Major League Soccer resumes with a slew of games this weekend. A game from each conference will take place on Saturday, March 26, and a cross-conference matchup closes MLS play on Sunday, March 27. TUDN USA and UniMas will broadcast the games on Saturday, and ESPN will screen the weekend finale on Sunday.
Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET
Charlotte FC did it! The expansion side won its first-ever competitive MLS match in style, demolishing reigning Supporters Shield winner New England Revolution 3-1 in front of home fans at Bank of America Stadium. Polish forward Karol Swiderski starred in Charlotte's win, scoring the first and second goals.
The North Carolina franchise hosts FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Cincy also arrives at this fixture showing off a 3-1 home win against Inter Miami. One more win would get Cincinnati into the top half of the table. But first, the Orange and Blue must defeat an uplifted Charlotte side that also looks to climb out of the bottom half.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Real Salt Lake on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET
Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake clash at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday. On one hand, SKC is struggling in the bottom half of the Western Conference. On the other side of the balance, RSL is behind conference leaders LAFC by goal differential.
Peter Vermes’ side hopes to end its current two-game losing streak at home against Real Salt Lake. The win would summersault the team from 12th place to 8th. As for Real Salt Lake, a draw or win on Saturday night would lift it to the top of the Western Conference table.
Portland Timbers vs. Orlando City on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET
This cross-conference matchup will see two teams that underwent two completely different experiences last weekend.
Orlando City is coming off a classic 1-0 win over LA Galaxy away from home. The Central Florida team displayed defensive excellence after Facundo Torres’ goal in the 9th minute of the game. Oscar Pareja’s side will look to replicate last weekend’s performance at Providence Park this time around.
Portland Timbers look to avenge an away 4-1 loss to FC Dallas last weekend. The Timbers will depend on the atmosphere fans bring to Providence Park, as they did in their previous two home games. Portland aims to extend its undefeated streak after winning and drawing the first two home games of the season.
