NY City vs. Orlando City (Sunday, 6.00pm)
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New York City FC would be assured of a home playoff game when the Major League Soccer postseason begins if they can triumph on Sunday versus Orlando City at Red Bull Arena.
The reigning MLS Cup champions followed up their 2-0 Campeones Cup triumph over Atlas by beating the New York Red Bulls by that same score in their previous encounter, while the Lions ended a two-game losing streak, blanking Toronto 4-0.
We say: New York City FC 2-0 Orlando City
The Pigeons are full of confidence at the moment, winning a pair of significant games, while Orlando looked great against Toronto, but to be fair, the Reds appeared deflated after being eliminated from postseason contention.
Momentum and quality will favour NYCFC in this one, while we expect the Lions to hang back and try to impede the home side, who have many dependable match winners.
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Portland vs. Los Angeles (Sunday, 8.00pm)
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A victory on Sunday versus Los Angeles FC at Providence Park should be just about enough for the Portland Timbers to clinch a postseason berth for a sixth successive MLS campaign.
Portland are three points above the Western Conference playoff line, unbeaten in five consecutive league contests, while the Black and Gold are clinging to the Supporters Shield lead, with three more victories than the Philadelphia Union heading into this weekend.
We say: Portland Timbers 2-1 Los Angeles FC
Given the calibre of finishers on each side, we could see at least a few goals in this one, and just as Banc of California Stadium has been a fortress for LA, the same can be said about Providence Park for the Timbers.
Home-field advantage, along with the desperation of needing a result to potentially clinch a playoff spot, should give the Timbers a slight edge over their opponents.
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Kansas vs. Seattle (Sunday, 10.00pm)
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The Seattle Sounders head into their final road fixture of the 2022 MLS campaign at Sporting Kansas City in need of a victory and a lot of help to maintain their slim playoff hopes.
KC have already been eliminated from postseason contention, while the Sounders will also be if they manage anything less than a victory or if Minnesota United defeat the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
We say: Sporting Kansas City 2-1 Seattle Sounders
It sounds like a broken record at this point, but it just feels like this is finally the end of the line for the Sounders in 2022, who seem to have let the weight of expectations get to them in this MLS campaign.
On the other side, SKC have been playing much looser and with more fluidity since their postseason aspirations ended, and we expect that will help them to another home victory on Sunday.
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Nashville vs. Houston (Monday, 1.30am)
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Riding a season-high six-game unbeaten streak in MLS, Nashville SC return to GEODIS Park with a chance to clinch a postseason berth with a victory against the Houston Dynamo on Sunday.
The Boys in Gold have drawn consecutive matches 1-1, while Houston lost their first game under interim manager Kenny Bundy, 3-1 versus Los Angeles FC.
We say: Nashville SC 3-0 Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo have conceded multiple goals in three straight road games, and having to contend with one of the frontrunners for MLS MVP in Hany Mukhtar will make their weekend task incredibly daunting.
Not only is Mukhtar in fine form, but the Boys in Gold have rediscovered their defensive game, and that could spell bad news for Houston.
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Barney Corkhill
