ASN: Atlanta—Seattle Conflict Tops MLS Weekend Should-Sees

MLS jumps again into the highlight with a loaded Week 5 slate that features high-flying Atlanta dealing with star-studded Seattle. Additionally, can the enigmatic Juan Agudelo construct on final week’s two-goal effort?

BY

Franco Panizo

Posted
March 31, 2017
9:20 AM

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THE U.S. MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM has stepped out of the highlight and off the primary stage. Now, eyes will flip again towards Main League Soccer.

Week 5 of the 2017 MLS marketing campaign is ready to start on Friday night time with a pair of matches that comprise loads of intrigue. Up first is a battle between Toronto FC and Sporting Kansas Metropolis, and the intra-conference battle in Ontario will reportedly mark the return of TFC’s star playmaker, Sebastian Giovinco, after a brief spell on the sidelines resulting from damage.

Later within the night, a star-studded affair will see the reigning MLS Cup champion, the Seattle Sounders, welcome thrilling growth aspect Atlanta United to city. Each golf equipment are prone to be with out a prime scoring menace, however there are nonetheless loads of massive names like Clint Dempsey and Miguel Almiron that add to the attraction of this one.

The remainder of the weekend’s slate just isn’t quick on fascinating storylines, both. Actual Salt Lake is not going to be underneath the steerage of Mike Petke on Saturday, however the membership’s new head coach might be watching intently because it visits dreadful growth crew Minnesota United. Many observers will anticipate a rout in favor of RSL, and plenty of observers is likely to be proper given Minnesota’s ghastly begin to the yr.

Additionally on faucet are showdowns between Bastian Schweinsteiger’s World Cup Qualifying members the Chicago Hearth and the Montreal Impression, and the Portland Timbers and the New England Revolution.

Right here’s a better have a look at Week 5 of the MLS season:

CANNOT MISS

The Chicago Hearth’s street to the 2018 World Cup in Russia begins in earnest on Saturday.

OK, probably not. However we needed to go there….

Strive to not cringe watching a reporter ask Bastian Schweinsteiger if Chicago can win the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/hMz4NZfFxG

— AtTheBuzzer (@TheBuzzerOnFOX) March 30, 2017

The Hearth will start the BSE (Bastian Schweinsteiger Period) this weekend towards the Montreal Impression. Not solely do the Hearth get pleasure from taking part in at dwelling towards an Jap Convention foe, however will doubtless additionally not have defend 2016 MLS MVP candidate Ignacio Piatti due to a reported groin damage.

— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) March 28, 2017

That might open the door for central midfielders Dax McCarty and Juninho to function extra freely within the assault—like they did in Week 3 towards Actual Salt Lake. There is a good probability the revamped Hearth will choose up three extra factors at dwelling even earlier than Schweinsteiger absolutely integrates into the group.

A day earlier, the Seattle Sounders’ star-studded assault will welcome high-flying Atlanta United in what might presumably be the sport of the week. The Sounders are prone to be with out Jordan Morris, who’s day-to-day with an ankle drawback sustained earlier than worldwide responsibility, however Atlanta United is assured of being with out present MLS Golden Boot chief Josef Martinez due to a quad damage.

Even when these goal-scoring threats are each sidelined, Seattle and Atlanta ought to nonetheless have sufficient to be harmful within the ultimate third. The reigning MLS Cup champ has a assured Clint Dempsey at its disposal after he scored 4 instances within the U.S.’ two current World Cup Qualifiers. Atlanta United has Miguel Almiron, Hector Villalba, and certain beginning striker Kenwyne Jones at supervisor Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s disposal. The protection that holds firmest will in all probability lead its aspect to victory, however the process is a large one for either side.

Saturday’s slate may even see the 2 golf equipment from the Massive Apple concerned in robust matches. New York Metropolis FC will take a look at itself at Yankee Stadium towards a reinvigorated San Jose Earthquakes crew, whereas the New York Purple Bulls begin a two-game street journey towards a surprisingly potent Houston Dynamo that’s trying to bounce again from its first lack of the yr.

SHOULD MISS

There may be a lot soccer on tv lately, there are sure to be video games which can be price lacking—particularly in MLS.

The Minnesota United-Actual Salt Lake tilt is a kind of matches, because the Western Convention showdown pits a struggling growth membership towards a crew that has appointed a brand new head coach that won’t but take cost this weekend.

Mike Petke will journey with the crew to Minnesota, however reiterates he does not need to be a distraction as crew preps for sport.

— Chris Kamrani (@chriskamrani) March 29, 2017

How precisely that uncommon strategy will have an effect on RSL is unknown, however you could need to skip seeing a defensively challenged Minnesota aspect try to outpunch a Actual Salt Lake group that’s within the means of figuring itself out.

One other fixture that impartial followers will in all probability need to skip is the Philadelphia Union’s dwelling sport towards I-95 rival D.C. United. Whereas a rivalry sport often makes for good viewing, neither aspect has but to get going offensively. D.C. United has not even scored a aim but this yr, and two anemic assaults don’t make for must-see viewing.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Loads of observers might be trying to see how U.S. males’s nationwide crew members fare of their returns from worldwide responsibility, however the one American most spectators needs to be eager on watching is fringe worldwide Juan Agudelo.

Recent off a two-goal efficiency that noticed him named MLS Participant of the Week in Week 4, Agudelo leads the New England Revolution into Windfall Park to tackle a Timbers aspect that’s aiming to bounce again from its first lack of the yr.

The 24-year-old ahead served because the crux of the Revolution assault in final week’s lopsided win over struggling Minnesota, and should once more be closely concerned if New England is to have a shot at pulling off an upset towards a proficient squad that boasts offensive juggernauts like playmaker Diego Valeri, the dynamic Darlington Nagbe, and winger Sebastian Blanco.

New England has different items it will probably depend on, similar to Kei Kamara and Lee Nguyen, however the proficient Agudelo is the participant that’s most able to each scoring objectives and establishing possibilities for his teammates. One other robust outing from the artful attacker would elevate the Revolution’s probabilities of pulling off an upset, however it will additionally enhance his odds of getting observed by U.S. head coach Bruce Area forward of the subsequent spherical of World Cup Qualifiers.

MLS WEEK 5 SCHEDULE

Friday’s MLS GamesToronto FC vs. Sporting Kansas CitySeattle Sounders vs. Atlanta United

Saturday’s GamesNew York Metropolis FC vs. San Jose EarthquakesChicago Hearth vs. Montreal ImpactColumbus Crew vs. Orlando CityD.C. United vs. Philadelphia UnionMinnesota United vs. Actual Salt LakeHouston Dynamo vs. New York Purple BullsVancouver Whitecaps vs. LA Galaxy

Sunday’s GamePortland Timbers vs. New England Revolution

InactiveColorado Rapids, FC Dallas

Franco Panizo is a bilingual New York-based reporter who has lined the U.S. males’s nationwide crew, MLS, and all ranges of American soccer for practically a decade. That is Franco’s first piece for American Soccer Now and we encourage you to comply with him on Twitter.