Soccer <\/p>\n
The penultimate matchday before the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> pause has arrived.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n From a rivalry in Walmart Saturday Showdown to a Sunday Night Soccer presented by Continental Tire doubleheader, here’s what awaits during Matchday 14 this weekend.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n New York City FC<\/a> have dominated the Hudson River Derby as of late, winning the last three meetings across all competitions.<\/p>\n They’ll like their chances this weekend, too, after rattling off back-to-back wins. USMNT<\/a> goalkeeper Matt Freese<\/a> continues to push for a starting role at the World Cup, and forward Nicol\u00e1s Fern\u00e1ndez Mercau<\/a> is in the Golden Boot presented by Audi hunt with 9g\/3a.<\/p>\n But the Red Bulls<\/a> also have momentum, winning two consecutive games behind Julian Hall<\/a>‘s scorching form. The 18-year-old striker has 9g\/2a and is the reigning Player of the Matchday, thriving alongside fellow homegrown Adri Mehmeti<\/a>.<\/p>\n These arch-rivals are level on 18 points, adding to the stakes at Sports Illustrated Stadium.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Seattle<\/a> are enjoying a nine-game unbeaten streak and stand among the early-season trophy contenders, led by many familiar names.<\/p>\n Albert Rusn\u00e1k<\/a> and Jes\u00fas Ferreira<\/a> have both tallied a team-high seven goal contributions, and USMNT midfielder Cristian Roldan<\/a> is making a push for a 2026 World Cup roster spot.<\/p>\n The Sounders’ defense has allowed a joint-league-low eight goals, too. That’s a testament to goalkeeper Andrew Thomas<\/a>, as well as All-Star hopefuls like Jackson Ragen<\/a>, Nouhou<\/a> and Alex Roldan<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Galaxy have proven less consistent this year, and hope to mount a winning streak heading into the World Cup break.<\/p>\n Gabriel Pec<\/a>, Joseph Paintsil<\/a> and Marco Reus<\/a> are their difference-makers in attack, having combined for 10g\/12a this season. They’re relied on even more as Jo\u00e3o Klauss<\/a> (team-high five goals) recovers from foot surgery<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Lionel Messi<\/a> has been in fantastic form in recent weeks, tallying 4g\/5a across Inter Miami<\/a>‘s last three matches. The same goes for fellow Argentine superstar Rodrigo De Paul<\/a>, who has 1g\/4a during that span.\u00a0<\/p>\n Those performances powered a successful road swing, in which Miami rolled to a 4-2 win<\/a> at Toronto FC<\/a> and a 5-3 victory<\/a> at FC Cincinnati<\/a>. As such, the defending MLS Cup presented by Audi champions now boast a league-high 31 goals scored.<\/p>\n Now, the Herons hope all that momentum can fuel their first win at Nu Stadium. They’ve gone winless in four previous tries (0W-1L-3D), having opened the venue in early April.<\/p>\n Portland<\/a> won’t make it easy, especially with the club unbeaten in three of their past four matches (2W-1L-1D). After a slow start, they’re now just two points off the Western Conference pace for an Audi MLS Cup Playoffs spot.<\/p>\n Timbers striker Kevin Kelsy<\/a> has found his groove and reached 5g\/3a on the season. Kristoffer Velde<\/a> is their other main threat with 4g\/3a, and David Da Costa<\/a> is back pulling the strings in midfield.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n This weekend’s Sunday Night Soccer doubleheader concludes with two teams that feasibly could meet in MLS Cup on Dec. 18.<\/p>\n Nashville<\/a> are Eastern Conference leaders, finding another level since Cristian Espinoza<\/a> joined this winter to complete the club’s Designated Player trio. He stars alongside Hany Mukhtar<\/a> and Sam Surridge<\/a>, the latter of whom is recovering from a back injury.<\/p>\n Nashville’s defense hasn’t missed a beat, either, since Walker Zimmerman<\/a> departed in free agency for Toronto FC. Their eight goals against are joint-lowest in MLS, and Brian Schwake<\/a> is excelling as the club’s starting goalkeeper.<\/p>\n LAFC<\/a> bring plenty of star power, most notably via Denis Bouanga<\/a> and Son Heung-Min<\/a>. Bouanga is chasing a fourth straight season of 20 goals or more, and Son is set to captain South Korea at this summer’s World Cup.<\/p>\n But the Black & Gold are slumping lately, losing back-to-back MLS games since exiting the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> semifinals (a stage Nashville also reached). Head coach Marc Dos Santos is searching for answers.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n \n
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