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MLS returns! Inter Miami bolster squad while LA Galaxy look to unleash Chicharito

After taking a week off to accommodate the opening of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the MLS returns this weekend with 12 exciting games.

Nearly every team will be short-handed as 57 MLS players are representing their nations in the Gold Cup and missing at least one league game. The teams who qualify for the knockout Round will be away from the league until at least the beginning of August.

Miami Gets Reinforcements After Break

Inter Miami had two weeks off after falling 1-0 to CF Montreal on July 3. Ironically this weekend's game is in the same stadium as they head back to Red Bull Arena to face the New York Red Bulls.

Since playing two weeks ago, Miami have added goalkeeper Nick Marsman, defender Kieran Gibbs and winger Indiana Vassilev to their squad. All three are eligible to make their team debuts on Saturday if manager Phil Neville calls their names.

Gibbs, a former Arsenal man and England international, played for West Bromwich Albion last season while Vassilev is on loan from Aston Villa.

The new signings could change the way Inter Miami play, and they need it after grabbing just two wins and two draws from their first 11 games.

The attack has been lifeless with Gonzalo Higuain netting five of the team's nine goals. Higuain's first-ever MLS goal came against NYRB last year with a free-kick winner in the 81st minute.

The seventh-placed Red Bulls have four of their five wins at home this season. Their only home loss was a 2-1 setback to Sporting KC in the opener, and they didn't lose any players to the Gold Cup. Meanwhile, Miami will be without Kevin Leerdam, who is playing for Suriname.

As things stand, New York are 3/4 to grab the home win. Inter Miami, meanwhile, are 7/2 while the draw is 13/5.

Galaxy Looking for Big Game Against Lowly Vancouver

The LA Galaxy played their last two games before the break without joint-leading scorer Chicharito. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker is expected to return Saturday night as the Galaxy travel to Sandy, Utah, to play Vancouver Whitecaps.

MLS

Due to Canada's COVID-19 travel restrictions, Vancouver is not allowed to host games and has made a second home in Utah, over 800 miles away.

With Chicharito sidelined with a calf injury, the Galaxy lost at home to Sporting KC 2-0 and won against FC Dallas 3-1 to start July. They will play three games in a seven-day span, all on the road, so manager Greg Vanney will need to manage his star's minutes even if he is 100 percent.

The Mexican star has 10 goals in 10 games this season and will lead an attack without winger Sebastian Lletget who is at the Gold Cup. The Galaxy are also without midfielders Jonathan dos Santos and Efra Alvarez, who are both playing for Mexico.

Vancouver have just two wins from 12 games this season, and they have conceded 22 goals. The Whitecaps' last win came on May 8, and they've allowed at least two goals in each of the last seven games.

With starting goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau at the Gold Cup with Canada, this leaky defense is perfect for a Chicharito-led attack, assuming he is healthy.

Planet Sport Bet has the Galaxy at 21/20 to grab the win while the Whitecaps are available at 28/11. The draw is 13/5 for Saturday night's contest.

READ MORE: Premier League countdown is on! Here's an early look at the odds for the opening fixtures

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