The MLS regular season drama continues in Week 18 with a shortened slate coming your way.
Two of the top in-form teams in MLS will face off on Saturday as St. Louis City SC pays a visit to Nashville SC. Both of these teams earned draws in Week 17 and will be looking to secure three points in this interconference showdown.
After a hot start to the season, the New England Revolution has hit a tough run of form, only winning once of their last five matches. They’ll be hoping to turn things around this weekend against an Orlando City side that is riding a five-match unbeaten streak.
Elsewhere, Sporting Kansas City will put its surging form to the test against defending league champs LAFC at Children’s Mercy Park.
Nashville SC vs. St. Louis City SC
Saturday, 8:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
Nashville SC has not lost a league match since April 15 and most importantly are claiming important results at Geodis Park.
Gary Smith’s squad have won six of their seven home matches to date, losing just once in front of their supporters. Hany Muhktar is again in the MVP hunt with ten goals to his name so far in 2023. Mukhtar remains key for Nashville SC, who will be without leading defender Walker Zimmerman due to international duty.
Despite dropping points in Week 17, St. Louis CITY SC’s shock season has continued as they sit top of the Western Conference through 16 matches played. Bradley Carnell’s men have failed to win each of their last two matches in MLS play, also suffering a 2-0 road loss to FC Dallas.
Nicholas Gioacchini and Eduard Lowen have 11 combined goals for the expansion side this season.
New England Revolution vs. Orlando City
Saturday, 7:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
After a dominant home win over Inter Miami, the New England Revolution will be hoping for more of the same against Orlando City in Foxborough.
An important 3-1 win over the Herons snapped the Revs six-match winless run across all competitions. Bobby Wood and Carles Gil both found the net in that contest, boosting Bruce Arena’s squad to 30 points on the season so far.
Orlando City has started to find some consistency in its form, with Facundo Torres scoring three goals in his last two matches. The Lions will be hoping their star man can find his way past the Revs goalkeeper Dorde Petrovic, who has established himself as one of the top keepers in the league.
The Lions sit seventh in the East, only four points behind the Revolution in the playoff places.
Sporting Kansas City vs. LAFC
Saturday, 8:30 pm ET, AppleTV+
After not earning a league win until Week 11, Sporting Kansas City has bounced back in a big way.
Peter Vermes’ squad have only lost one of their last eight matches, now sitting ninth in the Western Conference. Having star players like Alan Pulido back in the lineup has been key, with the Mexican forward scoring twice and adding one assist in their demolition of Austin FC last week.
SKC haven’t defeated LAFC since 2021 in league play though, losing three of their last four matchups.
LAFC are still suffering from CCL hangover after suffering two straight shutout losses to the Houston Dynamo. Steve Cherundolo’s squad have failed to score in five of their last six matches in all competitions, which is a worrying sign for the defending MLS champions.
Denis Bounaga leads the team with 10 goals, but others desperately need to step up in order to help turn things around quickly.
MLS Week 18 Schedule
All Matches on Saturday:
3:30 pm – NYCFC vs. Columbus Crew, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – New England Revolution vs. Orlando City, AppleTV+
7:30 pm – DC United vs. Real Salt Lake, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – Sporting Kansas City vs. LAFC, AppleTV+
8:30 pm – Nashville SC vs. St. Louis City SC, AppleTV+
10:30 pm – San Jose Earthquakes vs. Portland Timbers, AppleTV+