ASN: NYCFC—Galaxy Conflict Will Be a Star-Studded Affair

The enlargement crew from the Bronx must go on a profitable streak if it hopes to make the playoffs this season, however a stern problem awaits them within the StubHub Middle on Sunday afternoon.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
August 22, 2015
10:00 AM

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Stars Come Out in Los Angeles

In Sunday’s solely sport, the Los Angeles Galaxy will host New York Metropolis FC (3pm ET; ESPN) in a sport that could possibly be the most costly in league historical past. New York Metropolis options Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard, David Villa, and Combine Diskerud whereas the Galaxy boast a really costly lineup together with Giovani Dos Santos, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Omar Gonzalez, and Gyasi Zardes.

That is what the league needs to see. Excessive-profile overseas imports, U.S. internationals, younger gamers, a soccer-specific stadium, a nationwide tv viewers, and a sold-out crowd.

It must be fairly the spectacle however misplaced in all of it’s such a expertise discrepancy between the groups. The Galaxy are closely favored as a result of crew’s extra full lineup to complement the star gamers. The Galaxy ought to win and in flip deal a significant setback to New York’s slim playoff hopes.

Western Convention showdown

Whereas it lacks the star energy of the aforementioned conflict, the Whitecaps—FC Dallas contest (10pm ET; MLS Dwell) might play a key position within the Western Convention playoff race.

Dallas is a robust crew that boasts quite a lot of younger gamers however it’s at present driving a two-game shedding streak. Oscar Pareja’s crew has tumbled to fifth place nevertheless it has performed no less than two fewer video games than for 3 of the groups it’s chasing. Dallas shall be determined for 3 factors however enjoying on the highway in Vancouver is a real problem.

The Whitecaps, at present in second place within the West and only one level behind the Galaxy, function an explosive assault that has scored 13 objectives in its final 4 video games. The Canadian crew misplaced its final match in painful style—it conceded two late objectives in a 4-3 loss to Sporting Kansas Metropolis.

Toronto, Orlando and the playoffs

Orlando has achieved so much proper in its enlargement season. The membership attracts effectively, it will get good manufacturing from Kaka, and it has a pleasant, privately financed stadium on the best way. During the last three video games, nonetheless, it has did not win a sport and has scored only one purpose over that span. To make the playoffs, it’s going to have to start out profitable before later and on Saturday it’s going to have a great alternative when it visits a slumping Toronto FC (7pm ET; MLS Dwell).

The 2 groups met on August 5 and Toronto coasted to a 4-1 win thanks largely to a hat trick from Sebastian Giovinco.

However Toronto has misplaced its final two video games by a mixed rating of 6-1 and was completely outplayed in each matches. At the moment in fifth place, Toronto nonetheless has an honest grip on a playoff spot however it’s no positive factor. The stress is squarely on Toronto proper now: With its large funding in Designated Gamers and stadium enlargement, Greg Vanney’s males merely should make the playoffs this season.

San Jose Sneaking Up in Standings

Few anticipated it however San Jose is within the combine for a playoff spot within the highly effective Western Convention. If the Earthquakes can pull out a highway win over D.C. United Saturday evening (7pm ET; MLS Dwell) and Seattle loses the unheralded West Coast crew shall be even on factors for sixth place.

One factor for sure: San Jose may have all of the momentum at its again following a shocking 5-0 midweek win in Kansas Metropolis. San Jose’s lopsided win over a crew that had been undefeated at residence was one of many extra shocking outcomes of the season.

D.C. United has been in first place all season however is now being chased by the surging Purple Bulls. Ben Olsen’s crew nonetheless leads by 5 factors however the second-place Purple Bulls have three video games in hand and are idle this weekend. This sport in opposition to San Jose is also a “trap game” for United—with a lot consideration being paid on subsequent’s week showdown in opposition to the Purple Bulls.

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Comply with him on Twitter.