Cincinnati vs. Atlanta (Saturday, 6.30pm)
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Two teams looking to bounce back from defeats will go head-to-head as FC Cincinnati welcome Atlanta United to TQL Stadium for their latest MLS fixture on Saturday.
Cincy are on the verge of three consecutive losses across all competitions, while the visitors are without a win in their last three matches.
We say: FC Cincinnati 2-0 Atlanta United
The two sides met in a pre-season friendly back in February, playing out a 2-2 draw – however, much has changed since then, and the momentum now appears to be with Cincy given their strong home form this season, which is why we think they will secure a third successive MLS victory over Atlanta.
> Major League Soccer preview: Cincinnati vs Atlanta
Minnesota Utd vs. LA Galaxy (Saturday, 8.30pm)
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Still searching for their first win of this MLS season, Los Angeles Galaxy travel to Minnesota United on Saturday, hoping to extend their dominance in this fixture.
The reigning MLS Cup champions have endured a difficult start to the campaign, collecting just one point from their opening four matches – however, history is on their side, having won 10 of their 18 previous encounters against Minnesota.
We say: Minnesota United 1-1 Los Angeles Galaxy
LA Galaxy are struggling for both confidence and goals at the moment, but a team of their calibre can never be entirely ruled out – however, given Minnesota's strong home form and recent home dominance in this fixture, the hosts should have enough to take something from this encounter, which is why we anticipate a closely contested affair ending in a draw.
> Major League Soccer preview: Minnesota Utd vs LA Galaxy
Charlotte FC vs. Earthquakes (Saturday, 11.30pm)
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Round five of the 2025 Major League Soccer season sees two sides who have made mixed starts to life this term lock horns at the Bank of America Stadium when Charlotte FC play host to the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday.
This weekend's encounter will be the first competitive meeting between the teams, whose only prior clash came in a pre-season clash back in February 2024.
We say: Charlotte FC 3-1 San Jose Earthquakes
Charlotte are currently on a 10-game winning run on home turf across all competitions, and given San Jose's deficiencies on the road, we fully expect the home side to come away with maximum points when all is said and done.
> Major League Soccer preview: Charlotte FC vs Earthquakes
Columbus Crew vs. NY City (Saturday, 11.30pm)
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Seeking their first away victory of the 2025 MLS campaign, New York City FC travel to Lower.com Field on Saturday for a date with the Columbus Crew.
The Crew are third in the Eastern Conference following a 1-1 draw with San Diego FC, putting them a point above the Pigeons in the table, with the latter winning their previous league fixture 2-1 over the New England Revolution.
We say: Columbus Crew 1-1 New York City FC
Although Columbus are missing their share of starters, Nancy has a group of fast learners who can execute a new game plan well, and we believe they will find a way to get a result this weekend.
> Major League Soccer preview: Columbus Crew vs NY City
NY Red Bulls vs. Toronto (Saturday, 11.30pm)
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The New York Red Bulls will try to remain unbeaten at home in the 2025 Major League Soccer campaign when they host Toronto on Saturday at Red Bull Arena.
Last weekend, the Red Bulls came back from a pair of one-goal deficits to claim a 2-2 draw with Orlando City, while TFC remain winless on the year after a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to the Chicago Fire.
We say: New York Red Bulls 2-1 Toronto
There are no signs that Toronto have fixed their leaky backline, and an opportunistic side like the Red Bulls should be able to take advantage.
> Major League Soccer preview: NY Red Bulls vs Toronto
Orlando City vs. DC United (Saturday, 11.30pm)
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Orlando City will look to continue their dominance over DC United when the two sides meet for an MLS clash at the Inter & Co Stadium on Sunday.
The Lions have won their last two encounters against the Black-and-Red Eagles and will be aiming to secure a third consecutive victory over them for only the second time, having previously achieved this feat between 2016 and 2017.
We say: Orlando City 1-2 DC United
Orlando have been strong in attack, but their defensive frailties could prove costly against a resilient DC United side that has mastered the art of avoiding defeat, even when not securing victory, and given the visitors' superior defensive solidity, we believe they have the edge and are likely to come out on top in this encounter.
> Major League Soccer preview: Orlando City vs DC United
Philadelphia vs. St Louis City (Saturday, 11.30pm)
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Off the back of a first defeat of the season last time out, the Philadelphia Union will set out to secure an immediate return to winning ways when they welcome St Louis City to Subaru Park on Sunday.
While the home side head into this weekend's affair in need of a lift, the visitors will go in search of a third straight victory to continue their unbeaten start to proceedings this term.
We say: Philadelphia Union 2-1 St Louis City
Sunday's clash sees the highest-scoring team in the MLS so far take on the meanest defence, and we are expecting a keenly contested affair.
That said, we are also backing the home side to come out on top, albeit by only a narrow margin.
> Major League Soccer preview: Philadelphia vs St Louis City
Kansas vs. Los Angeles (Sunday, 12.30am)
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Two sides who could do well with a win go head to head in MLS as Sporting Kansas City play host to Los Angeles FC at Children's Mercy Park on Saturday night.
The Black and Gold, who are on an eight-game unbeaten run against the home side since August 2021, will look to extend this impressive four-year streak and snap their run of three consecutive defeats.
We say: Sporting Kansas City 0-2 Los Angeles FC
While Sporting Kansas City have stumbled into the new campaign, they will look to build on their performance against Minnesota last time out and get their season up and running. However, Los Angeles boasts a superior squad on paper and we fancy them to extend their dominance in this fixture, heaping more misery on the home side.
> Major League Soccer preview: Kansas vs Los Angeles
Nashville vs. Montreal (Sunday, 12.30am)
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One of three winless sides in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer will try to change that on Saturday as CF Montreal visit GEODIS Park to face Nashville SC.
The Boys in Gold handed the Philadelphia Union their first loss of the campaign last weekend, 3-1, while Le CFM collected their first point of 2025, playing to a 0-0 draw with DC United.
We say: Nashville SC 1-0 CF Montreal
Until Montreal get some of their veterans back, we will have a hard time seeing them win many games, especially against a defensive unit as compact and disciplined as Nashville.
> Major League Soccer preview: Nashville vs Montreal
Colorado vs. Portland (Sunday, 1.30am)
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Colorado Rapids will be looking to secure a third consecutive victory for the first time since August when they play host to Portland Timbers at the Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night.
While the home side appear to have hit their stride, it has been a topsy-turvy start to the campaign for the Timbers, who journey to Commerce City looking to secure their first away win since July 2024.
We say: Colorado Rapids 2-1 Portland Timbers
Colorado Rapids have put together a fine run of results in recent weeks and will be backing themselves against Portland Timbers who have struggled to impose themselves on the road. That said, we predict that Armas's men will make the most of their home advantage and come away with the desired result this weekend.
> Major League Soccer preview: Colorado vs Portland
Salt Lake vs. Dallas (Sunday, 1.30am)
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The Major League Soccer returns with a fresh set of fixtures as Real Salt Lake and Dallas go head to head at the Rio Tinto Stadium on Sunday morning.
Both sides head into the weekend off the back of contrasting results, with the hosts seeing off Houston Dynamo and the Hoops suffering a narrow home defeat at the hands of Vancouver Whitecaps.
We say: Real Salt Lake 1-0 Dallas
Having stumbled into the new campaign, a run of two wins from their last three games has shown that while Real Salt Lake are capable of winning games, consistency remains their biggest hurdle. However, we predict Mastroeni's men will make the most of their home advantage and come away with all three points against the floundering visitors.
> Major League Soccer preview: Salt Lake vs Dallas
Seattle vs. Houston (Sunday, 2.30am)
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Seattle Sounders welcome Houston Dynamo to Lumen Field for Saturday night's gameweek five action, aiming for their second MLS win of 2025.
With their only success coming at home, the Sounders seek to secure another victory at the expense of an opponent that remains winless after four games and sits second-bottom in the Western Conference.
We say: Seattle Sounders 2-1 Houston Dynamo
With three-goal man Morris absent for Seattle, the Sounders must find solutions in the attacking third to maintain their unbeaten start at Lumen Field.
Despite the forward's absence, the Rave Green, who have had five different goalscorers this term, are expected to extend the Dynamo's wait for a positive result in this fixture.
> Major League Soccer preview: Seattle vs Houston
Vancouver vs. Chicago Fire (Sunday, 2.30am)
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The Vancouver Whitecaps will try to maintain their 100% record in MLS when they host the Chicago Fire at BC Place Stadium on Saturday.
A goal early in the second half last weekend was enough to give the Caps a 1-0 victory at Dallas, while the Fire claimed a narrow 2-1 triumph away to Toronto.
We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Chicago Fire
Both teams are flying high and off to strong starts this season, but we trust the attacking depth of Vancouver a little more, as they have proven to be a well-balanced side early into 2025.
> Major League Soccer preview: Vancouver vs Chicago Fire
Ben Knapton
