MLS Weekend Preview: Red Bulls-NYCFC, Galaxy-Sounders draw top billing

By Kyle McCarthy
Published

LOS ANGELES --

External demands attracted much of the attention this week. The end of the secondary transfer window prompted a flurry of transactions as teams geared up for the stretch run, while CONCACAF Champions League obligations started for four teams. The totality of those concerns enveloped the two league games on Wednesday -- Sebastian Giovinco did his best to stand out with that hat trick at BMO Field, of course -- and shifted the focus away every so slightly from the task at hand.

The spotlight returns to the fixture list this weekend, though. The business end of the season is rapidly approaching. There are inevitable distractions to manage over the next few weeks, but most teams are plotting a path toward the postseason right about now.

It is a journey most teams should embark upon with haste. The summer stretches on for a few more weeks, but the pieces are more or less in place now for the playoff push. It is about time for clubs to respond accordingly to ensure they hit top form before the sharp end of the campaign finally arrives.

NYCFC must match Red Bulls’ energy to end derby drought

NYCFC coach Jason Kreis pointed to comments rendered by the Red Bulls in the buildup to the third and final meeting of the New York-area sides on Sunday (7:00p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports Go). Kreis attempted to incite a stir to those remarks -- Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan suggested NYCFC might have been scared after conceding first -- in a bid to produce the necessary performance this weekend.

Motivation is all well and good, but NYCFC needs industry more than anything else ahead of this affair. Jesse Marsch’s side emerged triumphant in the previous two meetings by hassling NYCFC from the start and pressing them into mistakes. There are modest concerns about the Red Bulls’ ability to do so after the 1-1 draw at Montréal in midweek, but they are not strong enough to provide NYCFC -- a side with considerable spacing issues in midfield right now -- with a measure of solace. NYCFC must figure out a way to adjust in the center of the park and cope with that pressure in order to procure a result.

Galaxy look to fit the pieces together against Seattle

Giovani dos Santos announced his arrival in southern California with a debut goal in the 5-1 victory over Central FC in CONCACAF Champions League play on Thursday. Galaxy manager Bruce Arena deployed the Mexico schemer as a second-half substitute on a night when Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane rested and Alan Gordon and Gyasi Zardes shouldered the load up front instead.

All of those players are expected to receive consideration ahead of Seattle’s visit to StubHub Center on Sunday. It is a wealth of riches by any measure, particularly if the in-form Sebastian Lletget is taken into account. Even Seattle -- now with Andreas Ivanschitz and Nelson Haedo Valdez to work their way into the mix over the next couple of weeks -- cannot match the depth and the variety of choices available.

Arena must figure out a way to accommodate all of his stars without stripping away some of the reliability and potency fostered over the past few weeks. Those realities require some contemplation -- is Giovani better starting on the left or as a second forward off Keane? -- and some flexibility from the players involved to ensure another positive result to continue this summer upswing.

Reds welcome back Bradley ahead of Sporting Kansas City test

Toronto FC captain Michael Bradley is back in the fold for the Reds ahead of the date with Sporting Kansas City on Saturday. His presence could prove vital against a Sporting KC outfit now stripped of the industrious Roger Espinoza for the next 10 weeks. Bradley’s relentless work in central midfield presents a stern test for the revamped Sporting midfield three. They cannot afford to fail the test after the Reds’ rampant work on the break in the Giovinco-inspired romp over Orlando City in midweek.

D.C. United aims to break up the rhythm in Montréal

United coach Ben Olsen watched his side produce a pair of two-goal comebacks over the past two weekends to secure victories. The Lazarus act is all well and good, but the Eastern Conference leaders cannot afford to play from behind at Montréal on Saturday. Frank Klopas’ side is built to move the ball briskly through midfield and punish teams incapable of limiting their direct service to Dominic Oduro (or the chosen forward of the day). New York City FC paid the toll for failing to apply pressure quickly and cut off those supply lines. United is more compact and more composed than NYCFC, but this veteran side must still carry out its duties in kind to leave Quebec with a result.

RSL tour continues with perilous stop in Vancouver

Real Salt Lake’s arduous, Champions League-fueled journey passes through B.C. Place on Saturday. It is just about the worst possible stop for a team with a Champions League fixture in Guatemala in midweek (the fine 1-0 win at C.S.D. Municipal required the starting XI and a significant expenditure of energy) and a pressing need to secure league results at the weekend. Vancouver coach Carl Robinson rotated his players for the 1-1 draw against Seattle in CCL play with this match (and the impending visit to Montréal to open the Canadian Championship final on Wednesday) in mind. Expect the home side to open up a bit and press the initiative to see how those tired RSL legs respond when asked to turn and chase.