There are several things that popped out at me when I looked at the schedule; The first of which was the fact that there is no afternoon nationally televised game. If I could change one thing on the schedule side of MLS I would bring back random game times and days. If you want people to watch Vancouver-Houston put it on a Tuesday night nine o'clock start. Top that off with a San Jose-Colorado eleven o'clock kick off and you have made my Tuesday night. We will move back on to week six matchups:
New England-NYCFC jumps off the schedule at me. The Revs currently sit a top the Eastern Conference but they've lost their toughest test 0-4 at the hands of LAFC. NYCFC is still trying to replace Castellanos and Sean Johnson, but recently added young American Richie Ledezma from PSV. I said last week that I believe if the Revs can hold their squad together through the end of the season that they could stay atop the East through decision day. Side note, this is also a battle of a team that plays in a NFL stadium versus a team that plays its' home games in a MLB stadium.
Nashville travels to Orlando City who are coming off a huge win in Philadelphia without several key players, while Nashville is coming off a home loss to FC Cincinnati. There are no make or break games in week six of major league soccer, but I think this win solidifies Orlando City's claim as a top club in the Eastern Conference.
In a battle of unbeaten teams St. Louis CITY SC play host to Minnesota United. The key difference that no one is talking about is that St. Louis is 5-0-0 while Minnesota is 2-2-0. Minnesota did have a great week one win at FC Dallas without their best player, but they drew the Red Bulls and Vancouver at home and beat last place Colorado on the road. For CITY Kyle Hiebert is back from his first cap with the Canadian Men's National Team and they will look to continue that historic start.
Sporting Kansas City have a tough road to get their season back on track this week as they head to Philadelphia with the Union coming off losing their first home match since 2021. The Union are going to come out looking to avenge last week's loss. SKC Captain Johnny Russell made his season debut last week and word is Alan Pulido and Ghadi Kinda were both on the training pitch this week, but everyone is going to have to play their best soccer to come away with a result in this game.
Atlanta United are coming off of a thrashing last week minus their MVP candidate Thiago Almada and several other key players while the New York Red Bull have to be disappointed with their showing in Charlotte last weekend. I'm expected Atlanta to come out with their foot on the gas to make up for that 6-1 loss to Columbus last weekend.
As I said earlier there are no make or break games this week, but I think the matchup between the Chicago Fire and DC United is one that the winner would come away feeling a lot better about their season moving forward. DC United has looked competent under Wayne Rooney and Christian Benteke looks like a budding star. The Fire are coming off of a big win in Miami last weekend and they look like they could start building something.
FC Dallas lost a tough one at LAFC last week down a man, and the Portland Timbers appear to be on life support early on in the campaign. Houston is coming off back to back wins taking on a San Jose side that could use a result to get things back on track. I'm really interested to see if Houston can keep pushing forward.
Toronto are off to another disappointing start and they play Charlotte who are somehow not at the bottom of the league table after the horrendous start to their season. Columbus look to build on their massive win against Atlanta when they host RSL. There's a battle of Canadian teams as Vancouver host Montreal. Neither squad is having a great season and Vancouver is still alive in Champions league, so I'll be curious to see how they manage their minutes.
I was really high on Inter Miami to start the season, but they've lost three in a row and they'll be taking on a FC Cincinnati side that is still undefeated and coming off of a big road win in Nashville last week.
I changed my preseason prediction on the LA Galaxy after listening to a lot of pundits talking about how good this team is going to be. I had them ninth before moving them up and they have been disappointing. They're hosting a hot Sounders team with their players coming back from international duty.
Last week was a rough week for the ole Fumbling Punter, I limped into the barn at 1-4 and for the season I'm now at 11-14 on the season, time to get back on track!
Philly over SKC
St. Louis over Minnesota
Seattle over LA Galaxy
Atlanta over NYRB
LAFC over Colorado
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