What to watch for Saturday: Columbus eye Supporters' Shield bump, Rocky Mountain Cup clash and more

Starting with an afternoon clash and carrying through another Rocky Mountain special, there are eight MLS matches to look forward to Saturday. Here's your snapshot version of what to watch for:

D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls

7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada (Local TV)

While it's been a sluggish season offensively for D.C. United, the Black-and-Red have posted back-to-back shutouts while dealing with several key injuries. Some D.C. players would like to see that defensive approach change, though it helped them get a 1-0 win at Red Bull Arena back on Sept. 2. That result was the final nail in the managerial coffin of now-former RBNY boss Chris Armas.  

New York City FC vs. FC Cincinnati

7 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada (Local TV)

NYCFC are four games unbeaten, though settled for a 0-0 draw last weekend against a D.C. United team that failed to record a single shot of any kind. Playing FC Cincinnati could offer as close to a do-over as one could imagine; Jaap Stam's team is scoreless in their last 484 minutes of league action.

Orlando City SC vs. Inter Miami CF

7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada (Local TV)

Miami are the only team to beat Orlando in their last eight league matches, as Julian Carranza's brace and Rodolfo Pizarro's match-winner fueled Miami's first-ever win back on Aug. 22. Blaise Matuidi will likely get his first taste of the all-Florida derby as he awaits the impending signing of former Juventus teammate Gonzalo Higuain. 

Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution

7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada (Local TV)

As the Revs continue to search for solutions after the extended absence of playmaker Carles Gil, could Lee Nguyen make his debut? The club legend was recently acquired via trade from Inter Miami and has unfinished business. Meanwhile, Philadelphia can vault past Toronto into the East's second spot with their fourth win in five games.

Nashville SC vs. Atlanta United

8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada (Local TV)

Atlanta have two wins in two matches against Nashville, but the expansion side's confident in assembling a modest three-match unbeaten run of their own. They also have striker reinforcements coming in the form of Benfica loanee Jhonder Cadiz.

FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo

8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada (Local TV)

This encounter finished goalless when these Texas rivals previously met at the beginning of Phase 1. But there's a focus on Portuguese first-division side Boavista FC, as FC Dallas Homegrown defender Reggie Cannon recently joined them via transfer. Is Dynamo winger Alberth Elis on his way, too?

Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids

9:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US, on DAZN in Canada (Local TV)

RSL have owned the Rapids this season, outscoring their Rocky Mountain Cup foes 6-1 in two previous matches. The Claret-and-Cobalt have won the last five such derbies and are unbeaten in the last seven. Colorado's last win in this series came on October 15, 2017.