Soccer <\/p>\n
Matchday 7 is upon us, highlighted by high-profile clashes in both conferences.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Let’s take a look at the biggest games on deck this weekend.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n
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- WHEN:<\/strong> Saturday, 4:30 pm ET<\/li>\n
- WATCH:<\/strong> Apple TV<\/a>, FOX<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
Following their opening matchday win, the Portland Timbers<\/a> have taken just one point from their past five games while conceding the most goals in the Western Conference (15).<\/p>\n
Despite their defensive struggles, the Timbers have been shut out only once, scoring the most goals of any team not currently in an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs position.<\/p>\n
Can Portland continue their goalscoring form while shoring up defensively against Western Conference-leading LAFC<\/a>?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\nThe visitors enter Matchday 7 atop the Supporters’ Shield standings (5W-0L-1D, 16 points) and in command of their Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> quarterfinal tie via a 3-0 Leg 1 win<\/a> over Cruz Azul at BMO Stadium on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
Backstopped by legendary French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris<\/a>, LAFC are the first team in MLS history to begin a season with six consecutive clean sheets.<\/p>\n
At the same time, DP forwards Son Heung-Min<\/a> (0g\/7a) and Denis Bouanga<\/a> (4g\/3a) have led the Black & Gold to the second-most goals (14) and highest goal differential (+14) in the league.<\/p>\n
Will LAFC keep rolling, or could CCC rotation provide an opportunity for the Timbers to spring the upset?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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- WHEN:<\/strong> Saturday, 7:30 pm ET<\/li>\n
- WATCH:<\/strong>\u00a0Apple TV<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
After claiming just one point from their first two games of the season,\u00a0Charlotte FC<\/a> returned to Bank of America Stadium and have gone unbeaten with three wins in their past four matches.<\/p>\n
They’ve rocketed up the Eastern Conference table, leaping into third place (11 points; 3W-1L-2D) and scoring 11 goals in those four matches.<\/p>\n
Can The Crown maintain their superb home record without suspended superstar Wilfried Zaha<\/a> against conference-leading Nashville SC<\/a>?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\nNashville are fresh off their first loss of the year,\u00a01-0<\/a> at Chicago Fire FC<\/a>, after beginning the season on a nine-match undefeated streak across all competitions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, rotation may be on the cards for the East’s top team, who are in the midst of a CCC quarterfinal tie with LIGA MX powerhouse Club Am\u00e9rica after pulling off a historic upset<\/a> of Inter Miami CF<\/a> in the Round of 16.<\/p>\n
If he starts, watch out for co-Golden Boot presented by Audi leader Sam Surridge<\/a> (seven goals) to continue his goalscoring form while combining with fellow dangerous DPs\u00a0Hany Mukhtar<\/a> and Cristian Espinoza<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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- WHEN:<\/strong> Sunday, 7 pm ET<\/li>\n
- WATCH:<\/strong>\u00a0Apple TV<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n
\nThe Columbus Crew<\/a> return home Sunday after earning their first win under new head coach Henrik Rydst\u00f6m, a 3-1 victory<\/a> at Atlanta United<\/a>, last weekend.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Palestinian international striker\u00a0Wessam Abou Ali<\/a> led the way, scoring a brace to bring his season total to five goals in six matches, supplemented with 1g\/1a from USMNT<\/a> wingback Max Arfsten<\/a>.<\/p>\n
They, alongside former MLS Golden Boot winner Diego Rossi<\/a>, will aim to capitalize against an Orlando City<\/a> side that has conceded the most goals in the league (23).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\nOn the flip side, Orlando mutually parted ways<\/a> with longtime manager Oscar Pareja after an 0W-3L-0D start to the season, subsequently feeling a new-coach boost under interim Mart\u00edn Perelman with their first win of the season against CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> at home.<\/p>\n
Once they headed back on the road, however, the Lions fell to conference leaders Nashville SC and LAFC, bringing their away record to 0W-3L-0D this season, with a combined scoreline of 16-0.<\/p>\n