Sports

MLS Predictions: Matchday 15 As Final Send-Off Before 2026 FIFA World Cup

By Ben Steiner Sports Illustrated

Updated May 22, 2026 9:09 PM

Enjoy MLS this weekend, folks, because you won't see it again until mid-July. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to take over the global soccer landscape over the next month.

While many leagues won't resume until after a country lifts the World Cup trophy in New Jersey on July 19, MLS will return to play a little earlier, with six games scheduled between the semifinals and finals with hopes of capturing soccer's heightened fandom.

First, though, MLS sides must forge through Matchday 15, earning a final result before they head for the couch for a restful break or to soccer's greatest stage.

Here's what Sports Illustrated predicts for the 15th matchday of MLS in 2026.

St. Louis CITY SC vs. Austin FC

Marcel Hartel scored a brace against the Houston Dynamo midweek. | Joe Puetz-Imagn Images

Date: Saturday, May23
Time: 2:45 p.m. ET / 11:40 a.m. PT

St. Louis CITY SC have not had the perfect MLS season with just three wins to this point, but have their eyes on a trophy after advancing to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals midweek, knocking out the Houston Dynamo on penalties. While that's no doubt a focus, riding that new momentum to claim points against Austin FC at home could put them in a solid position to stay on the edge of playoff contention in the fall.

Austin FC, meanwhile, hit the road after parting ways with manager Nico Estévez and sporting director Rodolfo Borrell, with veteran manager Davy Arnaud tipped as the interim voice. With new leadership on the way, it's the start of a new era for Los Verdes.

Prediction: St. Louis CITY SC 2–0 Austin FC

Minnesota United vs. Real Salt Lake

Zavier Gozo could be playing a World Cup send-off game this weekend. | Shaun Clark/Getty Images

Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT

Two of the borderline contending teams in the Western Conference go head-to-head this weekend, with Minnesota United already beginning their post-James Rodríguez era, looking for a result against a Real Salt Lake unit that hopes to see both Zavier Gozo and Diego Luna representing the USMNT at the World Cup.

Will either of the midfielders stand out in the final push for the squad, set to be unveiled on Tuesday?

Prediction: Minnesota United 1–4 Real Salt Lake

Charlotte FC vs. New England Revolution

Wilfried Zaha won't get the chance to play at the World Cup this summer. | Edward Finan-Imagn Images

Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Wilfried Zaha missed out on the 2026 World Cup and will no doubt be frustrated about that reality as he takes to the pitch for the final game of the spring with Charlotte FC, looking to secure a victory alongside Pep Biel and Idan Toklomati.

On the other side, the Revolution looks for better road form after a stupendous start to the season at home, with goalkeeper Matt Turner set to put on one more performance before the USMNT World Cup squad unveiling.

Prediction: Charlotte FC 1–1 New England Revolution

FC Cincinnati vs. Orlando City

Marco Pašalić will represent Croatia at the upcoming World Cup. | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

Orlando City are riding a high coming into this weekend, after thrashing Atlanta United 4–1 midweek to advance to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. While they can taste victory in that competition, finding any ground in MLS play remains a challenge.

This weekend will be a big one for Marco Pašalić and Maxime Crépeau, both looking to find form ahead of representing their respective nations, Croatia and Canada, at the World Cup. FC Cincinnati, meanwhile, hopes to allow fewer than two goals for the first time in three games.

Prediction: FC Cincinnati 3–4 Orlando City

D.C. United vs. CF Montréal

Prince Owusu enjoyed a standout start to the season with CF Montréal. | David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

CF Montréal has been a surprising team this season. While the managerial era of Marco Donadel ended early, they have had a boost under interim boss Philippe Eullaffroy and now sit on four wins after 13 games heading into this weekend. Prince Owusu, Matty Longstaff and Daniel Ríos have been good, but can they find a win on the road against an in-form Louis Munteanu and D.C. United?

Prediction: D.C. United 2–2 CF Montréal

Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC

Hugo Cuypers has scored in each of his last 10 MLS games with the Chicago Fire. | Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images

Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

The injury bug has been a tough blow for Toronto FC, missing both Djordje Mihailovic and Josh Sargent in a group of 12 players that were sidelined in last week's loss to Charlotte FC.

The World Cup break couldn't come at a better time for the Reds, but they will hope to secure a send-off road win this weekend against a stingy Chicago Fire side, headlined by Hugo Cuypers's 10-game goal streak.

Prediction: Chicago Fire 3–1 Toronto FC

Sporting Kansas City vs. Red Bull New York

Dejan Joveljić helped Sporting Kansas City to a second win of 2026 on Wednesday. | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Sporting Kansas City and the Philadelphia Union are battling for the possibility of having the worst MLS season in MLS history in 2026, but a win for SKC this weekend against Red Bull New York would help them push further from that possibility.

Dejan Joveljić remains largely the lone hope for SKC, as they look to ride home advantage against Julian Hall, Adri Mahmeti and a youthful, but inconsistent Red Bull New York.

Prediction: Sporting Kansas City 1–3 Red Bull New York

Nashville SC vs. New York City FC

Hany Mukhtar scored two free-kicks in a win over LAFC last weekend. | Alan Poizner-Imagn Images

Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT

Former USMNT interim manager B.J. Callaghan has his Nashville SC side playing with immense commitment to style and form, regardless of which players are available. Still likely without Sam Surridge, Edvard Tagseth and Patrick Yazbek this weekend, hopes rely on far more than just the recent standout play from Hany Mukhtar and Cristian Espinoza.

Taking on USMNT World Cup hopeful Matt Freese and a Maxi Moralez-less New York City FC this weekend shouldn't be any cause for concern.

Prediction: Nashville SC 3–0 New York City FC

Colorado Rapids vs. FC Dallas

FC Dallas striker Sam Sarver has become a viral sensation across the sports world. | John Hefti-Imagn Images

Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

FC Dallas is the most viral team in MLS right now, thanks to Sam Sarver's antics, having scored three goals in his last four games, all after the 80th minute, including last week's beer-chugging celebration in a 3–2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

This weekend sees Dallas back on the road, looking to take down a Colorado Rapids side that beat the Earthquakes 2–0 in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals earlier in the week, setting up a semifinal clash against St. Louis.

Prediction: Colorado Rapids 2–2 FC Dallas

Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes

Dániel and the San Jose Earthquakes have fallen on hard times over the last two weeks. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

The season started off so well for the San Jose Earthquakes, but injuries to key players have seen Bruce Arena's team fall on hard times. They've given up two goals in the final five minutes for back-to-back MLS losses and were eliminated in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals against Colorado this week.

Hitting the road against an in-form Kristoffer Velde, James Pantemis and the Portland Timbers won't be easy, but a win is critical to keep pace in the Supporters' Shield race.

Prediction: Portland Timbers 1–2 San Jose Earthquakes

San Diego FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Marcus Ingvartsen has enjoyed immense form in the first part of the 2026 season with San Diego FC. | Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images

Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

The Vancouver Whitecaps sit atop the Western Conference table and will look to find their way back atop the Supporters' Shield standings this weekend, but face a tough task in a visit to San Diego FC. The Canadian side will be without key World Cup-bound midfielder Andrés Cubas due to yellow card accumulation and starting goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka due to a red card in last week's 1–0 loss to the Houston Dynamo.

While San Diego doesn't present the same challenge they did in 2025, they should be favored to pick up all three points at home, led by Marcus Ingvartsen's 11 goals.

Prediction: San Diego FC 2–1 Vancouver Whitecaps

LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo

Marco Reus is enjoying a spell of good form with the LA Galaxy. | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT

The LA Galaxy are the definition of inconsistent. Through the last 10 games, they have not had the same result (win, loss or draw) back-to-back, meaning this week probably won't see them capture a second-straight victory after beating Seattle Sounders last weekend.

Nevertheless, Marco Reus is in form and they will hope to ride the power of the home crowd against the Houston Dynamo, also enjoying a standout spell after beating the Whitecaps last week.

Prediction: LA Galaxy 1–1 Houston Dynamo

Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United

Max Arfsten hopes this weekend's match is a World Cup send-off for his USMNT hopes. | Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Date: Sunday, May 24
Time: 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT

Columbus Crew enters a new era under the interim lead of Laurent Courtois this weekend, after the club parted ways with manager Henrik Rydström after just 14 games on Monday. While injuries have beset some of the club's key players, there is hope that a new coach bump could bring the team back to the edge of MLS Cup playoff contention.

This weekend, they're at home against an Atlanta United side that fell 4–1 to Orlando City in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals midweek.

Prediction: Columbus Crew 1–1 Atlanta United

Inter Miami vs. Philadelphia Union

Lionel Messi is back to MVP form with Inter Miami. | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Date: Sunday, May 24
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT

Inter Miami picked up a critical first win at Nu Stadium last weekend with a 2–0 victory over the Portland Timbers, but played in front of a silent crowd for most of the night due to a fan protest, with supporters frustrated with the team's lack of appreciation for the fans. This week, instead of on-pitch focus, has been dominated by stories of club leadership meeting with supporters and by the clash between Inter Miami fans and those who only follow Lionel Messi and the stars across the roster.

With links to Manchester United's Casemiro heating up and the pressure of keeping several players healthy for the World Cup, it's clear this weekend's match does not headline the list of priorities. Still, the World Cup-bound talents will want to head to the tournament in strong form, and it won't take much against a Philadelphia Union side on pace for the worst season in MLS history.

Prediction: Inter Miami 5–0 Philadelphia Union

LAFC vs. Seattle Sounders

Son Heung-Min has not scored an MLS goal this season. | Alan Poizner-Imagn Images

Date: Sunday, May 25
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT

The schedule makers saved the biggest match of the weekend for last, with LAFC hosting the Seattle Sounders as both teams look to make up ground in the race for the top of the Western Conference and Supporters' Shield.

Yet, neither side is in particularly good form, with the Sounders boasting one win from the last four games and LAFC struggling with fixture congestion, now with a single win in their last eight MLS contests.

Prediction: LAFC 2–2 Seattle Sounders