MLS weekend action is highlighted by the quest for a championship

We have reached June, and the Major League Soccer season feels like it’s approaching its peak. However, with all the league action on, the major highlight of the weekend will be the Concacaf Champions Cup Final between the Columbus Crew and Pachuca. Still, the rest of the league will hope to make up some ground as points become ever crucial as we enter the summer months. Let’s take a look at the matches worth watching this weekend.

Columbus Crew vs. CF Pachuca - Concacaf Champions Cup Final

Saturday, June 1, 9:15pm (FS1, TUDN)

This is the big one. Columbus seeks to become just the fourth MLS team to win the Concacaf Champions Cup (D.C. United - 1998, LA Galaxy - 2000, Seattle Sounders - 2022). Standing in their way is Pachuca and 8,000 feet of elevation, which poses a huge disadvantage to the Crew.

Still, there’s a reason why they play the games, and a spot in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup hangs in the balance. Columbus has prepared for this by winning their last 3 matches, and they hope to pull off the upset down in Mexico. But, it’s a final playing at altitude, and MLS teams have rarely played well against Liga MX teams on the road in any situation. MLS has thrown their support behind Columbus, but it’s going to take a herculean effort for the MLS Cup champions to become Concacaf Champions Cup champions.

Prediction: Columbus falls short, losing 4-2 after extra time.

Philadelphia Union vs. CF Montréal

Saturday, June 1, 7:30pm (MLS Season Pass)

The Philadelphia Union enter this match with some serious questions about their defense. With Andre Blake out 4-6 weeks due to meniscus surgery, the pressure remains on first year goalkeeper Oliver Semmle to continue to play well. Sitting in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings on 19 points, Philadelphia wants 3 points to continue to inch up the table. Montreal is coming off a great win midweek against D.C. United where they scored 4 goals. They want to keep the good creative attack coming, as they’re in need of points to move up above the playoff line.

Prediction: Philadelphia is able to hold Montreal and the Union win 2-1.

Atlanta United vs. Charlotte FC

Sunday, June 2, 4:45pm (Fox, Apple TV (free), MLS Season Pass)

Atlanta United enters this pivotal, nationally televised match against Charlotte FC on a high, having beaten Inter Miami on the road midweek. Sitting in 12th place in the Eastern Conference on 16 points, that was a crucial victory for them to get back into the hunt for the playoffs. They’re not used to looking up in the standings at Charlotte FC, but they must. Charlotte’s sitting in seventh place on 22 points, and they would love to ruin Atlanta’s plans of moving up in the table. However, they’ve been awful on the road, with only 1 win in 7 matches.

Prediction: Atlanta continues to build on the midweek win, beating Charlotte 2-0.