The Seattle Sounders return to action this weekend with their first Cascadia Cup game of the year, vs.Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday (7 pm PT; Q13 FOX; Univsion Seattle; KIRO 97.3 FM/El Rey 1360 AM). But there’s plenty of other MLS action on the docket this weekend, highlighted by three nationally televised matches in the U.S. SoundersFC.com breaks down what you need to know about each game (all kickoff times are PT).
New York City FC vs. Orlando City SC (Friday, 4 pm; UniMas)
Viernes de Futbol has another intriguing matchup on the docket for Friday night between two franchises looking to make their mark in their second year on the MLS map. New head coach Patrick Vieira has already pumped new life into NYCFC (1-0-1, 4 pts.), who have scored six goals over the first two games of the new year, even without injured star midfielder Frank Lampard. The big question for Orlando (0-0-2, 2 pts.), meanwhile, is the health of Kaká, who missed the first two games of the year with a thigh strain.
Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew SC (Saturday, 2 pm; MLS Live)
It’s been a frustrating start to the season for both of these teams, neither of which has posted a win yet in 2016. That’s perhaps not unexpected for the Fire (0-1-1, 1 pt.), who are still coming together under first-year head coach Veljko Paunovic and underwent something of an offseason renovation project after a dismal 2015. But it’s troubling for Crew SC (0-2-0, 0 pts.), who lost to Philadelphia last week despite a goal from newly minted Designated Player Kei Kamara.
New York Red Bulls vs. Houston Dynamo (Saturday, 4 pm; MLS Live)
Few people would have expected such a lackluster start to the season for the Red Bulls (0-2-0, 0 pts.), who returned the bulk of their team this year after winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2015. But the loss of young center back Matt Miazga to Chelsea has hurt, and the offense has yet to find the back of the net in MLS play. It’s a different story for the Dynamo (1-0-1, 4 pts.), who have exploded for eight goals in two games, including a 5-0 thrashing of intrastate rival FC Dallas last weekend. Offseason pickup Andrew Wenger has two goals so far this year.
FC Dallas vs. Montreal Impact (6 pm; MLS Live)
It’s not the ideal opportunity for a bounce-back game for FC Dallas (1-1-0, 3 pts.), who were humbled by Houston last week in a big way. They’ll host an equally formidable team in the Impact (2-0-0, 6 pts.), who are quickly putting any remaining doubters about their postseason run last year to bed. Ignacio Piatti is a bona fide star, with a league-leading three goals and two assists so far in just two games.
Portland Timbers vs. Real Salt Lake (Saturday, 7:30 pm; MLS Live)
The Timbers (1-1-0, 3 pts.) took one on the chin last weekend at San Jose, their first loss since winning MLS Cup in December. Caleb Porter’s men will play this one without injured defender Liam Ridgewell, who could miss up to five more weeks with a hamstring injury. Real Salt Lake (1-0-1, 4 pts.) are coming off a gritty win over the Sounders last weekend but have struggled in recent years against Portland, going winless in the teams’ past five meetings (0-3-2).
LA Galaxy vs. San Jose Earthquakes (Saturday, 7:30 pm; MLS Live)
The California Clásico has a bit more intrigue this year thanks to a hot start by the visiting Quakes (2-0-0, 6 pts.), who toppled Portland last week on the back of Quincy Amarikwa’s early Goal of the Year candidate. Chris Wondolowski has two goals on the year and 111 for his career, three back of Sounders assistant coach Ante Razov. Last week was less kind to the Galaxy (1-1-0, 3 pts.), who lost on the road at Colorado. Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy is out with a groin injury, and forward Giovani Dos Santos is questionable with an injury after missing last week’s game in Denver.
Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution (Sunday, 11:30 am; MLS Live)
Offseason pickup Chris Pontius played the hero the last time out for the Union (1-1-0, 3 pts.), scoring two goals in a 2-1 win over Columbus. The Revs (0-0-2 2 pts.) were less plucky in a scoreless draw against D.C. United. This one could mark the first snow game of the new year, as the Philadelphia area is expected to get a between 1-3 inches of snow on Sunday.
D.C. United vs. Colorado Rapids (Sunday, 2pm; ESPN2)
The first game of Sunday’s nationally televised doubleheader sees two teams trying to find their footing early in the season. D.C. United (0-1-1, 1 pt.) are still winless on the season and have scored just one goal over two games, but backup goalkeeper Travis Worra filled in admirably last weekend in a scoreless road draw againt the Revs. The upset of the week last week went to the Rapids (1-1-0, 3 pts.), who got a stoppage-time goal from former Sounders winger Marco Pappa to topple the Galaxy.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Toronto FC (Sunday, 4 pm; FS1)
Undoubtedly the game of the week comes last, as two of the league’s unbeaten teams square off on national television on FS1. Sporting Kansas City (2-0-0, 6 pts.) have played large parts of each of their first two games up a man thanks to red cards against Seattle and Vancouver players, but they’re no fluke. Dom Dwyer scored a gorgeous goal for his first of the year last week, and they’re unbeaten without a single minute on the field from Benny Feilhaber. TFC (1-0-1, 4 pts.) are once again one of the league’s most tantalizing teams thanks to reigning MVP Giovinco, who has two goals on the year. The Reds are, however, winless in their past seven games in Kansas City, and haven’t won there since 2009, when games were still played at Community America Ballpark.
