After close to 90 players missed week five action in Major League Soccer due to international call-ups, week six should have many of the league’s squads back at full strength.
In the battle of two of the last four undefeated teams, Minnesota United arrives in St. Louis to take on the 2023 expansion side. St. Louis CITY SC are on a historic run to begin their inaugural season, taking 15 points out of 15 to start the year. Minnesota United will be eager to end St. Louis’ historic streak and remain perfect themselves at CITYPARK.
Eastern Conference table-toppers New England Revolution play host to seventh place NYCFC this week. New England’s midfield of teenagers helped them secure three points on the road in D.C. and with their international players returning, they’ll be in search of a big win against an NYCFC team looking to get back on track.
Elsewhere, Orlando City hosts Nashville SC and FC Cincinnati will look to remain the only undefeated team in the East with Inter Miami coming to TQL Stadium.
Here’s a closer look at the MLS Matchups for Week 6:
St. Louis City SC vs. Minnesota United
Saturday 8:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
St. Louis CITY SC have been the story of the season so far, with MLS’s newest team breaking records on and off the pitch. Their performances on the pitch have been particularly impressive, with a perfect five wins from five to open the 2023 campaign.
Joao Klauss leads the team with five goals while Eduard Lowen has three assists.
Minnesota United has also yet to lose this season and the Loons will fight to continue that hot start. Mender Garcia has two goals in the Loons attack while Luis Amarilla and Miguel Tapias each have one apiece.
Revolution vs. NYCFC
Saturday 7:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
The New England Revolution will look to stay top of the Eastern Conference after an impressive start to the season.
Carles Gil is back for the Revs after featuring last weekend in D.C. 17-year-old Joel Buck scored the winner for the Revolution last week and will be alongside fellow homegrown Esmir Bajraktarevic and Jack Panayotou as Bruce Arena continues to trust his young players.
NYCFC will be desperate for three points after falling against the Houston Dynamo in Week 5 by a 1-0 scoreline. Richie Ledezma made his club debut after arriving on loan from Dutch giants PSV. Santiago Rodriguez and Gabriel Pereira remain key attackers for Nick Cushing’s squad.
Orlando City vs. Nashville SC
Saturday 7:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
Orlando City is riding high after an impressive win over the Philadelphia Union in Week 5.
Oscar Pareja’s squad handed the Union their first home loss since the tail end of the 2021 campaign, impressing without Pedro Gallese and Facundo Torres. The Lions will welcome both players back with Nashville SC coming to Exploria Stadium.
Nashville SC meanwhile needs 2022 league MVP Hany Muhktar to get off the mark for the first time this season. Gary Smith’s squad have failed to win their last two matches, falling to the New England Revolution and FC Cincinnati in recent weeks.
C.J. Sapong and Fafa Picault will also be eager to get on the stat sheet this weekend.
FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami
Saturday 7:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
Despite being the only undefeated team left in the Eastern Conference, FC Cincinnati sits second in the table, one point behind leaders New England.
Brandon Vazquez scored his first goal of 2023 last week against Nashville, and the 24-year-old will hope that’s the first of many this season.
Inter Miami has been on a bit of a slide in form after its hot start this season. The Herons have lost three-straight matches, being shutout against NYCFC and Toronto FC. Josef Martinez has yet to score in his new colors, despite scoring for Venezuela on international duty this window.
Corentin Jean and Nicolas Stefanelli each has one goal apiece, while four others also have found the back of the net this season.
MLS Week 6 Schedule:
All matches on Saturday:
7:30 pm – Toronto FC vs. Charlotte FC, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – New England Revolution vs. NYCFC, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – Philadelphia Union vs. Sporting KC, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – Orlando City vs. Nashville SC, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – Columbus vs. RSL, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – FC Cincinnati vs. Inter Miami, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – Atlanta United vs. New York Red Bulls, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – St. Louis City vs. Minnesota United, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United, AppleTV+
9:30 pm – Colorado Rapids vs. LAFC, AppleTV+
10:30 pm – Vancouver Whitecaps vs. CF Montreal, AppleTV+
10:30 pm – San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo, AppleTV+
Aiden Morris is on fire right now. Leads MLS in tackles, a brace tonight. Nancy has that group cooking 10g the last two matches.
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Watched last 30 mins of NYCFC v NE to see Richie Ledezma and checkout Buck on 2tones recommendation. Buck looked good first 10 mins then had lazy giveaway that Richie stole and fired at goal. The shot deflected for a corner which NYCFC scored. NYCFC controlled the rest of the match and were a little unlucky not to come away with 3 pts. The only real bright spot after the goal was a 60 yd diagonal ball from Buck off his weak foot. Ledezma looked dangerous and Buck seems to have something but he just turned off for a second and cost his club.