MLS Rivalry Week begins this weekend and over the next week, each of the league’s 29 teams will face off against teams in key rivalry showdowns. MLS hopes to capture fans’ attention with great games spread over multiple weekends, including midweek games.
The season begins Saturday with three games in the Eastern Conference featuring teams that have had on-field rivalries over the past few years. We’ll start with the big weekend event.
Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati
Saturday, May 11th 7:45pm (FS1, Apple TV (Free), MLS Season Pass)
Hell Is Real has quickly become one of Major League Soccer’s fiercest rivalries, and it’s taken on even more weight this year as both sides sit in the top half of the standings. Columbus, which reached the Concaf Champions Cup finals, will look to defend its home turf from rival FC Cincinnati down I-71. Cincinnati is trying to keep pace with Eastern Conference leader Inter Miami, but these games are always a little volatile with bragging rights at stake.
prediction: Cincinnati won 2-1 on the road.
atlanta united vs. DC United
Saturday, May 11th, 7:30pm (MLS Season Pass)
MLS has been promoting this matchup for the past few seasons as it always seems to be interesting. DC United are in 9th place with 14 points and Atlanta United are in 10th place with 12 points, so this is a chance for these teams to definitely jump into the playoff zone. DC United need to get things right as they are likely to be shortchanged on the road in places where they don’t traditionally play well due to a spate of injuries and loans. Atlanta wants to prove they’re one of the top teams in the conference, and a win here could put them in that conversation.
prediction: Atlanta hasn’t lost to DC since October 2020, with five wins and one tie in that time. DC is close to full strength and he only has one road loss. Both teams battle to a 3-3 draw.
Toronto FC vs New York City FC
Saturday, May 11th, 7:30pm (MLS Season Pass)
The Toronto FC we’re watching this season is the Toronto FC we’ve come to expect all these years. Under new head coach John Herdman, they are starting to gel and live up to the expectations of a high-salary roster. They will face New York City FC, who they have played against already this season. NYCFC won 2-1 at home in March and will be looking to build on their stronghold against the Reds once again. NYCFC are in the middle of the playoff spots with 14 points, but a win could move them into fourth place ahead of a busy week.
prediction: NYCFC had won their last three games and were victorious again. City won again 2-1.
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James Benjamin Williams Jr. – USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Galaxy’s Real Salt Lake
Saturday, 10:30pm ET (MLS Season Pass)
This is usually not a rivalry per se, but a battle for supremacy. Real is on a tear with their excellent league performance, as well as their away games at America First Field (3-1-2). Led by forward Cristian Arango and young midfielder Diego Luna, the club, who sit atop the MLS Western Conference, have enjoyed success with wins in their last three games. Meanwhile, the Galaxy came away from a scoreless draw against Seattle and will be aiming for a home win to move up from their current third place in the standings.
prediction: Real got off to a fast start, led by the play of Luna and the others, and the Galaxy found the back of the net, but they could not get past Salt Lake. Real won this match 3-1.
Vancouver at LAFC
Saturday, 10:30pm ET (Apple TV)
That is to say. LAFC is a much better club than their record suggests, and they’re still looking for their first road win (0-4-1) with just the smell coming from home. Fortunately, the club will have to wait to add to that winning streak, as they host an in-form Vancouver team at BMO Stadium. Unfortunately for LAFC, the Whitecaps, currently in fourth place in the West, pride themselves on a great away record and are facing an LAFC team that has conceded 19 goals in 11 games this season. We will be competing against each other.
prediction: It’s anyone’s guess, but LAFC got it done in front of their hometown fans. However, there is little hope that this game will end with a goal and the home team trailing 2-1.
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Seattle in Portland
Sunday, 4:45pm ET (Fox)
In my opinion, there is no better game than this one. This rivalry existed even before MLS’ nationally televised league games this week, and for good reason. Consider the fact that both teams are currently languishing in playoff contention, with both teams sitting on 10 points, good for 11th (Seattle) and 12th (Portland), respectively. There’s no love lost between the two, so this matchup is always a must-see, and it’s a beautiful thing to watch the Timbers at Providence Park.
prediction: Portland has conceded a lot of goals so far this season, 23 to be exact, but Seattle has the ability to find the back of the net. Staying for the soccer, but exits 3-1 with the W in favor of the Sounders.
