The Seattle Sounders return to action this weekend at home against the Montreal Impact on Saturday (7 pm PT/Q13 FOX ,Univision Seattle, ROOT SPORTS (Outside Seattle)/KIRO 97.3 FM,El Rey 1360 AM). But there’s plenty of other MLS action on the docket this weekend, highlighted by two nationally televised matches in the U.S. SoundersFC.com breaks down what you need to know about each game (all kickoff times are PT).
New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls (Friday, 4 pm; UniMas)
Viernes de Futbol has an old-school Eastern Conference clash, and both teams are looking to break out from slow starts to the new season. The Revolution (0-1-3, 3 pts.) have started a season winless through their first four games for the first time since 2001, and the Red Bulls (1-2-0, 3 pts.) needed three second-half goals to top the Houston Dynamo for their first win of the season on March 19. Red Bulls defender Gideon Baah is out with hamstring injury and Dynamo forward Giles Barnes is also sidelined, but head ref Mark Geiger – who caught some serious flack the last time he worked a game – is the man in the middle.
Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia Union (Saturday, 2 pm; MLS Live)
Few would have expected a relatively hot start this season for the Philadelphia Union (2-1-0, 6 pts.), who head to Chicago on the heels of wins over Columbus and New England. Offseason pickup Chris Pontius and C.J. Sapong each have two goals for Jim Curtin’s team so far this year. There are fewer positives for the Fire (0-2-1, 1 pt.), who have struggled to find the offense they had in a 4-3 loss to NYCFC to open the season, scoring just one goal over the past two games.
Colorado Rapids vs. Toronto FC (Saturday, 5 pm; MLS Live)
Former Sounders winger Marco Pappa has already found some offensive success for the Rapids (1-1-1, 4 pts.), notching a goal and an assist so far this season. That’s good news, but a costly shin injury to Rapids striker and Ireland international Kevin Doyle over the international break will keep him out for 3-5 weeks. There was also some heavy international lifting for Toronto FC (1-1-1, 4 pts.), who will look to Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore to play their third game in eight days after suiting up twice for the United States last week.
Sporting KC vs. Real Salt Lake (Saturday, 5:30 pm; MLS Live)
The best team in MLS? Look no further than SKC (3-0-0, 9 pts.), who have scraped together three straight wins to open the season despite playing without 2015 MVP candidate Benny Feilhaber. There’s a chance Feilhaber will play in this one, but don’t bet on Matt Besler. The veteran center back is out with a concussion suffered while with the USMNT last week. There are also injury concerns for RSL (1-0-2, 5 pts.), who will play this one without midfielder Javier Morales while he continues to recover from broken ribs. RSL are unbeaten in the past five meetings in this series, but they haven’t won in Kansas City since 2009.
FC Dallas vs. Columbus Crew SC (6 pm; MLS Live)
The road through a rough start to the season doesn’t get any easier for Crew SC (0-2-1, 1 pt.), who are winless through the first three games and got hammered by Dallas 3-0 last September. The key to the new season so far for FC Dallas (3-1-0, 9 pts.) has been the outstanding play of offseason pickup Maxi Urruti, who has three goals since coming over from Portland. Midfielder Mauro Diaz leads the league with four assists.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. LA Galaxy (Saturday, 7 pm; MLS Live)
What will the Galaxy (2-1-0, 6 pts.) look like without Robbie Keane? They’re about to find out, after the star striker underwent knee surgery this week that will keep him out 4-6 weeks. There’s been a resurgence of sorts for Vancouver (2-2-0, 6 pts.), but last week’s win over Houston came with a price. Midfielder Masato Kudo is suspended this week after his simulation set up a Whitecaps penalty kick against the Dynamo.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. D.C. United (Saturday, 7:30 pm; MLS Live)
This one is for the old-schoolers. The Quakes are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first-ever MLS game, played way back in 1996 between D.C. and the San Jose Clash, when Chris Wondolowski was in junior high. Wondo is all grown up now for the Quakes (2-1-0, 6 pts.), and he’s scored in each of the team’s three games this season for the first time in his incredible career. Times are decidedly tougher for D.C. United (0-2-2, 2 pts.), who have two goals in four games this season.
Orlando City SC vs. Portland Timbers (Sunday, 5 pm; FS1)
Sunday’s nationally televised game on FS1 should be the first time this season that Kaká finally suits up for Orlando (1-0-2, 5 pts.), who have actually done surprisingly well without the Brazilian playmaker. He’s been nursing a thigh strain suffered in preseason. The Timbers (1-1-1, 4 pts.) are riding high with striker Fanendo Adi (three goals), but they’re also winless in their past two games after winning the season opener over Columbus. OCSC topped Portland 2-0 in their only other meeting all-time last year.
