MLS Rivalry Week begins with a statement: Hell Is Real

Columbus-Cincinnati highlights this weekend’s action.

MLS Rivalry Week kicks off this weekend, and over the next week, you’ll see each of the league’s 29 teams take on a team in some big time rivalry matchups. Spreading them out over a couple of weekends with some midweek matches, MLS is hoping to capture the attention of fans with some incredible matches.

It gets started on Saturday, when the Eastern Conference has 3 matches involving teams that have formed some rivalries on the field over the past few years. We get started with the big one of the weekend.

Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati

Saturday, May 11, 7:45pm (FS1, Apple TV (free), MLS Season Pass)

Hell Is Real has fast become one of the fierce rivalries in Major League Soccer, and this year it takes some extra importance as both are in the top half of the standings. Columbus, who has reached the Concacaf Champions Cup final, seeks to defend their home turf against their rivals from down Interstate 71, FC Cincinnati. Cincinnati is trying to keep pace with Inter Miami at the very top of the Eastern Conference table, and these matches always get a little chippy with the bragging rights on the line.

Prediction: It’s a 2-1 win for Cincinnati on the road.

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Atlanta United vs. DC United

Saturday, May 11, 7:30pm (MLS Season Pass)

MLS has hyped up this matchup over the past couple of seasons because they seem to always be entertaining. With DC United sitting in ninth place with 14 points and Atlanta United in 10th with 12 points, this is a chance for these teams to leap solidly into the playoff zone. DC United will need to come correct, as a rash of injuries and loans will likely have them shorthanded on the road in a place where they traditionally don’t play well. Atlanta wants to show they’re one of the top teams in the conference, and a win here can vault them into that conversation.

Prediction: Atlanta has not lost to DC since October 2020, with 5 wins and a draw in that stretch. D.C. is closer to full strength and only have 1 road loss. The teams fight to a wild 3-3 draw.

Toronto FC vs. New York City FC

Saturday, May 11, 7:30pm (MLS Season Pass)

The Toronto FC we’re seeing this season is the Toronto FC we’ve been expecting the past few years. Under new head coach John Herdman, they’re starting to gel and meet the expectations of their high salaried roster. They go up against New York City FC, who they’ve already seen this season. NYCFC won 2-1 at home back in March, and they’ll look to once again have the stronghold over the Reds. NYCFC is sitting on 14 points in a logjam in the middle of the playoff zone, but a win could see them push up to 4th place ahead of a busy week.

Prediction: NYCFC has won the last three and they get it done again. It’s another 2-1 victory for City.

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Real Salt Lake at Los Angeles Galaxy

Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET (MLS Season Pass)

While this isn’t customarily a rivalry per se, it is a battle for supremacy. Real has been on a tear with a league record as impressive away from America First Field (3-1-2) as they have been on it. That success — along with wins in its last three matches — has the club, led by forward Cristian Arango and young midfielder Diego Luna at the top of the MLS Western Conference. On the flip side, the Galaxy enter coming off a scoreless draw in a battle with Seattle and are looking for a win at home to move up from its current third place position in the standings.

Prediction: Real gets out to a fast start led by the play of Luna and Co., the Galaxy will find the back of the net, but not more than Salt Lake. Real takes this one, 3-1.

Vancouver at LAFC

Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET (Apple TV)

Here’s the thing. LAFC are a much better club than their record suggests, they just stink away from home, still looking for its first road win (0-4-1). Fortunately, they’ll have to wait to snap that streak as the club hosts a Vancouver team in good form at BMO Stadium. Unfortunately, for LAFC, the Whitecaps currently fourth best in the West, pride themselves on having a pristine record away from home and will be playing an LAFC team that has given up 19 goals in 11 matches this season.

Prediction: It’s anyone’s guess but LAFC gets it done in front of its hometown fans. Not by much however, expect this to end with a goal to separate it, so 2-1 to the home squad.

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Seattle at Portland

Sunday, 4:45 p.m. ET (Fox)

Doesn’t get any better than this game in my opinion. This rivalry predates MLS is the nationally televised league match of the week — and for good reason. Take the fact that both teams are wallowing below the surface of playoff contention at the moment, both sitting on 10 points, good for 11th (Seattle) and 12th (Portland) place, respectively. This matchup is always a must-watch as there is no love lost between the two and watching the Timbers Army at Providence Park is a beautiful thing.

Prediction: Portland gives up a lot of goals, 23 to be exact so far this season and Seattle has the caliber to find the back of the net. Stay for the soccer, but back the Sounders to leave with the W, 3-1.