Los Angeles vs. Minnesota Utd (Saturday, 9.30pm)
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Los Angeles FC will look to build on their 2024 regular season success when they begin their 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign at home to Minnesota United on Saturday.
The Black and Gold finished top of the Western Conference with 64 points, edging Los Angeles Galaxy only on goal difference, though they placed third in the overall standings.
We say: Los Angeles FC 2-1 Minnesota United
While predicting the outcome is challenging with limited competitive games to gauge form and momentum, LAFC appear better placed for victory, having outperformed the visitors in recent outings and boasting a strong home record in this fixture.
> Major League Soccer preview: Los Angeles vs Minnesota Utd
Inter Miami vs. NY City (Sunday, 12.30am)
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The 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season officially gets underway on Saturday, with Inter Miami welcoming New York City FC to Chase Stadium.
While the Herons set an MLS-record for points in 2024 (74), they were eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs by Atlanta United (two games to one), with the Pigeons being knocked out in round two by the New York Red Bulls, 2-0.
We say: Inter Miami 3-1 New York City FC
Miami are used to quick turnaround games, like they will experience on Saturday, and we expect them to put forth a determined effort and make a statement to start the regular season.
> Major League Soccer preview: Inter Miami vs NY City
Atlanta vs. Montreal (Sunday, 12.30am)
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In a rematch from the 2024 Major League Soccer wild card round, Atlanta United welcome CF Montreal to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday in the opening game of the 2025 regular season for both teams.
When these sides met for a spot in the opening round of the playoffs last year, the Five Stripes pulled out a narrow 5-4 shootout victory after that game ended in a 2-2 draw.
We say: Atlanta United 3-2 CF Montreal
These two sides boast some high-quality attackers, while neither look to be that much better on the back end when compared to 2024.
That said, we believe Atlanta's experience will win this opening match for them, as many of their players have experience in finding a way to get ahead in what could be a match littered with opportunities for both sides.
> Major League Soccer preview: Atlanta vs Montreal
Cincinnati vs. NY Red Bulls (Sunday, 12.30am)
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After their magical playoff run fell just short in 2024, the New York Red Bulls hope to begin the 2025 Major League Soccer season on the right foot as they head to TQL Stadium to face FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
In the MLS Cup final last year, the Red Bulls suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Galaxy, while Cincy were knocked out in their opening-round series with New York City FC, losing that decisive third match on penalties.
We say: FC Cincinnati 1-0 New York Red Bulls
Losing Acosta is a blow to Cincinnati, but we believe Evander's dynamic skill and speed, along with all the familiar faces in their lineup, will enable them to begin this campaign on a winning note.
> Major League Soccer preview: Cincinnati vs NY Red Bulls
Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire will raise the curtain on their respective 2025 Major League Soccer campaigns when they go head-to-head at Lower.com Field on Saturday.
The home side will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing playoff first-round exit, while the visitors head into the new season with a point to prove having finished bottom of the Eastern Conference last time out.
We say: Columbus Crew 2-1 Chicago Fire
Columbus Crew will be aiming to make an early statement by emerging victorious on home turf here, and we can see them getting the job done, albeit by only a narrow margin.
> Major League Soccer preview: Columbus Crew vs Chicago Fire
DC United vs. Toronto (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Two sides that narrowly missed the playoffs in 2024 aim to begin the new Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign on a winning note as DC United host Toronto at Audi Field on Saturday.
Last year the Black and Red missed the post-season on goal difference to Atlanta United, while the Reds had just three points fewer than DC at the end of the campaign.
We say: DC United 2-1 Toronto
It is hard to tell how much either side improved during the off-season, but Benteke is coming off a stellar season and should have his chances against a Toronto backline where questions remain.
> Major League Soccer preview: DC United vs Toronto
Orlando City vs. Philadelphia (Sunday, 12.30am)
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The opening round of matches in the 2025 Major League Soccer season sees Orlando City navigate the challenge of the Philadelphia Union at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday.
Unbeaten in the last four meetings against their visitors, the home side have had the upper hand in this fixture of late and will be confident of making a winning start to their campaign this weekend.
We say: Orlando City 2-1 Philadelphia Union
Goals have been a constant feature of this fixture such that despite Orlando City's recent dominance, they are without a clean sheet in 16 encounters against Philadelphia Union.
That said, we are leaning towards a victory for the home side at the end of the 90 minutes.
> Major League Soccer preview: Orlando City vs Philadelphia
Austin vs. Kansas (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Seeking to start as they mean to go on, Austin FC and Sporting Kansas City will lock horns in their 2025 MLS curtain-raiser at the Q2 Stadium on Sunday.
Off the back of relatively underwhelming campaigns last time out, both teams will head into the new season perhaps with a point to prove, and all three points on the opening weekend would be an ideal first impression.
We say: Austin FC 3-1 Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City are showing no signs of putting last season's woes behind them just yet, and Austin will fancy their chances of coming away with maximum points.
We are tipping the hosts to run out fairly comfortable winners at the sound of the final whistle in Texas.
> Major League Soccer preview: Austin vs Kansas
Houston vs. Dallas (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Houston Dynamo and Dallas get their 2025 MLS campaign underway when they go head to head in the season curtain-raiser at the Shell Energy Stadium on Sunday morning.
This will be the second encounter between the two sides within the space of two weeks, following a 2-2 draw when they met in a warm-up fixture at the Toyota Stadium on February 7.
We say: Houston Dynamo 2-1 Dallas
Looking at recent meetings between Houston Dynamo and Dallas, we anticipate another thrilling contest at the Shell Energy Stadium with plenty of goal oth action. The spoils were shared when they faced off in pre-season two weeks back, but we are backing Olsen's men to come away with all three points in front of their home supporters, albeit by the odd goal.
> Major League Soccer preview: Houston vs Dallas
Nashville vs. New England (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Nashville SC and New England Revolution get the ball rolling in the 2025 MLS campaign when they go head to head in the season curtain-raiser on Sunday morning.
The Revs, who lost their final six league games on the road last term, will journey to Geodis Park looking to begin the season on a positive note and secure a fourth consecutive victory over the home side since June 2024.
We say: Nashville SC 2-1 New England Revolution
Having both endured a poor 2024 campaign, Nashville and New England Revolution will look to get one over the other this weekend as they know victory here could spur them to a strong early-season form. The Revs have struggled to grind out results in their travels and we fancy Nashville to come away with the desired result in front of their home supporters.
> Major League Soccer preview: Nashville vs New England
St Louis City vs. Colorado (Sunday, 1.30am)
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St Louis City and Colorado Rapids will be looking to kick off the 2025 MLS campaign on a high when they go head to head in the season opener at Energizer Park on Sunday morning.
The Rapids head into the weekend off the back of a hard-fought victory in their all-MLS clash with Los Angeles FC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and aim to build on that result.
We say: St Louis City 2-2 Colorado Rapids
Following their midweek Champions Cup triumph, Colorado Rapids will head into Sunday's clash with confidence as they look to kick off the league campaign on the right note. However, St Louis City have proven tough to crack on home turf and we predict they will hold out for a share of the spoils.
> Major League Soccer preview: St Louis City vs Colorado
Earthquakes vs. Salt Lake (Sunday, 3.30am)
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Major League Soccer's bottom-ranked side from 2024 will aim for a fresh start to their 2025 campaign as they play host to Real Salt Lake in the season opener on Saturday.
The hosts were the worst-performing side in MLS last year, while the visitors were eliminated by Minnesota United in the MLS Cup Western Conference round one playoffs.
We say: San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes will be lifted by the fans in their first competitive match under Arena's management, and with Salt Lake having an unfavourable record at the Avaya Stadium, we believe the hosts will scrape a narrow victory.
> Major League Soccer preview: Earthquakes vs Salt Lake
Seattle vs. Charlotte FC (Sunday, 3.30am)
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Seattle Sounders are set to get their 2025 Major League Soccer campaign underway on Saturday, with Charlotte FC awaiting them at the CenturyLink Field.
The hosts kicked off their campaign with a victory in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, while the visitors are set to compete in their first competitive game of the year.
We say: Seattle Sounders 2-1 Charlotte FC
Charlotte FC may be significantly strengthened by the addition of Zaha, but given Seattle's strong record against the Crown and the visitors's challenges on the road since joining MLS, we are anticipating a home win.
