LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders; Austin vs SJ Earthquakes and more in MLS MD 8

Topics: TV SCHEDULES, MLS, INTER MIAMI, LA GALAXY, LA FC, PHILADELPHIA UNION, AUSTIN FC, COLUMBUS CREW SC, ATLANTA UNITED, TORONTO FC, NYC FC, NEW YORK RED BULLS, AUSTIN FC

After a couple weeks off, MLS is back in full swing this weekend, with plenty of top matches to keep fans entertained all through matchday 8.

After a short hiatus, the 2021 MLS season is back up and running. And that means plenty of matches, each with their own unique storylines, will be getting underway over the next few days.

As things stand, Seattle Sounders are still the only unbeaten team in the entire franchise, albeit the Sounders have seen their lead cut to just one point following a series of frustrating draws. Right on their tails in the Western Conference are none other than Sporting Kansas City, and LA Galaxy are lurking only a few points back. Meanwhile, over in the Eastern Conference, New England Revolution continue to have an outstanding campaign, with three wins on the spin before the league went on pause.

Let's have a look at what's in store over this upcoming weekend.

Key headlines - MLS matchday eight

Will San Jose Earthquakes avoid a further downward spiral? Or will Austin finally end their own winless run?

With five losses, four of them from their most recent quartet of games, it's safe to say that things have gone horribly wrong for the Quakes. Although they started off the season with a loss, Matías Almeyda's men rebounded to win three on the spin, and thus fans started to think that the worst was perhaps behind them.

Unfortunately not, it seems. After three wins on the trot, the downward slide started, with the Quakes posting losses to Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Sporting Kansas City, and LA Galaxy just before MLS went on pause. Now, they'll travel to face debutant side Austin, who themselves have endured a baptism by fire in their first ever MLS season. Josh Wolff's squad come into this match having failed to win their last five games. With eight points so far, they're just one behind their upcoming visitors and could possibly claw their way back into the top half of the table with a positive result this weekend.

Seattle Sounders vs LA Galaxy: A top three clash, but who'll come out on top?

A juicy match up in the Western Conference is in store as Seattle Sounders take on LA Galaxy. For starters, the Sounders, as noted before are the only unbeaten side left in MLS this season. However, they've hit a snag, with draws from their last two games. Meanwhile, LA Galaxy, spearheaded by the goal-scoring exploits of Chicharito, will be looking to narrow the gap.

MLS matchday eight rankings

Here's how the teams in the Eastern conference look ahead of matchday eight:

Here's how the teams in the Western conference look ahead of matchday eight:

MLS matchday eight - Key stats

Top goalscorer: Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, LA Galaxy - 7

Top assist provider: Carles Gil, New England Revolution - 5

Most clean sheets: Pedro Gallese, Orlando City - 4; Joe Willis, Nashville - 4

Most team goals: Kansas City - 16

Most team assists: Montreal - 14; Seattle Sounders - 14

Most yellow cards: Inter Miami - 20

MLS matchday eight - Injuries and Suspensions

Here's some of the key players who are injured, suspended, and/or in doubt ahead of matchday eight of the 2021 MLS season:

New England Revolution: Luis Caicedo (Leg Injury)

Philadelphia Union: Ilsinho (Groin Injury), Jack de Vries (Concussion)

Orlando City: Pato (Knee Surgery), Uri Rosell (Leg Injury)

NYC FC: Talles Magno (Knee issue), Héber (Cruciate Ligament Rupture), Gedion Zelalem (Knee Injury), Anton Tinnerholm (Muscle Injury), Alfredo Morales (Tear in the abductor muscle)

Seattle Sounders: Stefan Frei (Knee Injury), Josh Atencio (Muscle Injury), Jordy Delem (Cruciate Ligament Rupture), Jordan Morris (Cruciate Ligament Rupture), Nicolás Lodeiro (Knee Surgery)

Sporting KC: Brooks Thompson (Back issue)

LA Galaxy: Derrick Williams (Suspended - red card)

Austin: Héctor Jiménez (Medial Collateral Ligament Injury), Ulises Segura (Knee Injury), Aaron Schoenfeld (Knee Injury), Ben Sweat (Cruciate Ligament Rupture)

SJ Earthquakes: No injuries or suspensions

Inter Miami: Ian Fray (Cruciate Ligament Injury)