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The first Canadian Classique matchup of the 2025 MLS campaign takes place on Saturday as CF Montreal seek their first victory at Saputo Stadium this year when they host Toronto.
Le CFM managed to claim a point in midweek, drawing 1-1 with the Columbus Crew, putting them three points below the Reds in the Eastern Conference table after the latter suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to FC Cincinnati.
We say: CF Montreal 1-0 Toronto
Montreal are starting to get most of their regulars back from injury and taking some baby steps forward, and we believe their improved backline and recent positive results will propel them to another narrow victory this weekend.
> Major League Soccer preview: Montreal vs Toronto
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One of the biggest rivalries in Major League Soccer will be renewed on Saturday as New York City FC host the New York Red Bulls at Citi Field in the first Hudson River Derby of 2025.
These teams are currently holding down the final two Eastern Conference playoff spots, with the Pigeons ninth after a 0-0 draw with DC United and the Red Bulls just above them despite losing their previous match 2-1 at Nashville SC.
We say: New York City FC 2-0 New York Red Bulls
There is something about Citi Field that seems to bring out the best version of New York City, and we expect them to find a way through a Red Bulls side that lack structure and poise defensively away from home.
> Major League Soccer preview: NY City vs NY Red Bulls
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Columbus Crew will welcome FC Cincinnati to Lower.com Field on Sunday in Major League Soccer, aiming to return to winning ways and potentially reclaim top spot in the Eastern Conference.
After back-to-back draws, the hosts slipped from the summit, but with home advantage and a solid unbeaten run, they will look to stop the visitors’ recent surge.
We say: Columbus Crew 1-1 FC Cincinnati
While Columbus have struggled to turn performances into wins, they remain a difficult side to beat, and Cincinnati, despite their impressive position, have not shown the ruthlessness required to put teams away comfortably, which could prove costly against a resilient home side, making a draw the most likely outcome.
> Major League Soccer preview: Columbus Crew vs Cincinnati
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Atlanta United will look to halt their worrying slide when they host an in-form Philadelphia Union side at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium this weekend in Major League Soccer.
The hosts are third-bottom in the table with 11 points and are enduring a winless streak, while the visitors are second in the table with 26 points.
We say: Atlanta United 1-3 Philadelphia Union
Atlanta’s home form offers a glimmer of hope, but their overall struggles and mounting injuries leave them vulnerable against a confident and in-form Philadelphia side, and with Baribo firing and the Union pushing for top spot, the visitors should have enough quality to edge this contest.
> Major League Soccer preview: Atlanta vs Philadelphia
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Two sides separated by three points in the Major League Soccer Easter Conference standings will do battle at the Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, as Charlotte FC welcome Chicago Fire.
The hosts have dropped to seventh spot following four straight league defeats, while their visitors sit 11th and within touching distance of the top seven thanks to a return to winning ways last time out.
We say: Charlotte FC 1-1 Chicago Fire
The hosts are still battling to end a rut as their visitors did last time out, but we see a share of the spoils between two well-matched sides as the most likely outcome at the Bank of America Stadium on Saturday.
> Major League Soccer preview: Charlotte FC vs Chicago Fire
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Both aiming to continue unbeaten streaks and climb their respective Major League Soccer conference standings, New England Revolution and San Jose Earthquakes will do battle at Gillette Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts played out a draw last time out after five straight victories in all competitions, while their visitors are undefeated in their last four outings.
We say: New England Revolution 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes
Saturday’s contest promises to be an intriguing one between two sides enjoying hot streaks, and we give a slight edge to the hosts, particularly if the visitors are without danger man Arango.
> Major League Soccer preview: New England vs Earthquakes
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Vancouver Whitecaps travel to Austin FC on Saturday night looking to bolster their position at the top of the Western Conference table.
Meanwhile, the home side head into this encounter sitting in the mid-table positions, 10 points adrift of the leaders having played one game more.
We say: Austin FC 0-2 Vancouver Whitecaps
Given their measly goalscoring record, Austin are up against it in this contest. While it may remain competitive for a time, we are backing the visitors to come through in professional fashion.
> Major League Soccer preview: Austin vs Vancouver
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Dallas play host to Houston Dynamo in their all-Texan MLS fixture looking to move into the playoff positions in the Western Conference table.
However, the visitors head into this fixture knowing that collecting all three points on their travels will see them go above their 10th-placed opponents.
We say: Dallas 1-1 Houston Dynamo
The inconsistency of both teams may lead to a competitive affair, albeit not particularly full of quality. As a result, we are backing a low-scoring draw, a result that would suit neither side.
> Major League Soccer preview: Dallas vs Houston
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Minnesota United saw their momentum halted following a first defeat in four matches last time out and will go in search of an immediate response when they welcome St Louis City to Allianz Field on Sunday.
For the away side, securing a first league win in 10 matches is the major objective this weekend as they look to kickstart what has been a largely underwhelming campaign to date.
We say: Minnesota United 3-1 St Louis City
Minnesota United have got the better of this fixture of late and are the more in-form team heading into Sunday’s game, and as a result, we are backing the home side to cruise to a routine win.
> Major League Soccer preview: Minnesota Utd vs St Louis City
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Nashville SC will conclude their two-game MLS homestand on Saturday when they play host to DC United at Geodis Park for the first time in 2025.
On Wednesday, a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls put the Boys in Gold in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, 10 points above DC, who settled for a 0-0 draw with New York City FC and are 12th.
We say: Nashville SC 1-0 DC United
While the Black and Red will feel a lot better about their defensive game after Wednesday, Nashville are getting solid production from their star attackers and contributions across the board, which is why we expect them to continue their winning ways.
> Major League Soccer preview: Nashville vs DC United
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The first Rocky Mountain Cup match of the 2025 MLS campaign takes place on Saturday as the Colorado Rapids host Real Salt Lake at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Both sides are still seeking their first victories in May, with the Burgundy Boys losing 2-0 in midweek at San Diego and Claret and Cobalt playing to a 0-0 draw with the Portland Timbers.
We say: Colorado Rapids 0-1 Real Salt Lake
Neither side should have trouble getting up for this game, but we believe momentum will play a part, and at the moment, Claret and Cobalt have a little more than the Burgundy Boys.
> Major League Soccer preview: Colorado vs Salt Lake
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Fourth-placed Portland Timbers will welcome Seattle Sounders for their MLS Western Conference fixture at Providence Park on Sunday.
The hosts will aim to extend their unbeaten run to four games across all competitions, while the sixth-placed Sounders will be looking to get back to winning ways.
We say: Portland Timbers 2-1 Seattle Sounders
The hosts have been enjoying a fine run in the league, with only one loss in their last 10 league outings, a feat made possible by their impressive attack, and up against a Sounders side with a fragile backline, we predict a 2-1 win for the hosts.
> Major League Soccer preview: Portland vs Seattle
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San Diego play host to Sporting Kansas City at the Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday, as they look to further strengthen their playoff position in the MLS Western Conference.
The hosts are second in the standings and will be aiming to extend their winning streak to four games in all competitions, while the visitors are currently 13th in the table and will go in search of their first win in three fixtures.
We say: San Diego 2-0 Sporting Kansas City
Considering the struggles of the visiting side and the consistency and quality of San Diego, the hosts are primed for another routine win, and we predict a 2-0 victory for SDFC.
> Major League Soccer preview: San Diego vs Kansas
