MLS PREVIEW 19 Aug 2026: Messi and Inter Miami head to Philadelphia on a stacked MLS night

Philadelphia host Inter Miami at Subaru Park in the pick of Wednesday's 15-game MLS card, with our model giving Inter Miami a 39% chance of victory despite the trip. Lionel Messi has scored 12 goals and set up eight more for Inter Miami this season, the leading marks on either side, while Milan Iloski has top-scored for the Union with 10. Both teams arrive off contrasting results: Philadelphia won 3-2 away at NYCFC last time out, with Cavan Sullivan supplying two assists, while Nashville beat Inter Miami 4-1. Inter Miami will also be without Santiago Morales, sidelined by a quad injury.

Six more games kick off in the same early window. Columbus host CF Montréal with the model favouring the home side at 55%. D.C. United welcome New England to Audi Field as close to a pick'em as the card offers, with the model giving the hosts just 44%. Cincinnati host NYCFC, who arrive at TQL Stadium on shorter rest than their hosts; the model makes it 50-50. New York Red Bulls take on Nashville at Sports Illustrated Stadium, with the model actually favouring the travelling Nashville side at 47%. Orlando host Chicago with the model again leaning to the visitors, Chicago at 41%. Toronto and Charlotte meet at BMO Field, the model giving the home side 41%.

In the next wave, Sporting KC host St Louis City with the model favouring the visitors at 51%, and Minnesota welcome Atlanta to Allianz Field with the model backing the hosts at 54%.

Later kick-offs bring Colorado against LAFC, with the model giving the home side 41%; Real Salt Lake hosting Dallas at America First Field, the model favouring the hosts at 42%; and Seattle against Austin at Lumen Field, where the model gives the home side 56%.

The night closes with three fixtures. LA Galaxy host San Jose at Dignity Health Sports Park with the model actually favouring the visitors, San Jose at 40%. Portland take on San Diego at Providence Park in a game the model rates almost even, Portland at 49%. And Vancouver host Houston at BC Place, with the model favouring the home side at 57% despite Vancouver playing on the shorter rest of the two.