MLS, midweek appointment with the North American league. Cincinnati and Los Angeles are also on the pitch: news and predictions.
After 21 days of the regular season, Cincinnati has a total of 45 points: no one has done better than the Ohio club, which is firmly at the top of the overall Major League Soccer standings. However, the team coached by Pat Noonan seems to have run out of gas for a few weeks now. In the last five rounds they have only won on one occasion, moreover against a team in a black crisis like Toronto.
Winning streak could continue in the midweek match against the New York Red Bulls, who are coming off their second win in three games. Cincinnati, as if that were not enough, has to cope with important absences: a positive result of the New Yorkers cannot be excluded, therefore, in a match in which both should score. Atlanta, which has suffered only one defeat since mid-May, is also likely to avoid defeat: a point could be enough for New England, which has just seen its long unbeaten streak come to an end and is without some key players. Minnesota United immediately came back down to earth, which after the bombastic 4-1 against Portland was overwhelmed with the same result by Austin last weekend. For the Houston Dynamo it looks like the right opportunity to get back to winning ways after two losses and a draw.
The other match predictions
Of the teams in the best form at the moment, we cannot fail to mention Real Salt Lake. The club from Utah’s capital city has won four times in the last five days and last Sunday romped (4-0) over the hapless Orlando City. It will come out with at least a point in its pocket from the challenge with Sporting Kansas City, which has returned to mixed results.
Burki, Saint Louis goalkeeper
Reigning champions Los Angeles FC keep missing the appointment with the three points: Giorgio Chiellini’s team comes from three defeats in a row – including the painful one in the derby with the Galaxy – and a draw. A reaction is to be expected against the surprising Saint Louis City, who might be less ‘hungry’ after their three consecutive victories. Finally, there should be no shortage of goals in San Jose Earthquakes-Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps-Austin. At least three goals also in Chicago Fire-Montreal.
MLS, possible winners
- Atlanta United or draw (in New England Revolution-Atlanta United, 01:30)
- Houston Dynamo (in Houston Dynamo-Minnesota United, 02:30)
- Real Salt Lake or draw (in Sp. Kansas City-Real Salt Lake, 02:30)
- Los Angeles FC (in Los Angeles FC-Saint Louis City, 04:30)
