FC Cincinnati are a completely different club in 2023. The Orange and Blue lead MLS in points for the first time. This weekend, MLS will move into round 18, as Cincinnati aim to remain at the top of the combined table.
Meanwhile, LA Galaxy are fighting to get off the bottom of the standings.
San Jose Earthquakes will host Philadelphia Union in a Western Conference versus Eastern Conference fixture. Both sides go into the game in form, as the MLS season heads toward the All-Star break in July.
Philadelphia Union are a perfect six matches unbeaten in their last six fixtures versus San Jose. The Union posted a record of three wins and three draws across those six fixtures. Last season, Philly eased to a 2-0 win in the teams’ only meeting.
San Jose are unbeaten in three straight matches, as they took five points from nine on offer. They scored just two goals in those three matches. The Union are on a four-match winning streak. They kept three clean sheets in those four matches.
Vancouver Whitecaps are unbeaten in two previous matches against FC Cincinnati. The Whitecaps last played Cincy in 2022, drawing 2-2. The two matches saw over 2.5 goals and both teams score goals.
Cincinnati took 39 points from their opening 16 games. They are the best in MLS currently. The Orange and Blue are in great form, with six straight MLS wins. Cincy outscored their last six opponents 13-4.
Vancouver are a middle-of-the-road team in MLS this season. The Whitecaps are sixth in the Western Conference, with 21 points from 16 matches. They are unbeaten in back-to-back games, taking four points from six available.
Saint Louis City will face LA Galaxy for the first time. It is SLC’s first season in the league, making them a bit of an unknown quantity. City are top of the Western Conference standings with 28 points from 14 games. They have been a major surprise this campaign.
LA Galaxy are in turmoil on and off the pitch. Big-money moves have not worked out and front-office members have paid the price. The Galaxy have the fewest points in MLS (12) and have the second-fewest goals scored in the league (13). They lost four of the last six matches.
Saint Louis City are on a three-game winning streak. They conceded just one goal across those three games and scored 10 goals. Each of Saint Louis City’s last three games saw over 2.5 goals scored.
Charlotte FC will host Seattle Sounders for the first time in MLS play. The clubs played just once previously, with Seattle claiming a 2-1 home win in 2022.
Seattle Sounders are battling for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Sounders are just one point of Saint Louis but have played three more games. Seattle took 27 points from 17 matches. The club picked up just seven points from the last 18 points available.
Charlotte are on a two-match losing streak heading into the round. The Crown picked 21 points from their opening 17 fixtures in the league. Eleven of Charlotte’s 21 points came at home. Meanwhile, 10 of Seattle’s 27 points were obtained on the road.