It’s rivalry week in Major League Soccer with plenty of new and old rivals set to square off in Week 12 action.
One week after completing their #BeatLA mantra in their win against Los Angeles FC, the San Jose Earthquakes will be going on the road to attempt to do it again as they visit the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Quakes will look to build on their fantastic start to the season, while the Galaxy needs a victory desperately.
In the second time over one week, the Chicago Fire will again play St. Louis City SC after the Fire prevailed in midweek U.S. Open Cup action. Fire interim manager Frank Klopas will take the reins for the second time after Ezra Hendrickson was sacked on Monday.
In another rematch, Toronto FC will try to redeem themselves in league play against CF Montreal, who they lost to in the Canadian Championship quarterfinals. Elsewhere, the Vancouver Whitecaps face the Portland Timbers in a Cascadia Cup clash.
Here is a closer look at this week’s MLS action:
LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Sunday 9:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
The Earthquakes earned a massive Week 11 result, handing LAFC their first loss of the season in front of a crowd of 45,000+ at Levi’s Stadium. They’ll now look to beat an in-state rival for a second-consecutive week as they visit the struggling LA Galaxy. Christian Espanoza has been in MVP form so far this season, scoring a brace against LAFC. He’ll look to continue that against the Galaxy.
The Galaxy have only won once this season and are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids in Week 11. Greg Vanney’s men will need a huge statement win this weekend to get their season back on track, or else Vanney’s future could be in jeopardy.
Chicago Fire vs. St. Louis CITY SC
Saturday 1:00 pm ET, AppleTV+
St. Louis CITY SC are eight points ahead of their new midwestern rivals in the Supporters Shield standings but that didn’t stop them from falling in their midweek U.S. Open Cup showdown.
Bradley Carnell’s squad struggled midweek against the Fire and after having their Week 11 match postponed due to weather, a bounce-back result is welcomed. St. Louis has failed to win three of its last four matches in all competitions, something the Fire will hope to take advantage of.
Ezra Hendrickson’s firing looked to have sparked the Fire midweek after they eliminated St. Louis 2-1 in U.S. Open Cup play. Maren Haile-Selassie and Fabian Herbers both scored for the Fire, who played many of their first team regulars.
The Fire haven’t won in MLS play since April 8.
CF Montreal vs. Toronto FC
Saturday 7:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
CF Montreal got the better of rivals Toronto FC midweek in Canadian Championship action and Hernan Losada’s squad will be seeking a similar outcome on home soil this Saturday.
CF Montreal have won five-straight matches in all competitions, conceding only one goal over that span. Several different players have contributed goals over their winning run including Chinonso Offor and Romell Quioto.
21-year-old Jonathan Sirois has registered three clean sheets in his last four starts.
Toronto FC on the other hand has yet to get up and running this season, earning only two wins in league play. Federico Bernardeschi leads the team with three goals, but Lorenzo Insigne is still behind on his pace.
CJ Sapong will likely partner Bernardeschi and Insigne in the final third going forward.
Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
Saturday 10:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
The Vancouver Whitecaps’ eight-match league unbeaten run will be put on the line in their first Cascadia Cup showdown with the Portland Timbers on Saturday.
After back-to-back goal-less draws, Vanni Sartini’s men got back to winning ways last week with a 3-2 triumph over Minnesota United. Brian White scored twice while Simon Becher also added one tally in the result. White and Becher have combined for eight league goals so far in 2023.
The Portland Timbers have earned points in each of their last two league matches, a 2-1 win over St. Louis CITY SC and a 2-2 draw with Austin FC. Giovanni Savarese’ men sit ninth in the Western Conference, but have plenty of room to grow this summer. Evander Ferreira is starting to find his groove with one goal and two assists in his last two league starts.
MLS Week 12 Schedule:
Saturday:
1:00 pm – Chicago Fire vs. St. Louis CITY SC, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – CF Montreal vs. Toronto FC, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – Atlanta United vs Charlotte FC, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – DC United vs. Nashville SC, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – Columbus Crew vs. Orlando City, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – New York Red Bulls vs. NYCFC, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – Inter Miami vs. New England Revolution, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – Sporting KC vs. Minnesota United, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – Austin FC vs. FC Dallas, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – Houston Dynamo vs. Seattle Sounders, AppleTV+
9:30 pm – Real Salt Lake vs. LAFC, AppleTV+
9:30 pm – Colorado Rapids vs. Philadelphia Union, AppleTV+
10:30 pm – Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, AppleTV+
Sunday
9:30 pm – LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes, AppleTV+