GOAL takes a look at some of the major MLS storylines emerging ahead of Matchday 19

Why MLS continues to operate through major international tournaments, while most other leagues pause, remains a persistent and puzzling question. Yet here we are, approaching Matchday 19, and once again, teams across the league are forced to cope with depleted rosters.

Regardless, there are some absolutely scintilating matches on the cards ahead of us, and fans should rightfully be excited for the weekend ahead: the start of the FIFA Club World Cup, the beginning of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and a truly fantastic set of MLS games on the cards.

At the CWC, Inter Miami kick things off on Saturday as they host Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, the Seattle Sounders go up against Botafogo Sunday, while LAFC take the pitch on Monday against Chelsea to wrap up the first set of matches for MLS teams. The USMNT Gold Cup roster, which features 15 MLS players, kicks off action on Sunday as well against Trinidad and Tobago – the island nation that prevented them from qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Domestically, three phenomenal matches are on the cards, as well.

In the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia Union host Charlotte FC, while in the West, Minnesota United host San Diego FC, as we see four of the league's best teams to begin 2025 take to the pitch. In a cross-conference showdown, MLS fans will be treated to what might potentially be an MLS Cup preview as the Vancouver Whitecaps host the Columbus Crew.

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

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The Whitecaps are set to be shorthanded here in this one, with all five of Samuel Adekugbe, Ali Ahmed, Jayden Nelson, Sebastian Berhalter, and Brian White all on international duty for the Gold Cup. The Crew, meanwhile, are down Max Arfsten – who is with the USMNT – and goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen, who is with Guatemala. With Patrick Schulte also injured, Columbus will be down to their third-string goalkeeper for the match, with a starter yet to be named by Wilfried Nancy for the match.

A blockbuster clash is on the horizon, but both sides are dealing with key absences – the Whitecaps are depleted by international call-ups, while the Crew face a major challenge between the posts with a thinned goalkeeper corps. Even so, there's no shortage of talent on display, and this one has the makings of a thrilling contest.

The Crew, led by 2025 MLS MVP candidate Diego Rossi, is looking to bounce back after a rather rough stretch of matches during May. Heading into the match, after a stellar first three months of the season, they're winless in six and desperately need three points.

Vancouver, meanwhile, still remains atop the Supporters' Shield standings and is coming off a fantastic victory over the Seattle Sounders. Can that momentum continue, even with their roster being shredded due to call-ups, or will Nancy's Crew seize the moment?

AdvertisementGetty Images SportThe best in the West

A battle between No. 2 and No. 3, both of whom are level on 30 points, awaits us in the West.

The host San Diego FC in arguably the most anticipated match of the weekend. This one is set to be an electric affair; two elite teams in the conference are going head-to-head to determine who sits second come the end of the Matchday.

Minnesota has just three losses on the season and is on a four-match unbeaten streak, while SDFC has found results in six of their last seven – surging their way up the table in recent weeks. A battle between young managers, too, Minnesota's Eric Ramsay, 33, will battle Mikey Varas, 42, on the touchline.

Both teams are set to be shorthanded, with the missing star striker Tani Oluwaseyi and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair to Canada duty, and midfielders Joseph Rosales and Carlos Harvey to the Gold Cup, too. SDFC, meanwhile, is missing star attacker Chucky Lozano – who misses out due to injury, after being pulled from Mexico's roster for the competition. Midfielder Luca De La Torre is with the USMNT, while veteran midfielder Anibal Godoy is absent due to the Gold Cup as well.

Neither team will be at their best, but with both in elite form, who comes out on top? This could be crucial in the battle for the best of the West.

Getty Images SportZaha's fighting spirit, Philadelphia's resilience

In the East, first-place Philly hosts eighth-place Charlotte, but just nine points separate the two sides ahead of their first meeting this season. It's a star-studded affair, as the Union and MLS goal-leading striker Tai Baribo look to best Wilfried Zaha and CLT, who are looking to turn things around after a rough go of it during late April into May.

With recent wins over the Crew and Toronto FC, Dean Smith's side will look to pull off a stunning result on the road, spearheaded by the Ivorian winger and Spanish forward Pep Biel – who will look to pick up things in the attack due to the absence of USMNT forward Patrick Agyemang. Along with the former UConn striker, defender Tim Ream is also missing from CLT, with the veteran being called up for the Stars and Stripes as well.

Philly, meanwhile, is without defender Nathaniel Harriel and winger Quinn Sullivan, goalkeeper Andre Blake, and midfielder Danley Jean Jacques – all of whom will be at the Gold Cup as well.

The Union are nine games unbeaten at the moment, and look like an unstoppable force in the East, but with CLT having an upper hand due to their numerous absences, can Zaha and Co. take advantage of the moment? A big storyline could evolve if they happen to do so, while Philly, meanwhile, could prove their resilience by securing a result while shorthanded.

Getty Images SportWhat's trending?

+ With a win or a draw against Charlotte, Philly would extend its unbeaten run to a club-record 10 matches.

+ With a result against Austin FC Saturday, RBNY forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting would become the fifth player in club history to score at least 11 goals in their debut season with the club. He'd join the ranks of Juan Pablo Angel, Adolfo Valencia, Giovanni Savarese, and Alex Comas.

+ With a win or a draw against the Crew on Saturday, the Whitecaps would become the fifth team in MLS history to have one or fewer losses through their first 17 games of the season. The Whitecaps are currently 11 unbeaten.