The third weekend of MLS play is here, and the heavy preseason favorite is atop the league table.
Inter Miami CF has accumulated two wins and a draw in three games played and is off to the fast start many were expecting of a team that features Lionel Messi his former FC Barcelona bros Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suárez. Last week was Inter Miami’s most impress win of 2024, a 5-0 rout of in-state rival Orlando City. This week, Inter Miami hosts CF Montréal on Sunday, but Messi picked up a knock Thursday and his availability is in doubt.
Elsewhere, the resurgent Los Angeles Galaxy visit Nashville SC, a squad that drew to Inter Miami on Thursday night in Concacaf Champions Cup play. The Galaxy’s El Tráfico rival, Los Angeles FC, will aim to rebound from a rough outing against Real Salt Lake in a snowstorm when it hosts Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night. The Philadelphia Union host the Seattle Sounders on Saturday in an inter-conference showdown of expected MLS Cup contenders.
MLS Matchday 4: What are this week’s MLS games?
(All games available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.)
Saturday
New York City FC vs. Portland Timbers, 2 p.m. ET
Toronto FC vs. Charlotte FC, 2 p.m. ET
Atlanta United vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m. ET
Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. ET
New York Red Bulls vs. FC Dallas, 7:30 p.m. ET
Orlando City SC vs. Minnesota United, 7:30 p.m. ET
Philadelphia Union vs. Seattle Sounders, 7:30 p.m. ET
Austin FC vs. St. Louis City SC, 8:30 p.m. ET
Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids, 9:30 p.m. ET
Los Angeles FC vs. Sporting Kansas City, 10:30 p.m. ET
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 10:30 p.m. ET
Sunday
MLS game of the week: Philadelphia Union vs. Seattle Sounders
Date and time: Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV/streaming info: MLS Season Pass
It’s WAY too early to suggest this might be an MLS Cup preview. Both teams are expected to compete for the league title, as well as the Supporters’ Shield (Seattle also can make a run at a record-tying fifth U.S. Open Cup trophy as one of eight MLS teams to compete in the historic tournament). Yet, both teams have gotten off to slow starts during the 2024 MLS season. While the Union also is competing in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the Sounders have been injury-riddled to start the year … including losing key offseason pickup Pedro de la Vega for six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury.
The Seattle Sounders’ Jordan Morris battles for a header against Austin FC at Lumen Field on March 2, 2024.
MLS news and notes
➤ MLS vs. Liga MX in All-Star game: After going away from the MLS-Liga MX All-Star format in 2023, the two leagues will return to pitting their best players against each other this year. This will be the third All-Star game to pit MLS against Liga MX as the soccer leagues continue their partnership, which also includes major events such as Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup. The game is set for July 24 at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.
➤ LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo fined: Cherundolo was fined $10,000 for his comments after LAFC lost 3-0 to Real Salt Lake on a snow-covered field after multiple weather delays.
“It was an absolute joke we had to play today,” Cherundolo said after the match. “It was one of the worst professional sporting events I’ve ever seen in my life.
“I feel terrible for the players that we put them through this. The game could have and should have been called (off). In my opinion, it was an absolute disgrace we had to play today.”
Where can you watch MLS games?
All Major League Soccer games air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Some select games are available for free on Apple TV and viewers only need an Apple ID to watch.
FOX Sports will air select games on linear television.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS: Philadelphia Union host Seattle Sounders. Will Lionel Messi play?
