5️⃣ must-watch fixtures across matchday 19 in MLS | OneFootball

Action across MLS continues in earnest this weekend in the wake of NYCFC's 4-0 demolition job over visiting Atlanta United yesterday evening in the Bronx.

As wandering eyes begin to focus in on the Club World Cup set to kick off tomorrow night as Inter Miami locks horns with Egyptian giants Al Ahly, there are still plenty of storylines waiting on the domestic front for MLS enthusiasts.

With that, let's take a look at five must-watch games for matchday 19.

Timbers eyeing second-best in the West

Phil Neville will be enjoying life in the Pacific Northwest in 2025 as his Portland Timbers remain in the running to finish in the upper echelon of the Western Conference as they tackle the visiting San Jose Earthquakes tonight at Providence Park.

Sitting fourth in the table and just a single point behind both Minnesota United and San Diego FC, back-to-back recent wins should offer a springboard for adding to their point total against a Bruce Arena-led outfit who have managed just one win in their last five MLS fixtures.

However, the loss of key forward Jonathan Rodríguez could be a cause for concern after confirmation of his pending season-ending knee surgery. Still, many fans remain confident of banking at least a point on the night, and should Portland win while results go their way elsewhere, they could jump up to second in the conference.

Can the Crew stop tumbling down the table?

Columbus Crew find themselves in a spot of bother of late as they continue to nose-dive down the table in the East, so there could not have been a worse time to welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps to town this weekend.

Jesper Sørensen's outfit continues to lead both the West and MLS overall with 35 points from just 16 fixtures while allowing just 12 goals and tasting defeat just once along the way.

📸 via MLS Communications

In contrast, the Crew has fallen to sixth while failing to put three points in the post across their last five overall meetings (0-3-2), which included an absolute drubbing at the hands of Inter Miami last time out during a 5-1 loss in South Florida.

The Whitecaps will certainly fancy their chances despite being on the road, but the Crew still boast more than enough talent on any given night to test any opposition they come up against.

Philadelphia looking to dig in atop the East

Bradley Carnell and the Philadelphia Union continue to lead the race at the top of the Eastern Conference while closing the distance to Supporters' Shield leaders Vancouver Whitecaps coming into the weekend action, and the Union will no doubt feel confident when they welcome a struggling Charlotte FC to Subaru Park.

Boasting one of their best-ever starts to a regular season campaign as they coast on a nine-match undefeated run, the Eastern powerhouse has a chance to make history tomorrow night while piling misery on the Crown, who have tumbled down the table and currently cling to the final post-season place in the standings.

Should Philly book all three points, or at least earn a draw, it will be the first time they've ever gone on a 10-match undefeated run in club history, while also potentially watching Charlotte drop out of the top nine in the process.

The Loons battle SDFC for second-spot

Arguably the headline clash of the entire matchday, Minnesota United welcomes fairytale outfit San Diego FC to Allianz Field as the two outfits come into proceedings deadlocked on 30 points near the top of the West.

Both sides have been impressive throughout the 2025 MLS season, but SDFC may have a slight edge on Saturday given their better run of form (3-1-1) compared to their not-so-gracious hosts (2-1-2).

It's a fixture hardly lacking without some notable attacking talent, too, including Danish star winger and joint-MLS assist leader Anders Dreyer (8) and budding Canadian goalscorer Tani Oluwaseyi (8), with Dreyer showing out for Denmark during the recent international break and could bring that form back with him at the weekend.

The pair of attacking talents will look to be the decisive factor given the chance to take sole possession of second spot in the table come the end of 90 minutes.

Can the Red Bulls make it four in a row?

The final match to watch this weekend takes us to Texas as Austin FC welcomes a hot NY Red Bulls side to Q2 Stadium, with NYRB on the hunt to make it four wins from their last four as they climb the ladder in the East.

Among their ranks beyond midfield fulcrum Emil Forsberg, is MLS newcomer Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who has quickly adapted to life in the tri-state area to the tune of 10 goals in what has become an impressive debut campaign at Red Bull Arena.

📸 via MLS Communications

The Cameroonian international forward is on course to easily outstrip his best-ever return in the goals column should he avoid something cataclysmic this season, while also boasting an outside chance to set a new debut goals record for the club.

Austin will be hopeful of keeping him silent on the night, but with just a single win across their last five matches and a real struggle in front of goal over the entirety of the season tonight, it may be a bridge too far for The Verde and Black.

📸 Editorial Photo Credit: © Brad Penner | 2025 Jun 12 - Imagn Images