Matchday 33: What to know, how to watch on MLS Season Pass

Jonathan Sigal

It's the second-to-last midweek matchday of the 2023 season!

Matchday 33 contains 14 games on Wednesday evening, all viewable via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and ripe with Audi MLS Cup Playoffs implications. Only the New England Revolution are on a bye.

Instead of deep dives, each blurb contains some nugget of information from reporters who follow teams on the regular. Follow them, support them, engage with them – it goes a long way.

Charlotte FC vs. Philadelphia Union

WATCH: Apple TV - Free | Wednesday, 7:30 pm ET

It's not quite desperation mode for Charlotte, who are three points back of the Eastern Conference's ninth-and-final playoff spot. But with seven games to go and a 1W-3L-8D record since late May, they can't afford many more slip-ups (especially at home).

"This is our World Cup."

Is how Christian Lattanzio described the last seven matches of Charlotte FC's regular season. https://t.co/t4Nh1X8trv
— Caleb Adams (@itscalebadams) September 19, 2023

Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire FC

WATCH: Apple TV - Free | Wednesday, 7:30 pm ET

What sort of response do the Crew have in store? A top-four spot in the Eastern Conference is still within reach.

"The last 20 minutes, the way we conceded goals was poor. Simple as that." - #Crew96 coach Wilfried Nancy https://t.co/Df3eFWQeJw
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) September 17, 2023

D.C. United vs. Atlanta United

WATCH: Apple TV - Free | Wednesday, 7:30 pm ET

Could we see two year-end awards coming Atlanta's way? Giorgos Giakoumakis (14g/2a) is tied for first in the Golden Boot presented by Audi race, while Thiago Almada (9g/15a) is among the Landon Donovan MLS MVP favorites.

Giakoumakis is tied for the lead for the #MLS Golden Boot.
Almada leads in the race for most assists.
One thing working for them: team is playing very well.
One thing working against them: Just 5 games left. Other teams have as many as 7.#ATLUTD will play at D.C. United Wed.
— Doug Roberson (@DougRobersonAJC) September 18, 2023

Inter Miami CF vs. Toronto FC

WATCH: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass | 7:30 pm ET

Will Lionel Messi 1) start for Miami, 2) come off the bench or 3) not be in the gameday squad? Tata Martino, as of Tuesday morning, wasn't divulging much after Messi didn't play in last weekend's loss at Atlanta United.

Messi, Alba update from Tata Martino: “Both players will train in the full session today with the team and after that we’ll see if they’re available to play and to what extent.” He stressed team has 6 games in 18 days, as manager he has tough decisions. @HeraldSports #Messi𓃵
— Michelle Kaufman (@kaufsports) September 19, 2023

CF Montréal vs. FC Cincinnati

WATCH: Apple TV - Free | Wednesday, 7:30 pm ET

The Supporters' Shield is still FC Cincinnati's to lose. But the "single-season points record" discussion point that revved up a few weeks ago? That's less secure. They're on 58 points with seven games to go.

#FCCincy isn’t looking this far ahead but just for fun I will: FCC needs to go 5-0-1 to break the MLS points record (73, New England’s 2021 squad). Seems difficult but here’s the remaining schedule. What do you think? #AllForCincy pic.twitter.com/L5MyP55qkM
— Laurel Pfahler (@LaurelPfahler) September 18, 2023

NYCFC vs. Orlando City SC

WATCH: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass | Wednesday, 7:30 pm ET

Orlando City look set to get striker Duncan McGuire back from injury. After his weekend heroics, Ramiro Enrique (2g/1a) won Player of the Matchday presented by Continental Tire. Who does Oscar Pareja go with from the start? (These lineup selection questions are good problems to have.)

It's a quick turnaround for #OrlandoCity as they train today and travel tomorrow for their Wednesday matchup with NYCFC.

HC Oscar Pareja confirmed that striker Duncan McGuire is back and available for the match as well. pic.twitter.com/ye3UpdpKwN
— Austin David (@AustinDavid22) September 18, 2023

New York Red Bulls vs. Austin FC

WATCH: Apple TV - Free | Wednesday, 7:30 pm ET

Austin FC, now 12th in the West, are winless in seven across all competitions (0W-6L-1D). Can they finally stop the bleeding at New York (13th in the East)?

Josh Wolff opening statement, “Disappointing result. I think it’s a story we have seen before. The domination the first 30 minutes… again if you don’t capitalize with the momentum that you can bring in a game… there’s so many opportunities to take the lead”. #AustinFC pic.twitter.com/dhwVZPQEuh
— Michelle Sánchez (@MichelleS_tv) September 18, 2023

Houston Dynamo FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

WATCH: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass | Wednesday, 8:30 pm ET

Houston, who will notably be without midfielder Coco Carrasquilla (yellow-card suspension), can realistically have a home playoff game (or two). For a club that last qualified for the postseason in 2017, it's been a sensational turnaround season.

Corey Baird on the team’s mindset heading into the final stretch of the season: #HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/Lu3fBQzxER
— Bayou City Soccer (@BayouCitySoccer) September 19, 2023

Sporting Kansas City vs. Nashville SC

WATCH: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass | Wednesday, 8:30 pm ET

If Nashville are to emerge from the Eastern Conference pack, getting DP center back Walker Zimmerman back from injury is a good place to start.

Gary Smith says Walker Zimmerman is fit an available after he missed the last three games heading into the international break. He does say that there are one or two other players dealing with some issues. We’ll get the official injury report shortly.
— Ben Wright (@benwright) September 18, 2023

St. Louis CITY SC vs. LAFC

WATCH: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass | Wednesday, 8:30 pm ET

Their places in the standings won't change after 90 minutes at CITYPARK, but St. Louis (No. 1) hosting LAFC (No. 2) will likely decide who tops the Western Conference. And key figures on both sides know it.

#LAFC Kellyn Acosta on tomorrow's game vs St. Louis City SC, "We gotta treat this game like a final...This is a way where we can be the ones to close the gap. It's an important match for us. It's a six-point game...We have sights on being the winners of the Western Conference."
— Justin Ruderman (@JustinRuderman_) September 19, 2023

Back in March we did not think about nor could even imagine CITY playing a match this late in season with such high stakes on the line.
Wow!
A big match indeed. We need to win all 3 points!#AllForCITY https://t.co/5GXvbvIcxa
— River City Ramble (@RiverCity_show) September 19, 2023

Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders FC

WATCH: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass | Wednesday, 9:30 pm ET

Sometimes availability is the best ability, and Seattle Sounders DP striker Raúl Ruidíaz just can't seem to stay healthy. He's played just over 1,000 minutes this year, going through stops and starts.

Raul Ruidiaz wasn’t training today after suffering a hamstring injury. Schmetzer did not sound optimistic about him playing vs Rapids.
— Jeremiah Oshan (@JeremiahOshan) September 19, 2023

Real Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas

WATCH: Apple TV - Free | Wednesday, 9:30 pm ET

FC Dallas have scored the second-fewest goals (30) in the Western Conference this year and just dropped below the playoff line into 11th place. The good news is they'll have Paul Arriola available for selection; the bad news is Alan Velasco is sidelined.

FC Dallas' injury report ahead of tomorrow's game:

OUT: Alan Velasco (calf), Bernard Kamungo (shoulder), Geovane (knee), Sebastian Lletget (hamstring), Tarik Scott (knee)

Paul Arriola is healthy after leaving last game w/ back spasms.
— Garrett Melcer (@GarrettMelcer) September 19, 2023

LA Galaxy vs. Minnesota United FC

WATCH: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass | Wednesday, 10:30 pm ET

The LA Galaxy aren't out of the West's playoff race just yet, sitting six points back with seven games to play. But getting there with five starters out to long-term injury, amid all the year's off-field drama? That would be remarkable.

Jalen Neal becomes the fifth @LAGalaxy starter to have a season-ending injury after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia. He joins Javier Hernandez, Gaston Brugman, Martin Caceres and Lucas Caligari on the sidelines. He will also miss the next two @USMNT camps.
— Kevin Baxter 🇺🇦🏳️‍🌈 (@kbaxter11) September 19, 2023

Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes

WATCH: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass | Wednesday, 10:30 pm ET

Big week for Portland! They're in fine form (3W-0L-1D) under interim coach Miles Joseph, above the playoff line (ninth place) and can really start climbing the Western Conference table. Or what Sam said.

As has become a September tradition, it feels like the Timbers’ season hinges on this week. They’ve got two winnable six-pointers at home, and a pair of wins is a must.

Anything less, and I think we can start drafting our 2023 season eulogies. #RCTID
— Sam Svilar (@sammich923) September 19, 2023

Jonathan Sigal -

@JonathanSigal

Matchday