Major League Soccer is wasting no time testing its champion, giving the LA Galaxy the toughest test of 2012's opening weekend.
The defending champions take on Real Salt Lake in a rematch of the 2011 Western Conference final, a matchup of two of the best teams in the league heading into the new campaign. The Galaxy will be looking to manage minutes, having just played the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal series last Wednesday, and with the vital second leg looming next Wednesday.
The rest of the weekend's action boasts several enticing match-ups, including a few more playoff rematches. The Colorado-Columbus clash and the FC Dallas-New York showdown are both rematches of the 2011 playoff wildcard round.
Today will offer some history as well, with the Montreal Impact making their MLS debut as the league’s 19th team. They take on Vancouver in will be the first of many intense battles in a rivalry that already has roots north of the border.
Here is a look at the first weekend of MLS action:
SATURDAY
Colorado Rapids vs. Columbus Crew
The Oscar Pareja era begins with a matchup against a familiar foe in the Columbus Crew, the same team Colorado has eliminated from the playoffs the past two years. Conor Casey hasn’t completed his comeback from a torn Achilles and will miss the match, while Columbus will be without goalkeeper Wil Hesmer.
The key for Colorado will be getting Jaime Castrillon into positions to capitalize on a Crew squad that could have trouble containing him in midfield. Omar Cummings will also be important against a Columbus side he has had success against in the past.
Look for the Rapids to shut down the Columbus offense and expect Omar Cummings to have another good day against a team he enjoys playing against.
Rapids 1, Crew 0
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Montreal Impact
The Vancouver Whitecaps have looked like world beaters in pre-season. Today, they get to show that they can carry it over to the regular season. New head coach Martin Rennie stresses attacking soccer, and his loaded stable of forwards will look to punish a Montreal defense playing its first MLS match together.
The bigger question for Montreal is whether the Impact are ready to generate offense. They don’t have an established forward to be the focal point of their offense and could struggle against an improved Whitecaps defense.
Look for Rennie to win on his MLS coaching debut as Montreal becomes the latest expansion team to stumble in their opener.
Whitecaps 3, Impact 0
D.C. United vs. Sporting Kansas City
A very enticing Eastern Conference clash features the returning regular season East champions against a revamped D.C. United with serious playoff aspirations. The D.C. offense looks very dangerous and will get to show just how dangerous against a tough Sporting KC defense.
Kansas City will trot out its three-forward attack against a D.C. defense that underwent an overhaul in the winter. Forwards Teal Bunbury, C.J. Sapong and Kei Kamara will let us know just how much better that D.C. defense is.
Expect some fireworks, and an entertaining match, but don’t expect a winner to emerge.
D.C. United 2, Sporting KC 2
San Jose Earthquakes vs. New England Revolution
Two teams hoping to put the disappointments of 2011 behind them square off in northern California. The Earthquakes are hoping that the return to health of key players like Steven Lenhart and Ike Opara, coupled with the arrival of playmaker Tressor Moreno, can make the difference this year.
We will find out today just how much better they are as they take on a New England side that is kicking off the Jay Heaps era. The new Revs manager had his team go unbeaten in pre-season, but it remains unclear whether off-season acquisitions were enough to really make New England a better side in 2012.
Look for Chris Wondolowski to make the difference today between two teams that still have a long way to go to be playoff contenders.
Earthquakes 1, Revolution 0
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake
The Galaxy will have some fatigue coming off Wednesday’s intense draw with Toronto FC, but Real Salt Lake comes in dealing with a plethora of injury issues to start the season.
LA still has a stacked attack that is even stronger than the one that dismantled Real Salt Lake in last year’s Western Conference final. They should keep RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando busy. Conversely, RSL will look to test Andrew Boyens and see if the Galaxy’s weak link in defense is really all that weak.
The Galaxy haven’t lost at Home Depot Center since the 2010 Western Conference Final, and aren’t likely to give up points this time around either. As good as RSL is, early-season injuries will make it tough to get points at the Home Depot Center.
Galaxy 2, Real Salt Lake 1
SUNDAY
FC Dallas vs. New York Red Bulls
The Red Bulls eliminated Dallas from the 2011 playoffs in the wild card round, and Schellas Hyndman’s team surely hasn’t forgotten. Dallas will be playing in front of a sell-out crowd and will have a chance to show off some of the new pieces acquired in the off-season (though 2010 MLS MVP David Ferreira will miss the match with an ankle injury).
For the Red Bulls, there is plenty of uncertainty as the squad starts a rookie goalkeeper and the team’s replacement for Tim Ream, and top defensive acquisition (Wilman Conde) is already injured. They still have Thierry Henry though, and he will give the Red Bulls a chance of finding success in a stadium the Red Bulls have enjoyed stellar results in.
Not this time around though. Newly-acquired FC Dallas forward Blas Perez should enjoy a stellar Dallas debut as the Hoops open the season in style.
FC Dallas 2, Red Bulls 1
Chivas USA vs. Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo being their quest to return to MLS Cup by visiting the very stadium they lost the 2011 MLS Cup final in. The opponent is much, much easier this time as they take on a Chivas USA squad that is limping into the season after a disappointing pre-season.
Houston still has question marks about its offense, but facing a suspect Chivas USA defense should help the Dynamo attack get off to a good start. The Goats have a punchers chance now that Juan Pablo Angel has been re-signed, and the potential battle between Angel and Geoff Cameron will be a fun one to watch.
Look for the Dynamo to show off their stingy defense and expect Brad Davis to set up at least one goal as Houston kicks 2011 off with a road win.
Dynamo 1. Chivas USA 0
MONDAY
Portland Timbers vs. Philadelphia Union
The Timbers came close to making the playoffs in their first season, and look like a good bet to finish the job in 2012 after an outstanding off-season of acquisitions. Meanwhile, the Union spent the off-season losing their two best players.
Does that mean the Union won’t have a chance on Monday? Philadelphia’s many personnel changes could lead to some early-season growing pains, and trying to win in a difficult stadium like Jeld-Wen Field is probably too much to ask. That doesn’t mean the Union offense won’t still be able to test Portland’s back-line and show us a.) who looks most likely to replace Sebastien LeToux, and b.) just how much better Portland’s defense is this year.
The Timbers high-flying offense will keep Philadelphia on its heels, and the combo of Kris Boyd and Jorge Perlaza will help lead Portland to a season-opening victory in front of what should be a raucous crowd.
Timbers 2, Union 1
