The Seattle Sounders return to action this weekend at home against the Philadelphia Union at on Saturday (7 p.m. PT; JOEtv, Univision-Seattle/KIRO 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360AM). 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).
Houston Dynamo vs. LA Galaxy (Friday, 4 p.m.; UniMas)
Viernes de Futbol starts off the weekend with an interesting matchup between Western Conference foes at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Dynamo (1-2-2, 5 pts.) were unlucky to settle for a draw against the Sounders last weekend, but their 12 goals this season is still second-best in the league. There will be no Nigel de Jong for the Galaxy (2-1-2, 8 pts.), who head to Houston after a week’s worth of controversy surrounding the hard-nosed midfielder and his rough play last weekend in Portland, as well as some comments from head coach Bruce Arena that drew the ire of MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
Chicago Fire vs. Montreal Impact (Saturday, 2 p.m.; MLS Live)
The season has already been a bright one for the Fire (1-1-3, 6pts.), who are in search of their fourth straight shutout in this one. The Fire and goalkeeper Matt Lampson have not conceded a goal for 356 minutes, the second longest shutout streak in club history (longest: 395 minutes in 2009). Things are just as rosy for the Impact (3-2-0, 6 pts.), who downed Columbus last time out and lead the Eastern Conference and are expected to get Didier Drogba back this weekend.
D.C. United vs. Toronto FC (Saturday, 2 p.m.; MLS Live)
The offense finally clicked the last weekend for D.C. United (1-2-3, 6 pts.), who rolled past Vancouver 4-0 on the heels of two goals each from Alvaro Saborio and Fabian Espindola. Times have been frustrating of late for TFC (1-2-2, 5 pts.), who are stuck in a three-game winless streak after a draw against New England.
Columbus Crew SC vs. New York City FC (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.; MLS Live)
Who could have imagined the league’s last remaining winless team would be the Crew (0-3-2, 2 pts.)? The reigning Eastern Conference champs have scored just three goals this season – the fewest in the league – and Kei Kamara has just one. NYCFC (1-1-3, 6 pts.) are winless in their last four games.
Colorado Rapids vs. New York Red Bulls (Saturday, 6 p.m.; MLS Live)
Former Sounders winger Marco Pappa has made an instant impact in Colorado this season, notching a goal and three assists in six games for the surprising Rapids (3-2-1, 10 pts.) Jermaine Jones is also expected to make his club debut after a lengthy suspension to open the season. It’s been a frustrating start to the season for the Red Bulls (1-5-0, 3 pts.), who head to Colorado after being shut out five times in six games this season.
Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Saturday, 7 p.m.; MLS Live)
The last remaining unbeaten team in MLS this season is RSL (3-0-2), who had ridden mighty-mite Joao Plata’s four goals in five games to one of the best starts in the league. They’ve had tougher luck historically against the ‘Caps (2-3-1, 7 pts), who swept all three games against RSL last season and haven’t lost to RSL since 2013.
Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; MLS Live)
The midweek matchup did not go well for the Timbers (1-3-2), who were steamrolled by FC Dallas 3-1 on Wednesday night. But they’ve never lost in seven games all-time at home against the Quakes (3-1-2, 11 pts.), who also come in on short rest after a win over the Red Bulls on Wednesday. Quakes striker Chris Wondolowski has a league-leading five goals this season and has tied Sounders assistant coach Ante Razov with 114 regular-season goals all-time, fourth in league history.
Orlando City SC vs. New England Revolution (Sunday, 12:30 p.m.; ESPN)
Soccer Sunday opens with one of the league’s most intriguing teams in Orlando (2-1-2, 8 pts.), who had a two-game winning streak last time out against Philadelphia. Brek Shea is expected to return after serving a one-game suspension in the loss to the Union. The Revs (1-1-4) are unbeaten over their last three games.
FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City (Sunday, 4 p.m.; FS1)
The league saves its best matchup of the weekend for last, as the top teams in the Western Conference square off at Toyota Stadium. Dallas (4-1-2) cruised past Portland 3-1 on the road on Wednesday, and have now scored a league-leading 13 goals this season from a democratic cast of characters. They’re also unbeaten in their last nine home games, a bad sign for visiting SKC (4-2-0, 8 pts.). Kansas City come in on short rest after a surprising 2-1 loss at home to Colorado midweek, even though Dom Dwyer bagged his fourth goal in six games this season.
