Crew, San Diego, and St. Louis Take Center Stage on MLS Matchday 20

MLS returns in full force on Wednesday night as Matchday 20 marks the resumption of regular season play following the Club World Cup and Gold Cup break. As highlighted by MLSsoccer.com, the evening features key matchups that could reshape the playoff picture.

In the East, Columbus Crew host Atlanta United at Lower.com Field. Wilfried Nancy’s side snapped a six-game winless run by defeating Vancouver and will now aim to climb from fourth place. Diego Rossi (9g/3a) and newcomer Ibrahim Aliyu lead the attack, while Atlanta hope to bounce back from a 4-0 loss to NYCFC, their second straight road defeat.

Elsewhere, St. Louis CITY welcome Orlando City in a match between two attack-minded teams. Under interim manager David Critchley, CITY have scored six goals in three games—more than half of what they managed in 15 previous outings under Olof Mellberg. João Klauss, fresh off a hat trick, leads the charge. Orlando counters with Martín Ojeda (9g/5a), though they’ll miss Alex Freeman, who’s on Gold Cup duty.

Out West, Vancouver face San Diego FC in a first-place clash. Despite injuries and international absences, the Whitecaps remain top of the table but are under pressure after falling to Columbus. San Diego, the surprise expansion team, trail by just one point and come off a 4-2 win over Minnesota, led by MLS standout Anders Dreyer (8g/9a).