Chicago Fire vs. Montreal (Saturday, 6.00pm)
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Chicago Fire will be hoping to register their first win of the 2024 MLS season when they take on CF Montreal at Soldier Field on Saturday evening.
The hosts will head into this match with just a single point to their name after the first three gameweeks, while the visitors are on seven points and could take the lead in the Eastern Conference this week.
We say: Chicago Fire 2-2 CF Montreal
While Montreal have made a very positive start to the season, they will be starting to feel the effects of travelling week-on-week, especially after an intense battle down in Miami last time out. This looks like a very even contest on paper, and we feel there will be nothing to split these two at the final whistle.
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DC United vs. Inter Miami (Saturday, 6.00pm)
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Matchday four of the 2024 MLS campaign begins with a matinee affair on Saturday between DC United and Inter Miami, who will square off at Audi Field.
Last weekend, the Black and Red hung onto a 0-0 result at FC Cincinnati, while the Herons suffered their first defeat of the regular season, losing 3-2 versus CF Montreal.
We say: DC United 1-2 Inter Miami
There are plenty of attacking veterans in Miami who know how to bounce back quickly, and we believe they will be a lot more determined to show their display against Montreal will not be a frequent occurrence.
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Seattle vs. Colorado (Saturday, 7.30pm)
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The Seattle Sounders can claim their first victory of the 2024 MLS campaign when they host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday at Lumen Field.
Last weekend, the Rave Green had their fixture with the Philadelphia Union postponed because of rain, while the Burgundy Boys collected their first victory of the new season, 2-1 over Real Salt Lake.
We say: Seattle Sounders 2-0 Colorado Rapids
Even with all the injury concerns surrounding the Sounders, we have faith that Schmetzer will find a way to turn it around, given their depth and quality.
The Rapids are in decent form, but we believe their defensive approach will leave them chasing this match and allow Seattle to eventually find a breakthrough.
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Columbus Crew vs. NY Red Bulls (Saturday, 11.30pm)
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In a game featuring two undefeated MLS sides, the Columbus Crew will host the New York Red Bulls on Saturday at Lower.com Field.
A goal deep into stoppage time lifted the reigning MLS Cup champions to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire last weekend, while New York edged Dallas 2-1.
We say: Columbus Crew 2-1 New York Red Bulls
Nancy is among the best coaches in MLS, and we believe he will find a creative way to get through a resolute Red Bulls defence who have yet to face an attacking unit with the kind of potency that Columbus possesses.
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NY City vs. Toronto (Saturday, 11.30pm)
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In a matchup of arguably the two biggest early MLS surprises for opposite reasons, New York City FC host Toronto on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
It has been a disappointing start to 2024 for the Boys in Blue, who have yet to claim a point this season, losing 2-1 versus the Portland Timbers a week ago, while the Reds are still undefeated, after claiming a 1-0 triumph at home to Charlotte FC.
We say: New York City FC 1-1 Toronto
The Pigeons showed flashes of brilliance at home to Portland last weekend but have not convinced us they can find that killer instinct, which is why we believe an upstart Toronto side can go to the Bronx and come away with a point.
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Austin vs. Philadelphia (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Two teams still in search of their first wins of the 2024 Major League Soccer season go head to head at the Q2 Stadium on Sunday as Austin FC play host to Philadelphia Union.
The hosts had to make do with a share of the spoils last time out, while their visitors will be looking to bounce back from a 6-0 thrashing.
We say: Austin FC 1-1 Philadelphia Union
Clean sheets have been at a premium for both sides of late and we expect neither of them to come away unbreached from this one. We are also backing a share of the spoils with honours even at the sound of the final whistle.
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Dallas vs. Vancouver (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Dallas are in danger of losing three successive MLS matches in the regular season for the first time since 2021, as they host the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday at Toyota Stadium.
A week ago, the Toros suffered their second consecutive defeat in this competition, losing 2-1 versus the New York Red Bulls, while Vancouver claimed their first victory of 2024, beating the San Jose Earthquakes 2-0.
We say: Dallas 0-1 Vancouver Whitecaps
The Caps always seem to play well in Frisco, and given the fact they have a relatively healthy squad, who are a lot more familiar with each other, we are leaning towards them claiming another three points away from home.
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Houston vs. Portland (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Aiming to earn their first maximum points of the new league campaign, Houston Dynamo will welcome an unbeaten Portland Timbers side to Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday night in MLS.
The Dynamo were dumped out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup by Columbus Crew in the week, whilst the Timbers have been afforded a full seven days to bask in their glory at New York City FC last time out.
We say: Houston Dynamo 2-1 Portland Timbers
Despite failing to pick up a victory so far this season, Houston have been competitive in each fixture, and we feel that a maiden success for the Dynamo is just around the corner.
Portland needed some last-minute heroics in the Bronx to secure three points last time out, but we feel that Neville's side will be unable to repeat the trick in Texas.
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Kansas vs. Earthquakes (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Both teams will be desperate to record their first league victory of the season when Sporting Kansas City host San Jose Earthquakes in MLS on Saturday evening.
Kansas have drawn all three of their opening fixtures, while San Jose are yet to get off the mark having lost three from three.
We say: Sporting Kansas City 1-0 San Jose Earthquakes
With both teams yet to win in MLS this season, we expect to see a nervy and potentially cagey encounter play out in Kansas on Sunday.
However, the hosts have not fallen behind yet this season, going on to draw all three matches. We can envisage them holding onto a narrow lead this time around, which would make it four defeats from four for San Jose.
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Minnesota Utd vs. Los Angeles (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Minnesota United can maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they take on Los Angeles FC in MLS action on Saturday.
The Loons have seven points from three matches heading into this game while the Black and Gold have four points from the same number of games.
We say: Minnesota United 2-0 Los Angeles FC
Minnesota have just one home win in five attempts against LAFC, but they are in good form at the moment and are the favorites heading into this fixture. The visitors are also finding it difficult to put the ball in the net, failing to score in their last two matches. We expect the home side to come out victorious here.
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Nashville vs. Charlotte FC (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Nashville SC will attempt to claim their first MLS victory of the season when they welcome Charlotte FC to Geodis Park on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Charlotte are searching for their opening away win of the campaign, having failed to win either of their previous two road trips.
We say: Nashville SC 1-1 Charlotte FC
Nashville may be slightly fatigued following their midweek outing in the Champions Cup, and we think they will have to settle for a point in Saturday's home contest, especially after drawing three of their four competitive home games this season.
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LA Galaxy vs. St Louis City (Sunday, 2.30am)
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Both teams will be hoping to remain unbeaten when Los Angeles Galaxy host St Louis City in MLS on Saturday night
Each side drew 2-2 away from home last weekend, with LA Galaxy held by Nashville SC and St Louis sharing the spoils at Austin FC.
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-2 St Louis City
This is a fascinating contest between one of the most successful teams in MLS history and the newest club to join the division, with both teams collecting five points from their opening three matches.
LA Galaxy have massively underperformed in recent seasons whereas St Louis topped the Western Conference last time out, so we can envisage an entertaining score draw when they meet on Sunday.
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Ben Knapton
