3️⃣ matches you must watch in MLS this weekend
Let's dig into a few of the most watchable games from around the league this weekend.
Seattle Sounders vs Minnesota United
Sunday's lone game is a tasty one as we turn our attention to the Pacific Northwest. A top-four battle in Western Conference will commence, with both sides looking to take advantage of Vancouver's slight drop in recent weeks as the conference opens up even further.
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The Sounders have won four of their last six in MLS, and they have done it with major injury issues — Brian Schmetzer teams just seem to always find a way to hang in the picture down the stretch.
Meanwhile, Minnesota United have been a superb addition to the conversation out west this season. Eric Ramsay has turned the Loons into one of the most tactically sound sides in MLS, but they do rely upon the play of strike-partners Kelvin Yeboah and Tani Oluwaseyi. The two center-forwards have combined for 15 goal contributions this season.
Inter Miami vs Columbus Crew
It's becoming a must-watch matchup in MLS, despite the two sides being in the midst of slumps relative to their lofty standards.
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The Crew have not won in MLS since early April, drawing four of five games in that stretch, while Miami have won just two of their last seven in the league. Something has got to give for both of these teams.
In the reverse fixture back in April, Columbus found themselves 0-1 losers to the Herons, despite being the better the team on the day by somewhat of a wide margin.
Both teams will be looking to reignite their push into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. Expect fireworks in Fort Lauderdale.
New York Red Bulls vs Atlanta United
The standings might point to this matchup not being one of the sexier this upcoming weekend, but the narratives surrounding the two sides have begun to build in recent weeks.
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Reigning Eastern Conference champions New York Red Bulls are still looking to recover from a poor start to the campaign, but have won two straight to jump up into the playoff picture. Youngster Mohammed Sofo has scored in both wins for Sandro Schwarz's, perhaps eclipsing stars such as Emil Forsberg and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting as the biggest story at Red Bull Arena this season.
Atlanta, on the other hand, have shown signs of life after a disastrous start to the season. The Five Stripes spent massive money in the offseason to revitalize the squad for new head coach Ronny Deila, but their recent two-game victorious run in MLS pulled their win tally up to just four.
Two teams desperate to remain hot. We should be in for a tense affair Saturday evening in New Jersey.
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