Soccer <\/p>\n
Another mid-week slate of games has arrived, with all but two teams competing during MLS Matchday 25.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Two high-profile Eastern Conference clashes have serious Supporters’ Shield implications: FC Cincinnati<\/a> host Inter Miami CF<\/a> at TQL Stadium, while Nashville SC<\/a> battle the Columbus Crew<\/a> at GEODIS Park.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Meanwhile, Minnesota United FC<\/a> welcome LAFC<\/a> to Allianz Field with the potential of ending the night atop the Western Conference standings.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Cincinnati’s red-hot momentum hit a snag over the weekend in the Hell is Real derby. Winners of four straight, the then-Supporters’ Shield leaders took an early two-goal advantage at home over the Crew, only for their archrivals to pull off an epic comeback<\/a> for a shock 4-2 result<\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite the setback, the Orange & Blue got an early tally from Pavel Bucha<\/a> and yet another goal from Landon Donovan MLS MVP candidate Evander<\/a>. The Brazilian playmaker scored for the fourth straight game, lacing a long-range blast to reach 13g\/8a on the season.<\/p>\n Can Cincinnati return to winning ways and possibly re-take first place? With Evander and fellow DP K\u00e9vin Denkey<\/a> (12g\/1a) in top form, and the fans at TQL Stadium behind them, there’s always reason for optimism.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n As good as Cincy’s stars have been, Inter Miami’s main man \u2013 the one and only Lionel Messi<\/a> \u2013 has been even more impressive of late.<\/p>\n The legendary Argentine No. 10 made it five straight league games with a brace on Matchday 24, netting twice as the Herons topped Nashville SC, 2-1<\/a>, for their fifth straight win. The victory now has Miami within five points of the Supporters’ Shield lead, with three games in hand on those above them.<\/p>\n With Messi (16g\/7a) enjoying his best statistical run in years and Miami riding high after a historic FIFA Club World Cup<\/a> showing, last year’s Supporters’ Shield winners look to be hitting their best form ahead of the final stretch of the regular season.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Before Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Miami, Nashville were riding an MLS-best 12-game unbeaten streak behind the stellar play of DP duo Hany Mukhtar<\/a> and Sam Surridge<\/a>.<\/p>\n Mukhtar got his name on the scoresheet at Chase Stadium to improve to 10g\/8a this year. Surridge, meanwhile, remains one of the league’s most dangerous goal threats, accumulating 16g\/3a to share the Golden Boot presented by Audi lead with Messi.<\/p>\n Back home at GEODIS Park, B.J. Callaghan’s side will get another chance to further prove their bona fides, and possibly take first place in the East, against a fellow Eastern Conference contender.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Columbus reminded everyone that they’re still a force to be reckoned with over the weekend, thanks to an epic Hell is Real comeback.<\/p>\n All-Stars Diego Rossi<\/a> (11g\/4a) and Max Arfsten<\/a> (4g\/3a) \u2013 the latter returning from USMNT<\/a> duty at the Concacaf Gold Cup<\/a> \u2013 both found the back of the net, while homegrown Taha Habroune<\/a> scored his first MLS goal to key the Crew’s remarkable rally at TQL Stadium.<\/p>\n Wilfried Nancy’s side are now unbeaten in five, winning four of those matches, and are just two points behind the first-place Philadelphia Union<\/a> in the East.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n First place could also be in the cards for Minnesota United, who sit just two points behind San Diego FC<\/a> for the top spot in the West.<\/p>\n The Loons are playing like a top-of-the-table side, going undefeated in their last four league outings (3W-0L-1D) while also booking their spot in the US Open Cup<\/a> semifinals.<\/p>\n Eric Ramsay’s side are coming off a 4-1 dismantling<\/a> of the San Jose Earthquakes<\/a>, led by standout performances from the attacking duo of Tani Oluwaseyi<\/a> (1g\/2a) and Kelvin Yeboah<\/a> (1g\/1a).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n LAFC, for their part, are riding a two-game winning streak after beating FC Dallas<\/a>, 2-0<\/a>, at home over the weekend.<\/p>\n Homegrown forward Nathan Ordaz<\/a> opened the score to improve his statline to 5g\/2a this season, while club standard-bearer Denis Bouanga<\/a> (10g\/7a) contributed a goal and an assist as he prepares to participate in his third straight MLS All-Star Game.<\/p>\n All the while, LAFC continue to climb up the Western Conference standings after taking part in the Club World Cup. In fact, a win at Allianz Field could propel the Black & Gold into a top-four spot.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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