Some massive conference matchups headline MLS Week 7 with several teams trying to stay among the top spots this April.
Fresh off of a dominant 3-0 win in the CONCACAF Champions League over Vancouver, LAFC hosts Austin FC, who needs a big win themselves. Denis Bouanga scored twice midweek and will be among the standout stars to watch.
Also searching for a statement win, the Philadelphia Union make the trip to TQL Stadium to take on the top team in the East, FC Cincinnati. After failing to score against a winless Sporting KC, the Union won 1-0 midweek in CCL play.
In another clash of titans at the top of the East, NYCFC plays host to Atlanta United. Elsewhere in the West, St. Louis CITY SC are looking to shake off their first loss of the season as they visit the red-hot Seattle Sounders.
Here’s a closer look at the MLS Matchups for Week 7:
LAFC vs. Austin FC
Saturday 7:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
Both of these teams met in last season’s Western Conference Finals and will be eager for the first head-to-head showdown of this year.
Austin FC is coming off a bye week and should be well rested for a trip to the defending MLS Cup Champions. Austin FC talisman Sebastian Driussi hasn’t scored since opening day and needs to get back on the pace of his 22 league goals last season.
LAFC rolled past the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 in midweek CCL action and will be full of confidence this weekend. Denis Bouanga has been on fire for LAFC this season, scoring a brace against Vancouver in midweek and having three goals already to his name in league play.
FC Cincinnati vs. Philadelphia Union
Saturday 7:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
The Philadelphia Union will be hoping that their 1-0 Champions League win against Atlas FC will can get them back to winning ways in MLS play on Saturday. Daniel Gazdag’s late penalty kick goal at Subaru Park propelled Jim Curtin’s side to their first win in the past four matches, but improvement is needed to get back to last season’s stellar form in front of goal.
FC Cincy leads the East with 14 points earned and zero defeats yet in league play. Junior Moreno and Sergio Santos are surprisingly leading Pat Noonan’s squad with two goals apiece in 2023. Brandon Vazquez and Brenner have started slow this season, but will be expected to get it going against the defending Eastern Conference champions.
NYCFC vs. Atlanta United
Saturday 7:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
It’s sixth vs. second in the East as Atlanta United plays NYCFC at the always tricky Yankee Stadium.
NYCFC have won both of their home matches so far this season, but haven’t fared too well away from the Bronx. A 1-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo paired with a 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution has led to dropped points in each of New York City FC’s last two matches.
Talles Magno has two goals so far in NYCFC’s attack.
Atlanta United rebounded from a 6-1 hammering at the hands of the Columbus Crew by defeating the New York Red Bulls 1-0. Georgios Giakoumakis has hit the ground running in MLS, tallying two goals since his move from Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic.
Thiago Almada and Caleb Wiley also have combined for seven goals and five assists in 2023.
Seattle Sounders vs. St. Louis CITY SC
Saturday 10:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
St. Louis CITY SC suffered their first MLS loss last weekend and a trip to Lumen Field won’t provide an easy opportunity to rebound.
A 1-0 loss to Minnesota United handed Bradley Carnell’s squad their first loss of 2023. Still, the 2023 expansion side will hope for a short memory as they prepare for a showdown with the Seattle Sounders.
Joao Klauss leads the way with five goals for St. Louis.
Seattle is right on the heels of St. Louis in the West table and the pairing of Jordan Morris and Leo Chu will be tough for the visitors to keep at bay. Morris has eight goals in 2023 while Chu has one goal and four assists so far.
Stefan Frei has kept three clean sheets as well and could be called on to deliver another this Weeknd.
MLS Week 7 Schedule:
All matches on Saturday:
7:30 pm – DC United vs. Columbus Crew, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – Inter Miami vs. FC Dallas, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – NYCFC vs. Atlanta United, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – FC Cincinnati vs. Philadelphia Union, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – LAFC vs. Austin FC, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – New England Revolution vs. CF Montreal, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – Sporting KC vs. Colorado Rapids, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – Houston Dynamo vs. LA Galaxy, AppleTV+
8:30 pm Nashville SC vs. Toronto FC, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – Chicago Fire vs. Minnesota United, AppleTV+
9:30 pm – Real Salt Lake vs. Charlotte FC, AppleTV+
10:30 pm – Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Portland Timbers, AppleTV+
10:30 pm – Seattle Sounders vs. St. Louis CITY SC, AppleTV+