Major League Soccer is back in full swing this weekend with all 22 clubs taking the field on Saturday or Sunday. Fortunately for lovers of the game, four fixtures will be available to national audiences over the next two days, including Sporting Kansas City's trip to Columbus Crew SC. We give a quick rundown of these compelling matchups below.
Chicago Fire vs. New York Red Bulls | 2:55 p.m. CT Saturday, Facebook Live, UniMas, UDN
Chicago (13-9-5, 44 points) snapped a four-game losing skid with a much needed 1-0 road win at Montreal last week. And while three points will alleviate some concerns in the Fire clubhouse, striker Nemanja Nikolic has still gone nine straight starts without a goal or an assist. On the opposite sideline, the Red Bulls (12-10-4, 40 points) are a week removed from a solid 2-2 draw at FC Dallas. Getting a result at Toyota Park would boost their hopes of a top-four finish in the East and a home playoff game that comes with it.
Columbus Crew SC vs. Sporting KC | Noon CT Sunday, ESPN & ESPN Deportes
Columbus (13-12-3, 42 points) has quietly ascended to fourth place in the East thanks to their excellent form at MAPFRE Stadium, where they have won four straight matches and own a perfect 4-0 record against Western Conference opposition this year. The key for Sporting KC (10-6-10, 40 points) will simply be scoring goals — they've mustered just six in 12 away games — in addition to slowing down the explosive triumvirate of Ola Kamara, Justim Meram and Federico Higuain, who have combined for 34 of Crew SC's 42 goals.
Atlanta United FC vs. FC Dallas | 2:30 p.m. CT Sunday, FS1 & FOX Deportes
The wait is finally over for Atlanta United FC. After months of anticipation, the expansion side (10-8-6, 36 points) will host a match at the world-class Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Currently just above the red line on goal differential, Atlanta will play eight of their final 10 games in the confines of their new home. The first visitor during this stretch is a reeling FC Dallas side (9-7-10, 37 points) that has taken just three points from its last seven matches and dropped to sixth place in the West.
Seattle Sounders FC vs. LA Galaxy | 8 p.m. CT Sunday, FS1 & FOX Deportes
Sunday's nightcap is a mismatch on paper, as first-place Seattle (11-7-9, 42 points) welcomes the struggling Galaxy (7-14-5, 26 points) to CenturyLink Field. The defending MLS Cup champions haven't lost since June 17, going 6-0-5 during the heart of the summer to reach the summit of the West. LA is set to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008, but were able to snap an abysmal 10-game winless drought with a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids last Saturday behind a clean sheet from former Sporting KC goalkeeper Jon Kempin.
