(Photo: Mlssoccer.com)
MLS kicks off the 2012 season this weekend. Anticipation runs high as teams gear up to take the pitch. Every team will be in action this week starting on Saturday at 6:30. I am going to break down some of the more interesting match ups along with players to watch and predictions.
What to watch?
Vancou
ver Whitecaps v Montreal Impacts: Last year’s expansion team, the Vancouver Whitecaps takes on the newest side in MLS the Impact. It will be an interesting affair in Vancouver as the Whitecaps look to build off of last season. Whitecaps had a rocky first season finishing bottom of west with 28 points. They made some strong acquisitions over the winter transfer window bringing in Lee Young Pyo and MLS MVP candidate Sebastien LeToux. On the flip side Montreal has brought in a few ex-serie A defense-men in Nelson Rivas and Matteo Ferrari. Also bringing in US starlets Justin Braun and Zarek Valentine. Montreal is looking for bright spots so they can continue to build for the upcoming games. Expansion sides traditionally lose their first game but this is considered a rivalry match and anything can happen.
ver Whitecaps v Montreal Impacts: Last year’s expansion team, the Vancouver Whitecaps takes on the newest side in MLS the Impact. It will be an interesting affair in Vancouver as the Whitecaps look to build off of last season. Whitecaps had a rocky first season finishing bottom of west with 28 points. They made some strong acquisitions over the winter transfer window bringing in Lee Young Pyo and MLS MVP candidate Sebastien LeToux. On the flip side Montreal has brought in a few ex-serie A defense-men in Nelson Rivas and Matteo Ferrari. Also bringing in US starlets Justin Braun and Zarek Valentine. Montreal is looking for bright spots so they can continue to build for the upcoming games. Expansion sides traditionally lose their first game but this is considered a rivalry match and anything can happen.- Who Wins? Whitecaps win with a high powered offense lead by the French duo of LeToux/ Hassli and a raucous crowd propel the Caps past Impact. This being the Impacts first game hard to expect thy will get the starting 11 right.
- Players to Watch? For Impact keep an eye on Davy Arnaud as he works the ball methodically through the midfield. For Whitecaps all eyes are on the big off season signing of LeToux who has been in goal scoring form in the preseason.
LA Galaxy v Real Salt Lake: The big showdown of the weekend feats last year’s champs against one of the strongest teams in MLS. Salt Lake had a strong season and with the return of star Javier Morales who was out for most of last season with an injury. Salt Lake did not add much in the off-season but have a strong core of players and look to go deep into the playoffs this year. LA has bolstered their offense by adding a big time striker in Edson Buddle. LA has to cope with the loss of star defender Omar Gonzales who tore his acl and will miss up to 6 months. Galaxy have champions league this week will field a fully loaded team but heavy legs may be a problem. This game is viewed as a potential playoff game and both teams are trying to make a statement.
- Who wins: This will be a good game but LA will win in front of their home crowd. The reunion of Landon and Edson will cause too much to deal with for the RSL defense.
- Who to Watch: The Galaxy have a plethora of stars and a number of people to watch but the one that stand out is Edson Buddle. He is making his return to LA and the American goal scoring looks to make it a big return. For RSL keep an eye out for the hardworking Kyle Beckerman. The dreadlocked wonder is looking to prove to Jurgen Klinsmann that he deserves to be a regular on the US national team. No better way to do so then put out a strong performance against the league’s best look for Kyle to be on his A game.
FC Dallas v New York Red Bulls: NBC Sports debuts their MLS coverage with this cracker of a match. This game is star a studded affair and poses to be one of the more ascetically pleasing match ups of round one. Plus both teams are looking to make a deep push in the playoffs so what better way to start off the season. NY looks to show off their new and improved defense and lock down the FCD attack. It is still up in the air as to whether or not the former MVP David Ferreira will make his return or not but that does not mean FCD will be toothless in attack. The hoops have brought in a few attackers plus have an attack minded midfield.
- Who Wins: This game is going to be hard fought and Dallas expect both teams to score. This game ends in a draw would not be surprised if it was 2-2 or even 3-3. FC Dallas may only use one striker but with Castillo and Shea in the midfield (Potentially David Ferreira too) give FC Dallas a versatile attack minded midfield.
-
Players to Watch: For NYRB keep an eye on Thierry Henry the Arsenal legend had a successful return to his old stomping grounds and looks to carry his fine form into the MLS season. In the summer NYRB obtained Wilman Conde the former MLS all-star. Conde looks to stabilize the NYRB defense. FC Dallas’s Blas Perez had an outstanding preseason and looks to be the big time goal scorer FCD lacked last year. Also a guy named Brek Shea but do I need to say why…the man is currently taking US Soccer by storm.
Here are a few videos to get you pumped for the upcoming mls season. Enjoy some of the best goals from last season. Enjoy.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
