Soccer <\/p>\n
A massive weekend awaits in MLS: a FIFA 2025 Club World Cup<\/a> playoff, the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> final and a jam-packed Matchday 17 are all on tap.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Amid LAFC<\/a>‘s “$10 million” game<\/a> and Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a>‘s quest for continental glory<\/a>, regular-season action heats up with several must-watch matches.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Inter Miami CF<\/a> and the Columbus Crew<\/a> meet again after last month’s record-breaking clash in Cleveland, San Diego FC<\/a> welcome Austin FC<\/a> to Snapdragon Stadium, and Seattle Sounders FC<\/a> host Minnesota United FC<\/a> for Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Inter Miami hope to sustain momentum before entering the FIFA Club World Cup<\/a>, having dispatched CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a>, 4-2<\/a>, midweek thanks to standout performances from Lionel Messi<\/a> (2g\/1a) and Luis Su\u00e1rez<\/a> (2g\/1a).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The FC Barcelona legends helped the Herons snap a four-game winless streak. However, it wasn’t all celebrations after left back Jordi Alba<\/a> exited the match early with an apparent leg injury.<\/p>\n Javier Mascherano’s side also knows well how dangerous Columbus can be. They gave the Herons plenty of headaches during last month’s 1-0 win<\/a> at Huntington Bank Field.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n For the Crew, a victory at Chase Stadium would do more than avenge their setback against Miami in front of a club-record attendance of 60,614 fans<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Wilfried Nancy’s squad is winless in five, going 0W-1L-4D since starting May with a comprehensive 4-2 win<\/a> over Charlotte FC<\/a>. Most recently, they conceded a late equalizer in Wednesday’s 2-2 home draw<\/a> with Nashville SC<\/a>.<\/p>\n Diego Rossi<\/a> scored on Matchday 16 to improve his team-best goal contribution tally to 11 (8g\/3a). The Uruguayan forward will look to link up with marquee addition Daniel G\u00e1zdag<\/a>, who’s yet to deliver a goal contribution in eight appearances since arriving last month in a big-money trade<\/a> with the Philadelphia Union<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n San Diego hit a slight bump on Wednesday with a 1-0 loss<\/a> at Seattle, who snapped the expansion side’s five-game unbeaten streak thanks to a seven-save performance from goalkeeper Stefan Frei<\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite being shut out at Lumen Field, the Chrome-and-Azul are tied for second-most goals (27) in the Western Conference \u2013 an output that also has them second in the table, behind only Vancouver.<\/p>\n The Designated Player duo of Chucky Lozano<\/a> (5g\/6a) and Anders Dreyer<\/a> (6g\/7a) makes San Diego’s offense hum, along with key contributions from USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre<\/a> (3g\/1a) and Onni Valakari<\/a> (3g\/5a).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Austin FC were expected to be among the West’s most explosive teams in 2025, having reportedly spent north of $30 million over the past two transfer windows on forwards Osman Bukari<\/a>, Brandon Vazquez<\/a> and Myrto Uzuni<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, the three marquee signings have combined for 6g\/3a this year and the Verde & Black have a league-low 11 goals through 16 games.<\/p>\n With goals at a premium, victories have also been hard to come by for Nico Est\u00e9vez’s side. Austin are winless in seven, although they’ve posted four straight draws. A win in their first-ever visit to Snapdragon Stadium could push the Verde & Black back into an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs spot.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Much like the weather, Seattle appear to be heating up as spring gives way to summer. The Sounders are 6W-2L-2D since April, going unbeaten in their last three.<\/p>\n Wednesday’s victory over San Diego was particularly significant, with offseason signing Jes\u00fas Ferreira<\/a> opening his club account<\/a> to give the Rave Green all three points.<\/p>\n With Ferreira back among the goals and Albert Rusn\u00e1k<\/a> (7g\/3a) leading the attack, the Sounders look to continue building momentum against Minnesota during their final game at Lumen Field before the Club World Cup.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Minnesota are a point above Seattle at third place in the Western Conference, knowing a win would further legitimize their place as a trophy contender.<\/p>\n The Loons have used head coach Eric Ramsay’s sit-back-and-counter tactics to great effect, going unbeaten in three while posting an impressive 3W-1L-2D record throughout May.<\/p>\n Canadian international striker Tani Oluwaseyi<\/a> (6g\/5a) and Designated Player Joaqu\u00edn Pereyra<\/a> (2g\/7a) have been at the center of Minnesota’s success, with captain Michael Boxall<\/a> anchoring the second-stingiest defense (14 goals conceded) in the West.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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