Minnesota Utd vs. Kansas (Saturday, 8.30pm)
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Sporting Kansas City will try to reclaim first place in the Western Conference when they travel to Allianz Field on Saturday to battle Minnesota United.
The Loons could only muster a 1-1 draw versus the San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday, despite having a man advantage for most of the game, while KC were able to rescue a point, scoring in injury time against the Portland Timbers.
We say: Minnesota United 1-1 Sporting Kansas City
The Loons have been sharp defensively at Allianz Field but have been snake bit in front of goal over their last two fixtures, facing a hot goalkeeper and a well-organized defence.
KC always seem to have an answer, but with little time to rest in between their games lately, it would not be a surprise to see this team struggle out of the gate yet again.
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Columbus Crew vs. Seattle (Saturday, 10.30pm)
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Lower.com Field will host a rematch of the 2020 MLS Cup final when the Columbus Crew play host to the Seattle Sounders on Saturday.
The Crew are on the outside of the playoff picture following their 1-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, while the Sounders are back in first out west, thanks to a 1-0 win over Dallas.
We say: Columbus Crew 1-3 Seattle Sounders
The Crew cannot seem to find the right formula to turn their season around, and while their opponents are getting healthier, Porter has been forced to deal with a slew of injuries at a very inopportune time.
Seattle are playing more determined than ever lately, and they will be extra motivated to ensure what happened in Columbus in the MLS Cup final last year does not happen again.
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Inter Miami vs. Toronto (Sunday, 1.00am)
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Canadian outfit Toronto have the opportunity to lift themselves off the bottom of the table with victory over Sunday's opponents Inter Miami, if the result from Cincinnati's game against New England falls in their favour.
Phil Neville's side have two games in hand on Toronto but will want to pick up three points on the weekend to make the gap to the foot of the Eastern Conference bigger.
We say: Inter Miami 2-0 Toronto
Neville's side will take confidence from their victory on Thursday and could start to believe that putting a string of victories together could see the side charge for the playoff positions.
The opportunity to play Toronto at home after the Canadian outfit's recent defeats will give Inter Miami belief that this is a game that they must win in order to climb the Eastern Conference.
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Philadelphia vs. Montreal (Sunday, 1.00am)
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Philadelphia Union welcome CF Montreal to Subaru Park on Saturday, with both sides sitting in a playoff final series spot in the MLS Eastern Conference.
Union are three places and four points further up the table, currently sitting fourth, but there is still a long way to go as we move into the second half of the season.
We say: Philadelphia Union 1-0 CF Montreal
As previously indicated, a high-scoring match looks fairly unlikely, and Philadelphia appear the more likely side to edge a win considering Montreal's absences and the recent record between the two.
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Orlando City vs. Chicago Fire (Sunday, 1.00am)
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Orlando City can move back into second place in the Eastern Conference with a victory at home to the Chicago Fire on Saturday at Exploria Stadium.
The Lions extended their unbeaten run in league play to four games with a 1-1 draw at Nashville SC on Wednesday, while the Fire saw their four-game unbeaten streak snapped, losing 3-2 to Inter Miami.
We say: Orlando City 2-1 Chicago Fire
The Lions know that the next few weeks will be critical for them to move into a strong position in the Eastern Conference, so we can expect to see them come out very determined to take care of business.
Chicago continue to make unforced errors that have ruined some strong performances, while they have struggled defensively away from home, conceding nine goals in their last three games.
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NY Red Bulls vs. NY City (Sunday, 1.00am)
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It is the New York derby this weekend as Ronny Deila's New York City FC face Gerhard Struber's New York Red Bulls at the Red Bull Arena on Sunday in the MLS Eastern Conference.
New York City have the edge going into this fixture, claiming nine more points than their state rivals, but derby matches do not tend to follow form, with passion coming to the forefront on derby days.
We say: New York Red Bulls 1-1 New York City FC
New York City have the league position in their favour over their city rivals, but their hosts will have been lifted by their victory last time out, and they will be looking to build on that with another point on Sunday.
Deila's side may feel they are comfortable in the playoff positions and Red Bulls have seventh spot in their sights, but Struber's side will face a difficult challenge against the Blues, who will want to avoid defeat on Sunday.
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DC United vs. Atlanta (Sunday, 1.00am)
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It is a battle of the Uniteds as DC United take on Atlanta United at Audi Field in the MLS Eastern Conference on Saturday night.
Just three points separates the two teams but the home side are well inside the playoff spots in sixth while their opponents sit in ninth.
We say: DC United 2-1 Atlanta United
Something will have to give - either the strong home record of DC or the current winning streak of Atlanta. We think, on the balance of things, DC will have just too much for the visitors, but it should be an interesting battle.
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New England vs. Cincinnati (Sunday, 1.00am)
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The New England Revolution will look to extend their unbeaten run to nine games when they host FC Cincinnati on Saturday from Gillette Stadium.
A second-half flurry helped New England come from behind to beat DC United 3-2 on Wednesday, while the Orange and Blue drew for the fourth successive time, 0-0 with CF Montreal.
We say: New England Revolution 3-1 FC Cincinnati
The Revs are starting to run away with the Eastern Conference title in the regular season, and they are scoring with ease at the moment with seven goals in their last three games.
Cincinnati have done a great job defending, but they have not had to deal with the kind of firepower New England possesses, and they cannot seem to buy a goal.
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Houston vs. Dallas (Sunday, 1.30am)
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There will be a lot to play for this weekend in the Texas Derby as the Houston Dynamo host Dallas from BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday.
Orange Crush are winless in their last 13 matches, while the Toros have dropped back-to-back games after going unbeaten in four straight.
We say: Houston Dynamo 1-2 Dallas
The Dynamo do not create enough scoring opportunities over 90 minutes to deserve three points, and they have been sloppy defensively lately, conceding 10 goals in their last three fixtures.
Dallas are goalless in their last two games, but they have at least shown more fight and desire to attack, and we should see a lot of desperation from them heading into this Texas Derby.
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Austin vs. Portland (Sunday, 2.00am)
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Austin FC will try to move off the bottom of the Western Conference when they welcome Portland Timbers to the Q2 stadium on Saturday.
The hosts are on a terrible run of form, but the visitors are not doing much better as they attempt to hang on to their place in the playoffs.
We say: Austin FC 1-1 Portland Timbers
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Colorado vs. Salt Lake (Sunday, 2.00am)
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Colorado Rapids are looking to extend their unbeaten run to five games on Sunday when they host Real Salt Lake, and if they manage to do so that will be their longest string of results without defeat of the season.
Salt Lake also come into this fixture off the back of two victories, and claiming three points this weekend will reduce the current seven-point gap to Colorado, who sit just above them in fourth.
We say: Colorado Rapids 1-0 Real Salt Lake
Colorado have only lost once at home so far this campaign while Salt Lake have picked up just two wins on the road, suggesting that Colorado will have the upper hand on Sunday.
Three points for the hosts will open up a big gap between themselves and Salt Lake, and with a game in hand on their top-seven rivals, and they should use this motivation to beat Juarez's side this weekend.
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Vancouver vs. Los Angeles (Sunday, 3.00am)
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Two MLS sides looking to get into the Western Conference playoff places meet on Saturday night as the Vancouver Whitecaps take on Los Angeles FC at BC Place.
The hosts are slowly climbing up the league standings, while their opponents have been slipping down them, and it should be a fascinating battle this weekend.
We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 1-2 Los Angeles FC
It may go against the form book taking everything into consideration, but we just have a feeling for LAFC in this match and believe that they will shade a close contest to pick up an extremely important three points.
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Barney Corkhill
