Soccer <\/p>\n
It’s been a busy May across MLS, and the action rolls on with the second midweek matchday of the month.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Matchday 16 highlights include Inter Miami CF<\/a> hosting CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a>, Seattle Sounders FC<\/a> getting a second look at upstart expansion side San Diego FC<\/a>, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a> battling Western Conference foes Minnesota United FC<\/a> in their last game before Sunday’s Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> final.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Bring on the Wednesday night soccer.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Are Inter Miami back in business? The slumping Herons were on the verge of another setback during Saturday’s visit to the first-place Philadelphia Union<\/a>, falling into a 3-1 hole before late golazos from Lionel Messi<\/a> and Telasco Segovia<\/a> salvaged a 3-3 draw<\/a>.<\/p>\n The stunning rally may provide the spark Miami need as they attempt to improve on a run of form that’s seen them go 1W-2L-2D since losing their Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal series to Vancouver.<\/p>\n The sooner things improve, the better for Javier Mascherano’s side, who have just two league games left before they debut in next month’s FIFA Club World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Montr\u00e9al will attempt to play spoiler at Chase Stadium as they look to dig themselves out of last place in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n There’s reason for optimism for CFMTL, who are coming off a 2-2 home draw<\/a> against LAFC<\/a> on Matchday 15. Giacomo Vrioni<\/a> and Prince Owusu<\/a> staked the hosts to a two-goal lead, only for the Black & Gold to steal a late point from Stade Saputo thanks to Olivier Giroud<\/a>‘s 77th-minute equalizer.<\/p>\n Save for their recent Canadian Classique blemish<\/a>, Montr\u00e9al appear to be turning things around lately under interim coach Marco Donadel, going 1W-1L-2D in their last four league outings.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Like Miami, the Sounders are just weeks away from participating in the Club World Cup. But Seattle have enjoyed a far better run of form by going 5W-1L-2D in their last eight games \u2013 including a 1-0 win<\/a> over FC Dallas<\/a> on Matchday 15.<\/p>\n Albert Rusn\u00e1k<\/a>, whose 10 goal contributions (7g\/3a) lead the club, secured all three points for the Rave Green from the penalty spot. But it wasn’t all good news for the Sounders, who saw center back Yeimar<\/a> exit Saturday’s match in the 16th minute with an apparent hamstring injury.<\/p>\n How that affects Seattle ahead of the CWC remains to be seen. What is known is they’ll likely have their hands full against San Diego, who cruised to a 3-0 win<\/a> last month at Snapdragon Stadium against Brian Schmetzer’s squad.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n San Diego’s impressive debut MLS season hit another milestone over the weekend when they defeated the LA Galaxy<\/a>, 2-1<\/a>, to complete the season sweep of their SoCal rivals.<\/p>\n A second series sweep could be in store Wednesday night at Lumen Field, where the Chrome-and-Azul will look to build on their five-game unbeaten streak (4W-0L-1D) and stay within touching distance of Vancouver atop the Western Conference standings.<\/p>\n USMNT<\/a> midfielder Luca de la Torre<\/a> and Mexican winger Chucky Lozano<\/a>, who are part of their respective countries’ pre-Gold Cup<\/a> squads, both got on the scoresheet on Matchday 15. And with Danish winger Anders Dreyer<\/a> (6g\/7a) also returning to his national team, San Diego’s top players are clicking ahead of their midweek showdown with Seattle.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Even with the biggest game in club history<\/a> just around the corner, don’t expect head coach Jesper S\u00f8rensen to demand anything less than a comprehensive performance from the Whitecaps, who’ve matched their brilliant CCC run with a Supporters’ Shield-leading campaign in MLS.<\/p>\n Brian White<\/a> has been at the center of it all, with the USMNT striker netting a brace to spark Saturday’s 3-2 comeback win<\/a> at Real Salt Lake<\/a>. Pedro Vite<\/a>‘s stunning strike capped the rally for Vancouver, who are unbeaten in 14 games across all competitions.<\/p>\n Breakout midfielder Sebastian Berhalter<\/a>, who is suspended for the CCC final, will have all to play for Wednesday as the ‘Caps look to build more momentum ahead of Sunday’s must-see clash at LIGA MX titans Cruz Azul.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Minnesota promise to be as tough a test as any, with the third-place Loons looking to make a huge statement in the West with a positive result at Vancouver.<\/p>\n They’ll also have revenge on their minds, having dropped a 3-1 decision<\/a> at home to the ‘Caps last month in their first showdown of the year.<\/p>\n Eric Ramsay’s side is led by top scorer Tani Oluwaseyi<\/a> (6g\/5a) and playmaker Joaqu\u00edn Pereyra<\/a>, whose seven assists are tied for second-best in MLS. New acquisition Julian Gressel<\/a> adds even more depth to the Loons, who are 3W-1L-1D since his arrival.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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