Before the Round – Trends on USA MLS (20/09)

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The MLS season is down to its final weeks. The MLS Cup playoffs are on the horizon and teams are fighting to qualify for the postseason.

Inter Miami are coming off their first loss since Lionel Messi joined the club. They are still fighting for a place in the playoffs.

Montreal – Cincinnati

Cincinnati rolled over Montreal at home earlier this season 3-0. Now, the Blue and Orange go to Montreal for a second win of the season over their Canadian rivals. Cincinnati are the best team in MLS with 58 points. The team could win its first-ever Supporters’ Shield.

Montreal are fighting for a playoff place in the Eastern Conference. Currently, Montreal are eighth and three points ahead of Chicago Fire for a playoff place. However, Montreal failed to win any of their last three games, picking up just two points.

Cincinnati failed to win their last two MLS games. Their road form has been hot and cold. Cincinnati have an away record of 5W-6D-3L.

Twenty-eight of Montreal’s 36 points have come at home. They are certainly better at home than on the road. Montreal only conceded nine goals in 14 previous home matches. It is the joint-fewest goals conceded at home in the Eastern Conference.

• Montreal Impact's most recent games against FC Cincinnati have been high-scoring with over 2.5 goals in each of their last 3 home Major League Soccer matches.
• An unfortunate run for FC Cincinnati has seen them allow 1+ goals in their last 8 away Major League Soccer games.
• Over 2.5 goals have been scored in Montreal Impact's last 3 matches with FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer.
• FC Cincinnati are unbeaten in 17 of their last 20 Major League Soccer games.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals

Charlotte – Philadelphia

Charlotte and Philadelphia Union met three times previously, with the latter posting two wins and one defeat. The Union posted a 1-0 win earlier this season against Charlotte.

Charlotte are on the outside looking in at the playoffs. The Crown are 11th in the league and three points off the final playoff place. They failed to win their last three games, drawing all three matches. Charlotte have a -9-goal difference.

Philadelphia Union are fourth in the division and headed for the playoffs. They took 13 points from the last 18 points on offer. The Union have blown hot and cold on the road this season, with a record of 5W-2D-7L.

• Charlotte FC are undefeated in their last 6 home Major League Soccer games in a row.
• Philadelphia Union are undefeated in 5 of their last 6 league games.
• Charlotte FC have managed just 1 wins in their last 12 league games.
• Philadelphia Union have lost just 2 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
• Prediction: Philadelphia Union

DC United – Atlanta

Atlanta United won five of their last six games versus DC United. Earlier this season, the Five Stripes won 3-1 in Atlanta against DC United.

Atlanta are cruising toward the playoffs, with 45 points from 29 games. They took 10 points from the last 18 points on offer in the league. Atlanta outscored their last six opponents 15-8.

DC United, on the other hand, picked up five points from their last six matches. The Red and Black are unbeaten in their last three fixtures in MLS, with one win and two draws. Five of DC United’s nine wins came at home.

• In all of their 3 most recent matches in Major League Soccer, DC United have managed to keep a clean sheet.
• Atlanta United have managed to defeat DC United in their last 5 encounters in Major League Soccer.
• In their last 7 games in Major League Soccer, DC United have recorded only 1 wins.
• In their 29 most recent away matches of Major League Soccer, Atlanta United have achieved just 4 wins.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score

Inter Miami – Toronto

Inter Miami are fresh off their first loss since signing Messi. The Herons are fighting for a playoff place, something that is now in more jeopardy following their weekend loss to Atlanta. Inter Miami are eight points off the last playoff place. They have two games in hand over the last playoff team, DC United.

Toronto FC have had plenty of issues on and off the pitch this season. They are last in the Eastern Conference, with 22 points from 28 games. Toronto are the joint-worst team in MLS this season. The Reds took just three points from the last six games.

Inter picked up 10 points from their last six matches in MLS. They were outscored 10-11 in those six fixtures. In the last six matches between these teams, Inter Miami won five times. However, Toronto won 2-0 at home in the league against Inter earlier this campaign.

• Inter Miami CF's performance has been disappointing of late, as they have won just 3 of their 16 most recent Major League Soccer clashes.
• Toronto FC are on a losing streak of 5 straight away matches in Major League Soccer.
• Inter Miami have lost just 1 of their last 6 fixtures in all competitions.
• Toronto FC have failed to score a goal in each of their last 3 away Major League Soccer games.
• Prediction: Inter Miami