{"id":874233,"date":"2025-09-19T23:12:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T04:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/19\/matchday-35-what-to-know-for-this-weekends-must-watch-matches-mlssoccer-com\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T23:12:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T04:12:09","slug":"matchday-35-what-to-know-for-this-weekends-must-watch-matches-mlssoccer-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/19\/matchday-35-what-to-know-for-this-weekends-must-watch-matches-mlssoccer-com\/","title":{"rendered":"Matchday 35: What to know for this weekend&#8217;s must-watch matches | MLSSoccer.com"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>Several Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spots can be clinched this weekend during Matchday 35.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/orlando-city-sc\">Orlando City<\/a> host <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/nashville-sc\">Nashville SC<\/a> on Saturday in a battle for top-four positioning in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n<p>In the latest Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire showdown, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/austin-fc\">Austin FC<\/a> welcome <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/seattle-sounders-fc\">Seattle Sounders FC<\/a> to Q2 Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>To close out the weekend, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/los-angeles-football-club\">LAFC<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/real-salt-lake\">Real Salt Lake<\/a> meet for the second time in four days.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WHEN:<\/strong> Saturday, 7:30 pm ET<\/li>\n<li><strong>WATCH:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/tv.apple.com\/sporting-event\/orlando-city-vs-nashville-sc\/umc.cse.6zk4t4ziyr4dldlsrr05n3s0d?itscg=80320&#038;itsct=s_mls_partner_gp&#038;mttnsubad=umc.cse.6zk4t4ziyr4dldlsrr05n3s0d\">Apple TV &#8211; MLS Season Pass<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>Orlando sit eighth in the Eastern Conference (48 points) and, with a win and some help, could clinch a sixth consecutive postseason berth under head coach Oscar Pareja.<\/p>\n<p>The Lions are also looking to secure home-field advantage in Round One of the playoffs, then improve on making the Eastern Conference Final in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Winless in two games, Orlando are coming off a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/mls-regular-season\/2025\/matches\/dcvsorl-09-13-2025\/\">1-1 draw<\/a> at 10-man <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/d-c-united\">D.C. United<\/a>. Their lone goal came from homegrown and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/us-men-s-national-team\/\">USMNT<\/a> defender <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/alexander-freeman\/\">Alex Freeman<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>\n                                <iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EJZfCjMphic?feature=oembed\" allowfullscreen title=\"USMNT Rising Stars Talk MLS, World Cup 2026 &#038; More with Sacha Kljestan\"><\/iframe>\n                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>Nashville are looking to build on Tuesday&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/u-s-open-cup\/2025\/\">US Open Cup<\/a> semifinal win against the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/philadelphia-union\/\">Philadelphia Union<\/a>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/u-s-open-cup\/2025\/matches\/nshvsphi-09-16-2025\/\">3-1 victory<\/a> where <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/sam-surridge\/\">Sam Surridge<\/a> bagged a hat-trick. They&#8217;ll travel to Austin FC on Oct. 1 for the USOC final, vying for the club&#8217;s first title and a 2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/concacaf-champions-league\/2025\/\">Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> spot.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>However, Nashville have struggled lately in MLS action. They&#8217;ve dropped five of their last six matches, including two straight losses. Their latest setback was a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/mls-regular-season\/2025\/matches\/cinvsnsh-09-13-2025\">2-1 defeat<\/a> at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/fc-cincinnati\">FC Cincinnati<\/a>, despite Surridge extending his Golden Boot presented by Audi lead with his 21st goal of the season.<\/p>\n<p>A win on Saturday would not only help the club&#8217;s confidence, but also clinch a playoff spot.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Under the Sunday Night Soccer spotlight, Austin hope to take a big step towards playoff qualification when hosting Seattle at Q2 Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>First-year head coach Nico Est\u00e9vez has the Verde &#038; Black seventh in the Western Conference with 41 points, two points clear of the Wild Card spots. Plus, they&#8217;re riding a high after Wednesday&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/u-s-open-cup\/2025\/matches\/minvsatx-09-17-2025\/\">2-1 victory<\/a> at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/minnesota-united-fc\">Minnesota United FC<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/u-s-open-cup\/2025\/\">US Open Cup<\/a> semifinals, courtesy of a 120th-minute game-winner from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/cj-fodrey\/\">CJ Fodrey<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A win against the Sounders would further fuel Austin, who are led in attack by homegrown midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/owen-wolff\/\">Owen Wolff<\/a> and DP forwards <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/myrto-uzuni\/\">Myrto Uzuni<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/osman-bukari\/\">Osman Bukari<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>\n                                <iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/F5jxA81CrhM?feature=oembed\" allowfullscreen title=\"Can a Kid from ALASKA become Mexico's Next Star?! Obed Vargas Journey\"><\/iframe>\n                            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Three weeks removed from being crowned <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/news\/champions-seattle-sounders-win-leagues-cup-2025-over-inter-miami\">Leagues Cup 2025 champions<\/a>, Seattle lost their rematch with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/inter-miami-cf\/\">Miami<\/a> midweek. They dropped a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/mls-regular-season\/2025\/matches\/miavssea-09-16-2025\/\">3-1 decision<\/a>, in which homegrown midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/obed-vargas\/\">Obed Vargas<\/a> scored his third goal of the year.<\/p>\n<p>But the Sounders are on the verge of clinching a postseason berth, and are boosted by the return of DPs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/albert-rusnak\/\">Albert Rusn\u00e1k<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/jordan-morris\/\">Jordan Morris<\/a>. They both assisted Vargas&#8217; strike at Miami, providing a window into this team at full strength.<\/p>\n<p>Seattle have lost just two of 17 games across all competitions since competing at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/fifa-club-world-cup\/2025\/\">FIFA Club World Cup<\/a>. Yet after dropping points in back-to-back matches, a road win would help restore some good vibes.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>WHEN:<\/strong> Sunday, 9 pm ET<\/li>\n<li><strong>WATCH:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/tv.apple.com\/sporting-event\/los-angeles-football-club-vs-real-salt-lake\/umc.cse.50osnn9h3xdwa4kdwl0vjm2y0?itscg=80320&#038;itsct=s_mls_partner_gp&#038;mttnsubad=umc.cse.50osnn9h3xdwa4kdwl0vjm2y0\">MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+<\/a>, FS1, FOX Deportes<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>After LAFC cruised to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/competitions\/mls-regular-season\/2025\/matches\/rslvslafc-09-17-2025\/\">4-1 win<\/a> at RSL on Wednesday, the Western Conference foes meet again at BMO Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>MLS-record summer signing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/son-heung-min\/\">Son Heung-Min<\/a> scored his first hat trick for LAFC, while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/denis-bouanga\/\">Denis Bouanga<\/a> overtook Black &#038; Gold legend Carlos Vela atop the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/news\/denis-bouanga-passes-carlos-vela-for-lafc-goals-record\">club&#8217;s all-time scoring<\/a> list (94 goals) in the lopsided victory.<\/p>\n<p>LAFC can punch their fourth straight postseason ticket with a win or a tie in Sunday&#8217;s return fixture.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>RSL need a reaction after their mid-week setback, which prevented them from overtaking the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/clubs\/san-jose-earthquakes\">San Jose Earthquakes<\/a> for the West&#8217;s ninth and final postseason spot.<\/p>\n<p>The Claret-and-Cobalt&#8217;s chances of obtaining a positive result at BMO Stadium hinge largely on All-Star midfielder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/diego-luna\/\">Diego Luna<\/a>, who leads the club with 14 goal contributions (9g\/5a). He&#8217;s looking to represent the USMNT at next year&#8217;s FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n<p>Rising homegrown <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/players\/zavier-gozo\/\">Zavier Gozo<\/a> is also elevating his profile of late, producing 2g\/2a in his last four appearances for 10th-place RSL.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/news\/matchday-35-what-to-know-for-this-weekend-s-must-watch-matches-2025\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a>Thomas Serna<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer Several Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs spots can be clinched this weekend during Matchday 35. Orlando City host Nashville SC on Saturday in a battle for top-four positioning in the Eastern Conference. In the latest Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire showdown, Austin FC welcome Seattle Sounders FC to Q2 Stadium. To close [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":874234,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[119564,2005,32843],"tags":[119563,9391],"class_list":["post-874233","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-matchday","category-soccer","category-weekends","tag-matchday","tag-weekends"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/874233","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=874233"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/874233\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/874234"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=874233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=874233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=874233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}