GOAL takes a look at some key storylines heading into Matchday 12 of MLS action in 2025
The weekend promises fireworks in MLS, with three of the season’s potentially best matches yet on tap.
First, it’s a rematch of the 2024 MLS Cup final, the LA Galaxy clash with the New York Red Bulls – and though both teams are on a bit of a rocky course of late – the circumstances of the match present each club with a unique opportunity to capitalize on the moment.
Minnesota United host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami in a rare cross-conference meeting, as the two clubs meet for the first time since the Argentine's arrival to the league. , who sit second in the Westwill look to keep their red-hot form to start 2025 going against the in a clash at Allianz Field.
And atop the Eastern Conference, the first-place Columbus Crew take to the road this weekend to take on second-place Philadelphia Union in a meeting between the conference's best teams heading into the Matchday.
As Matchday 12 kicks off, these fixtures promise to deliver some of the most exciting action yet this season.
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 ImagesBattle of the birds
MNUFC have had a flying start to the 2025 season. The sit second in the West, with a record of 5-2-4 (WLD) this season having conceded just 10 goals through 11 matches – tied for the third-least in all of MLS. Manager Eric Ramsay deploys a unique system with a 3-5-2 formation that is focused on winning the game without possession – and it's stumped much of MLS this year.
Defender/midfielder Julian Gressel, who Inter Miami recently waived after he played an integral role in their 2024 Supporters' Shield-winning campaign, signed with MNUFC last week and could feature against his former side this weekend, as well.
The , meanwhile, are looking to build off their Matchday 11 victory over RBNY that saw them end a three-match losing streak across all competitions. Both Messi and Luis Suarez found their way onto the scoresheet this past weekend, with the Argentine specifically ending a four-match drought without a goal contribution. After their hiccup of form throughout the latter weeks of April, Miami needs a big three points this weekend to keep pace with the rest of the Eastern Conference.
Sitting fourth, Miami trails the Crew by three points, and both the Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati by one point heading into the weekend.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesCarnell vs. the Crew
The top of the East right now is pure cinema. Classy showings week-in and week-out, the top-4 are all part of the league's hierarchy at the moment – and when two of them meet head-to-head? It puts everyone on the outside into sets with a bucket of popcorn, with a blockbuster showing on the horizon.
The Union under new head coach Bradley Carnell are on a three-match winning streak with just one goal conceded – and are off the best start in club history, while the Crew are excelling in front of net, having scored four-or-more times in nine games since the start of the 2024 season – the most in MLS over the span.
Columbus winger Diego Rossi is entering MVP conversations, with six goals and one assist in 11 appearances, while Philadelphia forward Tai Baribo has been one of the league's best scorers this season, with seven goals in 10 appearances.
The Crew have lost just one match this season – a 1-0 defeat to Inter Miami – and otherwise, boast a record of 7-1-3 (WLD) with just 10 goals conceded this season. Philly, which is also defensively stout, sits tied with them with 10 conceded, but has edged them in the attack with three more goals scored this season.
Saturday is building up to be a huge match – and come the end of the campaign, it could have title consequences.
Getty Images SportMLS Cup rematch
At this point in the MLS season, it's no surprise to anyone that the LA Galaxy are still winless. It is a statement that would be unfathomable at the start of the season for the defending champs – but after 11 Matchdays – it's become increasingly clear that Greg Vanney's side is not the same team as last year's MLS Cup winners. Personnel changes aside, they can't replicate anything close to success on the pitch at the moment. However, that could change this weekend when they travel to Sports Illustrated Stadium to take on the Red Bulls – the last team they found victory against…in 2024.
It's been six months, sure, but a win against RBNY could spark the restart of their season. This feels like a pivotal match for them, and if they can manage a result, it could kickstart momentum for the coming weeks. However, they're going to be unexpectedly shorthanded as a result of injury. Gabriel Pec is listed as questionable for the match, while Joseph Paintsil has been ruled out for the game after being substituted off the pitch against SKC last weekend.
For RBNY, meanwhile, they're in search of a bounce-back. After a thumping at the hands of Inter Miami last weekend, they'll look to regain a sense of form against a struggling Galaxy side, while exacting revenge from their MLS Cup loss last December.
IMAGNMLS Predictions
Match
Selection
Odds
FC Cincinnati vs Austin FC
FC Cincinnati
-120
New York Red Bulls vs LA Galaxy
New York Red Bulls
-115
Orlando City vs New England Revolution
Draw
+320
St. Louis City vs San Diego FC
San Diego FC
+165
Houston Dynamo FC vs Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
+165
Henry Tomkins makes MLS predictions for the weekend:Wins for Cincinnati and Seattle would push them higher up their conference’s table, whereas another loss could sink LA Galaxy even further to the bottom of the Western Conference.
Orlando and New England could cancel each other out and share the points as they both have a very strong defense. San Diego have been scoring freely, unlike their upcoming opponents. Therefore, goals are likely to swing in favor of the away team.
