GOAL takes a look at some of the major MLS storylines emerging ahead of Matchday 18
It is a condensed weekend in MLS, as just 10 of the league's 30 teams are in action, but there is no shortage of storylines in Matchday 18.
There are high-stakes matchups – especially for teams preparing for the FIFA Club World Cup later this month.
Inter Miami are off this weekend, with Lionel Messi and Co. turning their focus to FIFA’s marquee tournament, which begins June 14 at Hard Rock Stadium against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, but for the other two MLS representatives, though, this weekend still matters.
The Seattle Sounders face a final tune-up against Cascadia rivals Vancouver Whitecaps, who are hoping to respond after a dismal loss in the Champions Cup final. For Seattle, it's a chance to build much-needed momentum before heading to the world stage.
Then, for LAFC, it's their final test ahead of the Club World Cup as they host Sporting Kansas City.
GOAL dives into all that and more in The Kickoff, a weekly preview of each MLS Matchday.Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportSeattle's moment
The Sounders fell to Minnesota United 3-2 last weekend, capitulating defensively during an eight-minute span where they conceded all three goals. It was just their second loss since April 12 – a stretch where they found results in eight of 10 possible matches. Their only other defeat came in a 4-0 thumping to LAFC, where they heavily rotated their roster heavily due to a three-match week.
This weekend, they'll take on the Whitecaps in a battle between two of the best in the West, as they travel to their northern rivals in another edition of the Cascadia Cup rivalry. Seattle won the last meeting, a 3-0 victory in October 2024, but in two other meetings last campaign, Vancouver shut them out once and they drew the other.
Ahead of the Club World Cup, this is a huge opportunity for Seattle to bank some confidence while getting their players in top form for the tournament. Following a disappointing result against the last weekend, they need a positive result against the Whitecaps – even with the odds against them.
AdvertisementAFPVancouver's pride
There is really no excuse for how badly Vancouver performed in the Champions Cup final last weekend. It was an embarrassing result, and now the question is: How do they respond?
Their match against Seattle on Sunday will show how resilient they are, especially now, dealing with a slew of international call-ups. They're set to be without star players Sebastian Berhalter and Brian White, both of whom are on duty with the USMNT, as well as Samuel Adekugbe, Jayden Nelson and Ali Ahmed to Canada, Giuseppe Bovalina with Australia, Andres Cubas with Paraguay, Pedro Vite with Ecuador and defender Tate Johnson with the U-20 USMNT.
To make matters worse? News broke Thursday evening that a "significant number" of staff and players fell ill upon their return from Mexico – and it's unknown how it will affect their match on Sunday. Down players to international duty, and now potentially down a contingent due to illness, the Whitecaps are up against the wall.
Overall, they've been the best team in MLS this season by a wide margin, and new manager Jesper Sorensen has far surpassed early-season expectations. Yet, they're shorthanded, coming off a terrible result, and they're hosting their arch-rivals: this is Vancouver's biggest test yet.
Getty Images SportLAFC's final test
LAFC, following their berth into the Club World Cup via a playoff victory over Club America, now has just one match left ahead of the competition.
This weekend, the host Sporting Kansas City in a clash between the two Western Conference sides.
LAFC are unbeaten in their last eight MLS matches, and following a rocky start to the campaign, have moved up to sixth in the standings. Sporting, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last four and are coming off a splendid 3-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo.
The two sides met earlier this season in March, where LAFC came out with a 2-0 victory, but dating back to September 2021, the have had the upper hand against SKC. In their last 10 meetings across all competitions, Steve Cherundolo's men have won seven and drawn three, really holding the advantage heading into the match.
Less than two weeks out from their Club World Cup debut against Chelsea in the tournament, they need all hands on deck Sunday to take three points.
Getty Images SportWhat's trending?
+ LAFC can extend its eight-match unbeaten streak to nine games with a win or draw against SKC on Sunday
+ If St. Louis CITY SC defeats the Portland Timbers Saturday, it will be their first back-to-back victory this season
+ With a goal on Saturday against D.C. United, Chicago Fire forward Hugo Cuypers will have his 11th strike of the season, which would see him surpass his 2024 goal total of 10 that he achieved in 31 games
