Soccer <\/p>\n
The Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs race heats up during Matchday 29, making for several must-see games.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
The San Jose Earthquakes<\/a> welcome expansion side San Diego FC<\/a> for Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Minnesota United FC<\/a> and Seattle Sounders FC<\/a> meet in a battle between Western Conference contenders.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Closing out the weekend, Vancouver Whitecaps FC<\/a> host Houston Dynamo FC<\/a> in the likely debut of blockbuster summer signing Thomas M\u00fcller<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n It’s third versus fourth in the West when Minnesota host Seattle in a game with massive playoff implications.<\/p>\n Can the Loons put greater distance between themselves and the rest of the pack, while also turning the page on last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat<\/a> to the Colorado Rapids<\/a>?<\/p>\n A positive result likely hinges on Canadian international striker Tani Oluwaseyi<\/a>, whose 10g\/8a reportedly have him on the radar of several European clubs<\/a>. His CanMNT teammate, goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair<\/a>, will surely be tested as well.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Last Sunday, Seattle were down multiple starters and still produced an emphatic 4-0 win<\/a> at the LA Galaxy<\/a> to extend their MLS unbeaten streak to seven straight games and build on their perfect 3W-0L-0D performance in Phase One of Leagues Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Sounders flexed their depth with a Danny Musovski<\/a> brace, while Paul Rothrock<\/a> forced an own goal and homegrown midfielder Snyder Brunell<\/a> marked his MLS debut with a late tally.<\/p>\n Now, the Rave Green head to Minnesota with serious momentum as they look to leapfrog the Loons in the standings.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n NorCal and SoCal collide on Sunday Night Soccer as the Earthquakes welcome newcomers San Diego to PayPal Park for the first time.<\/p>\n The Quakes are clinging onto the West’s ninth and final playoff spot after Preston Judd<\/a>‘s last-gasp 2-1 winner<\/a> over Vancouver delivered a victory \u2013 and celebration<\/a> \u2013 for the ages. Josef Mart\u00ednez<\/a> also found the back of the net to make it three goals in his last four appearances.<\/p>\n Will King Josef score again? Perhaps more importantly: Will San Jose’s Goonies DNA prevail against one of the most remarkable expansion teams in league history?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n San Diego’s incredible debut season has the New Kids on the Block firmly atop the West and in the mix for the Supporters’ Shield.<\/p>\n And at their 1.88 points-per-game clip, the Chrome-and-Azul are on pace for a 64-point season. That would easily break LAFC<\/a>‘s current expansion team record of 57 points (set in 2018).<\/p>\n As has been the case all year, DP wingers Chucky Lozano<\/a> and Anders Dreyer<\/a> were at the center of the club’s most recent success. Each scored in a 2-0 victory<\/a> at Sporting Kansas City<\/a> as Lozano claimed AT&T Goal of the Matchday honors<\/a>, while Dreyer added an assist to bolster his Landon Donovan MLS MVP case.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n For Vancouver, the vibes are high despite last weekend’s gut-punch loss at San Jose. The reason? Blockbuster summer acquisition Thomas M\u00fcller has arrived<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Bayern Munich and Germany legend is under contract for the remainder of the 2025 season with a Designated Player option for 2026. He is anticipated to debut for the ‘Caps, who are second in the West and still in Supporters’ Shield contention.<\/p>\n That makes Sunday’s game at BC Place a must-watch for Vancouver. They also can complete a season sweep of the Dynamo; last month, they won 3-0 in Houston<\/a> behind goals from Brian White<\/a>, Sebastian Berhalter<\/a> and Emmanuel Sabbi<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Dynamo are also in must-win mode, given they’re four points below the playoff line in the West with nine games remaining.<\/p>\n Houston completed an impressive comeback at Texas rivals Austin FC<\/a> last weekend, facing a two-goal deficit before USMNT<\/a> midfielder Jack McGlynn<\/a> came to the rescue with a late brace that salvaged a 2-2 draw<\/a>.<\/p>\n The margins for error are getting thinner for a Dynamo side that’s winless in their last four league games.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n