The MLS Cup Playoffs 2025 continues with a triple header of knockout action on Saturday night when three more first round ties conclude on what looks like being a wonderful evening of football over in the American competition.
All three matches will have full coverage via the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and with no games overlapping there is no reason not to sit back and watch almost six hours of football. Bookmaker live streams will show the games too.
Minnesota United vs Seattle Sounders (21.00)
We actually begin the night in the Western Conference for once as the tie between the fourth and fifth seeds conclude inside Allianz Field when Minnesota United look to convert their opening game win into a series win when they host a Seattle Sounders side who carry all of the momentum in their favour now.
That is because Seattle went back to Lumen Field for game two on Monday night and came out with a 4-2 win. You could very easily make a case for the Sounders having had the better of the opening game which they dropped in a penalty shootout so there is enough to like about Seattle. The big problem Minnesota have is the lack of an out and out number nine so they are left relying on set pieces or a piece of individual brilliance, or another penalty shootout. This felt like a bad tie for Minnesota with their available personnel going into proceedings and it doesn’t look any better for them here either. I think the visitors are the ones to be on here but get some draw cover where possible because Minnesota are probably going to sit in and look to be tough to break down.
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FC Cincinnati vs Columbus Crew (23.00)
The middle match of the three on Saturday night comes from TQL Stadium where the ‘Hell is Real’ derby tie concludes as FC Cincinnati look to bounce back from a game two thrashing when they host their rivals Columbus Crew in a standout clash.
Cincinnati drew first blood in the tie when they edged the opening game in a match they were value for better than a 1-0 win in but then they were walloped in the second one, losing 4-0 to a rampant Crew side who were helped by a first half red card for Cincinnati. That dismissal probably led to Cincinnati subconsciously saving themselves for a game three and it will be interesting to see if they have it within themselves to rebound from what was a heavy beating. The better question might be what Columbus Crew have to give in this match. They weren’t great in the opening game so did they work something out in the second one or was it all about being a man up for so long? We’ll only really know once this one begins. My hunch is that Cincinnati will win this but I’m not one to back a side off a 4-0 hiding, especially against a team like Columbus who need no extra motivation here but who might just have it given that their next defeat will see the end of the career of the legendary Darlington Nagbe. This is an easy one to watch without a betting interest as it should be an absolute barnstormer.
Inter Miami vs Nashville SC (01.00)
The final match of a tasty triple header of action on Saturday night takes us to Florida where Inter Miami will look to make progress from their tie when they host a Nashville SC side who have all the hallmarks to be a dangerous proposition.
Nashville never really turned up in the opening game of the series, choosing to employ tactics which were far too defensive and totally against what gave Inter Miami a real scare on Decision Day the previous week. They rectified that last week to dominate the second game and take the tie to a deciding match where surely they will look to be more positive than they were when they were here two weeks ago. Miami have the quality to take care of anyone whether you have a go at them or you don’t so you might as well go down fighting. This will be a Miami side without Luis Suarez who is suspended and that might be a massive factor. I’m not sure Nashville win this match but I certainly expect them to be competitive. Miami have some history to battle against because they were dumped out in a third game last year and with the energy that Nashville have on the break and the quality certain players have on the ball I think the +1 Asian line is a little on the high side.
Tips
Back Seattle Sounders (-0.25AH) to beat Minnesota United for a 3/10 stake at 1.98 with Bet365
Back Nashville SC (+1AH) to beat Inter Miami for a 3/10 stake at 1.85 with Bet365
