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Jacob Schneider

The Kickoff, MLS Matchday 8: LAFC try to regain rhythm, Columbus and Miami look to remain unbeaten, Sporting KC seek identity

GOAL takes a look at key storylines around the league heading into Matchday 8 of the MLS season

Week eight of the MLS season is here, already two months into the campaign. A new leader sits atop the Supporters' Shield, with the Vancouver Whitecaps taking over table after Inter Miami dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC. Meanwhile, just three points separate first through ninth across, as a clear hierarchy begins to emerge.

Just two unbeatens remain, the Columbus Crew and Miami, and this weekend both are faced with stiff tests. In the Western Conference, the reigning conference champions LAFC are looking to dig themselves out of a slump. They crashed out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup midweek and have lost three of their last four regular season matches.

On Sunday Night Soccer, Sporting Kansas City will look to build on their momentum after winning their first match of the season.

GOAL dives into all that and more in The Kickoff, a weekly preview of each MLS Matchday.

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  • Los Angeles Football Club v New York City FCGetty Images Sport

    LAFC losing its luster

    The Black and Gold have had an incredibly tough start to the season. Lionel Messi's Miami knocked them out of the CONCACAF Champions Cup over two legs by a 3-2 aggregate score, they've lost two straight in the regular season and have recorded just one MLS victory since March 1.

    Olivier Giroud, meanwhile, has yet to score an MLS goal since his mid-summer arrival in 2024, and star winger Denis Bouanga has yet to record a goal-contribution this season.

    This weekend, they host Bruce Arena's San Jose Earthquakes in a Southern California clash. The Earthquakes are coming off of a monumental 6-1 victory over D.C. United. Can LAFC find their footing, and can coach Steve Cherundolo turn the season around?

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  • Wilfried NancyUSA Today

    Columbus, Miami to be tested

    Only two remain - and it should come as no surprise at all that it's Columbus and Miami. The two best MLS teams across the regular season in 2024 are both unbeaten in 2025.

    Wilfried Nancy is an incredible manager, and the Herons boast MLS' most talented roster - of course, highlighted by Messi, who reportedly is about to extend his stay in Miami for another season.

    This weekend, though, both face strong tests.

    Messi and Co. clash with Gregg Berhalter's Chicago Fire, a squad that had an incredibly hot start to the season, but are winless in their last two matches. The Fire will be looking to bounce back in front of their home fans, while cold weather at soldier Field could lead to a hiccup from the South Beach club.

    The Crew, meanwhile, travel to St. Louis as they clash with one of MLS' most resilient defenses. What CITY lack in attack - which is a lot - they surely make up for with their back line. The question then, is if Nancy's squad can break it down.

  • Dejan Joveljic Sporting Kansas City 2025Imagn

    Sporting's restart

    The Peter Vermes era is over, and SKC are looking to reinvent themselves. After a victory last weekend over rivals CITY, they'll look to capitalize on momentum in yet another Western Conference clash - this time with Phil Neville's Portland Timbers.

    Sporting will host, with the match available for a national audience. Dejan Joveljic finally had a breakout performance against CITY after his $4M offseason transfer, bagging a brace, and now there will be hope that he can replicate similar performances going forward.

    New Designated Player Manu Garcia is still looking for his moment. The Spaniard has impressed at times, but has yet to announce himself to MLS - could that happen this weekend?
    Portland, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last four matches and have just two losses. Can Neville secure three points on the road to continue their fantastic start?

  • Sporting Kansas City v San Jose EarthquakesGetty Images Sport

    What's trending?

    + Messi enters the 30th game of his MLS career looking to join the 25-goals-in-30-matches club. Only former Chicago Fire striker Stern John has done that, but with a goal on Sunday, the Argentine would join him.

    + With a multi-goal showing against LAFC on Saturday, San Jose striker Josef Martinez would pass club legend Chris Wondolowski, with both sitting at 25 goals. They only trail Landon Donovan, who had 32.

    + Odds and predictions for key MLS games this weekend.