Two conventional powers have stumbled out of the gate in 2017, making Sunday’s star-studded showdown between Seattle and LA a bit odd and doubtlessly fairly compelling. Additionally: Who’s on the MLS Rookie Radar?
BY
Franco Panizo
Posted
April 20, 2017
11:00 AM
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AN UNDERWHELMING SCORELESS DRAW between New England and San Jose final night time most likely did not win over any new MLS converts however there are many mouthwatering matchups on faucet that ought to greater than make up for it this weekend.
Amongst these showdowns: A battle of two of the most important golf equipment within the league.
The LA Galaxy’s new chapter below head coach Curt Onalfo has not gone as anticipated, with inconsistent performances plaguing the membership to this point. Issues will not be about to get any simpler. On Sunday the reigning champion Seattle Sounders are set to pay a go to to StubHub Heart and the primetime assembly between these two conventional Western Convention contenders can be intriguing given how badly every wants a victory.
Los Angeles is at present in eighth place within the West with six factors from six video games. Brian Schmetzer’s Sounders facet additionally has six factors however sits one spot under the Galaxy within the standings on account of a worse general document.
Whereas neither workforce has been all that convincing via the opening weeks of the season—accidents and subpar play have contributed to this—each groups boast a wholesome share of particular person attacking expertise that’s able to altering a sport within the blink of a watch. The Sounders lean closely on Clint Dempsey, Jordan Morris, and playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro whereas the Galaxy has Giovani dos Santos, the polarizing Jermaine Jones, and red-hot Romain Alessandrini at its disposal.
— Main League Soccer (@MLS) April 15, 2017
Throw all these components and others right into a pressure-cooker scenario, and fireworks are certain to go off. This could be a gathering of two of the lousier groups in MLS proper now, however it needs to be entertaining and fairly probably explosive.
DEFENSIVE CHESS MATCH
One other match doubtless to attract loads of eyeballs can be Saturday’s tilt between the 2 stingiest defenses within the league. FC Dallas welcomes Sporting Kansas Metropolis to Texas in a conflict of early-season Western Convention contenders, and each outfits can be seeking to clear up the puzzle that’s the opposing workforce’s again line.
Thanks partly to the stellar play of athletic monster Ike Opara and makeshift proper again Graham Zusi, Sporting KC has given up a league-low two objectives via six matches. The assault has but to essentially discover its rhythm, however with Dom Dwyer scoring in a second consecutive sport final week and Benny Feilhaber coming back from harm, issues seem like, ahem, on the right track.
Continued improved play within the last third can be vital for Sporting KC if it hopes to select up most factors towards FC Dallas. Oscar Pareja’s males have but to lose at residence in two common season outings, and the membership can be using their stout play on the again. With Matt Hedges main the best way, Dallas has conceded simply thrice in league play up to now in 2017.
Like Kansas Metropolis, nonetheless, FC Dallas’ assault has not kicked into gear regardless of skills like Roland Lamah on the roster. The 2016 Supporters’ Protect and U.S. Open Cup winner ought to fare higher now that its participation within the CONCACAF Champions League is over, however a lesser workload doesn’t mechanically assure improved offensive output.
Simply ask Cristian Colman.
Villa scores from middle circle earlier tonight whereas Cristian Colman whiffs & kicks the goalpost. It has been fairly an evening up to now in #MLS.
— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) April 15, 2017
BRIDGE AND TUNNEL ACTION
The Jap Convention additionally affords up a pair of attention-grabbing affairs—each set to happen within the New York metropolitan space.
The New York Purple Bulls will first face off towards first-place Columbus Crew SC at Purple Bull Area on Saturday night time in a sport that may pit two groups coming off Week 7 residence wins. The participant to observe right here can be Crew midfielder Justin Meram, who has scored 4 occasions in his final 4 outings.
Sooner or later later, New York Metropolis FC takes middle area stage at Yankee Stadium to lock horns with Orlando Metropolis. The 2015 growth brothers already met as soon as earlier than this yr down in Central Florida, however NYCFC will need to avenge that 1-0 loss within the season opener given how dominant it was within the run of play. Orlando Metropolis’s revamped protection has confirmed fairly spectacular, although, so New York Metropolis will doubtless should be at its finest within the last third.
ROOKIE RADAR
If it had not been for a last-second stunner from David Villa, Philadelphia Union centerback Jack Elliott would have handed his debut check with flying colours.
Nonetheless, Elliott ought to get one other probability to impress. The problem this time? Ignacio Piatti.
The six-foot-five Elliott will try to assist the Philadelphia Union finish its dreadful winless begin to the yr on Saturday afternoon when the Montreal Influence arrivein city. The gangly centerback is not going to be solely liable for limiting Influence playmaker Piatti, however might want to assist in that regard given how a lot the Argentine likes to roam within the assault.
One other rookie to maintain watch of this week is Portland Timbers defender Marco Farfan, who can be tasked with slowing down the Whitecaps’ speedy assault on Satruday. Farfan has regarded the half in his 4 appearances to this point, however derby matches have a tendency to boost the depth degree and can little question enhance the stress on him.
MLS WEEK 8 SCHEDULE
Friday’s MLS GameToronto FC vs. Chicago Fireplace
Saturday’s GamesPhiladelphia Union vs. Montreal ImpactHouston Dynamo vs. San Jose EarthquakesPortland Timbers vs. Vancouver WhitecapsNew England Revolution vs. D.C. UnitedNew York Purple Bulls vs. Columbus Crew SCFC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas CityReal Salt Lake vs. Atlanta United
Sunday’s GamesNew York Metropolis FC vs. Orlando Metropolis LA Galaxy vs. Seattle SoundersMinnesota United vs. Colorado Rapids
