Sporting Kansas City will look to continue their good form when they host Western Conference foe Portland Timbers at Children Mercy Park on Saturday. The matchup is one of four games that fit the national television bill in Week 18 of MLS. We take a glance at each matchup below.
Real Salt Lake City vs. Orlando City SC| 8:30 p.m. CT tonight, ESPN & ESPN Deportes
At tenth place in the Western Conference, Real Salt Lake (5-11-2, 17 points) is trying to turn its season around. The club attempts to get back on track tonight when they host Orlando City SC (7-6-5, 26 points), who sit in fourth place in the Eastern conference. The Lions have taken just three points from their last four games and have triumphed on the road only one time this season (1-5-2). Leading Orlando scorer Cyle Larin and his eight goals will be a big threat for the hosts.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Portland Timbers | 6 p.m. CT Saturday, ESPN & ESPN Deportes
Five points separate Western Conference leaders Sporting Kansas City (8-4-6, 30 points) from the Portland Timbers (7-7-4, 25 points). Sporting KC has gone unbeaten at home for the past 17 games and intend to maintain their historic record on Saturday. The Timbers, meanwhile, have won only two games on the road (2-6-1) in 2017. The task seems difficult for head coach Caleb Porter's side, but they can count on an explosive attack featuring Fanendo Adi and Diego Valeri, who have combined to score 18 times this season.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Los Angeles Galaxy | 9:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Facebook Live & Univision
The San Jose Earthquakes will host their California rival LA Galaxy in an electric atmosphere at Stanford Stadium this Saturday. The Western Conference clubs are separated by one point and sit just above the red line. The Earthquakes will use the motivation gained from their recent U.S. Open Cup win against Seattle Sounders FC to take points at home. Individual quality will be on display as two elite strikers in Major League Soccer will be facing off. Chris Wolondowski has scored six goals this season for the Earthquakes, while Frenchman Romain Alessandrini has found the net eight times.
Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution | 4 p.m. CT Sunday, FS1 & FOX Deportes
Last but not least, Week 18 ends with an east coast battle between the Philadelphia Union (5-7-4, 19 points) and New England Revolution this Sunday at Talen Energy Stadium. Philadelphia needs to get closer to the red line to keep their playoffs alive. The same objective applies for the Revolution (5-7-5, 20 points), who sit four points below the qualifying spots. An important match awaits with two teams that need to improve their position. Head coach Jay Heaps’ men will attempt to gain revenge, having suffered blowout losses to Philadelphia in the previous two confrontations between the clubs in 2016.
