Saturday's Major League Soccer predictions including Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose

Seattle vs. Los Angeles (Saturday, 8.00pm)

The Seattle Sounders have an opportunity to extend their home winning streak to three straight games domestically when they host the top team in MLS, Los Angeles FC, on Saturday at Lumen Field.

On Tuesday, The Rave Green moved into a playoff position thanks to an emphatic 4-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps, while LA won a see-saw encounter with the San Jose Earthquakes 3-2 at the end of May.

We say: Seattle Sounders 2-1 Los Angeles FC

The Rave Green are brimming with confidence following their victory on Tuesday, and when this team are in a groove, it is terrible news for the rest of the league.

As potent as LAFC can be, the Sounders have handled them well at home, conceding a goal or fewer in every one of their visits to the Pacific Northwest.

LA Galaxy vs. Portland (Saturday, 10.00pm)

After a nearly three-week hiatus due to the international window, the Major League Soccer campaign resumes on Saturday for the Los Angeles Galaxy, who host the Portland Timbers at Dignity Health Sports Park.

In their previous encounter at the end of May, LA came back to beat Austin FC 4-1 to move into fifth in the Western Conference, while Portland have lost three in a row and are three points back of a playoff berth.

We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 Portland Timbers

LA have settled into a nice rhythm as they look a lot more comfortable in their current setup, while they are getting contributions from various sources.

Portland have experienced low points in previous campaigns and managed to snap out of it, but right now, they look like a broken team, which the Galaxy should be able to use to their advantage.

NY Red Bulls vs. Toronto (Sunday, 12.00am)

First place in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer is within reach for the New York Red Bulls, who return to action at Red Bull Arena on Saturday when they host Toronto.

Gerhard Struber's men were shutout 2-0 by Charlotte FC a week ago, while the Reds snapped a six-game winless run in league play by edging the Chicago Fire 3-2 in their previous encounter.

We say: New York Red Bulls 3-1 Toronto

It will take longer than a few weeks to fix the defensive issues plaguing TFC, so expect another long afternoon for the Reds, who have conceded plenty of goals at Red Bull Arena.

Columbus Crew vs. Charlotte FC (Sunday, 12.30am)

Round 16 of the 2022 Major League Soccer season sees Columbus Crew and Charlotte FC lock horns at the Lower.com Field on Sunday.

Having both returned to winning ways last time out, the sides will be looking to pick up where they left off with another victory this weekend.

We say: Columbus Crew 2-0 Charlotte FC

Given Charlotte's persistent struggles away from home, it is hard to envisage any other outcome from this one than a win for the home side come the end of the 90 minutes in what should be an exciting affair nonetheless.

Montreal vs. Austin (Sunday, 12.30am)

CF Montreal will be aiming to pick up a third league win on the bounce when they play host to Austin FC at the Saputo Stadium on Sunday.

On the other hand, the away side make the journey looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat and possibly end a three-game winless streak

We say: CF Montreal 2-1 Austin FC

The sides have had no difficulty finding the back of the net, so we expect goals at both ends in the one. That said, we also fancy Montreal to narrowly edge out Austin and emerge triumphant come the sound of the final whistle.

Orlando City vs. Houston (Sunday, 12.30am)

Orlando City and Houston Dynamo will both be vying to return to winning ways on Saturday, when they square off at the Exploria Stadium.

A slight dip in form has seen the hosts drop to fifth place in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference standings, while their visitors sit eighth in the Western Conference after 14 league outings.

We say: Orlando City 2-0 Houston Dynamo

While they have certainly had their struggles recently and look far from their best, Orlando City have more than enough talent in their ranks to outclass the visitors, and we see them making a return to winning ways at the weekend.

Philadelphia vs. Cincinnati (Sunday, 12.30am)

Philadelphia Union will aim to strengthen their place at the top end of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference on Saturday, when they host FC Cincinnati.

Despite seeing their form dip slightly in recent weeks, the home side sit second in their division, while the visitors are six points worse off in seventh place after 14 league games.

We say: Philadelphia Union 2-1 FC Cincinnati

The hosts have shown themselves to be among the MLS' strongest sides so far this season, and we back them to narrowly get over the line in what should be an intriguing encounter.

Chicago Fire vs. DC United (Sunday, 1.00am)

The Chicago Fire return to MLS action after the international break in search of their first win since March when they host DC United at Soldier Field on Saturday.

Since going unbeaten in their opening five matches this season, the Fire are without a victory in 10 consecutive league contests, while DC have only captured one of their last four domestic encounters.

We say: Chicago Fire 2-1 DC United

Football can be cruel at times, as Chicago discovered in their previous encounter, losing a game in which they deserved at least a point, but the beauty of this sport is that things often have a way of evening out.

DC have looked shaky on the back end away from home, and even with their potent attack, we expect the Fire to be stingier defensively while exposing the openings that the Black and Red tend to allow in the attacking third.

Dallas vs. Vancouver (Sunday, 2.00am)

A fantastic campaign for FC Dallas will continue this weekend when they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps at the Toyota Stadium.

Sitting pretty in second place of the Western Conference, Dallas will be hoping to cut the gap to first with a win.

We say: Dallas 2-0 Vancouver Whitecaps

Vancouver has struggled for much of the campaign, with goals leaking at the back and not much in the way of success going forwards.

Sharp contrast to the way that Dallas have operated so far,as the hosts eye up another victory this weekend.

Salt Lake vs. Earthquakes (Sunday, 2.30am)

Two sides at opposite ends of the Major League Soccer Western Conference standings will do battle on Sunday, as Real Salt Lake host San Jose Earthquakes.

A defeat last time out saw the home side drop to third spot, while their visitors sit 13th with just three league wins to their name.

We say: Real Salt Lake 2-1 San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose Earthquakes have certainly shown encouraging signs recently, but they face an unenviable test travelling to a Real Salt Lake side fighting to return to winning ways to strengthen their place at the top end of the division, and we envisage a home triumph.