The calendar is turning to July and the summer of soccer continues with a full month of MLS action in store.
There are plenty of great games to look forward to as the playoff chase starts to heat up, and MLS LIVE will be the place to catch them. Here are five of the best matches in July that you'll be able to stream on MLS LIVE:
Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers |
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July 4 - 9:00 pm ET — <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/match/2016-07-04-COL-v-POR/2278" target="_blank">live.mlssoccer.com</a> |
The Rapids currently sit at the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings and enter Monday’s game having won seven of their eight home games. They are also adding US national team legend <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/tim-howard">Tim Howard</a> in between the pipes for a team that has conceded by far the fewest goals of any team in MLS. The Timbers will be coming into the game on a five-game unbeaten run (3-0-2) and with <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/diego-valeri">Diego Valeri</a> in tow. The 2013 Newcomer of the Year leads the league in chances created with 68, six more than <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/sacha-kljestan">Sacha Kljestan</a> and 20 more than <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/lee-nguyen">Lee Nguyen</a>, who sits in third. |
<strong>Blackouts:</strong> Altitude broadcast region (COL) and ROOT Sports NW broadcast region (POR) |
New England Revolution vs. Columbus Crew SC |
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July 9 - 7:30 pm ET — <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/match/2016-07-09-NE-v-CLB/2287" target="_blank">live.mlssoccer.com</a> |
These teams have made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, including a Conference Semifinal match-up in 2014 that saw the Revolution advance, but right now they are struggling. Both sit below the red line and will need to make a run in the second half of the season if they hope to make the playoffs. The two teams also happened to make the most <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/05/12/columbus-crew-sc-ship-forward-kei-kamara-new-england-revolution">high-profile trade</a> of the season as <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kei-kamara">Kei Kamara</a> swapped Crew SC yellow for Revolution blue back in May after a falling-out in Columbus. This will be Kamara’s first chance to score on his former employers. |
<strong>Blackout:</strong> none |
New York Red Bulls vs. Orlando City SC |
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July 13 - 7:30 PM ET — <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/match/2016-07-13-NY-v-ORL/2293" target="_blank">live.mlssoccer.com</a> |
The last time Orlando City SC visited Red Bull Arena, the <a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-04-24-new-york-red-bulls-vs-orlando-city-sc/recap">game ended 3-2 in an absolute thriller</a> with the Red Bulls taking 26 shots against an Orlando City defense that did not include <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/aurelien-collin">Aurelien Collin</a>. Collin was then traded to the Red Bulls just five days later and they have conceded just five goals in his six starts. Orlando City are currently riding a five-game unbeaten run (2-0-3) and will be coming to New York with <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/cyle-larin">Cyle Larin</a>, who has scored eight goals in five games in the Big Apple. |
<strong>Blackout:</strong> MSG broadcast region (NY) |
Montreal Impact vs. Philadelphia Union |
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July 23 - 7:30 PM ET — <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/match/2016-07-23-MTL-v-PHI/2310" target="_blank">live.mlssoccer.com</a> |
It’ll be battle of two of the top teams in the East as the Union head north of the border looking to improve their road record, which sits at 1-4-3 heading into July. Montreal <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/06/28/didier-drogbas-impact-montreal-not-what-you-might-expect">have actually struggled</a> with <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/didier-drogba">Didier Drogba</a> and by this time, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/laurent-ciman">Laurent Ciman</a> will have been re-insterted and re-integrated into the starting XI. The two teams <a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-05-14-montreal-impact-vs-philadelphia-union/recap">drew 1-1</a> on May 14 at Stade Saputo but <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/06/16/union-parts-ways-vincent-nogueira-midfielder-return-france">the now-departed Vincent Nogueira</a> was in the lineup that day for the Union. Could we finally see the return of <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/maurice-edu">Maurice Edu</a> just before the AT&T MLS All-Star Game? |
<strong>Blackout:</strong> none |
FC Dallas vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
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July 31 - 6:00 PM ET — <a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/match/2016-07-31-DAL-v-VAN/2324" target="_blank">live.mlssoccer.com</a> |
Coming out of the All-Star Game, two teams who have gotten very familiar with each other over the past couple of seasons will meet at Toyota Stadium. Both teams look on their way to making the playoffs yet again and they could meet in those playoffs for the second time in the last three seasons, after Dallas defeated Vancouver in the Knockout Round in 2014. The two teams met earlier this year at BC Place with Vancouver beating up Dallas <a href="//matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-04-23-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-fc-dallas/recap">to the tune of 3-0</a> thanks to goals by <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jordan-harvey">Jordan Harvey</a>, <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kekuta-manneh">Kekuta Manneh</a> and an own goal by <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/maynor-figueroa">Maynor Figueroa</a>. |
<strong>Blackout:</strong> Canada |
