MLS Weekend Preview
NYCFC—Galaxy Clash Will Be a Star-Studded Affair
The expansion team from the Bronx needs to go on a winning streak if it hopes to make the playoffs this season, but a stern challenge awaits them in the StubHub Center on Sunday afternoon.
Stars Come Out in Los Angeles
In Sunday’s only game, the Los Angeles Galaxy will host New York City FC (3pm ET; ESPN) in a game that could be the most expensive in league history. New York City features Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard, David Villa, and Mix Diskerud while the Galaxy boast a very expensive lineup including Giovani Dos Santos, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Omar Gonzalez, and Gyasi Zardes.
This is what the league wants to see. High-profile foreign imports, U.S. internationals, young players, a soccer-specific stadium, a national television audience, and a sold-out crowd.
It should be quite the spectacle but lost in all of it is such a talent discrepancy between the teams. The Galaxy are heavily favored due to the team’s more complete lineup to supplement the star players. The Galaxy should win and in turn deal a major setback to New York’s slim playoff hopes.
Western Conference showdown
While it lacks the star power of the aforementioned clash, the Whitecaps—FC Dallas contest (10pm ET; MLS Live) could play a key role in the Western Conference playoff race.
Dallas is a strong team that boasts a lot of young players but it is currently riding a two-game losing streak. Oscar Pareja's team has tumbled to fifth place but it has played at least two fewer games than for three of the teams it is chasing. Dallas will be desperate for three points but playing on the road in Vancouver is a true challenge.
The Whitecaps, currently in second place in the West and just one point behind the Galaxy, feature an explosive attack that has scored 13 goals in its last four games. The Canadian team lost its last match in painful fashion—it conceded two late goals in a 4-3 loss to Sporting Kansas City.
Toronto, Orlando and the playoffs
Orlando has done a lot right in its expansion season. The club draws well, it gets good production from Kaka, and it has a nice, privately financed stadium on the way. Over the last three games, however, it has failed to win a game and has scored just one goal over that span. To make the playoffs, it is going to have to start winning sooner than later and on Saturday it will have a good opportunity when it visits a slumping Toronto FC (7pm ET; MLS Live).
The two teams met on August 5 and Toronto coasted to a 4-1 win thanks in large part to a hat trick from Sebastian Giovinco.
But Toronto has lost its last two games by a combined score of 6-1 and was thoroughly outplayed in both matches. Currently in fifth place, Toronto still has a decent grip on a playoff spot but it is no sure thing. The pressure is squarely on Toronto right now: With its massive investment in Designated Players and stadium expansion, Greg Vanney's men simply have to make the playoffs this season.
San Jose Sneaking Up in Standings
Few expected it but San Jose is in the mix for a playoff spot in the powerful Western Conference. If the Earthquakes can pull out a road win over D.C. United Saturday night (7pm ET; MLS Live) and Seattle loses the unheralded West Coast team will be even on points for sixth place.
One thing for certain: San Jose will have all the momentum at its back following a stunning 5-0 midweek win in Kansas City. San Jose's lopsided win over a team that had been undefeated at home was one of the more surprising results of the season.
D.C. United has been in first place all season but is now being chased by the surging Red Bulls. Ben Olsen's team still leads by five points but the second-place Red Bulls have three games in hand and are idle this weekend. This game against San Jose could also be a "trap game" for United—with so much attention being paid on next's week showdown against the Red Bulls.
Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.
