🔮 Major League Soccer Weekend Preview | OneFootball

We're back with another round of Major League Soccer action for you and there are plenty of storylines this weekend.

Here are some of the biggest.

Fixture of the weekend

Our attention turns West this weekend and, fairly early at that, with Seattle Sounders welcoming LAFC to town mid-afternoon on Sunday. Two MLS heavyweights meet early in the season, setting a theatrical contest with three big points up for grabs.

The hosts are currently looking for their first win of the 2025 regular season and what better way to do it against a rival? Brian Schmetzer set up his side to be an attack-minded squad with Jordan Morris (who loves to play against LAFC) already on the scoresheet alongside a thriving Pedro de la Vega in midfield.

However, the Sounders come up against an LAFC who, despite all their star power, are playing with more of a defensive structure. The visitors have not conceded a goal in four straight games between Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS. They're also still hungry in front of the net, with five players on the scoresheet from their last four games.

While their approaches are slightly different, one thing that's the same is both sides enter this match slightly fatigued due to fixture schedules. What might help add some fuel to the fire is that the last time these sides met, the Sounders eliminated LAFC from the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Buckle up!

Player to watch

Have you ever seen a player start the beginning of a season in a better way than Tai Baribo has so far? The list is short!

The Philadelphia Union forward has five goals to his name after only two games and could make more history on Saturday against New England.

A goal this means Baribo would go level with Ante Razov "as the only players in league history to record at least six goals through the first three matches of a season," as per MLS Communications.

Additionally, the 27-year0ikd has scored more goals than 23 of 30 MLS teams have leading into Matchday 3. Some stuff!

Two questions ahead of the matchday

Will LA Galaxy finally find their mojo?

Sitting second last in the Western Conference are reigning champions LA Galaxy. What a sentence that is, huh?

With two losses from their opening two games and the talents of Riqui Puig unavailable due to long-term injury, the Galaxy have struggled to get back to their form of yesteryear.

“We have to be more dynamic on the attacking half of the field. The game needs to move faster for us. It's too slow right now,” admitted coach Greg Vanney. “We're integrating players into key areas of the field that used to be, what I would say a well-oiled machine, and now they're just in the rebuilding phase.”

But could they find their groove this weekend? The odds are in their favour! Up next is a home clash against an also-struggling St. Louis side, who have drawn both of their games so far 0-0.

It could take just one moment of magic to see the club find the first win of the season and the Galaxy have enough stars with such abilities to pull them out of their rut.

Will Messi return?

After missing the last two of Inter Miami's matches, questions remain around the status of Lionel Messi. The World Cup winner has not played for the club since Febraury 25, with staff remaining coy over his fitness.

“As for Leo, I follow what the doctors tell me. The doctors told me that he doesn't have any injuries or scars," said manager Javier Mascherano on Messi's status.

"He is fatigued after playing three games in six days. The changes in weather, there have been a lot of situations. And since we want to take care of him and we don't want to make him feel fatigued, we decided to give him rest, knowing the risks we're facing.”

Messi draws the impressive attendance numbers, TV viewership and shirt sales for a reason. So Miami fans and general soccer fans across North America eagerly await his return.

Thankfully, Miami hasn't required his dazzling efforts lately and sit third in the East. One Luis Saurez stepped into the leadership role with three assists and a goal last time out in MLS while Telasco Segovia sits second in the scoring charts (three).

📸 Feature image credit: © Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images