Week 4 of the 2024 Major League Soccer season has already seen some fireworks.
In the Eastern Conference in particular, this is happening despite eight of the conference’s 15 teams still having an undefeated season and seven teams in the East competing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The teams will be fighting to separate themselves from the pack this weekend, but the hope is that both teams will pick up their first points of the season.
In the West we have everything. The teams we picked include a Western class team on the road, both Los Angeles teams in action, and one of them is sure to be a dogfight in a revenge match from last season. .
Fans are in for a St. Patrick’s Day treat this weekend as each game will be available to watch for free on Apple TV. That means these three matches should be even more fun to watch.
Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls
Saturday, March 16, 7:30pm ET (Apple TV, MLS Season Pass)
Columbus is looking good so far this season. Their star players are in mid-season form, their defense is tenacious and they’re playing like the team that won MLS Cup last season. They are undefeated this season with seven points from three games and will face the New York Red Bulls, who also have seven points.
black and gold eternal champion
Tomorrow, we celebrate a great man who spent more than 12 seasons with the Columbus Crew, won two MLS Cups, and left an immeasurable impact on his community. pic.twitter.com/S5SlUVXOAf
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) March 15, 2024
The Red Bulls are looking to continue their run of form and with new DP signing Emil Forsberg scoring his first goal last week, the club are confident they can take to the Lower.com Field and defeat the champions. .
prediction: The last three games between these two teams have ended 2-1, with Columbus winning two. Both teams won 2-1 last week. We shouldn’t tempt fate here…Columbus again he will win 2-1.
Nashville SC vs. Charlotte FC
Saturday, March 16, 8:30pm ET (Apple TV, MLS Season Pass)
Nashville has a midweek Concaf Champions Cup game against Inter Miami, but they have only had three draws this season in league play. They’re looking for their first win, and what better way to do that than at home against Charlotte.
Charlotte has come out of a so-so block of wins, losses and ties so far. They will be looking to get back on track under new manager Dean Smith against a team that will be a litmus test for them in their young season.
prediction: Nashville thought they had a winner late in the game, but they scored the equalizer just before stoppage time in the second half, and Charlotte tied the game 1-1.
Atlanta United vs Orlando City
Sunday, March 17, 7pm ET (Apple TV, MLS Season Pass)
Orlando City has been Atlanta United’s biggest rival since they entered the league, and this weekend will be a fun matchup. Atlanta defeated the New England Revolution in their home opener last weekend, finally picking up a big three points thanks to two key players being the best players on the field.
They will stay home this weekend to take on Orlando City, who were defeated by Tigres in the Concaf Champions Cup, before heading to Atlanta looking for their first win of the season against a weak team. Stars will be looking for open green spaces to work on St. Patrick’s Day.
prediction: Atlanta will continue paint training mainly in Orlando. They win 3-1.
portland at houston
Saturday, 8:30pm ET (Apple TV, MLS Season Pass)
Houston had a slow start to its MLS campaign, but is coming off a strong 2023 season with head coach Ben Olsen’s team winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This match is only Dynamo’s third match in MLS, considering the majority of Dynamo’s activities are participating in this year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup.
But after a Round of 16 exit courtesy of Columbus, Dinamo can only focus on the regular season. It starts with an undefeated Portland team atop the Western Conference, but at home inside Shell Energy Stadium.
prediction: That being said, Portland was top-tier early in the conference. I don’t think that momentum will stop even if we move away from Providence Park. Portland takes this 2-1.
St. Louis at Los Angeles Galaxy
Saturday, 10:30pm ET (Apple TV, MLS Season Pass)
The Galaxy got off to a fast start, with a tough matchup against Inter Miami, a 3-1 win over San Jose in Cali Clasico earlier this month, and a tough run to remain undefeated (1-0-2) in league play. ing. They played to a tie against Nashville last week.
However, the St. Louis Collective also enters the season undefeated and sits just behind the Galaxy in goal difference alone. Both matches between the sides last season ended in draws, but there is a strong feeling that LA, who are in good form, may be able to break the deadlock at home.
prediction: The Galaxy have been on a roll since the beginning of this season. I don’t know if it’s going to slow down, even against a very good St. Louis team. LA takes this 2-0.
LAFC in Minnesota
Saturday, 8:30pm ET (Apple TV, MLS Season Pass)
Minnesota certainly hasn’t forgotten the last time these two teams were together. Historically, these games have typically ended in draws (five of them, to be exact), but back in October LAFC celebrated defeating Minnesota 5-1. .
I’ll never forget the game we lost 5-1. This is the kind of thing that sticks in your mind, and LAFC could be in for a tough night as Minnesota currently sits in second place in the West and appears to be coming out with some momentum this season.
prediction: Minnesota came out strong in front of their home crowd in prime time and won the game 3-1.
