MLS is going crazy this Wednesday to end the month of September. All 27 teams across the league will be playing on Sep. 29 with 13 games in MLS and one special final in Ohio’s capital city. Here is a speedy look at a very eventful soccer day in the middle of the week.
Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami
Mercedes-Benz Stadium / 7:00 pm EST / ESPN+
Atlanta and Miami are both just outside the playoff places. This match in Georgia is a make-or-break match for each team as Josef Martinez and company look to stop Gonzalo Higuain and the Herons. A Miami win would get them within one point of Atlanta with a game in hand.
Toronto FC vs. FC Cincinnati
BMO Field / 7:00 pm / ESPN+
A new era for FC Cincinnati starts on Wednesday in Toronto. Former manager Jaap Stam was sacked on Monday and interim boss Tyrone Marshall will make his MLS managerial debut. This game at BMO is a “Wooden spoon six-pointer” with the loser having a great chance at finishing with the worst record in the league.
Current U-19 Coach Tyrone Marshall has been named #FCCincy interim head coach. pic.twitter.com/konQm2QnGA
— S – FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) September 27, 2021
New York Red Bulls vs. Philadelphia Union
Red Bull Arena / 7:30pm / ESPN+
The east coast battle in Harrison, New Jersey between the Red Bulls and Union has massive playoff implications. A victory for Philly can all but ensure a stress-free path to the MLS Cup Playoffs. Three points for New York keeps the Red Bulls in the race with just one full month of soccer left to play.
CF Montreal vs. New England Revolution
Stade Saputo / 7:30pm / ESPN+
The Revolution needs just nine points in its last six games to claim the MLS points record. They enter Stade Saputo with 62 points but will face a CF Montreal hungry to get back to winning ways after a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew on Saturday. New England is also one win shy of hitting 20 on the season.
D.C. United vs. Minnesota United
Audi Field / 7:30pm / ESPN+
The lone inter-conference match is in Washington D.C. as United welcomes Minnesota United. Both teams sit in sixth place in their respective conferences and could use the three points to make things in October a bit easier. Another thing to key your eyes on is Ola Kamara’s chase for the golden boot.
FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City
Toyota Stadium / 8:00pm / ESPN+
This is likely the final stretch for Ricardo Pepi at FC Dallas with this game at home against Sporting Kansas City to end the month. SKC needs to keep pace now with the Sounders to try and capture the top-seed in the West once again. Dallas is on its last legs and essentially needs to win out to have any playoff chances.
Chicago Fire vs. New York City FC
SeatGeek Stadium / 8:00pm / ESPN+
The Windy City has got some soccer to watch in the middle of the week with the Fire hosting NYCFC in Bridgeview instead of Soldier Field. The Fire has gone a month without a win while NYC has earned just one victory in its last five matches. A winner will get a big confidence boost heading into October.
Nashville SC vs. Orlando City
Nissan Stadium / 8:30pm / ESPN+
Big, big game in Tennessee as Nashville SC and Orlando City play in a battle between second and fifth place, respectively, in the Eastern Conference. Nashville has played 14 matches at Nissan Stadium and has yet to lose with eight wins and six draws. The Lions are included in a select group of East teams with at least three wins on the road. This is a great chance for Orlando to spoil the Nashville magic.
The regular season is starting to wind down. Time to make a push! pic.twitter.com/tproEtDVb0
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 27, 2021
Houston Dynamo vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
BBVA Stadium / 9:00pm / ESPN+
It’s a must-not-lose game for the Whitecaps in the Lone Star State against the Dynamo. Vancouver sits just three points outside of playoff positioning while Houston is fighting to avoid the worst point total in the league. Despite the lackluster season, the Dynamo has won its last two games at home.
Colorado Rapids vs. Austin FC
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park / 9:00pm / ESPN+
For the first time ever, Austin FC will play in the Mile High City as they take on the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday. These two teams last played on July 31 at Q2 Stadium where the Rapids won 1-0 with a 29th-minute goal from Andre Shinyashiki. Since that match, the Rapids haven’t lost as they try to extend its unbeaten run to 12 consecutive games.
Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy
Rio Tinto Stadium / 9:30pm / ESPN+
Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy need to stay afloat in the top-seven in the Western Conference with this midweek match at Rio Tinto Stadium having massive playoff implications. Currently, the Galaxy is two points above RSL with both teams tightly packed between fifth and tenth place. The loser might not be able to afford to mess up in October.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders
Avaya Stadium / 10:30pm / ESPN+
After its win on Sunday against SKC, the Sounders now control its destiny to top of the Western Conference. Next up is a trip to California to face the San Jose Earthquakes. The scoreline could go either way with the recent encounters between Seattle and San Jose ending up as either low-scoring affairs or monumental blowouts.
Made it happen ✅#SoundersMatchday | #SKCvSEA pic.twitter.com/XcYMlGov0M
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) September 27, 2021
Los Angeles FC vs. Portland Timbers
Banc of California Stadium / 10:30pm / ESPN+
Arguably the best game in the West for Wednesday’s MLS action is in Los Angeles with LAFC hosting the Portland Timbers. It’s been nearly a full year since the Timbers have come to Banc Of California Stadium and they come with a six-game unbeaten run. Los Angeles has been up and down all season long with five games left against teams in the top seven.
BONUS: Columbus Crew vs. Cruz Azul (Campeones Cup 2021)
Lower.com Field / 8:00pm / ESPN2
The MLS Cup champions will be playing on Wednesday but not in a league match. The final reward for the Columbus Crew’s triumph of 2020 is the Campeones Cup against Liga MX’s Cruz Azul. It’s a chance for the Black & Gold to win the club’s first continental trophy and to win one at Lower.com Field for the first time ever. Both the Crew and Cruz Azul enter the game in the middle of the table in their respective leagues.
Congratulations @gyasinho! @USMNT Forward has played 💯 regular season games with @ColumbusCrew 🙌
He also scored his 5️⃣0️⃣th goal in regular season ⚽️ 💥
It’s #Gyasimpressive 🟡⚫️
📸: @ColumbusCrew pic.twitter.com/qz2sVKju9z— Campeones Cup (@CampeonesCup) September 26, 2021
