The MLS calendar has shifted to May and several teams will be seeking a strong start to another busy month of action.
The San Jose Earthquakes have been one of the early season bright spots in the Western Conference, but Luchi Gonzalez’s squad face a tough test on Saturday against defending MLS Cup winners Los Angeles FC. LAFC is fresh off their advancement into the Concacaf Champions League Final.
Two Eastern Conference rivals square off from New Jersey as the New York Red Bulls host the Philadelphia Union. Both teams are sitting in the bottom-six of the conference standings and will be seeking an important result to get back on track.
A top-four Western Conference clash comes from Texas as FC Dallas hosts St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday night. Elsewhere, the DC United makes the trip to TQL Stadium to take on FC Cincinnati.
Here is a closer look at this week’s MLS action:
San Jose Earthquakes vs. LAFC
Saturday, 7:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
The San Jose Earthquakes have failed to win their last three matches across all competitions and will have a tough time keeping Los Angeles FC off the scoreboard.
Luchi Gonzalez’s squad tied Austin FC 2-2 on Matchday 10 to give the Quakes a boost of confidence after their U.S. Open Cup elimination to Monterey Bay F.C. The Quakes are 4-1 at home this season and have been led by Cristian Espinoza’s six goals and three assists.
Jeremy Ebobisse also has five goals of his own in 2023.
LAFC rolled past the Philadelphia Union 3-0 in Concacaf Champions League play on Tuesday, using goals from Timothy Tillman, Kwadwo Opoku, and Denis Bouanga to seal their spot in the finals. Steve Cherundolo’s squad are unbeaten in 10-straight matches in all competitions, last tying Nashville SC 1-1 on April 22.
Bouanga has accounted for seven of LAFC’s 16 league goals this season.
New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union
Saturday, 7:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
The Philadelphia Union suffered CCL elimination midweek in Los Angeles and Jim Curtin’s squad will be fighting to avoid a second-straight loss on Saturday.
The Union have only won one of their last six matches across all competitions, defeating Toronto FC 4-2 back on April 22. While Curtin still has several key attackers to call on for Saturday’s trip to Red Bull Arena, rotation might occur to give the squad a needed spark on both sides of the field.
The New York Red Bulls are sitting bottom of the East with only nine points earned so far in 2023. Gerhard Struber’s squad have failed to win any of their last six matches, scoring just four goals over that span.
With Dante Vanzeir remaining out of the squad, former Union striker Cory Burke could lead the line against his former team.
FC Dallas vs. St. Louis CITY SC
Saturday, 8:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
St. Louis CITY SC remain in touching distance of top spot in the Western Conference heading into Saturday’s trip to FC Dallas.
Bradley Carnell’s squad suffered a 2-1 loss to the Portland Timbers on Matchday 10, conceding an eventual 82nd minute winner to Diego Chara. St. Louis has been up-and-down over recent weeks and a result in Dallas would provide needed confidence to begin a three-match road trip in all competitions.
Jared Stroud and Nicholas Gioacchini have enjoyed positive starts to their time with CITY SC, scoring six combined goals and registering five assists.
FC Dallas has only scored once in its last two matches, a 3-1 loss to NYCFC and a 0-0 draw with Minnesota United. Alan Velasco’s recent injury has forced changes in Nico Estevez’s attack, which needs to find other ways to score consistently.
Jesus Ferreira has scored five of FC Dallas’ 15 league goals in 2023, but someone else will need to step up and join him going forward.
FC Cincinnati vs. DC United
Saturday, 7:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
Don’t look now, but Wayne Rooney has DC United moving its way up the Eastern Conference standings.
DC United is riding a four-match winning streak heading into Saturday’s trip to FC Cincinnati, registering three clean sheets over that span. Veteran goalkeeper Tyler Miller is finding his groove in the DC squad while Taxi Fountas and Christian Benteke have two goals apiece during the Black and Red’s winning run.
FC Cincinnati sits second in the Eastern Conference after only suffering one loss to date in MLS play. Pat Noonan’s squad tied the New England Revolution 1-1 in last weekend’s top-of-the-table clash from Gillette Stadium.
Sergio Santos has two goals in his last four league appearances for the club and will join Brandon Vazquez as the go-to attackers for FC Cincy at home.
MLS Week 10 Schedule:
Saturday:
7:30 pm – Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – FC Cincinnati vs. DC United, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – San Jose Earthquakes vs. LAFC, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – Toronto FC vs. New England Revolution, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – CF Montreal vs. Orlando City, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – Nashville SC vs. Chicago Fire, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – FC Dallas vs. St. Louis CITY SC, AppleTV+
10:30 pm – Portland Timbers vs. Austin FC, AppleTV+
10:30 pm – Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Minnesota United, AppleTV+
10:30 pm – LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids, AppleTV+
Sunday:
4:30 pm – Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting KC, AppleTV+