Matchday 2 Preview
- Mar 9, 2017
- 3 min read
Weekend Matchday 2 Preview
After Portland Timbers showed no mercy in a 5-1 home thrashing in the first game of the 2017 against a newly shaky Minnesota, the rest of the weekend fixtures were relatively calm. With new teams and new stadiums making their MLS debuts. A total of 20 goals were netted across the 11 fixtures with eight teams failing to get their goal scoring tally off to a start.
Matchweek two has some tasty live fixtures on the cards. Being broadcast live on Sky Sports throughout the weekend are Montreal Impact vs Seattle Sounders on Sky Sports 4 (Sunday 00:00 GMT) and Minnesota vs Atlanta on Sky Sports 2 (21:00 Sunday GMT). Both Montreal and Seattle found themselves losing away from home in the previous week, so both teams will be eager to get their new campaign off to a start. As for the later game at The TCF Bank Stadium, the two new boys will want to prove a point to the rest of the league as both found themselves being on the losing team despite both scoring goals on the opening weekend.
My predictions
Chicago Fire vs Real Salt Lake – Despite both teams gaining one point each last week, I think home advantage will just edge this tie with David Accam already opening his account last week for Chicago. Chicago WIN
New England Revolution vs Orlando City- Orlando saw off New York City in the first game in their new stadium 1-0. However with Brazilian playmaker Kaka newly injured for up to six weeks, attacking threat could be lacking. DRAW
New York Red Bulls vs Colorado Rapids- Both set of teams have started well, securing three points last week. Despite Red Bulls not beating Colorado in their last 4 meetings, I think home advantage again will just prove clinical. Red Bulls WIN
Philadelphia vs Toronto FC- Each of these teams kept clean sheets last week but failed to find the net also in two boring 0-0 draws. But with Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco leading the front line for Toronto goals will come. Toronto WIN
Montreal Impact vs Seattle Sounders- This midnight kick off can go either way with key players such as Piatti and Clint Dempsey playing pivotal roles. With no draws between these teams in the last five meetings, I think it’s time for one. DRAW
Houston Dynamo vs Columbus Crew- Both of these teams looked lively last week scoring goals and their head to head form is too close to call. Score draw maybe? DRAW
Sporting Kansas City vs FC Dallas- Last week Dallas took home three points when playing away to Galaxy with a solid performance. Kansas failed to score in their encounter with DC last week. Dallas WIN
San Jose Earthquakes vs Vancouver Whitecaps- Earthquakes beat 10-man Montreal last week and have only lost to Whitecaps once in their previous five. Despite Whitecaps having a positive pre-season and being unbeaten in five only conceding two, I think Earthquakes will earn back to back league victories. Earthquakes WIN
New York City vs DC United- New York City failed to score away at Orlando last week but with the likes of David Villa and Jack Harrison on the pitch you can never rule out a goal. DC also failed to score at home against Kansas and I think they will struggle again this week. New York City WIN
Minnesota vs Atlanta United FC- Both the new boys failed to win last weekend despite scoring. Minnesota conceded five on their MLS debut and Atlanta looked quick and hungry on the attack when they lost 2-1 at home to Red Bulls. Atlanta WIN
LA Galaxy vs Portland Timbers- Timbers bagged five goals last week with Fanendo Adi and Diego Valeri both getting a brace on the opening weekend. Despite this I think Galaxy will want to get their first three points of the season after failing to beat DC last week. New player Romain Alessandrini to play a starring role. LA Galaxy WIN
I have put my money where my mouth is and staked a £1 accumulator bet. For all these 11 fixtures, if the results I predicted come in, it returns an astounding £20,860.22. I certainly won’t be complaining, I’ll be buying flight tickets to America and I’ll be attending a couple of games in celebration. #UpTheMLS
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