Regardless of a dearth of marquee matchups in Main League Soccer this weekend, there’s nonetheless loads of intrigue to watch. American Soccer Now’s Brian Sciaretta takes a take a look at the Saturday and Sunday contests.
BY
Brian Sciaretta
Posted
July 19, 2014
10:10 AM
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THERE ARE NOT MANY high-profile matchups this weekend in MLS, however it is a crucial one nonetheless as some groups are fading whereas others are aiming to enhance their grip on a playoff spot.
Listed below are the highest storylines to observe for the video games on Saturday and Sunday.
Kansas Metropolis hosts Los Angeles
Indisputably, the Sporting Kansas Metropolis—Los Angeles Galaxy sport is the weekend’s marquee matchup. It boasts star energy for each groups, two groups with the flexibility to win MLS Cup, and a packed home.
Los Angeles is coming off a convincing 5-1 win over New England, Robbie Keane is taking part in exceptional soccer, and Gyasi Zardes has been dwelling as much as his potential not too long ago with a sequence of robust video games. The proficient American has 4 targets in his final 4 outings and is positioning himself nicely for a January U.S. nationwide group call-up. Even with out an injured Omar Gonzalez, Los Angeles continues to be the most effective groups within the league as a result of few can match an attacking trio of Keane, Zardes, and Landon Donovan.
Kansas Metropolis has star energy of its personal with Matt Besler and Graham Zusi now totally again into the fold following the World Cup. Kansas Metropolis stole a win midweek in opposition to Columbus due to a shocking stoppage-time winner from Benny Feilhaber. Englishman (and maybe future American) Dom Dwyer is a gritty and thrilling ahead who constantly scores essential targets.
This sport appears to be like like it is going to be an excellent one.
Can New England halt its tailspin?
What’s incorrect with the New England Revolution? The membership is within the midst of a complete meltdown and Wednesday’s 5-1 loss to the Galaxy was painful to look at.
The Revs have the expertise to get the job finished: Rookie striker Patrick Mullins appears to be like like the true deal however Kelyn Rowe is underperforming this season and Andrew Farrell is experiencing a sophomore stoop. Getting each gamers to play to their skills is a precedence.
Although it enters the weekend on a six-game dropping streak, if the season ended immediately New England would nonetheless make the playoffs. It’s a younger group with rather a lot to play for and Heaps is at a crossroads as a coach. Can he discover a method to resolve this or will or not it’s a misplaced season for the Revolution?
Actual Salt Lake—Vancouver
At first look this looks like a matchup between two good groups. Actual Salt Lake is in second place and Vancouver is in fifth. The purpose differential is tight and little or no separates these groups from second place—and being out of the playoffs altogether.
Seattle is operating away with the Western Convention, holding down first place with 38 factors—10 factors forward of Salt Lake. Vancouver holds the fifth and ultimate playoff spot at 26 factors however is forward of sixth place Dallas solely on purpose differential.
Historical past suggests Salt Lake’s expertise will play to its favor however with three losses in its final 4 video games, it has struggled in latest weeks. This sport might go both means.
D.C. United’s Spectacular Turnaround
After a dismal season in 2013 throughout which it received simply three video games, D.C. United is having fun with a exceptional turnaround in 2014. The membership now sits in second place, only one level behind Kansas Metropolis and with a sport in hand.
With Fabian Espindola injured, D.C. United has reverted to an all-American beginning lineup which ought to make many American followers comfortable. Whereas gamers like Eddie Johnson and Chris Rolfe aren’t prone to have a lot of a nationwide group future anymore, different gamers are aiming to catch Jurgen Klinsmann’s eye for January camp. Most notably Perry Kitchen has been spectacular and he performs a defensive midfield place the place U.S. nationwide group regulars Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman are prone to be phased out within the years forward.
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Comply with him on Twitter and share your ideas under.
