World Cup qualifying has pretty much wiped out meaningful matches in meaningful leagues in Europe this weekend, but thankfully the MLS season is underway to pick up the slack. The WPS also kicks off its inaugural season this weekend, so give the ladies a look as well if you get a chance. So, we’ll enjoy the ‘merican leagues for now and get back to the relegation battles and fights for European places next week. In the meantime, and I say this with the full knowledge that the cause is all but lost…’MON THE SCOTS! Failing that, LET’S GO SLOVAKIA!
New York Red Bulls v. New England Revolution (Saturday)
Despite what the league, the internet, and various media hacks want you to believe, this is not a rivalry. It would be nice if it were true, but it’s not. If anything, New England’s biggest rival is Chicago and New York’s is D.C. United. Moving on, NY are coming off not just a thumping at the hands of Seattle, but a generally poor display in all areas of the game. Meanwhile, an undermanned New England scrapped their way to a win at San Jose. New England may also have two (Albright and Ralston) of its five starters back. Fun fact: the last time NY beat the Revolution during the regular season they were still called the “MetroStars.”
Chicago v. D.C. United (Saturday)
This is the kind of match that should be one to watch: two of the league’s historical powers looking to return to the spots they’ve ceded to Columbus and Houston in the past few years. Chicago comes off a win- and the midweek news that Blanco wants out at the end of the season- and D.C. comes of a win- and the news that their stadium plans in Maryland have been scuppered. A win for Chicago and they officially off to a strong start. A loss for D.C., and despite it being incredibly early in the season, people are going to start asking questions.
Seattle Sounders F.C. v. Real Salt Lake (Saturday)
Let’s get right to the heart of it: Seattle is not only riding high after its first ever victory, but they also appear to be a lot better than anyone expected them to be as an expansion team. They’ll also- according to their webiste- have Freddy Ljundberg on the substitutes’ bench this weekend. So, things are off to a good start, and guess what? Real Salt Lake is not the team that’s going to ruin their party. That being said, the Sounders aren’t the only reason to watch this match- Salt Lake’s Yura Movsisyan is one of the most entertaining- and unsung- players in MLS.
The remaining MLS matches this week are:
Toronto FC v. Columbus (Saturday)
Kansas City v. Colorado (Saturday)
Houston v. San Jose (Saturday)
CD Chivas USA v. F.C. Dallas (Sunday)
Ross County F.C. v. Dundee F.C. (Saturday)
This is it. After this match is “made up,” County will be caught up, there will be no more “game in hand” to rely upon. A win on Saturday can move them from 7th to 5th (only goal differential would keep them from being joint 4th), and within a point of 3rd place. Just as importantly, a win, and the three points it brings will give them 40 for the season and historically that has been enough to keep a team up in the SFL. So, it looks like another nervous weekend glued to the laptop…
