🔮 Previewing matchday 34 in MLS

© Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

MLS is back just 72 hours after a riveting set of midweek fixtures. The action resumes Saturday evening with another full slate of games as playoff spots continue to get snatched up and the race for seeding gets even hotter.

Let’s get into some of the biggest stories ahead of matchday 34.

Fixture of the weekend

It’s two teams that may not have been picks for contending heading into the 2024 season, but the LA Galaxy and the Vancouver Whitecaps may just finish the season as the top two in the Western Conference.

It must be mentioned that the two sides have been constructed in polar opposite ways. The Galaxy are a star-studded attacking force that represents Los Angeles quite well, while Vancouver have chosen to fill out their squad with solid bargain deals, like the late summer signing of Stuart Armstrong.

Nevertheless, Vancouver could move up to second in the conference should they win their games in hand. And if they knock off the Galaxy on Saturday evening in Carson, they will certainly throw their hat in the ring for first place in the conference.

The Galaxy are fresh off the back of a thumping in Portland, giving up four goals to the Timbers Wednesday evening, but a win would go some way towards reclaiming their stranglehold on the west.

Player to watch

Earlier this year, Evander took to social media to criticize Major League Soccer’s lack of interest in the Portland Timbers, so we’re here to give the Brazilian his flowers.

The attacking midfielder has, somehow, been slept on most of this season despite leading the league in goal contributions with 14 goals and 18 assists in 24 games — yes you read that stat correctly.

Evander is the talisman of a three-pronged Portland attack, along with Jonathan Rodríguez and Felipe Mora, but the Brazilian attacker pulls the strings.

Two questions ahead of the weekend

Can Atlanta United make a late run?

The Five Stripes have been on a downward trajectory for most of the season, but thanks to the combination of a thrilling draw against league leaders Inter Miami during the week and the general mediocrity of the Eastern Conference, Atlanta have as good of a chance as anybody to make a late run into the playoffs.

The early signs say the summer signing of Aleksei Miranchuk could prove to be the catalyst for a miracle. Rob Valentino’s side sit just one point shy of the play-in spots, and only six behind Charlotte in seventh. With a match against New York Red Bulls at the weekend, a team with their own recent struggles, Atlanta could begin their march towards the playoffs.

Can Orlando claim a scalp against Columbus?

Orlando City have been red-hot as of late, winning seven of their last nine games in MLS. But the Florida outfit have yet knock off one of the big boys and show their true credentials.

They will finally have the chance as they take on the Crew Saturday in Columbus, a place where visiting teams rarely find any joy. Nonetheless, Orlando should have a chip on their shoulder after moving from outside of the playoff spots into the top-four in the last few months.