Photo by Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA TODAY Sports
By RYAN TOLMICH
Following Wednesday’s MLS All-Star game, several of the league’s biggest stars are set to return to action.
Having seen his team fall in six of seven matches, Clint Dempsey returns to the struggling Seattle Sounders to lead the way in a Cascadia clash against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Meanwhile, the surging FC Dallas is bolstered by the returns of Blas Perez and Je-Vaughn Watson in a match-up with the lowly Chicago Fire.
Elsewhere, New York City FC will look to continue its recent hot streak against the Montreal Impact, Orlando City aims to bounce back at the Columbus Crew, and the New York Red Bulls look for revenge against the Philadelphia Union.
Here’s a closer look at all of this weekend’s MLS action:
NEW YORK CITY FC vs. MONTREAL IMPACT (Saturday, 2 p.m., MLS Live)
With both teams battling for playoff position, Saturday’s clash between New York City FC and the Montreal Impact could prove vital.
The Impact enter the weekend on a high, riding the signing of former Chelsea star Didier Drogba. It’s unlikely that the Ivorian striker will be able to suit up this weekend, but Drogba could easily prove to be the missing piece as the Impact make a march towards a playoff berth with games in hand.
Battling them for that postseason spot will by NYCFC, who looked every bit the contender last time out. In a game that marked the debut of Andrea Pirlo, NYCFC lit up Orlando City’s defense for five goals. The only question that remains of NYCFC comes with regards to Frank Lampard, who could potentially make his long-awaited debut Saturday after a battle with a calf injury.
PHILADELPHIA UNION vs. NEW YORK RED BULLS (Saturday, 7 p.m., MLS Live)
After being knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup by their nearby rivals, the Red Bulls can exact a bit of revenge on Saturday evening.
The Philadelphia Union spoiled the Red Bulls’ USOC run with a penalty kick shootout victory at Red Bull Arena two weeks back. Since then, the Union themselves have been the ones left disappointed after squandering a two-goal lead to fall, 3-2, to D.C. United last time out.
Since facing off in that cup fixture, the Red Bulls have added a new wrinkle to the attack, bringing in former Premier League standout Shaun Wright-Phillips. The Englishman’s versatility could prove vital, as Wright-Phillips could slot in anywhere from the wing all the way to right back, a position that has proven troublesome since the injury to Chris Duvall.
D.C. UNITED vs. REAL SALT LAKE (Saturday, 7 p.m., MLS Live)
Two weeks after swapping forwards, D.C. United and Real Salt Lake will be afforded the opportunity to go head to head.
In one of the league’s biggest trades to this point in the season, D.C. United acquired forward Alvaro Saborio from Real Salt Lake in exchange for Luis Silva, who has yet to feature due to injury. Saborio, meanwhile, paid immediate dividends, scoring in last week’s 3-2 victory over the Union.
Silva could feature for RSL, making his debut, but an injury to goalkeeper Nick Rimando may prove much more worrisome. The U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper is questionable after battling through Wednesday’s All-Star Game with a knee injury.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION vs. TORONTO FC (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., MLS Live)
Separated by just four points, the New England Revolution have a chance to put some space between them and a Toronto FC team that is walking wounded.
Michael Bradley will miss out on this weekend’s game, while Sebastian Giovinco is questionable due to a heel issue. Collen Warner will also miss out due to yellow card accumulation, putting further pressure on Jozy Altidore to provide both goals and hold-up play atop the field.
The Revs, meanwhile, enter on a bit of an upswing after picking up four points from two games following five straight losses. Saturday could also see the return of Jermaine Jones, who made the bench but did not feature in last week’s draw with the Fire.
ORLANDO CITY vs. COLUMBUS CREW (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., MLS Live)
While both teams await arrivals of recent reinforcements, the Columbus Crew and Orlando City are set to face off once again.
The two clubs are meeting up for the third time this season, with the Crew collecting four points from the series thus far. With league leaders Kei Kamara and Ethan Finlay back from the All-Star Game, the Crew face an Orlando City team reeling from three straight losses.
Both teams made midweek acquisitions, with Orlando City adding defender David Mateos and midfielder Adrian Winter, while fullback Harrison Afful has joined up with the Crew. However, all three are unlikely to feature.
SPORTING KC vs. HOUSTON DYNAMO (Saturday, 8:30 p.m., MLS Live)
Saturday’s clash between Sporting KC and the Houston Dynamo will feature the return of the team’s Gold Cup stars.
Having led Jamaica all the way to the tournament’s final, Giles Barnes rejoins the Dynamo after having scores six goals so far this season. Meanwhile, Sporting KC will be boosted by the return of Graham Zusi, providing a bit of relief to MLS MVP candidate Benny Feilhaber.
Entering Saturday, Sporting KC will be looking to bounce back from the team’s first loss in four games. Meanwhile, the Dynamo are coming in riding a statement win over the Galaxy, toppling the reigning MLS champions, 3-0, to pick up the team’s second win in three contests.
COLORADO RAPIDS vs. LA GALAXY (Saturday, 9 p.m., MLS Live)
After hosting this week’s MLS All-Star Game, the Colorado Rapids will welcome the LA Galaxy to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
The LA Galaxy enter the weekend with a number of question marks, as both Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane missed out on the All-Star festivities due to injury. Giovani Dos Santos will definitely miss out, as the Mexican star will not be introduced until next week.
In the Galaxy’s path will be a resurgent Colorado Rapids team that has won three straight. The Rapids will potentially now be tasked with besting Donovan Ricketts, as the Jamaican goalkeeper could make his LA Galaxy return this weekend following the departure of Jaime Penedo.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (Saturday, 10 p.m., MLS Live)
The Seattle Sounders’ struggles have been apparent, and things will not be getting easier heading into a crucial Cascadia clash.
Luckily for the Sounders, Clint Dempsey is set to return from the Gold Cup, aiding a sputtering attack that has seen the Sounders lose six of seven games since he last featured for the team. Now fifth in the Western Conference, the Sounders will also be aided by the return of Brad Evans, providing a major boost to the back line.
The Whitecaps, meanwhile, currently sit second in the conference, four points ahead of Saturday’s opposition. However, the Canadian side will need at least a draw Saturday to prevent the Sounders from claiming this year’s Cascadia Cup.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS (Sunday, 5 p.m., ESPN 2)
With four straight losses, the San Jose Eathquakes’ playoff hopes are dwindling, making Sunday’s match-up with the sixth-place Portland Timbers a big one.
The Timbers currently maintain the final playoff spot out West, seven points ahead of Sunday’s opponent. Sunday could feature the first start for recent DP acquisition Lucas Melano, who came in off the bench for Portland last time out.
As far as forwards go, the Earthquakes will be boosted by the return of Chris Wondolowski following the completion of the Gold Cup.
CHICAGO FIRE vs. FC DALLAS (Sunday, 7 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
The league’s hottest team is set to take on one of the league’s coldest in Sunday’s nightcap.
With five straight victories, FC Dallas is now sitting atop the Western Conference, and the team will be further bolstered by the returns of Blas Perez and Je-Vaughn Watson. Tied for the Supporters’ Shield lead, FC Dallas is looking to keep pace with D.C. United as the league’s top team.
The Fire, meanwhile, have been much less fortunate, registering just one win in six games while sinking to the bottom of the league. Positives could be incoming, though, as the team recently added former TFC forward Gilberto to lead a forward line that has underachieved this season.