MLS Matchweek 12: Sunday Preview | OneFootball

This weekend’s MLS action comes to a close with 3 intriguing Sunday fixtures. It starts off with a battle between two playoff hopefuls in the East, then moves out West as two of the top teams in the conference host Texas outfits finding their form. 

Let’s get into the previews.

New York City FC vs. Columbus Crew

Kickoff: 4:30pm ET/1:30pm PTYankee Stadium, New York City, New YorkWatch on Apple TV

NYCFC are in real need of a win. They’re currently on a 7 game winless run in MLS, with their only victories in that period coming in the U.S. Open Cup. One of those was a Hudson River Derby win over their rivals Red Bull, which was supposed to be a turning point. However, NYCFC responded to that with a 2-0 home loss to DC United where they were thoroughly outplayed despite controlling 73% possession.

The main problem is that their attack is essentially a two-man unit. Striker Nicolás Fernández has 8 goals and attacking midfielder Maxi Moralez has 6 assists (and 3 more in the Open Cup), but young winger Agustín Ojeda has gone cold after a fast start to the season. As a result, NYCFC have been shut out in their last two league matches.

Looking at the table, visitors Columbus Crew are in pretty much the exact same position as their hosts. Both sides have 12 points, with Crew only trailing on goal difference by 1. The form guide tells a different story. The Crew had a slow start to 2026 but are figuring it out under new manager Henrik Rydström. Although they lost last weekend to a good Minnesota team, 3 of their 5 league matches before that were wins.

They’ve adapted well to the injury to striker Wessam Abou Ali. Players like Rossi, Gazdag, Habroune, and Picard have shared the goalscoring load. Combine that with Max Arfsten’s 6 goal contributions in his last 6 games and you get a dynamic attack with real threats all over the pitch. Outside of that Minnesota game, the defense has been solid as well. This is a very good team that is finally starting to put it all together.

Prediction: New York City FC 0-2 Columbus Crew

Minnesota United vs. Austin FC

Kickoff: 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PTAllianz Field, Saint Paul, MinnesotaWatch on Apple TV

Minnesota United have enjoyed a strong start to the season. The Loons have won 6 of their 11 matches and just got back on track with the previously mentioned win over Columbus after back to back losses to very good LAFC and San Jose sides. They don’t play the most exciting brand of football, ranking 27th in possession and 23rd in goals scored per match. It’s effective though, as they’ve been able to grind out low scoring wins.

When goals do come it’s usually by way of Kelvin Yeboah, who’s scored 7 of their 14 this season. Left wing back Anthony Markanich has also been a standout. I highlighted his matchup with Max Arfsten last weekend and he delivered, scoring a goal and providing an assist in their 3-2 win over the Crew. He’s coming off a breakout 2025 where he scored 13 goals and is playing even better to start this year.

The main storyline for Austin is the long-awaited return of Brandon Vazquez. The DP came off the bench in the 89th minute of their 2-0 win over St. Louis last weekend, marking his first appearance since July 8th, 2025. Austin will be looking for Vazquez to immediately provide goals. They haven’t had a clear go to option emerge in his absence.

It was a bit of a rough start for the former Monterrey man in his first season back in MLS. Vazquez only scored 5 goals in 19 league games before the injury unfortunately ended his campaign. He’ll have more service this time around, with offseason acquisitions Facundo Torres (4 assists this season) and Jayden Nelson (10 assists last season) providing a playmaking spark. Austin has won back to back matches, both by a 2-0 scoreline, but Minnesota’s quality means making it 3 in a row will be a tough task.

Prediction: Minnesota United 2-1 Austin FC

LAFC vs. Houston Dynamo

Kickoff: 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PTBMO Stadium, Los Angeles, CaliforniaWatch on Apple TV

LAFC need to bounce back after a midweek capitulation. After winning the 1st leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal 2-1, they were thrashed 4-0 by Toluca in Mexico. The good news for LAFC is that this means they can focus all their attention on MLS play. Their only league losses this season both came after a midweek CCC game. Without that distraction, they can focus on trying to catch San Jose and Vancouver atop the Western Conference.

LAFC’s headlines mostly come through their unstoppable attack, boasting the league’s best duo in Denis Bouanga and Heung-Min Son. Bouanga has already scored 10 goals in all competitions and Son has provided FOURTEEN assists in all comps. The Korean superstar is in red hot form just in time for this summer’s World Cup, where he’ll be determined to lead his nation to their first knockout stage win since their semifinal run back in 2002. The attack has been firing on all cylinders, but the defense has been rock solid as well. World Cup winner Hugo Lloris has kept 8 clean sheets in 10 MLS matches, 3 more shutouts than the next highest keeper.

Houston Dynamo come into this match on their best run of form since 2023. They’ve won 5 of their last 6 games, including 2 U.S Open Cup wins that saw them advance to the quarterfinals. The key for Dynamo has been defensive solidity. All 3 league wins in this hot streak have come by a score of 1-0.

The attack has struggled but the recent return of Jack McGlynn should help with that. The deep-lying playmaker has been the source of most of Houston’s creativity since arriving from Philadelphia last season and will be extra motivated with USMNT assistant coach Jesús Perez in attendance. This is the perfect opportunity for McGlynn to fight his way back into the World Cup roster, so look for him to take advantage of it with a goal contribution. However, it won’t be enough to beat LAFC as Bouanga and Son put Houston to the sword.

Prediction: LAFC 3-1 Houston Dynamo