Before the Round – Trends on USA MLS (26/03)

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Major League Soccer moves into matchday No 5 this weekend with one full day of action. St Louis City are the surprise MLS leader with 12 points from four matches.

The team is in its first MLS campaign. Meanwhile, Atlanta United have picked up 10 points and are aiming to stay strong.

Charlotte FC - New York Red Bulls

Charlotte FC will host the New York Red Bulls in an Eastern Conference match-up. Charlotte and the Red Bulls have met just three times in all competitions. New York picked up two wins, while Charlotte won once.

New York’s two wins over Charlotte all came at home at the Red Bull Arena. They lost on their only previous trip to Charlotte. The Red Bulls started the season slowly, failing to win their first three games. They picked up a 2-1 win last weekend versus Columbus Crew.

Charlotte are second from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. The Crown lost their opening three fixtures before winning 2-1 at Orlando City last weekend. They were outscored 8-3 in their opening four fixtures.

• Charlotte FC have achieved just 1 wins in their 6 most recent games in Major League Soccer.
• New York Red Bulls have been scoring 0.75 goals on average in their games in Major League Soccer.
• Charlotte FC are reaching an an average of 0.75 goals in Major League Soccer games.
• New York Red Bulls are conceding an average of 0.75 goals in Major League Soccer games.
• Predictions: Both Teams to Score - No

DC United - New England Revolution

An MLS rivalry that stretches back to the birth of the league will feature on Saturday, as DC United host New England Revolution. The Revs dominated the last six matches between the two teams, with five wins and one loss versus DC United.

DC United are struggling once more, which is a yearly issue for the capital club. The Black and Red failed to win nine of their last 10 MLS games. After opening the season with a shock win over Toronto, 3-2, DC United failed to win the following three matches.

New England Revolution are second in the Eastern Conference with nine points from 12 on offer. The Revs defeated Nashville 1-0 a week ago. New England’s matches have been low scoring with just five goals scored and four conceded in four matches.

• DC United's form hasn't been good, as the team has won only 3 of their last 22 matches (Major League Soccer).
• New England Revolution are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 encounters with DC United in Major League Soccer.
• We have seen DC United concede 1+ goals in their last 8 matches in Major League Soccer.
• New England Revolution are in an unfortunate period, having won just 1 of their last 7 away matches in Major League Soccer.
• Prediction: New England Revolution

Sporting Kansas City - Seattle Sounders FC

Sporting Kansas City will host Seattle Sounders in an MLS Western Conference fixture. Sporting posted four wins from the last six games between these teams. The Sky Blues picked up a 1-0 victory over the Sounders last season at home.

Seattle are third in the Western Conference standings with seven points out of 12 points on offer. After starting the season with back-to-back wins, Seattle went winless in their two most recent fixtures.

Sporting KC have been dreadful this season, claiming two points from four games. The attack has been pathetic with a mere one goal from four matches. The defence conceded three times across their opening four games. Sporting are a defensive team with little in attack.

• Sporting Kansas City are unbeaten in their last 7 home Major League Soccer games.
• We have seen 5 consecutive away defeats in the most recent games in Major League Soccer of Seattle Sounders.
• In their 6 most recent matches of Major League Soccer, Sporting Kansas City have achieved just 1 wins.
• Seattle Sounders have managed just 1 wins in their last 12 away league games.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Houston Dynamo - New York City FC

New York City FC went unbeaten in four of their last five matches against Houston Dynamo. Both teams have started the 2023 season decently and they will fancy their chances of making the playoffs after the marathon campaign.

Houston played just three times to start the season, picking up three points from nine on offer. The Western Conference is weaker than the Eastern Conference, which means the Dynamo may not need many points to finish in the top nine. Nine teams will make the playoffs from each conference.

New York City FC took seven points from their opening four matches. City are unbeaten in three straight games, posting back-to-back wins. New York City are not scoring many goals, as just five were tallied in their opening four fixtures.

• Houston Dynamo are conceding an average of 1.67 goals in their games (Major League Soccer).
• A poor streak of 8 away matches in Major League Soccer where they have conceded at least 1 goal marks New York City FC's recent performance.
• Houston Dynamo reach an average of 2.00 goals scored in their home games (Major League Soccer).
• New York City FC have conceded an average of 1.50 goals in their away Major League Soccer matches.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score