Sporting Kansas City’s inaugural MLS matchup with expansion side Minnesota United FC on Sunday afternoon is one of three nationally televised games that highlight the MLS slate in Week 10.
Saturday offers a mouthwatering rematch of the 2016 MLS Cup, while the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader features two of the league’s two most exciting, star-studded teams. Without further ado, here’s what MLS fans across the country can look forward to this weekend.
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Toronto FC | 2 p.m. CT Saturday, ESPN & ESPN Deportes
Five months ago, Toronto FC welcomed Seattle Sounders FC to BMO Field for the 2016 MLS Cup. The Sounders were outplayed but ultimately prevailed in a penalty shootout to earn the title as league champions. Saturday serves as Toronto’s chance to exact revenge, although the Reds (4-1-4, 16 points) will have to fight the road battle at vaunted CenturyLink Field, where Seattle (2-2-4, 10 points) hasn’t lost in nearly 10 months.
The United States’ Men’s National Team will be heavily represented in this heavyweight bout, as Toronto’s Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley square off with Seattle’s potent attacking duo of Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris. We’d also be remiss not to mention the class and quality that Sebastian Giovinco and Nicholas Lodeiro bring to the table. Both sides endured slow starts to 2017 but have revived since then: TFC are winners of three straight, while the Sounders have exploded for six goals over their last two games.
Minnesota United FC vs. Sporting Kansas City | 12:30 p.m. CT Sunday, FS1 & FOX Deportes
Sporting Kansas City (5-1-3, 18 points) has twice defeated Minnesota in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, but Sunday marks the very first meeting between the regional foes in MLS competition. The visitors enter the fixture as one of the league’s hottest teams, propelled by a stifling defense that has six clean sheets through nine games. Dom Dwyer has also found his scoring touch in attack, netting five goals in his last five games.
The Loons (2-5-2, 8 points) endured a dreadful start to their inaugural campaign, hemorrhaging 18 goals across their first four matches. Adrian Heath’s side has improved since then, going 2-2-1 to climb out of the Western Conference basement. Forward Christian Ramirez has impressed up top with a team-best five goals, and dynamic midfielder Kevin Molino has added three goals and three assists. With a large crowd expected at TCF Bank Stadium, Sporting KC can expect a dogfight with their upward-trending hosts.
New York City FC vs. Atlanta United FC | 3 p.m. CT Sunday, Facebook Live & UDN
Two high-scoring teams with lofty expectations will lock horns at Yankee Stadium to round out Week 10. Reigning league MVP David Villa runs the show for New York City FC (4-3-1, 13 points) as evidenced by his five goals and three assists, but rising star Jack Harrison has bagged four goals of his own and newly acquired midfielder Maximiliano Moralez has chipped in four assists. The Sky Blues can score in a variety of ways.
So, too, can Atlanta United (3-3-2, 11 points). Only the Portland Timbers (20 goals) have outgunned Tata Martino’s men, who have amassed 18 goals through eight games. Atlanta suffered a surprising 3-1 home defeat to D.C. United last weekend but has no shortage of quality to bounce back. Hector Villalba has tallied four goals, Miguel Almiron has recorded two goals and four assists, and Kenwyne Jones and Yamil Asad have scored twice each.
