Philadelphia Union Can Clinch the East This Weekend | OneFootball

This is truly the best time of the year for MLS soccer fans. The heat and humidity of the summer is gone. There’s a nip in the air, and if you’re on the East Coast it’s harvest season. Apple cider is flowing like water, and the playoffs are only a few weeks away.

Here are your weekend’s crunch time match-ups, and how they will impact the upcoming post-season race in the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia Union vs. New York City

7:30pm ET @ Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia Union only have two games remaining, and a four point lead over their rival FC Cincinnati for the Supporter’s Shield and Eastern Conference Championship.

For the Eastern Conference title, the math on this one is simple: win and in. It’s a bit more complex for the Shield, but not really. Yes, Vancouver still has a game in hand but even if they win out they would need Philly to lose one of their remaining two fixtures.

A key player in the Shield race will be Milan Iloski (pictured above). The 26 year old forward joined Union in August from Danish club Nordsjælland on a $1M transfer, and has paid dividends. He has 3g/4a in nine games.

Of course, NYCFC have skin in the game too. They haven’t clinched, but any point here guarantees their ticket to the post-season without the indignity of a play-in.

Inter Miami CF vs. New England Revolution

7:30pm ET @ Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Yes, this is an actual xeet from a Miami fan site. Source: X

That pretty much says it all. It’s one of their fan sites, calling out the club for what could end up being ANOTHER year bereft of hardware. That 5 – 3 loss to Chicago Fire on Wednesday was absolutely devastating. You talk about clubs with steel backbones, with a culture of excellence and a commitment to winning… Inter Miami are not one of those. Will they roll over the Revs? Probably. But it won’t matter.

New York Red Bulls vs. FC Cincinnati

7:30pm ET @ Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison, New Jersey

Sadly this is another make-it-or-break-it scenario for only one side. NYRB are seven points out of 9th place, and won’t be vying for a playoff spot. FC Cincinnati, however, can still lift the Supporter’s Shield with a win here, another win and some serious stumbling from Philly. Hey, stranger things have happened.

Orlando City SC vs. Columbus Crew

7:30pm ET @ Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida

Seriously, what is it about this 7:30pm ET timeslot? It’s like the MLS scheduling wonks WANTED to make everyone pick only one of four crucial games. In this fixture, there’s no hardware on the line, just positions within the playoff spots.

Columbus have been simply awful since the Leagues Cup, with one win in seven. The good news is that they’ve made the the post-season.

Columbus Crew’s last nine games. Source: Sofascore

But they’re currently in 9th. A win here gets double returns… takes them out of the play-in, and knock down Orlando. The Lions have much less pressure, as they sit on a game-in-hand. This, plus being at home, should give them the edge.

D.C. United vs. Charlotte FC

2:30pm ET @ Audi Field, Washington, District of Columbia

Charlotte FC is simply trying to keep out of the play-in positions. After dropping their last two, they only have a one point lead over the surging Chicago Fire. They desperately need a road victory over the woeful D.C. United to stay ahead.

Chicago Fire FC vs. Toronto FC

5:30pm ET @ Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

You’re looking at nearly the exact same scenario as above, but Chicago are finding their fire at the right time.

Chicago Fire’s last 10 games. Source: Sofascore

Dad jokes aside, Chicago have 7 wins in 10 and enter this fixture on a three-game winning streak, including a total beatdown on Inter Miami last Wednesday.