NY City vs. New England (Saturday, 6.00pm)
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The 2021 Supporters Shield winners will meet last season's MLS Cup champions as the New England Revolution look to extend their unbeaten run to 11 straight matches domestically when they battle New York City FC on Sunday at Yankee Stadium.
New England set a league record for points in the regular season a year ago (73), but they failed to finish the job in the playoffs, falling to the Pigeons on penalties in the Eastern Conference semi-finals as New York went on to capture the title.
We say: New York City FC 2-2 New England Revolution
The Revs and New York possess some of the best playmakers and strikers in the league, but they each tend to suffer breakdowns in discipline near the end of matches, which has forced them to share many points.
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Seattle vs. Portland (Saturday, 9.30pm)
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The past three Western Conference champions in Major League Soccer will renew their rivalry at Lumen Field on Saturday afternoon as the Seattle Sounders host the Portland Timbers.
Portland have put themselves back into playoff contention, earning points in four consecutive domestic affairs, currently trailing Seattle by three points for the final postseason berth.
We say: Seattle Sounders 2-1 Portland Timbers
A well-rested Sounders squad will be eager to improve their form at home after dropping points in two of their last three outings.
Despite Portland making great strides in recent weeks, we expect Seattle to dictate the tempo of this game and take Portland out of their rhythm in the middle of the field, something the Rave Green have excelled at in recent fixtures.
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Atlanta vs. Austin (Sunday, 12.00am)
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Mercedes-Benz Stadium will feature a matchup between two of the bigger surprise stories at the moment in Major League Soccer as Atlanta United play host to Austin FC.
Halfway through the regular season, the Five Stripes have failed to live up to their lofty expectations, sitting five points back of a playoff spot, while in the Lone Star State, Austin have already exceeded what many had anticipated they were capable of, sitting second in the West with 34 points.
We say: Atlanta United 1-2 Austin FC
Even though they always seem to leave it late, when Austin play with the kind of potency that we are seeing, it is difficult for any side to contain them.
When you add to that the fact that the Five Stripes continuously suffer from at least one or two miscues each game, it would not be a surprise to see the Verde and Black win a fourth successive road fixture in what will be the first-ever meeting between both sides.
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Charlotte FC vs. Nashville (Sunday, 12.00am)
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Western Conference side Nashville SC will travel over 400 miles to North Carolina for their MLS encounter against Eastern Conference outfit Charlotte FC on Sunday.
The hosts have won six of their last eight MLS games on home soil, while the visitors are looking to claim their third successive league victory on the road.
We say: Charlotte FC 1-1 Nashville SC
Both Charlotte and Nashville will view Sunday's fixture as a winnable game, but the visitors will head into this contest as the slight favourites given their position in the table.
However, considering the inconsistent form of both teams, a score draw could be on the cards in North Carolina.
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Cincinnati vs. NY Red Bulls (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Eastern Conference leaders New York Red Bulls will be looking to claim their third successive MLS victory when they travel to Ohio to face FC Cincinnati on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the hosts â who currently sit fifth in the table â would move to within four points of the summit if they were to come away with all three points.
We say: FC Cincinnati 0-1 New York Red Bulls
Only one of the seven MLS encounters between Cincinnati and New York Red Bulls has seen more than two goals scored, so a closely-fought contest could be on the cards in Ohio.
Both sides will be confident of claiming maximum points from Sunday's fixture, but we feel that the visitors will do just enough to come away with a slender victory.
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Montreal vs. Kansas (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Basement club Sporting Kansas City will be looking to turn their fortunes around when they travel to the Saputo Stadium to face CF Montreal on Sunday.
The hosts have won six of their last eight matches across all competitions on home soil, while the visitors have won only one of their last 12 games on the road.
We say: CF Montreal 2-1 Sporting Kansas City
Both sides will be keen to return to winning ways after suffering defeat last time out, with Sporting Kansas City in particular looking to end their miserable run of form and climb the table.
Despite their recent head-to-head record against the visitors, Montreal will be viewed as the favourites on Sunday and should have enough quality in their side to claim maximum points.
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Toronto vs. Earthquakes (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Week 19 will feature a matchup between the two worst defensive units in Major League Soccer, as Toronto host the San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Field on Saturday.
After 18 games in 2022, the Reds have conceded 34 goals, which is one fewer than San Jose as both teams are level on points in their respective conferences with 18.
We say: Toronto 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes
These two sides have plenty of similarities when it comes to quality in the attacking third, with each allowing their opponents to fire at will in their own penalty area.
Home field could be the deciding factor in this one, and because of that we are giving the Reds a slight edge, having won all five of their regular season contests at BMO Field, while the Goonies have yet to win on the road, failing to score on five occasions.
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Orlando City vs. Inter Miami (Sunday, 1.00am)
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An all-Florida derby will take place this weekend, when Orlando City welcome Inter Miami for a crucial Western Conference clash.
Orlando currently occupy one of the seven playoff spots, whereas Inter Miami are chasing the pack just behind.
We say: Orlando City 2-1 Inter Miami
Orlando will understand that this weekend's clash represents an opportunity not only to take the bragging rights of Florida, but to also consolidate their playoff position.
Inter Miami will offer stern competition, but it is unlikely they will be able to take points off Orlando.
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Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew (Sunday, 1.00am)
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Two Eastern Conference strugglers will go head-to-head this weekend when Chicago Fire take on Columbus Crew on Sunday morning.
Chicago remain rooted to the foot of the Eastern Conference, while Columbus are languishing in the mid-table positions.
We say: Chicago Fire 0-2 Columbus Crew
Granted, their league position does not suggest the best of seasons, yet Columbus are finding their feet in the Eastern Conference.
Against the lowest-ranked side in the conference, expect Columbus to cruise to a comfortable win this weekend.
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Houston vs. Dallas (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Playoff-hopefuls FC Dallas will continue their pursuit of a top-seven finish when they travel to Texas for a Saturday evening clash against Houston Dynamo.
Houston are yet to properly find form this season and will be hoping to rise up the Western Conference before the season comes to a close.
We say: Houston Dynamo 1-2 Dallas
Houston have endured a stuttering season this year, but they certainly have the quality to turn it around.
While they may enjoy an upturn in form, it is unlikely to start this weekend, with Dallas expected to take three points against a flagging Houston outfit.
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Salt Lake vs. Colorado (Sunday, 3.00am)
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Two sides in contrasting fortunes, Eastern Conference high-flyers Real Salt Lake will welcome the visit of Colorado Rapids.
Sitting pretty in third, Real Salt Lake will continue their assault up the conference table with another victory this weekend.
We say: Real Salt Lake 2-0 Colorado Rapids
Real Salt Lake have enjoyed a superb season so far and will enter the second half of the campaign confident of challenging for titles.
Struggling towards the bottom, Colorado are unlikely to offer much competition to the high-flyers and will likely suffer defeat this weekend.
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Barney Corkhill
