Soccer <\/p>\n
Another weekend, another busy slate of MLS action awaits.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Lionel Messi<\/a> and Inter Miami<\/a> head to Minnesota<\/a>, D\u00e1niel Gazdag<\/a> returns to Philadelphia<\/a> with the Columbus Crew<\/a> in a top-of-the-table clash and LAFC<\/a> visit Supporters’ Shield-leading Vancouver<\/a> in an epic Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire showdown.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Full steam ahead to Matchday 12.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Minnesota sit second in the Western Conference following a 3-0 victory<\/a> at Austin FC<\/a> on Matchday 11, a game where Julian Gressel<\/a> debuted (after being waived by Miami) and Designated Player Joaqu\u00edn Pereyra<\/a> scored his first MLS goal.<\/p>\n The Loons remain led by the one-two striker punch of Tani Oluwaseyi<\/a> and Kelvin Yeboah<\/a> (nine goals combined). Canadian international goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair<\/a> is a game-changer as well.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Inter Miami rebounded from their Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> departure with a 4-1 win<\/a> over the New York Red Bulls<\/a> on Matchday 11, with Messi and Luis Su\u00e1rez<\/a> both finding the back of the net.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Herons, who have lost just once in MLS action, have seven games in May before breaking for the FIFA Club World Cup<\/a>. How many points can last year’s record-setting Supporters’ Shield winners compile?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n It’s a top-of-the-table clash in the Eastern Conference and a clash of styles when Wilfried Nancy’s Crew head to Subaru Park to take on Bradley Carnell’s Union.<\/p>\n Led by Landon Donovan MLS MVP candidate Diego Rossi<\/a> (6g\/1a), Columbus are two points clear of Philadelphia in the East. The Union have scored eight goals across three consecutive wins and Tai Baribo<\/a> is tied atop the Golden Boot presented by Audi race with seven goals.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n But all eyes will be on Gazdag in his return to Chester. Philadelphia’s all-time leading scorer was traded to Columbus<\/a> for up to $4.5 million last month.<\/p>\n Gazdag’s exit has opened the door for homegrown midfielder Quinn Sullivan<\/a> to drive the Union attack. So far this year, he has one goal and six assists.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Match of the year? It has that kind of feeling when LAFC head to BC Place to face Vancouver for Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire.<\/p>\n Nothing can seemingly slow the Whitecaps down these days, not a deep run in Concacaf Champions Cup (they beat Miami to reach the final) or even injuries to stars like Ryan Gauld<\/a> and Brian White<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Whitecaps lead the Supporters’ Shield standings at 2.36 points per game, which projects as a league-record 80 points across the entire season.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Since their Concacaf Champions Cup ouster to Inter Miami, LAFC are unbeaten in their last four MLS matches, leaning on an established star in Denis Bouanga<\/a> (4g\/2a in his last four matches) and emerging ones in Nathan Ordaz<\/a> and David Mart\u00ednez<\/a>.<\/p>\n This week, the Black & Gold also learned they will face Club Am\u00e9rica<\/a> in a playoff match to determine who replaces Club Le\u00f3n at this summer’s FIFA 2025 Club World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n