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LAFC and NYCFC desperate to kickstart their seasons after inconsistent openings

Diego Rossi LAFC May21

Rossi looking to retain Golden Boot but has ground to make up on Ruidiaz.

Two of the MLS favourites go head-to-head this weekend as LAFC host NYCFC. Saturday's game at Banc of California Stadium gives both teams a golden chance to charge up the table.
The sides are 2-2-2 so far this season, with NYCFC having scored 11 goals and LAFC seven.

With Carlos Vela sidelined for most of the season, Diego Rossi leads the way for LAFC with three goals. He has missed two games, but last year's Golden Boot winner has kept scoring. The Black and Gold sit in ninth place in the Western Conference with eight points from six games.

NYCFC are led in scoring by Valentin Castellanos and Jesus Medina, who have each netted four times in the campaign. Castellanos, who has two assists, has scored in four straight contests. The Pigeons are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with eight points from six games.

Their last two meetings, in 2018 and 2019, both ended in 2-2 draws.

According to Paddy Power, another draw checks in at 3/1, while LAFC are 3/4 and NYCFC are 3/1.

Nani's Orlando City look to preserve unbeaten record

Nani and Orlando City SC are one of three remaining unbeaten teams in MLS. They join Seattle Sounders and Nashville SC as the only teams without a blemish. This weekend the Lions head north-east to take on 10th-placed New York Red Bulls.

The Lions are in second place in the East with a game in hand on New England.

They have three wins and three draws and have outscored opponents 7-2.

Nani has three goals including this spectacular effort, while Chris Mueller has two assists.

Red Bulls are one of two East teams without a draw, having registered two wins and four losses from their six games.
Caden Clark leads the RBNY scoring charts with three goals, while Fabio has four assists.

Last season Orlando City beat the Red Bulls 3-1, and the teams also played out a 1-1 draw. This time around, a draw is 12/5 according to Paddy Power, with hosts Red Bulls at 5/4 and Orlando City at 12/5.

Soaring Sounders face rookies Austin for first time

The best record in MLS belongs to Seattle Sounders FC who boast 17 points from seven games and lead the league in wins (5) and goals scored (14).

The Sounders, who haven't struggled without injured stars Jordan Morris and Nico Lodeiro, welcome debutants Austin FC to Lumen Field on Sunday.

The expansion side has two wins and four losses from their opening six games.
Raul Ruidiaz is in MVP form with six goals in seven games, while defender Brad Smith has scored three times. Young Joao Paulo has three assists.

Claudio Reyna and Josh Wolff have built a competitive side in Austin FC, despite the newcomers not being able to play a home game until early July.

Cecilio Dominguez and Diego Fagundez lead the way with two goals each, while Jared Stroud has a pair of assists.

Paddy Power has Seattle as 4/7 favourites, with Austin FC at 16/5 and a draw at 4/1.

Ruidiaz leads the betting to win the Golden Boot at 9/2, while the Sounders are 5/1 favourites to lift the 2021 MLS Cup.

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