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Matchday 6 has arrived, highlighted by Inter Miami CF<\/a> opening Nu Stadium in a historic clash against Austin FC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Let’s check out the biggest games on deck this weekend.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n After starting the season with three consecutive losses, Atlanta United<\/a> have begun to bounce back at home under returning head coach Tata Martino.<\/p>\n In their past two games, the Five Stripes earned a 3-1 win<\/a> over the Philadelphia Union<\/a> and a 0-0 draw<\/a> against D.C. United<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n At the same time, Atlanta’s star-studded attack has sparked to life. Miguel Almir\u00f3n<\/a> provided all three assists in the victory over Philly, and fellow Designated Player Alexey Miranchuk<\/a> has scored three goals in the past three matches.<\/p>\n Will Atlanta continue their upward trajectory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium when a winless Columbus Crew<\/a> come to town?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Led by new head coach Henrik Rydstr\u00f6m, Columbus are an uncharacteristic 14th place in the Eastern Conference with two points. Rydstr\u00f6m took over in the offseason after Wilfried Nancy departed to lead Scottish side Celtic FC.<\/p>\n On the bright side, DP forwards\u00a0Wessam Abou Ali<\/a> and Diego Rossi<\/a> have combined for 5g\/1a across the first five games.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile, wingback\u00a0Max Arfsten<\/a> and goalkeeper Patrick Schulte<\/a> both earned call-ups to the USMNT<\/a> March camp as the nation prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Can the Crew put it all together for their first win of the season?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n After playing their first five matches of the season on the road, Inter Miami celebrate the debut of their brand new home, Nu Stadium.<\/p>\n The Herons previously played in nearby Fort Lauderdale, and will now begin a new era at their new 26,700-seat soccer-specific stadium near Miami International Airport.<\/p>\n The defending MLS Cup presented by Audi champions have taken 10 points in MLS play this season, paced by Lionel Messi<\/a> scoring a team-best four goals. That includes a long-distance free kick in their recent 3-2 victory<\/a> at New York City FC<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Argentine icon has long been waiting for this moment, and even has a Nu Stadium stand<\/a> named after him.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The landmark event provides Austin FC with a golden chance to spoil the party and get their season rolling after winning one of their first five matches.<\/p>\n There would be no better time for Facundo Torres<\/a> to score his first goal since returning to MLS following a fruitful three-season stint with Orlando City<\/a> (2022-24). The Uruguay international was acquired in the offseason from Brazilian side Palmeiras.<\/p>\n Can last week’s 0-0 draw<\/a> against Western Conference-topping LAFC<\/a> springboard the Verde & Black to a statement win?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n LAFC have begun 2026 with the best defensive start to a season in MLS history<\/a>, notching 450 minutes unbreached courtesy of five consecutive clean sheets.<\/p>\n In turn, their unbeaten 4W-0L-1D record has them atop the Western Conference table while they’ve also advanced to the Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> quarterfinals.<\/p>\n This is all before South Korean superstar Son Heung-Min<\/a> has scored a league goal in 2026.<\/p>\n Son will aim to set that right against Orlando, and is supported by wingers\u00a0Denis Bouanga<\/a> (1g\/2a) and David Mart\u00ednez<\/a> (2g\/0a).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n On the flip side, Orlando City parted ways<\/a> with longtime manager Oscar Pareja after beginning the season with three consecutive defeats by a combined 11-3 scoreline.<\/p>\n The Lions immediately benefited from a new-coach boost under interim Mart\u00edn Perelman, earning a 2-1 win<\/a>\u00a0against CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> with both Duncan McGuire<\/a> and Mart\u00edn Ojeda<\/a> hitting the back of the net.<\/p>\n Yet last week, struggles returned in a 5-0 loss<\/a> at Nashville SC<\/a> ahead of an equally testing trip to downtown Los Angeles.<\/p>\n Can Orlando start stacking points, especially knowing French legend Antoine Griezmann<\/a> will arrive in July<\/a>? The longtime Atl\u00e9tico Madrid forward recently signed a pre-contract.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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