Because the Main League Soccer common season approaches its homestretch, American Soccer Now’s Brian Sciaretta handicaps the largest matches of an action-packed weekend.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
September 26, 2015
8:45 AM
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THE PLAYOFFS are rising ever-closer, with a number of groups throughout MLS both pushing for higher playoff positioning or simply hoping to maintain their postseason desires alive. This weekend, specifically, options some essential video games on both aspect of the spectrum.
Right here’s what I’ll be looking ahead to.
Sport of the Week: L.A. vs. FC Dallas
In an uncommon twist, there are quite a lot of query marks surrounding Sunday’s matchup (9:30pm ET, Fox Sports activities 1) between two of the perfect groups in MLS. The Galaxy boast an unprecedented quantity of expertise for an American workforce, with Gyasi Zardes, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Sebastian Lletget, and Giovani Dos Santos, however has by some means been shut out in three straight video games and has not scored a purpose in 279 minutes.
Everybody totally expects the Galaxy to get its act collectively sooner relatively than later, however it does give pause to the notion that Bruce Enviornment’s squad will coast towards yet one more MLS Cup. If L.A. continues to battle offensively, maybe its issues are deeper than they seem.
Awaiting the Galaxy on Sunday evening in Carson, Calif., might be a younger FC Dallas workforce that at instances flirts with being a contender however lacks consistency at others. This was most evident in final weekend’s 3-1 loss to Sporting Kansas Metropolis, by which it had the sorts of psychological lapses that the highest groups are inclined to hold to a minimal.
The Galaxy and FC Dallas enter the sport tied with 47 factors, though Dallas has performed two fewer video games. A win by Oscar Pareja’s membership, then, will put it in sturdy competition not only for the lead within the Western Convention, but in addition for the Supporters’ Defend.
In the long run, these two gifted sides are robust to determine. Sunday’s recreation needs to be telling so far as how every is about up heading into the playoffs.
Scorching Montreal meets chilly D.C. United
In a matchup of two groups headed in reverse instructions, a surging Montreal hosts a fading D.C. United (5pm ET, MLS Dwell), which at one level appeared like an elite contender however now appears to be like the a part of a relative non-factor.
Over the course of the season, Montreal has taken large steps to enhance its roster. Belgium’s Laurent Ciman is the perfect defender within the league, and the addition of Didier Drogba has exceeded even the loftiest expectations. And, after becoming a member of halfway final season, Ignacio Piatti is actually coming to life too.
In the meantime, in D.C., the scenario has turn out to be dire. United has earned only a single level from its previous 5 video games and is struggling on either side of the ball. Will United wilt as soon as once more in opposition to Montreal, or flash some long-lost resolve and bounce again?
Crew look to proceed Portland’s Woes
No workforce in MLS has its again in opposition to the wall proper now as a lot because the Portland Timbers. Caleb Porter’s workforce is winless in its previous 4 and is coming off a torpid 2-0 loss to the Crimson Bulls. It now sits in sixth place, which continues to be in line for a playoff spot—barely. With 41 factors, the Timbers have three groups under them which are inside three.
To make issues worse, Portland will how need to journey to Columbus in the present day (7:30pm ET, MLS Dwell) to tackle a Crew workforce that’s enjoying implausible soccer, with 4 wins in 5 video games. Of explicit curiosity is the offensive battle between Darlington Nagbe and Ethan Finlay.
Ever since Nagbe acquired his American citizenship two weeks in the past (and even earlier than), followers have been questioning when he’ll get a glance with the U.S. nationwide workforce. On the flip aspect is Finlay, a speedy participant who’s placing up spectacular numbers, with 13 assists and 9 targets.
San Jose—RSL Has playoff implications
A number of weeks in the past it appeared unlikely that Sunday’s recreation between San Jose and Salt Lake (7pm ET, Fox Sports activities 1) would maintain any critical playoff implications. That, nevertheless, has modified dramatically. Ought to the Timbers lose as anticipated to the closely favored Crew, San Jose would transfer into sixth place. Salt Lake might additionally transfer into the playoff zone with a win, relying on Houston’s end result in opposition to Colorado.
With a possible loss dealing a extreme blow to both workforce’s playoff hopes, anticipate a desperation sort of really feel on this one.
Resurgent Seattle heads to Kansas Metropolis
Sporting Kansas Metropolis misplaced this previous Wednesday to Houston in yet one more robust second in a tricky month for one of many league’s strongest groups. Sure, Sporting will make the playoffs, however Saturday’s recreation in opposition to Seattle (5pm ET, ESPN) will present an actual litmus take a look at for its expertise and potential.
Seattle, in the meantime, has been on fireplace since a troublesome summer season skid. In league play, the Sounders have three wins and a draw of their final 4, thrashing the host Whitecaps, 3-0, final weekend for his or her finest win of the season. On Wednesday, it cruised previous Vancouver with the identical scoreline in Champions League motion to advance to the knockout phases.
Particularly when Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins are on their recreation, there’s no MLS offense extra harmful.
