Ranking this week’s MLS games:
Games of the week
New York Red Bulls at Seattle, Sunday, 7 p.m., FS1. The Red Bulls, among the favorites in the Eastern Conference, have six points, though they haven't particularly impressed. Seattle has one point, and it definitely hasn't impressed. Why, then, is this one of the games of the week? Because both teams are loaded with talent and can turn things around quickly. Maybe this is the week.
Houston at Portland, Saturday, 10:30 p.m., MLS Live. Both teams have six points after two games. Both teams are scoring in bunches with Portland notching six goals and Houston five. This should be an up-and-down thriller.
Games to DVR to watch again
New England at Dallas, Saturday, 8 p.m., MLS Live. With zero points from its first two games, New England needs a result and doing so against arguably the league's best team won't be easy. The Revs may be helped by the fact that Dallas played in the CCL on Wednesday.
Chicago at Atlanta, Saturday, 4 p.m. Unimas. After scoring six goals in last week's win against Minnesota United, Atlanta United leads the league in goals (7). Chicago will offer a much better test and indication of what the Five Stripes should expect in MLS this season.
Games to go to the watering hole to watch
San Jose at Sporting KC, Saturday, 8 p.m., MLS Live. The Quakes are one of the surprise teams in MLS this season with six points from their first two games. Sporting KC has yet to score or be scored upon.
Philadelphia at Orlando, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., MLS Live. Orlando has had two weeks to rest because last week's game at New England was postponed by poor weather. Poor weather in the Northeast in March? Go figure. Orlando will get a chance to see if its defense, led by Atlanta's Joe Bendik and which shut out NYCFC in Week 1, is legit.
Montreal at NYCFC, Saturday, 2 p.m. TVAS. If you want goals, watch this game. NYCFC is coming of a 4-0 thrashing of D.C. United, while Montreal has scored two and allowed three. Could be a fun one to watch.
Games to set up score alerts on your phone so you don’t have to pay close attention
L.A. Galaxy at Real Salt Lake, Saturday, 9:30 p.m., MLS Live. Two teams that are struggling. The Galaxy's back line is a mess with Jelle Van Damme out because of a red card received against Portland, and its offense will likely be without Gio Dos Santos. Real Salt Lake is one of four teams that have yet to score.
Toronto at Vancouver, Saturday, 4 p.m. CTV. With two draws in its first two games, both on the road, this would seem to be another tough game. But Vancouver is coming off a mid-week loss to Tigres in the CCL and may not be fully fit. Toronto will be without Sebastian Giovinco.
Games that only those who play fantasy will care about
Minnesota at Colorado, Saturday, 9 p.m., MLS Live. Any game involving Minnesota is likely going to fall into this category because they've given up 11 goals in their first two games. Colorado, which has scored just one goal, couldn't be happier.
Columbus at D.C. United, Saturday, 7 p.m., MLS Live. D.C. United is another team that has yet to score. Both teams have allowed four goals, so something should change for their offenses this week.
