Two perfect teams remain, with only the Vancouver Whitecaps and LAFC boasting 4-0-0 records, with the former also leaning on MLS Golden Boot frontrunner Brian White and assists-leader Sebastian Berhalter. Outside of the perfect teams, this weekend sees two rivalry cups get underway. FC Dallas clash with Houston Dynamo in the Copa Tejas, and Toronto FC take on Columbus Crew in the Trillium Cup. <\/p>\n
Matchday 5 of the 2026 MLS season<\/a> will feature 10 matches on Saturday and five on Sunday.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what Sports Illustrated predicts for the fifth week of MLS<\/a> in 2026.<\/p>\n Jump to:Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew<\/a>Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire <\/a>Nashville SC vs. Orlando City <\/a>Atlanta United vs. D.C. United<\/a>Charlotte FC vs. Red Bull New York <\/a>FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo <\/a>Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids <\/a>St. Louis CITY SC vs. New England Revolution <\/a>Austin FC vs. LAFC <\/a>Vancouver Whitecaps vs. San Jose Earthquakes <\/a>FC Cincinnati vs. CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a>New York City FC vs. Inter Miami <\/a>Minnesota United vs. Seattle Sounders <\/a>Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy<\/a>San Diego FC vs. Real Salt Lake<\/a>MLS Predictions: Matchday 5<\/a>Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew Josh Sargent debuted for Toronto FC last week but is still seeking his first MLS goal. | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, March 21Time: 1:00 p.m. ET \/ 10:00 a.m. PT<\/p>\n Toronto FC<\/a> is back at BMO Field for the second of nine straight home games, seven of which will see them kick off at the untraditional hour of 1:00 p.m. ET and will welcome their Trillium Cup foes, the Columbus Crew<\/a>, north of the border.\u00a0<\/p>\n Led by manager Robin Fraser, the Reds enter the match after surrendering two potentially vital points in last week\u2019s action when Red Bull New York stole a point in the final moments after Toronto led 1\u20130 late into the match.\u00a0<\/p>\n With a new contract for D\u00e1niel Sall\u00f3i now set and Sargent\u2019s MLS debut off the bench behind them, the hope is that the two attacking focal points can gel with Djordje Mihailovic and lead the Canadian side to further success.\u00a0<\/p>\n Columbus is seeking a first win of the 2026 MLS season, after two draws and two losses, including last week\u2019s last-minute 1\u20130 loss to Nashville\u00a0SC. \u00a0 <\/p>\n Prediction: Toronto FC 3\u20131 Columbus Crew<\/p>\n Philadelphia Union vs. Chicago Fire Cavan Sullivan was a key player in the Concacaf Champions Cup and will look to further establish himself in MLS. | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, March 21Time: 4:30 p.m. ET \/ 1:30 p.m. PT<\/p>\n The Philadelphia Union<\/a> showed better than expected with a rotated team over two legs against Club Am\u00e9rica in the Concacaf Champions Cup, and 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan stood out as one of the best players in the tie.\u00a0<\/p>\n With the Champions Cup opportunities behind him, will he get a boost in MLS playing time under Bradley Carnell, who is continuing to ease him into first-team competition? Sullivan could be the key to the Union\u2019s first win of 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Chicago Fire, meanwhile, look to bounce back from a 2\u20131 loss to D.C. United<\/a>, while leaning on the recently called-up international defensive trio in center backs Mbekezeli Mbokazi (South Africa) and Joel Waterman (Canada<\/a>) and goalkeeper Chris Brady (USA<\/a>).<\/p>\n Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1\u20131 Chicago Fire <\/p>\n Nashville SC vs. Orlando City Cristian Espinoza (right) and Nashville SC eliminated Inter Miami from the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday. | Jim Rassol-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, March 21Time: 6:15 p.m. ET \/ 3:15 p.m. PT<\/p>\n Nashville SC<\/a> are feeling quite good right now after winning 1\u20130 in the final moments against Columbus Crew last weekend and picking up a midweek 1\u20131 draw against Inter Miami to advance in the Concacaf Champions Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n The high-powered attack of Cristian Espinoza, Sam Surridge and Hany Mukhtar makes their way back home this weekend, hosting an Orlando City<\/a> side that has yet to win. The Lions are welcoming back Canada international goalkeeper Maxime Cr\u00e9peau, after he was suspended for last week\u2019s matchup against CF Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n Prediction: Nashville SC 4\u20131 Orlando City<\/p>\n Atlanta United vs. D.C. United Atlanta United picked up a win last weekend against the Philadelphia Union and are back at home this weekend. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, March 21Time: 7:30 p.m. ET \/ 4:30 p.m. PT<\/p>\n There were finally some good moments for Atlanta United<\/a> last weekend, with stars Miguel Almir\u00f3n, Emmanuel Latte Lath and Alexey Miranchuk leading the way in a 3\u20131 win over a struggling Philadelphia Union. Can they keep the momentum going this weekend against D.C United<\/a> and secure their first back-to-back wins since May 2025?<\/p>\n Prediction: Atlanta United 2\u20132 D.C. United <\/p>\n Charlotte FC vs. Red Bull New York Pep Biel (left) is already up to three goals in MLS play this season. | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, March 21Time: 7:30 p.m. ET \/ 4:30 p.m. PT<\/p>\n Charlotte FC <\/a>will have been disappointed with a scoreless draw against a Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami last weekend and will need both Pep Biel and Wilfried Zaha to return to form against Red Bull New York<\/a> on Saturday.\u00a0<\/p>\n After a hot start for Red Bull, Michael Bradley\u2019s side has slowed down. They fell 3\u20130 to CF Montr\u00e9al two weeks ago, and last week, they needed a late goal from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to grab a 1\u20131 draw against Toronto FC. While still on the road, playing an American opponent might be just what they need.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prediction: Charlotte FC 2\u20131 Red Bull New York<\/p>\n FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo Petar Musa scored a hat-trick against San Diego to mark the first three-goal game from a player in the 2026 MLS season. | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, March 21Time: 8:30 p.m. ET \/ 5:30 p.m. PT<\/p>\n It\u2019s the first Copa Tejas derby<\/a> of the season, as the trophy competition between the three Texas clubs, Austin FC<\/a>, Houston Dynamo<\/a> and FC Dallas<\/a> gets underway.<\/p>\n Houston hit the road after a spell of home games, including last week\u2019s 3\u20132 win over the Portland Timbers, where Guilherme brought his production to three goals and an assist in his first four MLS contests. An early favorite for MLS Newcomer of the Year, he and the Dynamo will look to tame FC Dallas\u2019s Petar Musa, who netted three goals for the first hat-trick in MLS in 2026 against San Diego FC last weekend. <\/p>\n Prediction: FC Dallas 3\u20131 Houston Dynamo<\/p>\n Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids Dejan Jovelji\u0107 netted a brace against his former LA Galaxy teammates last weekend. | Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, March 21Time: 8:30 p.m. ET \/ 5:30 p.m. PT<\/p>\n Dejan Jovelji\u0107 continued to be the leader on Sporting Kansas City<\/a> and helped push his team to its first win of 2026 last week, beating his former LA Galaxy<\/a> side 2\u20131 on the road. This week sees them return home and welcome the Colorado Rapids<\/a>, who are looking for a third win in five games under new manager Matt Wells, following last week\u2019s 3\u20131 loss to New York City<\/a> FC<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Under Wells, Darren Yapi has been outstanding with a pair of goals and an assist, but the club will want more from last season\u2019s marquee addition, Paxten Aaronson, in the heart of midfield, with the USMNT hopeful only notching one assist through four matches.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prediction: Sporting Kansas City 1\u20130 Colorado Rapids <\/p>\n St. Louis CITY SC vs. New England Revolution Cedric Teuchert and St. Louis CITY SC return home seeking a first win of the season. | William Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, March 21Time: 8:30 p.m. ET \/ 5:30 p.m. PT<\/p>\n If there\u2019s any match that might be bound for plenty of goals this weekend, it\u2019s St. Louis CITY SC<\/a> vs. New England <\/a>Revolution<\/a>, with the Revs coming off an emphatic six-goal performance against FC Cincinnati.<\/p>\n St. Louis is still looking for an offensive breakout that is bound to come. They have been shut out of their last three matches, but those have come against San Diego FC, Seattle Sounders and LAFC\u2014some of the best teams in the Western Conference. Surely, the front trio of Simon Becher, Cedric Teuchert and Marcel Hartel can find some goals this weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prediction: St. Louis CITY SC 3\u20133 New England Revolution<\/p>\n Austin FC vs. LAFC Son Heung-min has not scored an MLS goal in 2026. | William Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, March 21Time: 8:45 p.m. ET \/ 5:45 p.m. PT<\/p>\n Austin FC welcomes LAFC<\/a> on Saturday night, with the Black and Gold back in MLS action after David Mart\u00ednez\u2019s late goal against Costa Rica\u2019s Alajuelense sent them through to the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals midweek.\u00a0<\/p>\n While they won\u2019t have Stephen Eust\u00e1quio, who suffered a hematoma after a deep tissue massage to treat a dead leg, which he sustained when colliding with a referee, there will be plenty of eyes on both Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min, the latter of whom has not scored this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Austin manager Nico \u00c9stevez, meanwhile, has preached patience for Los Verdes, as they hope to snap a two-game losing skid.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prediction: Austin FC 1\u20131 LAFC <\/p>\n Vancouver Whitecaps vs. San Jose Earthquakes Thomas M\u00fcller and the Vancouver Whitecaps face the Timo Werner-led San Jose Earthquakes. | Simon Fearn-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Saturday, March 21Time: 10:30 p.m. ET \/ 7:30 p.m. PT<\/p>\n It\u2019s another superstar battle in Vancouver<\/a> this weekend, after James Rodr\u00edguez and Thomas M\u00fcller<\/a> clashed in Vancouver’s 6\u20130 win over Minnesota United last Sunday. This time, it\u2019s the two Western Conference early-season darlings, led by two Germans in Vancouver\u2019s M\u00fcller and San Jose<\/a> Earthquakes<\/a>\u2019 Timo Werner.\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite falling out of the Concacaf Champions Cup to Seattle Sounders midweek, the Whitecaps still enter with plenty of confidence and further focus on MLS action, already boasting a perfect 12 points through four games. San Jose saw their three-match win and clean-sheet streak dashed last weekend against Seattle, but will look to return to form against one of the best teams in MLS over the last 18 months.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Prediction: Vancouver Whitecaps 3\u20131 San Jose Earthquakes <\/p>\n FC Cincinnati vs. CF Montr\u00e9al Kyle Smith and FC Cincinnati have allowed 11 goals across their last two matches in all-competitions. | Winslow Townson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Sunday, March 22Time: 1:00 p.m. ET \/ 10:00 a.m. PT<\/p>\n It has been a tough week for FC Cincinnati<\/a>. First, they fell 6\u20131 to New England with a rotated team in MLS Matchday 4, before losing a heartbreaking Concacaf Champions Cup tie on the final kick against Tigres UANL midweek\u2014as much fun as it may have been for many to play at El Volc\u00e1n.\u00a0<\/p>\n Taking on CF Montr\u00e9al provides a crucial moment for manager Pat Noonan\u2019s side. A loss to one of the weaker teams in MLS could be catastrophic to confidence and potentially see his seat warm up, given the talent of Evander and K\u00e9vin Denkey and the lack of quantitative results.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prediction: FC Cincinnati 4\u20130 CF Montr\u00e9al<\/p>\n New York City FC vs. Inter Miami Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday. | Peter Joneleit\/Icon Sportswire\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Date: Sunday, March 22Time: 1:00 p.m. ET \/ 10:00 a.m. PT<\/p>\n Many have called Inter Miami<\/a> and Lionel Messi a \u201ccircus show\u201d when they are on the road, and the traveling circus heads to the Big Apple to take on New York City <\/a>FC<\/a> this weekend, which will bring a near-unmatched level of buzz around the game, even on Yankee Stadium\u2019s small and odd pitch.\u00a0<\/p>\n New York City is getting stellar play from Maxi Moralez and Nicol\u00e1s Fern\u00e1ndez and sits atop the Eastern Conference with 10 points through three games, and they face an Inter Miami side still trying to figure it out and grappling with confidence after crashing out of the Concacaf Champions Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n Plenty of eyes will be on Messi, who now sets his sights on 1,000 goals after scoring his 900th on Wednesday, but critics will also zone in on striker G\u00e9rman Berterame, who has failed to score in seven matches since being acquired for upwards of $15 million from CF Monterrey.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prediction: NYCFC 1\u20132 Inter Miami<\/p>\n Minnesota United vs. Seattle Sounders James Rodr\u00edguez made his MLS debut in Minnesota United\u2019s worst loss in club history last weekend. | Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Date: Sunday, March 22Time: 2:30 p.m. ET \/ 11:30 a.m. PT<\/p>\n It\u2019s never easy bouncing back from big defeats, but that\u2019s exactly what Minnesota United hopes to do this weekend against Seattle Sounders<\/a> after falling 6\u20130 to Vancouver in James Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s MLS debut.\u00a0<\/p>\n Seattle is flying high with a midweek Concacaf Champions Cup victory over Vancouver and a win against the previously perfect-record San Jose Earthquakes. Expect a near full-strength squad for manager Brian Schmetzer\u2019s side, with hopes of Danny Musovski, Albert Rusn\u00e1k and Paul Rothrock being able to maintain their form to further success.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prediction: Minnesota United 1\u20134 Seattle Sounders<\/p>\n Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy Portland Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis suffered a gash on his head in last weekend’s loss to the Houston Dynamo. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Sunday, March 22Time: 4:45 p.m. ET \/ 1:45 p.m. PT<\/p>\n After a disheartening loss to Sporting Kansas City<\/a>, the LA Galaxy<\/a> look to return to form when they take on a Portland Timbers<\/a> side that fell 3\u20132 to the Houston Dynamo last week. Yet, the Galaxy had a chance to rekindle some confidence, beating Jamaica\u2019s Mount Pleasant 3\u20130 midweek to advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n Likely to lean on the breakout season for Lucas Sanabria as well as Gabriel Pec in the attack, a key point to the Galaxy\u2019s success will be shutting down Norwegian winger Kristoffer Velde, who has been a perennial threat down the left wing, despite only having one goal this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n Prediction: Portland Timbers 1\u20131 LA Galaxy <\/p>\n San Diego FC vs. Real Salt Lake Amahl Pellegrino and San Diego FC have lost their last two matches across all competitions, most recently crashing out of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday. | Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Date: Sunday, March 22Time: 7:00 p.m. ET \/ 4:00 p.m. PT<\/p>\n San Diego FC learned about the Concacaf Champions Cup the hard way in midweek action, falling 4\u20130 to Toluca and crashing out of the competition after a 3\u20130 win in the first leg of the round of 16. That result came after a 3\u20133 draw against FC Dallas in MLS play last week, and suddenly, the once-stingy California side has leaked seven goals across two matches.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4t44cjfhye5j67nn.jpg\" "\\"Josh")
<\/p>\n![\"Cavan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4t7k184s4pwf04g3.jpg\" "\\"Cavan")
<\/p>\n![\"Nashville](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4t97gzp4bh9wxpgr.jpg\" "\\"Nashville")
<\/p>\n![\"Atlanta](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4tb765g61jztrfrm.jpg\" "\\"Atlanta")
<\/p>\n![\"Pep](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4td3y8v4243bjzd5.jpg\" "\\"Pep")
<\/p>\n![\"FC](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4tep600dkn7j5dzw.jpg\" "\\"FC")
<\/p>\n![\"Dejan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4tgbbb1qnkhp19v4.jpg\" "\\"Dejan")
<\/p>\n![\"Cedric](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4tsvrwdmyqjt53xh.jpg\" "\\"Cedric")
<\/p>\n![\"Son](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4tvfe8xd41tphxpy.jpg\" "\\"Son")
<\/p>\n![\"Thomas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4ty4ka1f17dm45b0.jpg\" "\\"Thomas")
<\/p>\n![\"FC](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4v0txbhtaq8j5bjn.jpg\" "\\"FC")
<\/p>\n![\"Lionel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km25k1khyc12h56gw9.jpg\" "\\"Lionel")
<\/p>\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01kktqhhk2kmqecd6ths.jpg\" "\\"James")
<\/p>\n![\"Portland](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4v4j5rzbpcbygwkg.jpg\" "\\"Portland")
<\/p>\n![\"San](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/01km4v7nq7cc44gf07s6.jpg\" "\\"San")
<\/p>\n