5 MLS Tips For Thursday & Friday's Action - 30/6/22

It’s top versus bottom in the Eastern Conference on Thursday, with Philadelphia making the trip to Soldier Field to take on rock-bottom Chicago.

The hosts are level on points with DC United but sit at the foot of the Eastern table on goal difference – four points adrift of Columbus in 12th. Ezra Hendrickson’s side goes into the game with Philadelphia on the back of the 2-0 defeat away to Houston Dynamo on Sunday, their third defeat in their last four MLS games.

The Union go into Thursday’s game looking to stretch their lead at the summit, currently two points ahead of New York City, albeit having played a game more. Jim Curtin’s men are on a run of nine MLS games without defeat, after seeing off City in the huge game on Sunday to climb above them.

LAFC will be on cloud nine this week after a big win on Sunday against New York Red Bulls, followed up by the news of Gareth Bale’s blockbuster move. The Black and Gold take on FC Dallas at home on Thursday.

The Western Conference leaders are unbeaten in their last four league games, winning three. Captain Carlos Vela is the key man for the hosts and got an assist in the win against Red Bulls last weekend, taking his tally to six goals and three assists in the 15 league appearances he’s made so far this season.

The Mexican winger will be hopeful of adding to his tally against an FC Dallas side that have lost three of their last five league games.

LA Galaxy will want to bounce back after a disappointing cup defeat last Wednesday when Minnesota are the visitors to Dignity Health Sports Park.

After seeing off LAFC in the Round of 16, LA Galaxy exited the US Open Cup a week ago after a surprise defeat to USL Championship side Sacramento Republic. The Galaxy will be wanting a response that will see them aid their play-off place credentials. Greg Vanney’s side are sitting in a top seven play-off spot in the Western Conference, in sixth place and three points clear of Houston Dynamo in eighth.

Minnesota go into Thursday’s match in 12th place, six points away from the play-offs. Their 2-1 defeat away to Inter Miami on Sunday was their fourth defeat in a row in competitive matches.

New York Red Bulls will be hoping that they can keep up in the race for the Supporters Shield and get a good result against Atlanta United, which would see them keep chase with the other sides at the top of the Eastern Conference.

After Sunday’s defeat away to the Western Conference leaders, the Red Bulls are sat in fourth, three points off the top of the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia. Their form has been a mixed bag of late, with two wins and three defeats in their last five league fixtures. In that time, they have conceded seven and scored six.

Atlanta are tenth in the Eastern Conference, four points away from the play-offs. Their form has also been inconsistent, with two defeats, two draws, and a win in their last five league games.

They have plenty of players that could make a difference if on form, such as striker Josef Martinez and winger Luiz Araujo. Martinez has six direct goal involvements in eight MLS appearances this year, whilst Araujo has six direct goal involvements in 10 league appearances following his move from Lille a year ago.

Despite it being just their second MLS season in the club’s early history, Austin FC have surprised many this campaign to rise to third in Western Conference. They’ll be hoping for another big result when they travel to Charlotte on Friday.

Charlotte are ninth in the Eastern Conference, three points adrift of the play-offs. The Queen City are winless in their last two league games, after falling to defeat against Montreal on Sunday. They’ve lost three of their last five games in all competitions.

Austin goes into Friday’s fixture after earning a draw against FC Dallas, which will feel like a win. Dallas were 2-0 up away to Austin before the hosts turned it around in dramatic style. Former Zenit St Petersburg attacker Sebastian Driussi pulled one back in the 72nd minute before an 85th-minute equalizer rescued a point for the hosts. Austin have won two of their last five in the league, including an away triumph over LAFC back in May.