The U.S. national team's dream run to the Confederations Cup final on Sunday is getting all the headlines these days, but there is still Major League Soccer action going on and there are still important games being contested.
It isn't a full slate of games, but the four MLS matches being contested this weekend are still key to the playoff races in both conferences. The most important of them will take place in Seattle, where the Sounders and Colorado Rapids cmatch in a battle of top Western Conference teams.
Here are the match-ups for Week 15:
SATURDAY
-
7:30pm- New York Red Bulls at Columbus Crew (Fox Soccer Channel)
-
9:30pm- Toronto FC at Real Salt Lake (Direct Kick)
SUNDAY
-
4pm- Colorado Rapids at Seattle Sounders, 4 p.m. (Direct Kick)
-
10pm- Houston Dynamo at Los Angeles Galaxy, ESPN2
So what are the top match-ups in these games? Here are some to watch for:
Best XI Match-ups to watch
-
Pablo Mastroeni vs. Freddie Ljungberg
-
Amado Guevara vs. Kyle Beckerman
-
Javier Morales vs. Carl Robinson
-
Dwayne DeRosario vs. Chris Wingert
-
Omar Cummings vs. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado
-
Fredy Montero vs. Cory Gibbs
-
Edson Buddle vs. Geoff Cameron
-
Brian Ching vs. Gregg Berhalter
-
Chad Marshall vs. Juan Pablo Angel
-
Jeremy Hall vs. Robbie Rogers
What MLS match-ups are you looking forward to? Who do you see winning the battle of West Coast powers in Seattle? Will you be too focused on the USA-Brazil match to focus on MLS this weekend?
Share your thoughts below.
How amazing are MLS refs?
This from the Washington Post:
The USSF takes issue with MLS referee Jair Marrufo’s bizarre water break midway through the first half of Houston’s match with Real Salt Lake last weekend. (What is this, an under-11 league?) “The referee incorrectly takes it upon himself to make a personal decision to stop the game to give the players the chance to get water. This is not permitted by the rules of competition and should not have taken place. The decision, which stops the game for approximately 1:24, takes away the rhythm and focus of the teams and creates visible frustration for players and coaches.” Everyone seemed shocked when Marrufo stopped the match. It was hot at Robertson Stadium (91 degrees at kickoff), but with the sun fading, not oppressive, according to the players and coaches.
So amazing. Almost borders on absurd hilarity. When is the MLS going to stop hiring rec league officials for $5 a game? Ives have you heard whether this guy is done?
holy crap j hall will completely SHUT ROBBIE DOWN! kid’s gettin goood.
1. Must win for Sounders.
2. If USA wins, the word will spread immediately through the entire stadium. Too many hi tech cell phones.
Hurtado vs Cummings, El Presidente shuts him down.
RSL! I just hope we can get more than 2 points.
From what the Sounders site says, they’ll be playing the USA-Brazil game on the big screen before the game, then record the rest and show it on the big screen after the game for, making it a huge viewing party.
Check ESPN Jozy is on PTI
Morales/Robinson.
It will be interesting to see how Javi deals with the physical play of Carl Robinson. Early in the season, he struggled against similar style players (Mastroeni). Lately, he has seemed to turn a corner and know when he should hold the ball and when he should lay it off quickly.
I’ll tell you what the crowd at Qwest will be like – the same as always. Sold out and loud.
jpa vs anyone is a joke. he’s off his game.
brian ching vs Gregg Berhalter? Thats matchup is like watching snails wrestle
A win and TFC is in first place.
A win moves Columbus into second.
Colorado with a chance to pass Seattle and start breathing down Dynamo necks.
Sounders game should be interesting. They are going to play the first Half of the Confed cup before the game live then show the 2nd half on tape delay after the game is over. They’ve promised no announcements during the game I wonder if late arrivals who watched the game live will cooperate.
Montero 2 goals
Interesting to see what the crowd will be like in Seattle. That game starts an hour into the Confederations Cup final.
still upset that Geoff Cameron didnt get called up for Gold Cup, but then again that means we get to keep him in orange. Love that guy.
Ching v. Berhalter?!?
Hilarious!
Excited for the TFC vs RSL match. Hopefully a rejuvinated RSL can start the homestand off right