Soccer <\/p>\n
Matchday 21 marks the return of MLS weekend action, helping wrap up a busy double game week.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Highlights include Orlando City<\/a> hosting FC Cincinnati<\/a>, a Cali Cl\u00e1sico between the San Jose Earthquakes<\/a> and LA Galaxy<\/a>, and a major Eastern Conference clash on Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Let’s dive on in.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n After consecutive road wins, Orlando return home with a chance to leapfrog a fellow Eastern Conference contender.<\/p>\n Despite selling all-time leading goalscorer Facundo Torres in the offseason, the Lions have not missed a beat. Marco Pa\u0161ali\u0107<\/a> has exceeded expectations in filling the Uruguayan’s boots, contributing 8g\/4a, and Mart\u00edn Ojeda<\/a> is the club’s leading scorer with 9g\/6a.<\/p>\n Fellow offseason addition Eduard Atuesta<\/a> demonstrated his impact midweek, providing three assists to lead the Lions to a 4-2 win<\/a> at St. Louis CITY SC<\/a>, a game in which Pa\u0161ali\u0107 and Ramiro Enrique<\/a> bagged braces.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Also entering the match on a two-match road winning streak, Cincy will aim to make it three in a row at Inter&Co Stadium.<\/p>\n Currently second in the Eastern Conference, two marquee offseason additions have Pat Noonan’s side humming. Club-record signing K\u00e9vin Denkey<\/a> has netted 11 goals in 18 matches, while Evander<\/a> has 9g\/7a since arriving from the Portland Timbers<\/a> in an MLS-record trade.<\/p>\n Evander is fresh off his second consecutive MLS All-Star selection and contributed 2g\/1a in their 3-1 win<\/a> midweek at CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a>. The Brazilian midfielder is tied for the third-most goal contributions (16) in the league.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Fun fact: San Jose are the highest scoring team in MLS this season with 39 goals. They’re flat out dangerous.<\/p>\n The appointment of Bruce Arena as head coach and sporting director has sparked a resurgence for the MLS originals, with offseason striker signings Chicho Arango<\/a> and Josef Mart\u00ednez<\/a> combining for 18g\/4a. Veteran winger Cristian Espinoza<\/a> leads the league with 61 key passes and is second with 11 assists, among other success stories in the South Bay.<\/p>\n Now, the Quakes will look to complete the Cali Cl\u00e1sico season sweep at Stanford Stadium, following their 1-0 win<\/a> at LA last month. Well over 40,000 fans are expected for this one.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n ???????????? pic.twitter.com\/Oso8h5SZCR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) June 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n The Galaxy have taken the inverse road.<\/p>\n The reigning MLS Cup champions are last in the league on eight points with a single win (1W-13L-5D record) as they look to avoid San Jose’s Wooden Spoon fate from last season.<\/p>\n Luckily, star German playmaker Marco Reus<\/a> has rounded into form with 2g\/5a in his last six matches. They’re also hoping Gabriel Pec<\/a> can find a groove; the 2024 MLS Newcomer of the Year has been limited to 3g\/2a this season.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Philadelphia Union<\/a> meet a fellow Eastern Conference trophy contender when they visit the Columbus Crew<\/a> for Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire.<\/p>\n For the Union, it’s an opportunity to solidify their Supporters’ Shield lead in their first year under head coach Bradley Carnell. Philadelphia have a league-best 40 points (12W-3L-4D record), four clear of San Diego FC<\/a> and FC Cincinnati.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, striker Tai Baribo<\/a> and center back Jakob Glesnes<\/a> were named MLS All-Stars. Baribo is second in the Golden Boot presented by Audi race with 13 goals.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Crew have intentions to close that gap and make a run at the Shield and the East’s No. 1 seed.<\/p>\n Head coach Wilfried Nancy’s side would climb within three points of Philadelphia with a win, and are coming off a convincing 3-1 victory<\/a> vs. Atlanta United<\/a> midweek. They’ve won back-to-back matches since going six games unbeaten.<\/p>\n\n
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