Lampard and Pirlo's debuts to Robbie Keane's hot streak: five things to look out for in MLS
Thursday 23 July 2015 12:56, UK
As Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo prepares for their New York City FC debuts, we pick five things to look out for in MLS this weekend...
New York City FC v Orlando City SC: Lampard and Pirlo are set to make their debuts, can they overshadow All-Star Captain Kaka?
It is set to be another momentous occasion for New York City FC as Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo are set to make their highly anticipated debuts in front of a packed crowd at Yankee Stadium.
Fans will be salivating at the prospect of seeing the two designated players start alongside each other to create a partnership that could be very beneficial to not only the rest of the team, but lift the attacking burden off David Villa up front.
Lampard missed two debut opportunities after being forced to the sidelines with a calf injury, missing games against Toronto and New England which City picked one point in total from.
But finally the former Chelsea midfielder should see at least some minutes on the pitch. Meanwhile, Pirlo could play the entire 90 minutes depending on his fitness.
Kaka, who was named MLS All-Star captain this week, is always capable of spoiling the party and there may be an exciting duel on offer between him and Pirlo.
Live MLS
DC United v Philadelphia Union: Who will score the goals?
DC United lead the Eastern conference by five points and sit joint top of the overall Supporter’s Shield standings, yet they have been unable to win in their last three matches. Goals have been a real issue for the Black-and-Red as they have failed to find the net in nearly a month.
However, their summer signing, the Costa Rican Alvaro Saborio, may provide the answer to their problems. At the ripe age of 33, Saborio reached double figures in four of his last five seasons for goals at Real Salt Lake.
And DC will try to take advantage against Philadelphia Union who saw their three game undefeated run come to an end against Toronto last Saturday. What they do have - something DC lack right now - is a goalscorer.
CJ Sapong has four goals and two assists in his last seven matches, his athleticism and power may make him the potential difference-maker at RFK Stadium.
Live MLS
Houston Dynamo v LA Galaxy: Will Keane and Gerrard keep up LA’s formidable run of form?
Steven Gerrard grabbed the headlines after sealing a debut win with a goal, but it is Robbie Keane who is on a hot streak. Keane scored a hat-trick against California rivals San Jose Earthquakes last weekend to add to the treble he hit against Toronto seven days earlier.
The Galaxy have now won four of their last five as they now trail FC Dallas at the top of the West by only a single point.
It is characteristic of LA, who tend to hit form in the summer months before cementing a play-off place. The integration of the targeted Allocation money rule also means Mexico international Giovani Dos Santos is set to join the club to add to the Galaxy’s already strong attack.
But Owen Coyle’s Houston want to put an end to their streak as they look to improve on their patchy form of just one win in their last eight.
The highly-rated Erick Torres, who scored 15 goals in 29 appearances for the now-defunct Chivas USA last season, is set to finally make his debut after being loaned to Chivas Guadalajara in Mexico for the year’s first half. The Mexican international may be able to add goals to a Houston team who desperately need wins.
FC Dallas v Portland Timbers: Can FC Dallas keep up their pursuit for their first ever MLS Cup?
After a slump in form from mid-May to mid-June, FC Dallas has won their last four in a row, putting them top of the Western Conference standings.
Fabian Castillo scored four in his last five matches, including a stoppage-time winner against DC United on Saturday evening. Castillo is the club’s top scorer on eight goals and has six assists.
The pacey Colombian has been included to the MLS All-Star squad to face Tottenham for the first time, making the 23-year-old the youngest player to be selected this year.
Portland’s reserves may have picked up an impressive 4-3 win against Newcastle in a friendly this week, but their first team will undoubtedly be focused on recovering from a 1-1 draw against Pacific Northwest rivals Vancouver Whitecaps.
The result was the first time the club have dropped points at their home of Providence Park since May.
Real Salt Lake v Sporting Kansas City: Could Real Salt Lake be boosted by their South American talent?
Sporting Kansas City have won five of their last six matches and lost just one game in their last 11. The signs are promising for Kansas as they are fourth in the West.
However, they have two games in hand meaning maximum points could see them sit top of the competitive conference by as much as four points if results all went their way.
Real Salt Lake put an end to a four-game winless run with a 2-0 victory against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday evening. Diminutive striker Joao Plata got his first MLS goal of 2015 after injury restricted him to playing in just eight games.
Last season Plata was the club’s top scorer with 13 goals, meaning a return to similar form could cause problems for opposition defences. His partnership with playmaker Javier Morales, who got a goal and assist against Owen Coyle’s men, could be highly effective once again.
