The Gold Cup break has ended, and MLS competition is back.
With struggling teams getting a fresh start, and hot teams trying to keep momentum over the two-week break, Wednesday’s features could result in some twists and turns in the MLS standings.
Week 20 of the MLS season is action-packed and set to go. With seven midweek matches on the docket, here are five storylines you should know heading into Wednesday night.
Interconference Showdown
One of the 6:30 p.m. CT matches to kick off Wednesday's MLS slate features two teams in different conferences, but with similar results.
San Jose Earthquakes will pack their bags and make the 3,000-mile journey to the east coast to take on New York Red Bulls. Though the sides are on opposite coastlines, their results have been anything but opposite. Both squads have 26 points, and while San Jose has managed to net two more goals on the season than New York, the Red Bulls have allowed one goal less than the Earthquakes.
Along with the goal similarities, both sides are 6-3-1 in their last 10 matches and are coming off victories in their last match before the Gold Cup break. The upper hand will be decided at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey at 6:30 p.m.
Impact To Make Impact on Standings?
Another 6:30 p.m. CT match that could result in a shift in the standings is the showdown between Montreal Impact and Philadelphia Union, taking place at Stade Saputo in Montreal. The Impact trail Philadelphia by two points for 8th place in the Eastern Conference standings, and will try to take advantage of a Philly team that has just a 1-4-3 record on the road this season.
Montreal’s form before the break resulted in the club dropping four spots in the MLS Week 19 Power Rankings. With seven of its next nine matches coming at home, the Impact will attempt to use this game to propel itself back into playoff position.
NYCFC Look to Gain Ground
An enormous Wednesday match is set to potentially shake up the Eastern Conference standings. Second place Toronto FC travels to the Bronx to take on an NYCFC club that trails its north-of-the-border rival by five points.
In a match that could help propel NYCFC into a race for first, the NYCFC faithful are hoping the club will bounce back after a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Vancouver Whitecaps FC which featured a blown second-half lead and an 87th minute go-ahead Vancouver goal. Having three points stolen from them hurts a great amount, but the NYCFC forwards will need to break through a tricky Toronto defense in order to gain some ground and prevent falling into a deeper hole in the east. The Eastern Conference foes will square off in the Bronx at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Real Salt Lake to Continue Offensive Success?
Just prior to the Gold Cup break, Real Salt Lake managed to put up some offensive fireworks on the road against LA Galaxy with a massive 6-2 win.
The offensive explosion came as a result of putting 12 of its 22 shots on target. Five Salt Lake players found the back of the net through corners, shots from outside the box, rebounds, counters, you name it. The offensive clinic left Real Salt Lake fans itching for more, but their squad might have trouble matching its performance against LA in its next match against a Portland Timbers team that sits at fourth place in a tight Western Conference standings. Kickoff in Portland is set for 9:30 p.m. CT.
Battle For Sixth
A Western Conference duel features LA Galaxy (8th place, 22 points) hosting Vancouver Whitecaps (6th place, 24 points) for what could land LA in the final playoff spot in the west.
The aforementioned comeback win that Vancouver had against NYCFC could have built up some steam as the Whitecaps look to hold off a Galaxy team that has given up 11 goals in its last three matches.
The Galaxy haven’t had much recent success at home, as its 1-2-1 record over its last four home games indicates. With its only win in that stretch coming against Sacramento FC of the USL in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the Galaxy will hope to regain some ground in MLS action and work its way up the standings. The Western Conference match begins at StubHub Center in Los Angeles at 9:30 p.m. CT.
