Matchday 35: What to know for this weekend’s must-watch matches | MLSSoccer.com

Several Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spots can be clinched this weekend during Matchday 35.

Orlando City host Nashville SC on Saturday in a battle for top-four positioning in the Eastern Conference.

In the latest Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire showdown, Austin FC welcome Seattle Sounders FC to Q2 Stadium.

To close out the weekend, LAFC and Real Salt Lake meet for the second time in four days.

Orlando sit eighth in the Eastern Conference (48 points) and, with a win and some help, could clinch a sixth consecutive postseason berth under head coach Oscar Pareja.

The Lions are also looking to secure home-field advantage in Round One of the playoffs, then improve on making the Eastern Conference Final in 2024.

Winless in two games, Orlando are coming off a 1-1 draw at 10-man D.C. United. Their lone goal came from homegrown and USMNT defender Alex Freeman.

However, Nashville have struggled lately in MLS action. They’ve dropped five of their last six matches, including two straight losses. Their latest setback was a 2-1 defeat at FC Cincinnati, despite Surridge extending his Golden Boot presented by Audi lead with his 21st goal of the season.

A win on Saturday would not only help the club’s confidence, but also clinch a playoff spot.

Under the Sunday Night Soccer spotlight, Austin hope to take a big step towards playoff qualification when hosting Seattle at Q2 Stadium.

First-year head coach Nico Estévez has the Verde & Black seventh in the Western Conference with 41 points, two points clear of the Wild Card spots. Plus, they’re riding a high after Wednesday’s 2-1 victory at Minnesota United FC in the US Open Cup semifinals, courtesy of a 120th-minute game-winner from CJ Fodrey.

A win against the Sounders would further fuel Austin, who are led in attack by homegrown midfielder Owen Wolff and DP forwards Myrto Uzuni and Osman Bukari.

Three weeks removed from being crowned Leagues Cup 2025 champions, Seattle lost their rematch with Miami midweek. They dropped a 3-1 decision, in which homegrown midfielder Obed Vargas scored his third goal of the year.

But the Sounders are on the verge of clinching a postseason berth, and are boosted by the return of DPs Albert Rusnák and Jordan Morris. They both assisted Vargas’ strike at Miami, providing a window into this team at full strength.

Seattle have lost just two of 17 games across all competitions since competing at the FIFA Club World Cup. Yet after dropping points in back-to-back matches, a road win would help restore some good vibes.

After LAFC cruised to a 4-1 win at RSL on Wednesday, the Western Conference foes meet again at BMO Stadium.

MLS-record summer signing Son Heung-Min scored his first hat trick for LAFC, while Denis Bouanga overtook Black & Gold legend Carlos Vela atop the club’s all-time scoring list (94 goals) in the lopsided victory.

LAFC can punch their fourth straight postseason ticket with a win or a tie in Sunday’s return fixture.

RSL need a reaction after their mid-week setback, which prevented them from overtaking the San Jose Earthquakes for the West’s ninth and final postseason spot.

The Claret-and-Cobalt’s chances of obtaining a positive result at BMO Stadium hinge largely on All-Star midfielder Diego Luna, who leads the club with 14 goal contributions (9g/5a). He’s looking to represent the USMNT at next year’s FIFA World Cup.

Rising homegrown Zavier Gozo is also elevating his profile of late, producing 2g/2a in his last four appearances for 10th-place RSL.