Rocio Robles
MLS Week 9 will be another opportunity for teams that have yet to gain a foothold in the campaign to do so. It will also be a test for the teams that have separated themselves from the rest of the Conferences, as they will have to show that they can maintain their consistency and that their fast pace is not due to luck.
Here’s a guide to 4 games you’ll want to follow in MLS Week 9.
1.- Nashville SC vs Philadelphia Union
Nashville SC is coming off its third loss of the season and has now gone two games without a win. This could set off alarm bells after a couple of consecutive victories. Their irregularity is evident, since in eight games they have three wins, two draws and three defeats, and this has them in the second half of the Western Conference table.
Facing them will be the Eastern Conference leader, Philadelphia Union, who have five wins, two ties and only one loss. Like their opponents, they have failed to collect three points in the last two games, but they have a three-goal cushion over the second place in the zone, which gives them time to regain their confidence and good rhythm.
This match will be played on Sunday, May 1 at 13:00 p.m. (Pacific time) at Geodis Park.
Houston Dynamo vs Austin
Both teams are Texans, but one is having a better time than the other this season. Houston Dynamo, who will be at home here, have lost two of the eight matches they have played, but come into this MLS Week 9 on the back of a 2-1 loss to fellow conference and Texas state rival FC Dallas. The team is right in the middle of the table and will have to start adding to climb positions.
Austin can tell another story in this tournament, as it has only one loss in eight games. They come into this match with three consecutive victories and will be looking for one more, to aspire to be the leader of the Western Conference, as only two points separate them from LAFC’s Carlos Vela.
This match will be played on Saturday, April 30 at 10:30 a.m. (Pacific time) at BBVA Compass Stadium.
3.- Chicago Fire vs New York Red Bulls
So far, the Chicago Fire have not had a successful season. They enter Week 9 of MLS play with just 10 points after two wins, four draws and two losses. They have failed to win in their last four games and have the lowest number of goals scored, so the lack of goals is their main problem.
The Windy City side will host the New York Red Bulls, who are looking for a way to take the Eastern Conference lead after winning half of their eight games played. They won by a score of 0-3 against Orlando City and have two games unbeaten, which is enough motivation for this match.
This match will be played on Saturday, April 30 at 17:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) at Soldier Field.
4.- Los Angeles FC vs Minnesota United
LAFC only lost the traffic classic to the LA Galaxy, the only loss in eight games played. With six wins, they are now the most successful team in the league, and they have won two games in a row heading into an MLS showdown in Week 9. In order to stay at the top of the Western Conference, they will have to win.
Minnesota United will not be an easy opponent to beat, as they have two consecutive victories and that has placed them among the top five teams in the Western Conference. A three-point win away to Los Angeles would confirm their improvement.
This match will be played on Sunday, May 1 at 19:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) at the Banc of California Stadium.
