It's another rivalry matchday with derbies galore highlighting a busy night of MLS games to cap Week 10. Here's your quick rundown of what to expect from tonight's eight matches.
Chicago Fire FC vs. New England Revolution
7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada (Local TV)
In a game between two teams struggling to put away their chances in the final third, Chicago Fire FC will be hoping for the new home boost in this matchup of Eastern Conference foes. This is the Fire's second game back at Soldier Field, where they defeated FC Cincinnati, 3-0, in their long-awaited return. The Revs are goal-hungry too, but Bruce Arena scoffs at the idea it's solely because playmaker Carles Gil is out with an Achilles injury.
The teams met back in Week 2 of the season, sharing the points at Gillette Stadium with Jonathan Bornstein's second-half goal canceling out Adam Buksa's first for his new club.
Columbus Crew SC vs. FC Cincinnati
7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; on DAZN in Canada (Local TV)
It's Round 3 of the Hell is Real Derby in 2020 with Columbus Crew SC hosting FC Cincinnati at MAPFRE Stadium. In an MLS is Back Tournament group stage match, Crew SC handily defeated FC Cincy in Jaap Stam's debut as coach. Since then, the former Manchester United central defender has changed his team's shape and made them one of the most difficult sides in the league to break down.
That was evident in a 0-0 draw between the rivals at Nippert Stadium on August 29. Columbus goalkeeper Eloy Room said his team is seeking revenge for that draw while Caleb Porter voiced his conviction that all they need is one goal to unlock a bunkering team.
Minnesota United vs. Real Salt Lake
8 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; on DAZN in Canada (Local TV)
Math doesn't necessarily predict how a matchup will look, but consider these numbers if you will. Minnesota United have leaked eight goals in three consecutive defeats, while Real Salt Lake have scored 10 goals in three matches without defeat. It's not as if RSL have been especially stout in the back, either, conceding seven times in their last three games so it seems a repeat of a 0-0 draw at the MLS is Back Tournament is unlikely to be on the cards.
All eyes will be on new Loons signing Emanuel "Bebelo" Reynoso, the former Boca Juniors playmaker and newly-minted Designated Player. He debuted in a 3-0 loss at Houston on Wednesday, playing 19 minutes off the bench and will get the start tonight.
Inter Miami CF vs. Nashville SC
8 pm ET | FS1 in US; on DAZN in Canada
What we said about all eyes on Reynoso above goes double for Blaise Matuidi, with the World Cup winner officially available for selection for the first time for Inter Miami CF tonight. Manager Diego Alonso said the former Juventus midfielder has trained well and will likely see the field against Nashville, whose coach Gary Smith expects the same.
Inter Miami will be looking to exact some revenge for a 1-0 defeat to Nashville on August 30 in a contest that saw Anibal Godoy score a stunning second-half match-winner.
Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers
10:00 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; TSN3 in Canada (Local TV)
Neither team comes into the latest Cascadia clash especially happy. The Portland Timbers went down to the LA Galaxy at home on Wednesday, while the Seattle Sounders dropped points in a 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium.
And so much of both sides' frustration is focused on conceding late. Of the Timbers' 10 goals conceded in three winless matches at Providence Park, six have come after the 70th minute. That includes a crushing 3-0 defeat to the Sounders that started this worrying trend in the Rose City. Seattle gave up the equalizer in Utah Wednesday five minutes from full time, a source of major frustration for coach Brian Schemtzer even it was a stunning strike by Pablo Ruiz that earned him AT&T Goal of the Week for Week 9.
LA Galaxy vs. LAFC
10:30 pm ET | UniMás, TUDN, MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; TSN2 in Canada (Local TV)
What better way to close out a busy matchnight than with the hottest rivalry in MLS as the LA Galaxy host LAFC in the latest edition of El Trafico.
Unlike when the teams were preparing to meet in Week 6, the Galaxy are enjoying their best form of the season with three consecutive victories. That streak began with a stunning 2-0 win over LAFC on August 22, their first-ever victory at Banc of California Stadium. And that uptick in form without their biggest stars, with Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez (calf) and Jonathan dos Santos working their way back to full match fitness.
The defeat to their rivals sent LAFC spiraling a bit, losing at Seattle 3-1 before bouncing back in a big way with a 5-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes in midweek. The Galaxy have not lost to Bob Bradley's side at Dignity Health Sports Park to date. Even without the injured Carlos Vela and Eduard Atuesta, LAFC would love nothing more than to make history tonight.
