By THOMAS FLOYD
Two weeks into the MLS season, the Philadelphia Union stands alone atop the Eastern Conference as one of only three teams in the league with an unblemished record. Philadelphia will face its sternest test yet this weekend when it travels to the West Coast for a Saturday night clash with last year's Supporters' Shield winner, the Los Angeles Galaxy.
That match highlights a slate of MLS action that will also feature a Friday showdown between FC Dallas and Columbus, two 2010 playoff teams off to sluggish starts, and a Seattle Sounders-San Jose Earthquakes meeting Saturday between two talented squads trying to break through amid the Western Conference's daunting depth.
Here is a rundown of the entire week three schedule and how we see things playing out:
COLUMBUS CREW vs. FC DALLAS (Friday, 7:30 p.m., FSC)
After eventful offseasons that saw key players depart both teams, Columbus and FC Dallas are struggling out of the gate, despite enviable schedules, with just a point apiece through two games. Both sides could receive a boost up top, as newly signed designated player Fabian Castillo could make his first start for Dallas after debuting last week, while Columbus seems set to get Venezuelan striker Emilio Renteria back from injury.
Dallas boasts just too much talent to remain winless this long into the season, even after its sloppy handling of the expansion draft that saw it lose key starters Dax McCarty and Atiba Harris for nothing. David Ferreira and Castillo find net and Dallas wins on the road depite a goal from Emmanuel Ekpo for Columbus. FCD 2, Crew 1.
TORONTO FC vs. CHIVAS USA (Saturday, 1 p.m., TSN)
This meeting at BMO Field between two teams seemingly poised to be bottom feeders in their respective conferences will be key for both squads as they try to shed that unwanted perception. Although Chivas started the season with two home losses, Toronto at least has some momentum to build off after toppling the Portland Timbers last week.
With Jimmy Conrad doubtful for this match with a concussion and Zarek Valentin on U.S. U-20 national team duty, Chivas will be woefully shorthanded in the back. Alan Gordon scores against his old team as the visitors struggle to create in the final third. TFC 1, Chivas 0.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS vs. SPORTING KANSAS CITY (Saturday, 7 p.m., Direct Kick)
Two clubs that got off to surprisingly hot starts in their openers before coming back down to earth last week face off at Empire Field. The story of this matchup might be two players who won't be on the field: Omar Bravo and Eric Hassli. The designated players notched braces in week one but received red cards in week two that will rule them out of this contest.
So who will pick up the slack? Look for Teal Bunbury and Atiba Harris to get on the score sheet as the teams play to a draw. Whitecaps 1, SKC 1.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Direct Kick)
Portland may have picked up its first competitive win as an MLS side by defeating Chivas in a midweek U.S. Open Cup qualifier, but getting a victory in league play at undefeated New England will be a tougher proposition. With Darlington Nagbe recovered from a sports hernia and ready to make his MLS debut, the Timbers do more or less have their full attacking arsenal available for the first time.
On the other hand, New England's solid back line, led by rookie A.J. Soares and all-star Kevin Alston, is well-equipped to hold Portland in check. And the Timbers will be without goalkeepers Troy Perkins and Adin Brown, forcing 20-year-old third-stringer Jake Gleeson between the posts. Expect a Sainey Nyassi goal to be all New England will need in this one. Revolution 1, Timbers 0.
NEW YORK RED BULLS vs. HOUSTON DYNAMO (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Direct Kick)
Even without international absentees Bouna Coundoul, Rafael Marquez, Tim Ream, Dane Richards and Juan Agudelo, as well as the injured Greg Sutton and Thierry Henry, the Red Bulls still managed to steal a point on the road against Columbus last week. With the national team players back in the fold and Henry listed as questionable, the intimidating starting 11 that had made New York a trendy MLS Cup pick could be together again.
Houston showed signs of improvement during a 1-1 draw at Seattle last week, but the Dynamo will need another standout performance from goalkeeper Tally Hall if it expects to get a result at Red Bull Arena. Richards and Agudelo carry their fine international form into this fixture with goals, Joel Linpere gets the third for New York, and a Brian Ching tally is mere consolation for Houston. Red Bulls 3, Dynamo 1.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY vs. PHILADELPHIA UNION (Saturday, 10:30 p.m. Direct Kick)
Although the Galaxy was without Donovan Ricketts, Omar Gonzalez and Landon Donovan for its 4-1 shellacking at the hands of Real Salt Lake last week, the result is still a sign for concern in Los Angeles. Picking up three points at home against first-place Philadelphia would go a long way toward reaffirming the Galaxy's status as a surefire MLS Cup contender.
With Juan Pablo Angel poised to make his first start after opening his scoring account with the Galaxy off the bench against Salt Lake and the injured Gonzalez upgraded to probable, the Galaxy could be at full strength for the first time this season. Philadelphia's defense, much improved with the additions of goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon and center back Carlos Valdes, will keep the Union in the game, but goals from Donovan and Angel will give Los Angeles the win. Galaxy 2, Union 0.
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. SEATTLE SOUNDERS (Saturday, 10:30 p.m., Direct Kick)
Seattle has been a team in mild turmoil during the early stages of this MLS season, with the sudden retirement of striker Blaise N'Kufo and last week's benching of former all-star Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and designated player Alvaro Fernandez among the story lines as the Sounders have limped to a 0-2-1 start.
San Jose, meanwhile, silenced some doubts last week as reigning golden boot winner Chris Wondolowski proved he likely won't be a one-year wonder, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over Dallas. Considering the Sounders might be without Fredy Montero, who had wrist surgery this week, winning in San Jose will be a tall order for Seattle. Ryan Johnson and Wondolowski both beat Kasey Keller to negate Nate Jaqua's first goal since 2009. Earthquakes 2, Sounders 1.
COLORADO RAPIDS vs. D.C. UNITED (Sunday, 7 p.m., Galavision)
United won in Colorado for the first time since 2000 in October, a note made all the more fascinating when considering D.C. finished the season with the league's worst record and Colorado went on to win the MLS Cup. If the Black and Red is to get another win in the Rocky Mountains, however, it will have to do so with a makeshift back line, as center backs Dejan Jakovic (red card) and Perry Kitchen (U.S. U-20 national team) will be out.
That's good news for the Rapids' vaunted forward tandem of Omar Cummings and Conor Casey. Cummings, who scored for Jamaica in a 3-1 win over El Salvador on Tuesday, will burn the D.C. defense with his speed on one strike, and Brian Mullan will bag his first goal in a Colorado uniform for another. Rapids 2, United 0.
