing some strong attacking options and both in a strong position in the Eastern Conference.
New England have not won four straight games in a regular-season campaign since 2015, when they won six matches in a row, but you get a sense of genuine eagerness and determination from the Revs, who have been able to find ways to win all season.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
DC United vs. Inter Miami (Sunday, 1.00am)
© Reuters
DC United and Inter Miami square off in Major League Soccer action on Sunday, as both sides battle to climb closer to the playoff spots after disappointing starts to the domestic season.
This is a repeat of each team's last fixture before the international break, as Sunday's hosts came out as 3-0 winners.
We say: DC United 1-1 Inter Miami
With DC United missing several key players for Sunday's game, we definitely see this being a much more even affair than the previous meeting between the two sides.
Given both teams are equally desperate to rise up the table having had disappointing starts to the season, we expect them to finish level and share the points in Florida.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Dallas vs. Minnesota Utd (Sunday, 1.30am)
© Reuters
Dallas will look to end a four-game winless slide on Saturday when they play host to Minnesota United at Toyota Stadium.
The Toros dropped a 3-0 decision to the Colorado Rapids before the international break, while the Loons salvaged a point with a late goal in their previous match that ended in a 1-1 draw with Real Salt Lake.
We say: Dallas 2-0 Minnesota United
The Toros have some key players who could be ready to return, while the Loons are missing their leading goalscorer and one of their best playmakers because of the Euros.
Dallas have been heading on a downward trajectory, but they are facing a Minnesota side that have struggled all season to score goals, and that was with Lod and Gregus in the fold.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Austin vs. Earthquakes (Sunday, 2.00am)
© Reuters
Austin FC play host to San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night with the opportunity to move ahead of their opponents in the Western Conference.
However, with both teams struggling for form in the MLS, Josh Wolff and Matias Almeyda are under pressure to deliver an improved set of results.
We say: Austin FC 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes
While neither team will not want to lose any more ground on the top five, avoiding defeat may take priority at the weekend. With that in mind, we can only predict a low-scoring draw, a result which would be deemed more acceptable by Austin than the visitors.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
LA Galaxy vs. Seattle (Sunday, 2.00am)
© Reuters
Seattle Sounders head into their fixture with Los Angeles Galaxy looking to extend their unbeaten record in the Western Conference to nine matches.
However, while the visitors currently top the standings, Galaxy will move level on points with their opponents if they can secure a positive result in California.
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 1-1 Seattle Sounders
All things considered, the Sounders will regard this as their toughest match of the season to date. On the back of two draws, do not be surprised if they take a cautious approach to this contest, potentially earning a third point in succession.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Portland vs. Kansas (Sunday, 3.30am)
© Reuters
Sporting Kansas City travel to Providence Park for a showdown with the Portland Timbers on Saturday night.
The Timbers fell 3-0 to the Philadelphia Union in their last match before the international break, while KC extended their unbeaten run to four games with a 1-1 draw versus Austin FC.
We say: Portland Timbers 1-2 Sporting Kansas City
Kansas City are starting to gel as a unit, creating plenty of scoring opportunities, plus they have the players who can finish off those chances, including Daniel Salloi, who has three goals and two assists in seven regular-season games against the Timbers (including the playoffs).
Goalkeeper Tim Melia enjoys playing at Providence Park, keeping four clean sheets in five appearances there.
Combine that with the fact that the Timbers are missing their top goalscorer in Felipe Mora, and it could a tough evening for Portland in attack.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Los Angeles vs. Houston (Sunday, 4.00am)
© Reuters
In their first game back after a three-week international break, Los Angeles FC and Houston Dynamo battle in Major League Soccer action on Sunday.
The hosts currently find themselves in ninth place in the Eastern Conference after a fairly underwhelming start to the campaign, but they would leapfrog their opponents with a victory.
We say: Los Angeles FC 2-1 Houston Dynamo
Although Los Angeles FC are yet to fully click this season, they have undoubted quality in the side, and should come good sooner rather than later.
On this occasion, we see them stepping up to secure an important victory, leapfrogging Houston and boosting their playoff bid.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Barney Corkhill
