There are already big storylines entering MLS Matchday Eight.
Tai Baribo will make his return to Philadelphia as DC United takes on the Union. DC beat the Union 1-0 in Matchday one, with Baribo scoring the lone goal. Philly is coming off its first win of the season over CF Montreal last Saturday, and they are hoping to build off the momentum.
Javier Mascherano departed Inter Miami on Tuesday in a shocking move. The defending MLS Cup champs have started the season slowly, but Mascherano's departure came out of nowhere.
We have a Friday night match scheduled! The Vancouver Whitecaps will host Sporting Kansas City to start the weekend early. Friday Night Soccer should be a thing going forward, in my opinion.
This weekend's Walmart Saturday Showdown will feature FC Cincinnati hosting the Chicago Fire. Sunday Night Soccer will be a big one with LAFC hosting the San Jose Earthquakes.
It's time for another eventful weekend of MLS action!
*All bets courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Vancouver Whitecaps (H) vs. Sporting Kansas City (A) - 10:30 pm - BC Place
Odds: Home -750, Tie +700, Away +1100
Toronto FC (H) vs. Austin FC (A) - 1:00 pm - BMO Field
Odds: Home -120, Tie +250, Away +290
CF Montreal (H) vs. New York Red Bulls (A) - 2:30 pm - Stade Saputo
Odds: Home +140, Tie +280, Away +160
Colorado Rapids (H) vs. Inter Miami (A) - 4:30 pm - Empower Field
Odds: Home +250, Tie +320, Away -120
New England Revolution (H) vs. Columbus Crew (A) - 7:30 pm - Gillette Stadium
Odds: Home +190, Tie +250, Away +125
FC Cincinnati (H) vs. Chicago Fire (A) - 7:30 pm - TQL Stadium
Odds: Home +140, Tie +280, Away +160
Philadelphia Union (H) vs. DC United (A) - 7:30 pm - Subaru Park
Odds: Home -130, Tie +260, Away +330
Orlando City (H) vs. Houston Dynamo (A) - 7:30 pm - Inter&Co Stadium
Odds: Home +150, Tie +280, Away +150
NYCFC (H) vs. Charlotte FC (A) - 7:30 pm - Citi Field
Odds: Home -120, Tie +270, Away +290
Atlanta United (H) vs. Nashville SC (A) - 7:30 pm - Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Odds: Home +220, Tie +250, Away +115
FC Dallas (H) vs. LA Galaxy (A) - 8:30 pm - Toyota Stadium
Odds: Home +115, Tie +270, Away +200
Minnesota United (H) vs. Portland Timbers (A) - 8:30 pm - Allianz Field
Odds: Home -130, Tie +290, Away +290
Real Salt Lake (H) vs. San Diego FC (A) - 9:30 pm - America First Field
Odds: Home +105, Tie +280, Away +220
Seattle Sounders (H) vs. St. Louis City (A) - 9:30 pm - Lumen Field
Odds: Home -145, Tie +300, Draw +340
LAFC (H) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (A) - 7:00 pm - BMO Stadium
Odds: Home -210, Tie +350, Away +450
The return of Tai Baribo. I'm not sure what the reaction from the supporters will be for Baribo, but it should be a fun game to watch. He scored the lone goal in the opening weekend for DC to beat Philly, and could've had two or three more to his name. It seems destined that he'll convert in this one.
Cincinnati has really struggled to start this season, and Chicago is sitting in second place. Cincinnati returns home in this one, and they will hope Evander can get going against a hot Chicago side.
Colorado put a beating on the Houston Dynamo in Matchday 7 with a six-goal performance. They host Lionel Messi's Inter Miami at Empower Field in this one to accommodate all the fans who will be coming out. It will be interesting to see how Miami shapes up without Mascherano at the helm.
Both sides here are looking to bounce back after losing last weekend. They're also both tied on 11 points. Should be fun.
The current top two teams in the West are going to go at it. The Portland Timbers stunned LAFC last weekend, but a Son-less LAFC looked exactly like a side with Son not in it. With him back in the squad for Sunday Night Soccer, San Jose could have its hands full, but they've been great all season. There wouldn't be much surprise if San Jose squeaks out a win here.
Nashville SC - 16 pts
Chicago Fire - 13 pts
Inter Miami - 12 pts
NYCFC - 11 pts
Charlotte FC - 11 pts
Toronto FC - 11 pts
New York Red Bulls - 11 pts
New England Revolution - 9 pts
DC United - 7 pts
FC Cincinnati - 7 pts
Columbus Crew - 6 pts
Atlanta United - 4 pts
Orlando City - 4 pts
Philadelphia Union - 3 pts
CF Montreal - 3 pts
Vancouver Whitecaps - 18 pts
San Jose Earthquakes - 18 pts
LAFC - 16 pts
Real Salt Lake - 13 pts
Seattle Sounders - 13 pts
Colorado Rapids - 12 pts
FC Dallas - 12 pts
San Diego FC - 11 pts
Minnesota United - 11 pts
LA Galaxy - 8 pts
Portland Timbers - 7 pts
Houston Dynamo - 6 pts
Austin FC - 6 pts
St. Louis City - 6 pts
Sporting Kansas City - 4 pts
MORE: MLS Matchday 7 Recap: Union pick up first win of the season, Portland stuns LAFC