Soccer
After four MLS teams booked their Leagues Cup quarterfinal spot, attention shifts to Matchday 20 this weekend.
Get started with Antoine Griezmann and revitalized Orlando City taking on Evander and FC Cincinnati in Walmart Saturday Showdown. Later that evening, Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF duel for the Supporters’ Shield lead.
There’s also a rivalry-fueled Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental doubleheader, featuring Copa Tejas foes Austin FC and FC Dallas followed by Cascadia Cup opponents Seattle Sounders FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
- WHEN: Saturday, 7:30 pm ET
- WATCH: Apple TV
Orlando City have looked like a team reborn since Antoine Griezmann debuted in mid-July.
The French icon and former Atlético Madrid star has 2g/1a in six appearances, and has developed immediate chemistry with the likes of homegrown forward Justin Ellis and winger Tyrese Spicer.
The Lions are closing in on the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs places; they enter the weekend just three points behind ninth-place D.C. United.
Evander is again among the Landon Donovan MLS MVP favorites, tallying a league-best 22 goal contributions (11g/11a) in league play.
The Brazilian maestro continues to score long-range golazos and has an incredible 11g/11a in Orlando’s last 11 matches across all competitions.
Evander’s red-hot form, alongside DP striker Kévin Denkey (11g/4a), has vaulted Cincy back into contention for a home playoff spot.
- WHEN: Saturday, 8:30 pm ET
- WATCH: Apple TV
It’s No. 1 (Nashville) vs. No. 2 (Inter Miami) in the Supporters’ Shield and Eastern Conference standings when a southern rivalry resumes at GEODIS Park.
Nashville have a league-leading 40 points and are led by DP forwards Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge and Cristian Espinoza, who have combined for 20g/13a this year.
Inter Miami are just behind them with 38 points, surging up the table as Uruguayan legend Luis Suárez (8g/4a) has sparked a seven-game unbeaten run in league play.
These sides last met in mid-March during the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16, with Nashville eliminating Inter Miami by advancing on away goals.
These sides also clashed in the 2025 playoffs; Inter Miami won their Round One Best-of-3 Series en route to becoming MLS Cup presented by Audi champions.
Memorably, Miami defeated Nashville on penalty kicks in the 2023 Leagues Cup final as part of Lionel Messi‘s remarkable introduction to MLS.
- WHEN: Sunday, 8:30 pm ET
- WATCH: Apple TV
Texas rivals Austin FC and FC Dallas meet for the first time this season when Copa Tejas resumes during Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire.
Austin finished second in the MLS Phase One standings during Leagues Cup, booking a quarterfinal matchup with 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup winners and LIGA MX powerhouse Toluca FC.
Myrto Uzuni has been in tremendous form lately, tallying four goals in Leagues Cup to be tied for the tournament’s Golden Boot lead. The Albanian international also has produced a team-high 11 goal contributions (6g/5a) during the regular season.
As Austin look to climb the Western Conference table, they encounter a Dallas side that’s 10 points ahead of them in sixth place.
Petar Musa is the visitors’ star attraction. The Croatian striker has a Golden Boot presented by Audi-leading 13 goals, and played at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer.
Dallas wingback Herman Johansson was also at the World Cup as a late roster addition for Sweden.
- WHEN: Sunday, 10:30 pm ET
- WATCH: Apple TV
Cascadia Cup foes Seattle and Vancouver renew their rivalry in the second game of this weekend’s Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire doubleheader.
Seattle will hope to snap their six-game losing streak in MLS play. Injuries have taken a toll, especially as USMNT and World Cup midfielder Cristian Roldan has missed time.
There was good news recently, though, as Seattle bounced back in Leagues Cup with a 3-0 win over Querétaro in Phase One. Sebastian Gomez had 1g/1a, and Paul Rothrock added a pair of assists to lead Seattle to a much-needed victory.
Vancouver are top of the Western Conference with 34 points, though went winless in Leagues Cup.
To bounce back, the Whitecaps will count on Thomas Müller. The Germany and Bayern Munich legend has 5g/4a this season, leading the way alongside Brian White, Ryan Gauld and Andrés Cubas.
Late last month, Vancouver transferred USMNT and MLS Best XI midfielder Sebastian Berhalter to EFL Championship side Middlesbrough FC. They’ve started to replace him, recently adding Serbian youth international Aleksa Cvetković on a U22 Initiative deal.
Read MoreBuffy Haslett