MLS Heineken Rivalry Week w/ Predictions by Jake A. Martino
Heineken Rivalry Week: Aug. 26-28
Aug. 26: Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids (8 pm ET, UniMás)
Aug. 27: Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact (7:30pm)
Aug. 28: NY Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution (2:30 pm ET, ESPN)
Aug. 28: Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders (5 pm ET, ESPN)
Aug. 28: Orlando City vs. NYCFC (7 pm ET, FS1)
Full Schedule of games for MLS Heineken Rivalry Week.. Heres full analysis and who to watch!
Game 1: Aug. 26: Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids (8 pm ET, UniMás)
Key Players to Watch: Tim Howard, (Colorado), Joao Plata (RSL)
Winner: Real Salt Lake 1 Colorado Rapids 0
Analysis: Real remain undefeated at home this season and also hae a 13-game home undefeated streak against the Rapids. The teams are meeting for the third time this season for the Rocky Mountain Cup, a trophy awarded by the supporters groups of both teams.
Standings Update: Colorado 43 Points (2nd Place), RSL 40 Points (3rd place)
With The Win: Colorado 43 Points (T2nd Place), RSL 43 Points (T2nd place)
Game 2: Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC
Key Players to Watch: Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), Ignato Piatti (Montreal), Drobga (Montreal)
Winner: Toronto FC
Analysis: Toronto FC is a sleeper team in the east.. The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Sebastian Giovinco scored goals in each half, leading Toronto FC to a 2-0 win April 23 at Stade Saputo. The teams have met in every season they’ve been together in MLS in the Canadian Championship, with the Impact winning the title in 2014 by defeating TFC 2-1 on aggregate in the final.
Standings Update: Toronto FC 43 Points (1st Place), Montreal Impact 34 Points (5th Place)
With The Win: Toronto FC 46 Points (1st Place), Montreal Impact 34 Points (5th Place)
Game 3: Aug. 28: NY Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution (2:30 pm ET, ESPN)
Key Players to Watch: Bradley Wright Phillips (NYRB)
Winner: New York Red Bulls
Analysis: The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Bradley Wright-Phillips collected a goal and added an assist as the Red Bulls extended their current undefeated streak to eight matches in a 2-2 draw at D.C. United on Sunday afternoon. Wright-Phillips now has 15 goals, sitting in third place in the MLS Golden Boot standings; he is one of four players in MLS history to reach the 15-goal mark in three or more consecutive seasons.
Standings Update: New York Red Bulls 37 Points (3rd Place), NE Revs 27 (8th Place- Outside Cut)
With The Win: NYRB 40 Points (3rd Place), NE Revs 27 Points (8th Place- Outside Cut)
Game 4: Aug. 28: Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders (5 pm ET, ESPN)
Winner: Seattle Sounders
Analysis: The teams are meeting for the third time this season, in the back end of a home-and-home series over two weeks, and each team has claimed a 3-1 win at home. The Timbers have never won in Seattle in MLS regular season play, Sounders FC now with a 5-0-2 league record in games at CenturyLink Field. But the Timbers did win there in the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2013.
Standings Update: Portland 32 Points (6th Place), Seattle 31 Points (9th Place)
With The Win: Portland 32 Points (8th Place) Seattle 34 Points (6th Place)
Game 5: Aug. 28: Orlando City vs. NYCFC (7 pm ET, FS1)
Key Players to Watch: David Villa, Andrea Prilo, Jack Harrison, Cyle Larin, Frank Lampard
Winner: NYCFC
Analysis: Who can forget the first meeting between these two teams this season. NYCFC had 2 goal lead going into the 90th minute and the man of Josh Saunders allowed two goals being lazy as he is. But, that was earlier in the season when NYCFC was still developing with Patrick Viera and to his strategy of play. On the other hand, Jason Kreis will face his old team for the first time since City fired him in the offeseason last year. Quick note: this is NYCFC's first time being out of first place since July 3rd
Standings Update: NYCFC 41 Points (2nd Place), Orlando 28 Points (7th Place- Outside Cut)
With The Win: NYCFC 44 Points (2nd Place), Orlando 28 Points (7th Place- Outside Cut)
Check out these games this weekend and stay tuned to my twitter @jake_the_ace1 for updates!!
By Jake A. Martino
