The Seattle Sounders return to action this weekend on the road at FC Dallas on Saturday (6 p.m. PT; Q13 FOX/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).
D.C. United vs. New York Red Bulls (Friday, 4 p.m.; UniMas)
Viernes de Futbol starts off the weekend with an old school Eastern Conference matchup between I-95 rivals D.C. United (2-4-4, 10 pts.) and the New York Red Bulls (3-6-1, 10 pts.) at RFK Stadium. There’s plenty of history between these two clubs, but the more intriguing story line this time is which club is a legit challenger in the East. Both teams have been surprisingly slow out of the gate this year, but the Red Bulls are unbeaten in their last three games and are suddenly looking like the better club in this Atlantic Cup rivalry. The Red Bulls are also unbeaten in the last five games in this series, including a 2-0 win on March 22.
Montreal Impact vs. Philadelphia Union (Saturday, 2 p.m.; MLS Live)
The top two teams in the Eastern Conference lock horns at Stade Saputo, but neither club has regularly impressed this year. The Impact (4-3-3, 15) are winless in their last four despite a dramatic come-from-behind result against Columbus last weekend, and the Union (4-3-2, 14 pts.) have just one win in their last four. The Union are also on short rest in this one after a 2-2 draw against the LA Galaxy on Wednesday.
Columbus Crew SC vs. Colorado Rapids (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.; MLS Live)
Nobody made more headlines this week than the Crew (2-4-3, 9 pts.), who shipped Kei Kamara to New England after the star striker lashed out at fellow Designated Player Federico Higuain and the team’s chemistry after a disheartening draw against Montreal last weekend. This will be the team’s first game without Kamara, who scored five goals in nine games this before he was traded. The Rapids (7-2-2) are quietly the best team in MLS, but have just one win in five games away from home this season.
Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.; MLS Live)
The first-ever all-Canadian clash at the renovated BMO Field is in store on Saturday afternoon, which Toronto FC (4-3-2, 14 pts.) looking to grab their second win in as many games at home this year. The Reds have each of the last two games in this series and are 3-1 in their last four league games overall. The Caps (5-5-2, 17 pts.) have been one of the league’s most puzzling teams this year, but come into this one on the heels of a pair of 2-1 wins over Portland and Chicago.
New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.; MLS Live)
How much will freshly minted striker Kei Kamara feature into the lineup in his first game for the Revs (1-3-7, 10 pts.)? It remains to be seen, but he certainly adds a boost to a club that has one just one of its five games at home this season. The season has even tougher for the Fire (1-3-4, 7 pts.), currently dead last in MLS and winless in their last four.
Houston Dynamo vs. Real Salt Lake (Saturday,5:30 p.m.; MLS Live)
Few teams in MLS are struggling as badly these days at Houston (2-6-2, 8 pts.), who sit in last place in the West with just one win in their last eight games. Once considered the best team in MLS, Real Salt Lake (5-2-2, 17 pts.) are suddenly mortal again, with recent losses to LA and Colorado in recent weeks. RSL has dominated this series since 2013, winning five straight, including two games in Houston by a combined score of 8-3.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Orlando City SC (Sunday, 12:30 p.m.; ESPN)
Soccer Sunday kicks off on ESPN with the second-ever matchup between Kansas City and Orlando, and both teams need points to keep pace in their respective conferences. SKC (4-6-2, 14 pts.) are winless in their last five games and have already lost twice at home this season, while Orlando (2-2-5, 11 pts.) are winless in their last five. Orlando won the only previous meeting between the two teams last year, 3-1 in Orlando.
Portland Timbers vs. New York City FC (Sunday, 4:30 p.m.; FS1)
East meets West when the reigning MLS Cup champions host the MLS darlings from New York City to close out the week, but neither team has been terribly impressive yet this season. The Timbers (3-5-3, 12 pts.) are on short rest after a midweek loss in Dallas despite a strong outing from Darlington Nagbe, and striker Fanendo Adi is tied for the league lead with seven goals this season. NYCFC (3-3-4, 13 pts.) are in the thick of the chase in the East and have won two games in a row, with striker David Villa leading the way with seven goals.
