WEEK 2 PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

Week one of MLS saw one road team getting the full three points (Toronto FC), two scoreless draws, two scored draws, three one-nil scoreline, and two comfortable clean sheet multi-goal victories (LA and Seattle). For game week two, we have four clubs facing a bye (Colorado Rapids, DC United, Montreal Impact, and New York Red Bulls) with the schedule makers looking ahead to CONCACAF Champions League, which DC United crashed out of, but Montreal Impact remain in. Again we have a Friday night match (available in English) on Unimas, and Sunday matches on ESPN and Fox Sports 1.


HOUSTON DYNAMO v ORLANDO CITY SC: Houston is at home for the second week in a row to start the season under new manager Owen Coyle, and I would expect something very similar to what we saw last week, which was what we saw for many years under Dominic Kinnear. While getting the 1-0 win over arguably the better side, Columbus Crew, they did it by being a disciplined defense who took their chance when it presented itself. Against Orlando City, you would expect they would have a slightly easier run of it. Orlando will be facing their first road test of the season, after getting a late deflection on a Kaka free kick to draw with fellow new boys New York City FC. A poor game between two clubs still trying to find their identity, Orlando showed signs of life due to Kaka's skill, fullbacks finding themselves nearer the opposition box for more of the game than their own, and determination not to let 62,000+ fans down.

It will be interesting this week to see how Houston approaches this match. Will Bruin get the start again with Barnes as the trailing striker? Will Chandler Hoffman see some pitch time in mop up duty? Can Tyler Deric again stand on his head and keep another clean sheet? On the Orlando side, who will start up top? Will the fullbacks, in particular Shea, keep playing like midfielders with defensive responsibilities? Can Kaka once again pull them out of the fire?

Injury List Houston: None
Injury List Orlando: GK Talley Hall, F Martin Peterson

Prediction: Houston Dynamo 2-0 Orlando City SC (Match on Unimas in spanish and english)


CHICAGO FIRE v VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC: After a difficult road game against perennial MLS Cup Champion LA Galaxy, the Chicago Fire kick off their home season against a rising Vancouver team. Loaded with talent, Vancouver look to bounce back after a difficult loss to Toronto FC in a Canadian derby against an also reeling Chicago side.

Chicago has been rebuilt for the 2015 season, but was struggling to put the pieces together last week in LA. Some home cooking could be just what the doctor ordered. Shaun Maloney showed signs of promise, while defensive pair Eric Gehrig and Jeff Larentowicz showed signs of a developing understanding. If they remain the starting duo, or if rookie Matt Polster slides in over the coming weeks could tell us what coach Frank Yallop feels about his decision to slide veteran midfielder Larentowicz to center back. On the Whitecaps side of the ball, they had their chances last week, but wilted under the pressure of Toronto's big two up top. If they can solidify their defensive frailties against a pace filled Chicago attack, with the help of a now fit Kofie in a holding role, Vancouver should be able to get a result.

My key questions this week are, will coffee or Laba be chosen to mark Maloney? Will Kofie get the start at all over up and coming Teibert or Bustos? With David Accam likely out this week, will Chicago turn to another new DP, or last seasons key youth in attack?

Injury List Chicago: F Mike Magee, M Patrick Nyarko, (did not practice Wednesday, questionable) F David Accam
Injury List Vancouver: M Andre Lewis

Prediction: Chicago Fire 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC


FC DALLAS v SPORTING KC: Home for the second week in a row, FC Dallas nicked three points against a game San Jose team last week right at the death. Oscar Pareja's side struggled to get it going last week, with the team continuing to struggle when they look to Mauro Diaz to carry the load, instead of everyone doing their own share. KC finds themselves on the road for the first time this season, after a home draw last week against the Red Bulls that saw Matt Besler get sent off. While the new free role for Graham Zusi appears to be something to watch this season, so far it has yet to click.

My key questions this week are, how will the KC defense do on the road without either of last seasons CB pair, the suspended Besler, and the departed Collin? Can Zusi control a match the way other attacking mids have in MLS? Can Dallas go as Diaz goes, while also carrying themselves when Diaz eats space they wanted? While my gut says draw, my head wants to know if home cooking will dominate this week as it did last week.

Injury List Dallas: M/F Coy Craft, D Stephen Keel
Injury List KC: D Chance Myers

Prediction: FC Dallas 2-1 Sporting KC


REAL SALT LAKE v PHILADELPHIA UNION: Both of these teams are coming off of scoreless draws in week one. RSL battled hard on the road for a point against Portland, while the Union took on a ten man Colorado team at home, and still couldn't nick a goal. Neither team was impressive last week. The Luis Gill experiment for RSL, sliding an attack minded number 10 further back into the midfield could be promising, he needs to be on the pitch, but it could take several weeks to really hit its stride. For Philly, after throwing the kitchen sink at a tactically fouling Colorado side, a chance to play a more open game this week could show us more of what they are really about.

What I'll be looking for this week is how will Philly score? With a combination of fast and skilled players, who will take control as the goal scorer every team needs? When it come to RSL, the Gill experiment will be something I watch closely, but beyond that, I'll be watching the new formation of RSL, and if it can deliver the success or attractive football of the old Jason Kreis model. Over all, I want to see if either team can score.

Injury List RSL: F Joao Plata, M John Stertzer, D Justen Glad
Injury List Union: GK Andre Blake, F C.J. Sapong

Prediction: Real Salt Lake 0-0 Philadelphia Union


SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC v SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES: Seattle put on the display of the week against a New England side without Jermaine Jones which travelled across the country, while San Jose had a heartbreaking late loss on the road in Dallas.

The fact that they had fewer new pieces to put into place during the preseason meant Seattle has hit the ground running, with Tyrone Mears sliding into the boots of DeAndre Yedlin with no issues during match week one. The lack of fresh blood still concerns me, as does the Evans experiment at center back, but as long as the DP's, Dempsey and Martins continue to perform, it can cover all matter of ills. With San Jose, the Dominic Kinnear era began as you would expect, a well drilled and patient team, which was unlucky to lose all three points right at the death. Another road game, especially in Seattle, will be quite the test for Dom's men.

This week I'll be looking to see if Martins and Dempsey continue firing, if Evans can build a lasting partnership with Marshall, and of particular interest will be the fullbacks for Seattle. If Mears continues to gel with his new teammates, and who gets chosen the most often at left back. For San Jose, I would like to see who gets a goal. Will Emaghara net for the first time in his MLS career? Will Tommy Thompson gain more traction over the season until the point that he becomes a USMNT regular?


Injury List Seattle: M Osvaldo Alonso
Injury List San Jose: F Mark Sherrod, F Steven Lenhart, D Clarence Goodson (did not practice midweek)

Prediction: Seattle Sounders FC 2-0 San Jose Earthquakes


NEW YORK CITY FC v NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION: A week after opening up Orlando's home season, the Yankee stadium debut for NYCFC has arrived. New England had a cross country flight back home after a difficult start in Seattle, but remains on the road in front of another potentially raucous crowd. This will be ESPN's Sunday night matchup.

City had moments of class last week in Orlando, but for the most part looked like a team struggling to find an identity while getting to know each other. Without a Beckerman type in his mid, Jason Kreis has slotted Mix Diskerud into that deep lying playmaking role, which saw Mix get the first goal in City's franchise history. New England on the other hand had very little going their way in Seattle. Without the man who pulled the strings last season, Lee Nguyen, and the man who pulled it all together for them Jermaine Jones, New England looked toothless. The return of MVLee can't come soon enough.

My key areas of interest this week will be the atmosphere created during City's first home match, in a baseball stadium not meant to house the beautiful game. Will Jason Kreis change his formation or line up for home matches, or will he keep a consistent team throughout the season? Will David Villa get his first MLS goal? For New England, will Nguyen return? Can Agudelo or Davies get on the score sheet? Will the Farrell experiment at center back be the best decision Jay Heaps ever made?

Injury List NYCFC: D George John, GK Ryan Meara (probable)
Injury List Revs: M Jermaine Jones, M Teal Bunbury, M Lee Nguyen (questionable)

Prediction: New York City FC 1-1 New England Revolution


MATCHES OF THE WEEK:

COLUMBUS CREW SC v TORONTO FC: By far the match I am looking forward to the most this week, Columbus heads home after a disappointing opener against Houston. They were the better team for large stretches of the match, but failed to put the ball into the back of the net despite their chances, with one small mistake led to their demise. Toronto, for week number two of a nine week stretch are on the road, after an impressive debut from new attacking options Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco which led to 3-1 victory over a quality Vancouver side.

Toronto's season started off with a bang, with Jozy Altidore netting twice on his return to MLS, one created by new boy, the Atomic Ant Giovinco, and another goal added by fellow TFC new boy Robbie Findley. While the first half was difficult and had some sloppy moments, following the break in play at half time, TFC came out the better team, showing flashes of what they are expected to be. If the stars can continue to perform, this could finally be the season Toronto makes it to the playoffs. For the Crew, some home cooking could be just what the doctor ordered. Kei Kamara fit in very well with his new side and looks to be a big addition to a team that had everything last season but a forward scoring goals at a regular clip. The final ball is all that separated the Crew last week from a result they wanted.

My key areas to watch this week will be how Jozy Altidore and Giovinco continue to combine and develop a partnership. Will Bloom reclaim his position last season at right back? Will Perquis and Caldwell continue to develop their partnership, as well as Cheyrou and Bradley, making it three new duos down the spine of TFC. For Columbus, can Higuain deliver the final ball Kamara needs to get on the score sheet? With Trapp already a regular, can other young talents Ben Speas or Ben Swanson find their way onto the pitch to continue their development? With both teams working five man midfields, whose mid wins the day?

Injury List Columbus: M Romain Gall
Injury List Toronto: None

Prediction: Columbus Crew SC 2-2 Toronto FC


PORTLAND TIMBERS FC v LA GALAXY: FS1's Sunday night clash sees Portland Timbers home again after a difficult 0-0 with RSL last week, while LA comes off a league opener which saw them handle a game Chicago Fire side with relative ease in the end with a 2-0 victory.

With three key injuries, Portland is still looking more like the Portland of last year as opposed to the Portland of two years ago. Where the goals are going to come from, and a questionable defense are all still there, and Darlington Nagbe has yet to really light the league on fire. Against RSL, the defense held, but the creation and goal scoring were lacking. LA on the other hand had a difficult first half, but put it together in the second, and could have scored more than the two they did. The Villarreal experiment on the left worked well, but if it doesn't continue, Zardes, Jamieson IV, or Rogers could slide into the role. Every choice is interesting, but for now, the young Villareal out in a competent shift.

My keys to watch this week are LA's left side. Will the young Villareal get another start, or will Arena make a switch? Can Ishizaki hold down his role without nearly getting punched again by Robbie Keane. Should Nagbe play on the right, will Arena put Rogers and his younger legs or Dunnivant and his wiser head at left back? If on the left, will De La Garza get the start at right back? For Portland, will Nagbe play behind the striker while Valeri remains out, or stay out wide? Can the midfield hold together until the key components return, or will they falter in possession and fail to protect the defense?

Injury List Portland: M Will Johnson, M Diego Valeri, M Ben Zemanski, M Diego Chara (questionable), M Michael Nanchoff (questionable)
Injury List LA: None

Prediction: Portland Timbers FC 1-2 LA Galaxy




Thats it for this weeks matches, check them all out on Unimas, ESPN, FS1, and MLS Live. The time to get stuck in is now. And as always, remember, MLS Matters.