Chicago Fire vs. Nashville (Saturday, 11.00pm)
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Chicago Fire and Nashville SC will bring their 2024 MLS regular seasons to an end this weekend when they face off at Soldier Field on Saturday night.
The hosts will enter the final matchday bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with 30 points, while they visitors are just two places and three points above them.
We say: Chicago Fire 2-1 Nashville SC
While Nashville only need a draw to guarantee they will not end bottom of the Eastern Conference this season, Chicago have avoided defeat in their last two home games, including a 2-1 win over the Red Bulls, and we feel the hosts may just be able to manage one more big performance before the rebuild for next term begins.
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DC United vs. Charlotte FC (Saturday, 11.00pm)
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Needing one point to secure post-season football, DC United play host to Charlotte FC at Audi Field in the final game of the 2024 MLS regular season on Saturday.
While the visitors have already booked their spot in the playoffs, a run of two wins in their last two outings has put the Black-and-Red in pole position to qualify for the two-legged play-in clash in the East.
We say: DC United 2-1 Charlotte FC
With their playoff dreams hinging on this weekend's result, we expect DC United to go all out as they need at least a point to secure post-season football. Charlotte have put together a fine run result of late, but given their recent struggles on the road, we are backing the Black-and-Red to come away with a narrow victory in front of their home supporters.
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Inter Miami vs. New England (Saturday, 11.00pm)
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Inter Miami have a date with history, needing a win on Saturday to set an MLS regular-season points record as they host the team that currently hold that record, the New England Revolution at Chase Stadium.
The Herons are in this position thanks to a late goal versus Toronto, winning 1-0, while the Revs can only hope to avoid finishing last in the Eastern Conference after getting trounced 4-0 by the Columbus Crew.
We say: Inter Miami 2-1 New England Revolution
The Herons tend to wait until the bitter end, and we believe eventually, they will find a couple of magical moments to score and collect maximum points.
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> Inter Miami lineup vs. New England Revolution: Predicted XI for MLS clash
Montreal vs. NY City (Saturday, 11.00pm)
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With a victory on Saturday over New York City FC at Saputo Stadium, CF Montreal would book a place in the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Despite a 2-0 loss versus Charlotte FC the last time out, Le CFM are in control of their playoff destiny, currently ninth in the Eastern Conference, while the Pigeons have already booked their place in the post-season, defeating Nashville SC in their previous encounter 3-1.
We say: CF Montreal 2-1 New York City FC
Despite their form against the Pigeons in recent times and the fact that NYCFC have plenty to play for, we are going with the home side.
Le CFM have essentially been in must-win mode over the past few weeks and delivered more often than not, which has us believing they can claim a victory when they need it most.
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NY Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew (Saturday, 11.00pm)
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The New York Red Bulls will aim to get a higher seeding in the MLS Cup playoffs as they host the Columbus Crew in the regular season finale for both teams at Red Bull Arena on Saturday.
Heading into Decision Day, the Red Bulls sit seventh in the Eastern Conference following a 2-1 defeat versus Atlanta United, while the Crew are locked into second, winning convincingly 4-0 against the New England Revolution last weekend.
We say: New York Red Bulls 1-3 Columbus Crew
Even though this is essentially a nothing game for the Crew, Nancy always seems to push the right buttons to keep this team sharp, and we expect a strong performance from the side he puts out, which should be enough to defeat the inconsistent Red Bulls.
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Orlando City vs. Atlanta (Saturday, 11.00pm)
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Atlanta United's quest for a playoff spot goes down to the wire as they journey to the Inter & Co Stadium to take on Orlando City in the MLS regular season finale on Saturday.
The Five Stripes are one of three sides in contention for the final two playoff spots and while they must avoid any dropping points here, they need two other results to go in their favour to secure post-season football.
We say: Orlando City 2-1 Atlanta United
While Atlanta's pursuit for playoff football goes down to the wire, Orlando City will be looking to secure all three points and guarantee a top-four finish in the East. While we expect both sides to go all out at the Inter & Co Stadium, we are backing the Lions to come away with a fifth consecutive home victory.
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Philadelphia vs. Cincinnati (Saturday, 11.00pm)
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Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati bring the 2024 MLS regular season campaign to an end when they go head to head at the Subaru Park on Saturday.
While the Orange and Blue have secured a playoff spot, the stakes are high for the home side, who sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, three points below ninth-placed Montreal in the coveted play-in spot.
We say: Philadelphia Union 2-1 FC Cincinnati
It is now or never for Philadelphia Union in their push for post-season football as they needed maximum points to keep their slim playoff qualifying hopes alive. While Philadelphia will need results elsewhere to go in their favour this weekend, they must do their part first when they go up against a Cincinnati side who have already booked a playoff ticket.
While the Orange and Blue will be looking to snap their run of three back-to-back defeats and end the season on a positive note, we are backing Curtin's men to go all out in front of their home supporters and secure the desired result.
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Austin vs. Colorado (Sunday, 2.00am)
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We enter Decision Day in the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season, with the Colorado Rapids looking to move into fifth place in the Western Conference when they travel to Q2 Stadium for a date with Austin FC on Saturday.
Already eliminated from playoff contention, Austin were beaten 2-1 by the Los Angeles Galaxy in their previous league fixture, as they sit 10th in the table, while Colorado are sixth, a point behind the Houston Dynamo for fifth following a 1-0 defeat versus the Seattle Sounders.
We say: Austin FC 1-1 Colorado Rapids
On one side, Austin will just want to end another disappointing campaign, while the Rapids are looking to avoid any serious injuries heading into the post-season, so we do not expect a very entertaining match between the two this weekend.
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Dallas vs. Kansas (Sunday, 2.00am)
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Dallas and Sporting Kansas City draw the curtains on their 2024 MLS regular campaign when they go head to head at the Toyota Stadium on Saturday.
Having reached the playoffs last year, it has been a disappointing campaign for the two sides who are guaranteed to finish outside the top-nine places in the West, but they will both look to close out the year on a positive note.
We say: Dallas 2-0 Sporting Kansas City
With nothing at stake here, we expect to see several fringe players in action for Dallas and Sporting Kansas City as they look to end the season on a high. Dallas' home advantage gives them a slight upper hand and we fancy them to come away with all three points this weekend.
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Houston vs. LA Galaxy (Sunday, 2.00am)
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LA Galaxy will be aiming to secure the top seed in the Western Conference of the MLS when they travel to the Shell Energy Stadium to take on Houston Dynamo on Sunday morning.
Regardless of the outcome here, both these sides will be heading to the final series, with the hosts currently in fifth place in the West, while the visitors are atop the conference standings.
We say: Houston Dynamo 2-2 Los Angeles Galaxy
LA Galaxy have come up with more than a few clutch results already this season, and while we have our doubts over whether they will win this match given their away record, we do feel that they will do enough to avoid defeat and secure the top seed in the West.
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Los Angeles vs. Earthquakes (Sunday, 2.00am)
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The final encounter on MLS Decision Day will feature Los Angeles FC seeking to claim first place in the Western Conference when they host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday at BMO Stadium.
A 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps last Sunday has the Black and Gold within three points of the Los Angeles Galaxy, while the Quakes have long been eliminated from playoff contention, sitting bottom of the conference after a 1-0 defeat versus Real Salt Lake.
We say: Los Angeles FC 3-0 San Jose Earthquakes
Goal difference could make the difference between first and second in the west, which is why we project the Black and Gold will show no mercy against a helpless defensive unit in San Jose.
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Minnesota Utd vs. St Louis City (Sunday, 2.00am)
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Decision day is here, and Minnesota United will be looking to secure their place in the MLS postseason when they take on St Louis City at Allianz Field on Sunday morning.
The hosts enter this match holding the final automatic final series qualification spot in the Western Conference, while the visitors are 12th in the standings and out of playoff contention.
We say: Minnesota United 2-1 St Louis City
While St Louis are ending the season quite well, it is a case of too little too late for last season's top seeds. Minnesota beat this opponent fairly comfortably 3-1 just over a month ago, and we feel the hosts will notch up another victory in this one.
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Salt Lake vs. Vancouver (Sunday, 2.00am)
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With third place in the MLS Western Conference still a possibility, Real Salt Lake wrap up the regular season against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday at America First Field.
Claret and Cobalt are tied with the Seattle Sounders for third following a 1-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes, while the Whitecaps are desperate to avoid having to play in the wild-card round, currently sitting eighth after a dramatic 2-1 defeat versus Los Angeles FC.
We say: Real Salt Lake 1-0 Vancouver Whitecaps
The Whitecaps' lack of depth has been evident in recent outings, and their lengthy slump is not an encouraging sign heading into this encounter, and we project the altitude in Utah may get to them on Saturday.
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Seattle vs. Portland (Sunday, 2.00am)
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With both teams already guaranteed post-season football, Seattle Sounders will host Portland Timbers at Lumen Field on Sunday in their final fixture of the regular Major League Soccer season.
However, the Timbers, currently ninth in the table, still have an opportunity to finish in eighth place, which would see them play as hosts in the Western Conference Wild Card game.
We say: Seattle Sounders 1-1 Portland Timbers
Based on their recent form, Seattle Sounders are the favourites in this clash, but Portland Timbers have historically performed well in this fixture and have shown defensive resilience in recent matches, which is why we are predicting a draw.
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Matt Law
