MLS Matchday 20 Preview: Nashville vs. Inter Miami, Union vs. NYCFC highlight weekend slate

MLS returns with a full slate of matches this weekend after pausing for Phase One of Leagues Cup play, and what a return it will be!

Nashville SC and Inter Miami face off Saturday at 8:30 pm in a matchup of the top two teams in all of MLS. This game carries major Supporters' Shield implications, and with both teams falling short of the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals, their only opportunity for silverware this season is the Shield or the MLS Cup.

Elsewhere in the East, Orlando and Cincinnati square off  Saturday in a matchup of superstars Evander and Griezmann. At the same time, New England goes to Toronto to try and stay in the top four. Chicago will try to move to third while hosting Portland on Sunday.

The hottest team in MLS since the return from the World Cup break, the Philadelphia Union, will look for its fourth straight win in League play after faltering a bit in Leagues Cup. Can they continue to move up from the bottom of the standings on the road vs. fourth-place NYCFC on Sunday evening?

Out West,  the difference between first and fourth is only two points. Vancouver and LAFC are tied at the top on 34 points, San Jose sits third one point behind, and Houston rounds out the top four on 32 points. Houston takes on LA Galaxy, San Jose squares off vs St. Louis, and LAFC host San Diego on Saturday, while Vancouver travels to Seattle for a Cascadia rivalry Sunday night.

Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts to chants from the fans to Inter Miami CF players against the Portland Timbers during the second half at Nu Stadium.

Sam Navarro

MLS Matchday 20 Schedule & Betting Preview

*All betting odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Saturday, August 15

CF Montreal (H) vs. DC United (A) | 7:30 pm
Odds: Home +115, Tie +270, Away  +195

Atlanta United (H) vs. New York Red Bulls (A) | 7:30 pm
Odds: Home +105, Tie +280, Away +210

Charlotte FC (H) vs. Columbus Crew (A) | 7:30 pm
Odds: Home +130, Tie +260, Away +180

Orlando City (H) vs. FC Cincinnati (A) | 7:30 pm
Odds: Home +120, Tie +320, Away +170

Toronto FC (H) vs. New England Revolution (A) | 7:30 pm
Odds: Home +105, Tie +280,  Away  +230

Houston Dynamo (H) vs. LA Galaxy (A) | 8:30 pm 
Odds: Home -145, Tie +300, Away +330

Nashville SC (H) vs. Inter Miami CF (A) | 8:30 pm 
Odds: Home +140, Tie +280, Away +160

Colorado Rapids (H) vs. Sporting Kansas City (A) | 9:30 pm
Odds: Home -240, Tie +380, Away  +500

Real Salt Lake (H) vs. Minnesota United (A) | 10:30 pm
Odds: Home -145, Tie +310, Away +320

San Jose Earthquakes (H) vs. St. Louis City (A) | 10:30 pm 
Odds: Home +110, Tie +280, Away +200

Sunday, August 16

NYCFC (H) vs. Philadelphia Union (A) | 6 pm 
Odds: Home +125, Tie +250, Away  +200

Chicago Fire (H) vs. Portland Timbers (A) | 6 pm 
Odds: Home -210, Tie +410, Away +430

Austin FC (H) vs. FC Dallas (A) | 8:30 pm 
Odds: Home +180, Tie +270, Away  +125

Seattle Sounders (H) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (A) | 10:30 pm
Odds: Home +290, Tie +290, Away  -130

Orlando City SC forward Antoine Griezmann (7) celebrates after scoring a goal with forward Ivan Angulo (77) during a game against the San Jose Earthquakes in the second half at PayPal Park.

David Gonzales

MLS's Eastern Conference 

Nashville SC - 40 pts
Inter Miami - 38 pts
New England Revolution - 30 pts
Chicago Fire - 29 pts
NYCFC - 26 pts
FC Cincinnati - 26 pts
Charlotte FC - 25 pts
Red Bull New York - 25 pts
DC United - 23 pts
Orlando City - 20 pts

Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar (10) and midfielder Bryan Acosta (6) celebrate a goal by Mukhtar during the second half against Los Angeles Football Club at Geodis Park.

Alan Poizner

MLS's Western Conference 

Vancouver Whitecaps - 34 pts
LAFC - 34 pts
San Jose Earthquakes - 33 pts
Houston Dynamo - 29 pts
Real Salt Lake - 27 pts
FC Dallas - 27 pts
St. Louis City - 26 pts
Portland Timbers - 24 pts
Seattle Sounders - 24 pts
Minnesota United - 24 pts
Colorado Rapids - 22 pts
LA Galaxy - 22 pts
San Diego FC - 21 pts
Austin FC - 17 pts
Sporting Kansas City - 14 pts