The Major League Soccer season kicked off with the champions Los Angeles Galaxy beginning their title defense with a win. Meanwhile, the expansion clubs (Orlando City SC and New York City FC) also impressed in their debuts, picking up a point in their first ever MLS contest.
What’s up for Week 2? Here’s our weekly rundown:
Match Of The Week: New York City FC vs. New England Revolution – Sunday, 5:00 p.m. ET
NYCFC managed to earn a point at Orlando City in their MLS debut, which was a 1-1 draw. Now they’re set for their home debut at Yankee Stadium against New England, which means it’s a rivalry game (as is usually the case with anything between Boston and New York. The Revolution finished as runners-up in the MLS Cup for the fifth time last season as they lost to Los Angeles. They weren’t adequately ready of their opener as they didn’t know what hit them in a 3-0 loss at Seattle to open the 2015 campaign.
Given how New England played in Seattle, they will have plenty of motivation to get back on track and show the expansion team what Major League Soccer is all about. Expect them to come out on fire and pick up a big early-season win on the road as NYCFC continues to find their rhythm. Pick: Revolution
–Three Other Things To Keep An Eye On–
1. New Toronto FC Stars Get Another Rivalry Taste
Outside of Seattle, you could argue that no team looked better in Week 1 than TFC, who won 3-1 on the road against the Vancouver Whitecaps with Jozy Altidore scoring twice in his debut back on American soil. Fans of the U.S. international team will be happy to see Altidore on form and getting his confidence back. That was one rivalry game out of the way for the likes of Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco, who came from Juventus and assisted on Altidore’s opener, but it doesn’t slow down for TFC as they head next to Columbus to face the Crew, who might be their biggest rivals. The two battle for the Trillium Cup and the rivalry has gotten heated both on and off the pitch since they first got together. This will be a big test for Toronto FC.
2. Foreign Designated Players Continue MLS Experience
The spotlight was on the expansion teams in Week 1, namely on their Designated Players as Kaka equalized for Orlando City after David Villa assisted on NYCFC’s opener. Steven Gerrard will be on American shores soon, as will Frank Lampard. Meanwhile Robbie Keane is the reigning MVP and even Giovinci was quite well know during his time at Juventus and second only to Kaka in terms of his contract. There’s a growing collection of these foreign designated players and their shining bright as the stars of MLS.
3. Seattle Looks Hungry
Obafemi Martins (17) and Clint Dempsey (16) combined for 33 goals last season in taking Seattle to the Western Conference final, where they lost on away goals to Los Angeles. It looks like that left a bitter taste in their mouths. The strikers were at it again as they destroyed the Revolution with Dempsey netting twice (including one from the penalty spot) and Martins connecting on one as well. Their fans were as loud as ever and everyone knows that Seattle is arguably the toughest place to play in all of Major League Soccer. The Sounders are going to be a problem all season long for the league.
Underdog Play Of The Week: Toronto FC (+100) at Columbus Crew – Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET
The aforementioned Toronto-Columbus rivalry threatens to be the game of the week given how the two clubs feel about each other. However, no team in MLS are under more pressure than TFC after making their massive moves to pick up Altidore and Giovinci. At the same time, Columbus fell 1-0 at Houston in their 2015 debut and will battle to the end to avoid a loss in their home opener. TFC also won all three meetings with Columbus last season, so they seem to have their rival’s number going into their first matchup of 2015.
