Inter Miami remained on top of the Major League Soccer table following their 2-1 win against Vancouver Whitecaps but failed to build from it when they went down 3-1 to Atlanta United. With Cincinnati continuing to breathe down their neck and are a point away from overtaking them, the race at the top continues to intensify and we look to see if Miami can extend their lead in their upcoming match against St. Louis on Sunday.
Meanwhile, at the bottom, the struggle continues for New England after recording three consecutive defeats and finding themselves deeply rooted at the foot of the log.
Let’s dive into this weekend’s Major League Soccer previews and predictions:
Saturday, June 1
6/10 New York City FC | Draw 26/10 | San Jose Earthquakes 36/10 (01:30)
The New Yorkers have been enjoying a good run lately which has seen them collect maximum points in their past four matches which has seen them climb to the sixth spot on the log standings with 26 points.
San Jose on the other hand has been derailed by their two consecutive losses and a draw in their past three matches. A win against the high-flying New York City FC will be a great confidence booster for them. However, with the way they have been performing lately, it is hard to see them bagging maximum points. New York City FC to win.
Sunday, June 2
17/20 DC United | Draw 23/10 | Toronto FC 24/10 (01:30)
DC United will host Toronto who is five points ahead of them, they will be looking to get back to the winning lane having experienced back-to-back losses and a draw in their past three matches while Toronto fell short 3-4 against Cincinnati thanks to Sergio Santos’s last-minute goal which gave the three points away to the visitors. The Capital City-based team suffered another loss during mid-week action when they were hammered 4-2 by CF Montreal. Back the away team.
7/20 Inter Miami | Draw 34/10 | Saint Louis City 6/10 (01:30)
Miami will get a chance to extend their lead at the top of the log when they face the struggling St. Louis who have only won three of their past 14 games since the new season commenced. This is expected to be a one-way traffic given the away side’s poor run of form compared to the red-hot Lionel Messi’s side which has won 10 of their 16 games. Easy win for Inter Miami.
15/20 New York Red Bulls | Draw 23/10 | Orlando City 3/1 (01:30)
Seventh-place New York Red Bulls recovered from their 2-1 defeat in the New York derby which saw their crosstown rivals extend their winning streak to four matches when they defeated Charlotte FC 3-1 and will be highly motivated heading to this match. They face a side that has been leaking at the back having conceded 22 goals and scored 15. The Bulls’ defence has also not been solid as they last kept a clean sheet in April when they played a goalless draw against Chicago. Red Bulls to edge Orlando City.
4/10 Philadelphia Unions | Draw 32/10 | CF Montreal 56/10 (01:30)
A place in the top half will be on the line for the Unions when they battle the struggling Montreal side. The Philly’s managed to avoid a third straight loss when they defeated New England Revolution but failed to build from that when they were held to a goalless draw against Charlotte FC which was followed by another 0-0 draw against Toronto FC.
Montreal secured a much-need win when they demolished DC United 4-2 to end a nine-match winless run in all competitions. Coach Laurent Courtois will need to do everything he can to keep his side on the winning lane and avoid sinking deeper to the bottom of the log. Another loss for Montreal.
13/10 Chicago Fire | Draw 23/10 | Los Angeles Galaxy 15/10 (02:30)
The odds will be stacked against the Chicago Fire when they take on LA Galaxy FC at Soldier Field Stadium. Fire started the season on a bad note having succumbed to eight losses, recording only two victories, and playing six draws out of their opening 16 matches. They will be eyeing to end their nine-match winless run but are facing an uphill battle as Galaxy has proven to be a hard side to beat.
Galaxy will be looking to add to the misery of Frank Klopas’ side and hand them another loss. Their last meeting ended in favour of the Los Angeles side who won 3-0. Judging by both side’s current form, the visitors are in favour of another victory. Easy victory for LA Galaxy.
6/10 Minnesota United | Draw 26/10 | Sporting Kansas City 33/10 (02:30)
Minnesota United are clear favourites to win this match. It’s hard to see the visitors ending their losing run which has gone to over five matches given their leaking back. To add to that, United recently had their six-game unbeaten run ended by a loss against Los Angeles FC. They will be aiming to avoid dropping more points. My money is on Minnesota United.
6/10 Nashville SC | Draw 49/20 | New England Revolution 36/10
Nashville’s form looked to be dropping having been held to draws by Atlanta and Charlotte in succession but they managed to turn things around following their 2-0 victory over FC Cincinnati. They face a side that lost 10 out of their 13 games and are sitting at the bottom of the log. We look to see if the visitors can turn things around and get their third victory of the season. Nashville SC to win.
13/20 Real Salt Lake | Draw 51/20 | Austin FC 33/10
Real Salt Lake has had a great start to their 2023/2024 season as they are currently third on the log after getting eight victories, six draws and two losses in their 16 opening games. They will square off with 11th-place Austin who have been getting mixed results but are not a side to be taken lightly. They will be desperate to get back to their winning ways after losing 2-0 to Portland Timbers in their recent match, a side that was expected to go down easily. Salt Lake will be too strong for Austin.
9/20 Los Angeles FC | Draw 31/10 | FC Dallas 5/1
Los Angeles FC are back in the winning lane after suffering an embarrassing 3-1 defeat at the hands of San Jose. They have recorded four consecutive wins and are expected to stretch their winning streak given the poor run of form that their opponents have been experiencing.
Dallas managed to avoid a loss in their last match when they played a 3-3 draw against on-form Real Salt Lake but failed to build from that when they went down 3-1 to LA Galaxy. They looked promising despite the loss and could shock Los Angeles. Los Angeles to bag all three points.
19/20 Portland Timbers | Draw 22/10 | Houston Dynamo 9/4
Houston has been going through a rough patch lately which has resulted in them losing two of their last three matches but seems to be turning the tide following their 3-1 victory against Colorado Rapids.
The Timbers on the other hand were victorious in their last match against Austin FC and will take advantage of the away side’s poor run of form. With the backing of their home fans, Portland should be able to edge Dynamo. Back Portland for the win.
19/20 Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Draw 22/10 | Colorado Rapids 9/4
Vancouver overtook their opponents in the 12th spot following their 2-1 win against Sporting Kansas City on Thursday which ended their winless run that stretched to five matches in all competitions suffering four defeats and recording a single draw in the process. This is their chance to turn things around as they are facing a side that is evenly matched with them. Vancouver to get the win here.
19/20 Atlanta United FC | Draw 39/20 | Charlotte FC 5/2
The Queen City side looks to have picked up form following their back-to-back defeats, they have avoided a loss winning three and playing two draws in their five recent matches. They face a side that has not been doing well in the league having failed to bag all three points in over eight games. Atlanta will face top of the log Inter Miami before hosting Charlotte. It looks like their woes will continue. However, we can never Rule out Gonzalo Pineda’s side. Charlotte FC to win and remain in the winning lane.
Written by Siphesihle Soni