MLS: Keys to Every Game on Matchday 2
Matchday 2 of the MLS season begins on Friday with Orlando City SC facing the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The Columbus Crew take on Toronto FC in a Trillium Cup showdown, while FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City square off in two of the marquee games on Saturday.
The weekend concludes with two potential thrillers on Sunday. New York City hosts the New England Revolution in the team's first MLS home game. The Portland Timbers and LA Galaxy will face each other in the final match of the day.
Here are the keys to every game on Matchday 2.
Houston Dynamo vs. Orlando City: Orlando's Counterattacks
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Most of the teams looked sloppy on opening weekend, and it will take a few games to develop chemistry within the squads. However, some virtues were on display for Orlando City SC in its opening match versus New York City FC.
Orlando's speed, technique on the ball and vision make the Lions a dangerous team on the break. Striker Carlos Rivas looked unstoppable whenever he made a run, although he was offside five times against NYCFC, per MLSSoccer.com.
If the Colombian forward was onside on just one of those opportunities, he could have scored. Kaka was the playmaker who was pulling the strings. If he and other attackers can execute quicker passes, the Lions will be one of the highest-scoring clubs in MLS.
The Houston Dynamo must shut down Orlando's counterattacks in order to win the match. If Houston fails to do this, it will be a long day for the hosts.
Chicago Fire vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Restricting Space for Whitecaps Forwards
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Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney may have figured out how to stop the Vancouver Whitecaps. In the second half of their game on opening weekend, Vanney had his midfielders and defenders close down Pedro Morales and restrict space for the speedy players.
Toronto's defenders quickly neutralized Kekuta Manneh and Mauro Rosales, and in the second half they could not create as many chances compared to the first half.
The Chicago Fire have to sit deep and quickly close down Morales. If they can do this, the Whitecaps will not be able to create any chances and won't be able to penetrate the back line.
However, if the Fire commit too many men forward and play a high line, Vancouver's speed will punish them.
Columbus Crew vs. Toronto FC: TFC's Quick Passing
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Once Toronto started clicking against the Vancouver Whitecaps, it was unstoppable.
Sebastian Giovinco's speed and quick, intricate passing opened space for Robbie Findley and Jozy Altidore. The latter used his strength to beat defenders, and the former was free to make runs into the open lanes Giovinco created.
The Columbus Crew have two excellent defensive midfielders in Wil Trapp and Tony Tchani to combat TFC's technique. However, the latter is suspended, per Adam Jardy of The Columbus Dispatch.
One of Mohammed Saeid, Kevan George, Hector Jimenez and offseason acquisition Kristinn Steindorsson could replace Tchani in the starting XI.
Trapp and his midfield partner have to crowd the center of the pitch to make it difficult for Giovinco to find his teammates. Their physicality will also help combat Altidore's immense strength.
Emanuel Pogatetz and Michael Parkhurst, the two center backs, will also need to be wary of the quick ball movement and not overcommit. Pa Modou Kah made that mistake last Saturday and conceded a penalty.
FC Dallas vs. Sporting Kansas City: The High Press
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One of FC Dallas' many strengths is the high press from the forwards. Blas Perez, Fabian Castillo, Tesho Akindele and whoever plays up front work tirelessly to put pressure on opposing defenders.
The midfielders pitched in against the San Jose Earthquakes in the opening game. They forced turnovers that could have led to a couple of goals had it not been for Perez's poor finishing and some solid saves from David Bingham.
Sporting Kansas City's glaring weakness was its lack of a true defensive midfielder. Roger Espinoza and Benny Feilhaber are unquestionably tremendous players, but they venture too far forward, leaving the defense exposed.
If Dallas' forwards quickly close down Sporting KC defenders Espinoza and Feilhaber, SKC will cough up possession, and it will concede scoring chances.
Espinoza's and Feilhaber's defensive traits are not strong enough to cope with Dallas' aggressiveness.
Real Salt Lake vs. Philadelphia Union: Adaptability
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Real Salt Lake switched to an out-and-out 4-3-3 system after losing key players in the offseason. There are still some kinks to work out as was evident in the 0-0 draw versus the Portland Timbers.
RSL's opponents this Saturday, the Philadelphia Union, are also shaking off the cobwebs after acquiring some new players this winter.
Center back Steven Vitoria looked solid against the Colorado Rapids, but the strength of his opponent significantly increases this weekend. C.J. Sapong suffered a knock, and Fernando Aristeguieta was able to muster a few shots but failed to beat Clint Irwin.
Both teams are adjusting to new tactics or new players. RSL only managed nine shots and conceded 18, per MLSSoccer.com. However, the 2009 MLS Cup winners will be at home this time around.
Philadelphia recorded 19 shots against a hapless Colorado team, according to MLS's official website, but those new additions will be put to the test against a developing RSL side.
Seattle Sounders vs. San Jose Earthquakes: Width
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The Seattle Sounders cruised against the New England Revolution thanks to their play out wide. Tyrone Mears' inch-perfect cross to Obafemi Martins demonstrated how dangerous the Sounders will be from the flanks this season.
Even when Seattle didn't cross the ball, it looked dangerous when attacking New England on the break before setting up Marco Pappa, who played a part in Clint Dempsey's second goal.
Mears' addition makes the Sounders an even scarier team this season. It's up to San Jose to quickly shut down the Englishman because he'll punish the Earthquakes as he did with the Revs.
When San Jose defeated Seattle last August, the only goal of the match was created by Shea Salinas' quick actions from the left flank toward the center of the pitch.
DeAndre Yedlin was the full-back at the time and is now a member of Tottenham Hotspur. Mears may not be pushed that high up the field, but both sides have quality on the flanks. It will be the underlying difference in this game.
New York City FC vs. New England Revolution: The Forwards
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New York City FC will play its first home match in MLS against the New England Revolution on Sunday. On paper, it should be entertaining given the attacking talent on display.
However, the Revolution are dealing with one crucial injury. 2014 MVP finalist Lee Nguyen missed the season opener due to a groin injury. He trained with the team leading up to the match, but head coach Jay Heaps opted to rest the U.S. international.
Seth Macomber of SB Nation reported that Nguyen was listed as questionable for the Sounders game. The playmaker could see his first minutes this weekend, assuming he's still training with the team.
This makes the battle between NYCFC's and New England's forwards even more intriguing. David Villa and Adam Nemec will be a lethal pairing once they get accustomed to each other.
Revolution forward Juan Agudelo looked poor and conceded the penalty that led to the Sounders' first goal, but with Nguyen back in the lineup, the American should improve on that pitiful performance.
None of the Revs' front-four attackers was impressive, but with one of last year's MVP finalists in the starting XI, this should change.
Portland Timbers vs. LA Galaxy: The Midfield Battle
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The LA Galaxy, like most teams, were not at their best last week, but they still dominated their match against the Chicago Fire. Despite the loss of Marcelo Sarvas, Kenney Walker looked composed beside Juninho.
Baggio Husidic later replaced Walker and did an equally fine job. However, Chicago was woeful. The Portland Timbers should put up a better fight against the defending champions this Sunday.
Timbers head coach Caleb Porter should have Diego Chara back in his lineup. The defensive midfielder returned to full training on Tuesday, per The Oregonian's Jamie Goldberg.
If Chara is available to start, it's bad news for the Galaxy. The Colombian is a feisty defender who is an accurate passer. He's one of MLS's best in his position, so L.A.'s midfield is in a tough situation.
Will Johnson, Chara's would-be partner in midfield, is still recovering from a broken leg and won't be back until at least the end of the month. Jack Jewsbury may play alongside Chara in the meantime.
The Timbers' duo against the Galaxy's will be a difference-maker in the game. Juninho is an established player, but Husidic could fill Sarvas' shoes. His first test will be in this match.
Peter Galindo covers MLS and U.S. soccer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @GalindoPW.
