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We are well and truly in the business end of the Major League Soccer campaign as matchday 26 is upon us. Let’s dig in to some of the biggest stories this weekend.
Fixture of the matchday
Jul 6, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Smoke erupts from the Nordecke section during the second half of the MLS soccer match between the Columbus Crew and Toronto FC at Lower.com Field. The Crew won 4-0.
After Cincinnati’s demolition of Inter Miami last weekend, we’ve got another clash between two of the best in the division on Saturday as LAFC host Columbus in a rematch of MLS Cup 2023.
LAFC have won nine of their last 10 games in MLS, while the Crew have won eight of their last nine. Quite simply, these are the two hottest teams in the league at this moment in time.
After a disappointing ending to their Champions Cup campaign, Columbus have since been on a tear, only losing to Inter Miami away from home June 1.
LAFC will likely prove the biggest test for the Crew since their exploits down in Mexico. A win in Los Angeles for Wilfried Nancy’s side would be the mother of all statements.
Player to watch
Luca Orellano has all but launched himself into MLS stardom in recent weeks with FC Cincinnati.
The wing-back has chipped in with 11 goal contributions, some of which have been pleasing on the eyes to boot.
It was always going to be tough for Orellano to fill a Álvaro Barreal-sized hole on the flank, but the Argentine has done that and then some.
Three questions ahead of matchday 26
Are Orlando City finally hitting stride?
Orlando have long been a team ready to break out at any given moment, but inconsistency on and off the pitch have been a constant kryptonite this season.
Yet Óscar Pareja’s men nabbed victory in three of their last four games, climbing up to 7th in the Eastern Conference.
After experimenting with a variety of formations and styles in the opening months of the season, the Lions have seemingly settled and their results on the pitch have improved as a result.
With a very winnable game against New England this weekend, Orlando could be on their way towards more than just a simmer.
Are Portland ready to prove themselves as contenders?
The Timbers caught fire as spring turned to summer, and they haven’t looked back.
Phil Neville struggled to find defensive solidity to complement his plethora of attacking talent as the Timbers sat rock-bottom in the West just a couple of months ago, but the former Miami boss seems to have found the perfect combination of protection and dynamism.
PTFC have scored 11 goals in their last five MLS games, winning four of those in the process. But they face their toughest test in months on Saturday as they welcome Real Salt Lake to Providence Park.
A win against Pablo Mastroeni’s high-flyers would surely put the rest of the league on alert.
Has the Charlotte train derailed?
Charlotte have been perhaps the best surprise package in MLS this season. Without a bundle of Designated Players like most of their counterparts in the league, Dean Smith has found a winning formula with a combination youthful exuberance in attack, and veteran solidity at the back.
But the good times stopped rolling in the last few weeks as Smith’s men have dropped two straight games heading into the weekend.
To make matters worse, Charlotte will square off with Eastern Conference leaders Cincinnati this weekend before games against Austin and Columbus in a matter of days.
There is a very real possibility that the Crown find themselves winless in five straight before the end of July.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports