The March international window is upon us, with everything from friendlies to Concacaf Nations League and World Cup qualifying taking place over the next week. It’s also the start of the NCAA Tournaments for both men’s and women’s college basketball. Major League Soccer’s position on each of those major sporting events is simple: play right through it.
Three Eastern Conference matchups to get you through the international window
With a ton of players out, it’s an opportunity for some teams to take advantage.
Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Despite MLS having so many players being called into their various national teams this week, Saturday still gives us a full slate of matches to watch. There are some interesting matches to take note of, particularly given some teams having the chance to move up in the standings at the expense of another team who may be missing many of its regular starters. And, if the teams at the top can hold serve without some of their major stars, it will give them a ton of confidence as those players return to the fold next week.
So, here are a few matchups that you can mix in with your March Madness this weekend.
New York Red Bulls vs. Inter Miami - Saturday March 23rd, 2:00pm (MLS Season Pass)
The New York Red Bulls come into this match poised to try and get to the top of the standings by beating one of the teams at the top of the standings in Inter Miami. Inter Miami will be without Lionel Messi due to injury, and Drake Callender, Diego Gómez, Federico Redondo, and David Ruiz are all out on international duty. The trouble for the Red Bulls is that they will be without several of their quality players as well: Cory Burke, Carlos Coronel, Daniel Edelman, Noah Eile, Emil Forsberg, and John Tolkin. Miami look to use the remaining stars in their fold to take care of yet another team on the road and start to move away from the peloton in the East standings.
Prediction: Suarez hits another double in a wild one as Miami wins 3-2.
Charlotte FC vs. Columbus Crew - Saturday March 23rd, 7:30pm (MLS Season Pass)
Charlotte is missing Liel Abada and Jere Uronen due to international call-ups, but they still want to try and pick off the Columbus Crew, who are tied with Miami atop the East. Columbus is missing a few players that they rely upon, including Patrick Schulte, Aidan Morris, Taha Habroune, Nicholas Hagen and Jacen Russell-Rowe. Columbus want to keep pace with Miami on the road, but Charlotte will make it a tough outing.
Prediction: The Crew have some of their star attackers up front, but down two goalkeepers, Charlotte makes it so everyone goes home with a point in a 2-2 draw.
FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC - Saturday March 23rd, 7:30pm (Apple TV (free), MLS Season Pass)
This match is free on Apple TV this weekend, so you will get to see FC Cincinnati in a prime position to make a move on the top of the standings. Only Miles Robinson is out due to international duty for the Supporters’ Shield holders, and they are at home where they perform so well. They go up against a New York City FC team that has Mounsef Bakrar, Tayvon Gray, and Tomás Romero with their national teams. NYCFC got their first win of the season last weekend and will have to figure out how to get another result against Cincinnati at TQL Stadium.
Prediction: Cincinnati makes it a fun match for those who are able to watch for free on Apple TV. They win 3-1.
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