GOAL takes a look at some key storylines heading into Matchday 11 of MLS action in 2025
Matchday 11 is upon us, and some tasty storylines – and matches – are on the cards.
Perhaps the most shocking storyline in North American soccer this year, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Wednesday evening, falling to the Vancouver Whitecaps across two legs in the semifinals of the competition. Now, the and their Argentine talisman have a quick turnaround before hosting 2024 MLS Cup runners-up New York Red Bulls Saturday evening. With their stars in Messi and Luis Suarez not particularly at their best at the moment, can Javier Mascherano and his squad find a result against a talented RBNY side? Or will their unexpected early-season skid continue?
Meanwhile, two of the Eastern Conference's finest teams to begin 2025 clash this weekend, too, in Charlotte FC vs. Columbus Crew. With a bit of touchline unrest from Wilfried Zaha, though, will Dean Smith's men be distracted ahead of the match? For the Crew, can their terrific start to 2025 remain in tact – or will CLT unlock their stout defense?
Then, in the Western Conference, it's up to Diego "Moon Boy" Luna to figure out how to defeat the Whitecaps – MLS's team best to start 2025. Can the in-form U.S. international lead RSL to an unexpected victory?
GOAL dives into all that and more in The Kickoff, a weekly preview of each MLS Matchday.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportCan Miami bounce back from Champions Cup exit?
Inter Miami have, unexpectedly, lost three-straight games across all competitions. Bounced from the Champions Cup, and in a bit of a rut in domestic league play, they've got a lot to play for this weekend against the New York Red Bulls.
The host the 2024 MLS Cup runners-up and will be in search of a big three points, while needing their stars to step up.
Suarez has scored just one goal this season, though he has contributed five assists. Miami is in desperate need of help in front of the net if it wants to get back to its best. Messi himself, meanwhile, is on a four-game skid across all competitions without a goal contribution. In league play, the Argentine's last goal came on a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on April 6, and his last assist in league play came on the opening day of the season on Feb. 22.
RBNY, meanwhile, have lost just three matches on the season, and are coming into the match off a 1-0 win on Matchday 10 over CF Montreal. With the likes of former Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the mix alongside Emil Forsberg, the have a tall task ahead of them to try and churn out an important victory amid an unexpected skid in form.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWill Charlotte and Zaha be able to overcome Nancy and Columbus?
After a social media outrage postgame from Wilfried Zaha highlighted Charlotte FC's loss to the New England Revolution last weekend, the club will be looking to bounce back and return to winning ways on Matchday 11 – but it will be no easy task on the road against the Columbus Crew at Lower.Com Field.
The hosts, meanwhile, are looking to maintain their fine form. With just one loss under their belt this season, a one-goal defeat to Inter Miami, they're looking to keep their record against conference opponents as tight as possible, too.
Columbus, who sits second in the East, and Charlotte, fourth in the same conference, are separated by just two total points. On paper, the two teams are matched up brilliantly, with Zaha and U.S. international Patrick Agyemang in the attack alongside shock 2025 MLS MVP candidate Pep Biel – who has nine goal contributions in 10 appearances this season.
The Crew, meanwhile, will look to get new $4.5 million forward Daniel Gazdag – who they acquired from the Philadelphia Union ahead of the transfer deadline – going in the attack as he's goalless in three appearances so far this season.
A matchup between two of the league's best, it's a highly-anticipated Eastern Conference affair.
Can Diego Luna heroics lift RSL past Vancouver?
Vancouver's top-tier form at the moment is officially no fluke – the club is a CONCACAF Champions Cup finalist. It is, at the moment, the team in MLS nobody wants to play – home or away.
RSL, though, have an ace up their sleeve in Luna – and amid match congestion due to continental competition – the U.S. international could be the difference maker for them on Matchday 11 when they clash with the Whitecaps.
Coming off a brace last weekend, including a brilliant individual goal, the 21-year-old is in fine form and has become "the guy," for the Western Conference side.
With new striker Willy Agada in the mix, a deadline day acquisition from Sporting Kansas City, Luna has a new option to play within the attack, and that will only bolster RSL's odds of making something happen against a talented Vancouver side.
With a bit of positivity in their ranks after their performance against San Diego FC last weekend, there's a chance Pablo Mastroeni's men could take advantage of the moment and capitalize on some potential rotation within Vancouver's team, or tired legs from the past 10 days. If that happens? Surely Luna will play a role in some manner.
Getty Images SportMLS Predictions
Match
Selection
Odds
Toronto FC vs New England Revolution
New England Revolution
+220
CF Montreal vs Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union
+175
San Jose Earthquakes vs Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
+270
New York City FC vs FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati
+220
Sporting Kansas City vs LA Galaxy
Sporting Kansa City
+100
Henry Tomkins provides MLS League predictions for the weekend: New England’s recent tight-knit defense should make it even harder for Toronto to find the back of the net, which is something they've struggled to do lately. Montreal and LA Galaxy still haven’t won across this MLS campaign. There’s a high likelihood that this may continue against Philadelphia and Sporting KC, respectively.
San Jose vs Portland are tied for the most goals scored in the league, with 20 each. Therefore, their match could feature plenty of goals. Cincinnati could create some distance at the top of the Eastern Conference if they continue their winning streak and earn another three points.