World football has been shaken to its very foundations after Lionel Messi uttered the words "I'm going to Miami." Since then, MLS has been the talk of all football analysis tables, and the league is set to experience a rise in audiences no one ever expected in the 2023 season.
But before the Argentine legend sets foot in the U.S., the league will carry on with exciting games set to be played in the competition. This week, Cincinnati and St. Louis City will try to defend their top spot in each conference against fierce opposition, while some of those trailing them try to pick up the pieces and catch up with the conference leaders.
Things in the Western Conference are a bit tighter, as only five points separate the first place from the fifth-ranked team. Needless to say, this weekend's games could bring a lot of changes, which will result in even more enticing matches.
Without further ado, here's what you should keep in mind before the eighteenth week of action in the MLS kicks off.
How to watch Week 18 in the MLS season?
With U.S. Open Cup games out of the way afyer this midweek's action, the weekend will give fans some top clashes to keep an eye on. Three games will be available on TV, starting with Saturday's Toronto vs Nashville fixture, where the away side will try to get closer to the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Next up, St. Louis City vs Los Angeles Galaxy will see the best and the worst teams in the Western Conference going at it, and to put a cherry on top of this busy weekend, Portland Timbers vs Dallas FC will determine if the team from Oregon can bounce back to the top half of their conference or if the away team can come closer to the No.1 place in the West. The rest of the fixtures for the weekend will be available to be streamed in over 100 countries via MLS Season Pass.
Here is the full list of games for this weekend.
Top news of the week in Major League Soccer
Lionel Messi's signing helps Inter Miami set new milestone on social media
Soon after the announcement of Lionel Messi's decision to join Inter Miami by the player himself, reactions came from the league, from the league's commissioner Don Garber, and from regular fans across the globe. But perhaps the most impactful image of Messi's choice to join a Major League Soccer club came on social media, where Inter Miami's following increased from one million to FIVE million in a matter of hours. Can you see why Messi's arrival could rise the league to unsuspected heights?
Luciano Acosta claims Goal of the Week honors
Cincinnati's success this season has been closely linked to Luciano Acosta and his antics on the pitch, and to cap one of his best weeks with the blue and orange, the Argentine player added a Goal of the Matchday award for his records.
His shot may not have been the most stunning to ever see the light, but the setup to his golazo will not be forgotten easily by fans who watched the game. Here is the goal that earned Acosta bragging rights over his rivals (Image might be geo-restricted).
Goals on goals on goals this weekend.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 5, 2023
Vote now for @ATT 5G Goal of the Matchday.
LA Galaxy ace Chicharito facing potential knee injury
It has been a season of ups and downs for Javier Hernández, and with the team in last place of the Western Conference, the LA Galaxy seemed to be in need of their top striker. Unfortunately for them, "Chicharito" seemed to pick up a knee injury in the team's U.S. Open Cup match against Real Salt Lake, which forced the Mexican ace to be stretchered out of the pitch.
Speaking of his player's injury, coach Greg Vanney tried to keep calm even if initial diagnostics seem unflattering for Mexico's all-time top scorer.
"We don't know until we get an MRI to see where it's at, so our fingers are crossed. I have hopes and prayers that it's nothing serious, but I have concerns because the guy has had to come off the field. I always have concerns,"Vanney told reporters right after the game
For additional details regarding Major League Soccer's schedule, top scorers, and more, visit our bespoke MLS website here.