Written by Sam Mbonu
Week 3 Expectations
Columbus Crew host Houston Dynamo.
A cross conference match up for Houston Dynamo as they embarked on their first road trip to the home of the former MLS Cup champions, Columbus Crew at the Lower Stadium.
Columbus Crew started this MLS regular season on a perfect note, despite their 3-0 defeat by LAFC in the first leg of the Concacaf champions cup, the Crew 4-2 opening day home win over Chicago Fire, they followed up with a slim 1-0 away win at New England Revolution, two wins put them 2nd position at the early table in the eastern conference.
The Crew under Wilfred Nancy has shown that they could compete with the best in the league, won the Concacaf Leagues Cup last season but lost in the finals of the champion's cup. However, the departure of star player, Cucho Hernedez did not come as a surprise because he has been the Crew best player and MLS standout in the last two seasons.
To stay competitive, the arrival of German midfielder, Amar Sejdić via free agency added depth to the squad. Diego Rossi and J. Russell-Rowe are forming a great partnership, with the latter 2 goals in two games, the Crew are still a dominant force in the eastern conference.
Meanwhile, Houston Dynamo found themselves 0-2 start early in the season. This is an unprecedented start under head coach, Ben Olsen, two defeats in their first home games put Houston rock bottom in the western conference. The 4-1 home loss to Inter Miami in a cross-conference match up exposed the current state of the squad. Key departures at critical areas could be one of the major reasons, the newcomers are yet to get in rhythm with the team, new midfield enforcer, Jack McGlynn still adapting to the team even though he has over 100 MLS caps. In the defense, the transfer of Micael to Palmeiras created a vacuum that rookie center back, Femi Awodesu has filled for now, his partnership with Danish Erik Sviatchenko is still a work in progress, but is a huge responsibility on his young shoulder, just in his two ever MLS games, Femi shone like a budding star with over 76% tackles won in that game against the likes of Suarez, 2 clearances, Femi held his own down, he completed 87% of his total passes against Inter Maimi but the talent on the opposition was too hot for Dynamo to handle. Aliyu Ibrahim could not complete his runs, he was completely shut down on the flanks. The pressure of falling 0-3 may galvanize them to go for an upset at Lower Field against Columbus Crew. Dynamo last season were road warriors, won over 8 road games but they find themselves in an uncharted territory.
Inasmuch as Houston Dynamo are in this unfamiliar spot, veteran midfielder, Nicolás Lodeiro can bring his wealth of experience to the fore. Alongside Artur to anchor the midfield, even though he started from the bench against Inter Miami, he was very impactful when he came on and got Houston Dynamo consolatory goal. Falling 0-3 will be an abyss that the team does not want to fall into.
Seattle Sounders vs LAFC
Games like this is why the western conference is highly competitive, LAFC has been Seattle Sounders kryptonite until last season. The Sounders snapped a 10-game winless streak against LAFC with a 2-1 win to reach the western conference championship game.
With Seattle in the FIFA World Club Cup which kicks off in the summer, games like this will surely up their confidence as they prepare for group B foes of Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético de Madrid and Botafogo. Meanwhile, LAFC will be seeking revenge from that shocking last season's playoffs defeat.
The arrival of veteran striker, Jeremy Ebobise, who joined his fellow Frenchman, Oliver Giroud and Gabonese Denis Bounaga at the BMO, LAFC will have enough in their arsenal to exact revenge at Seattle Sounders.
While Seattle Sounders are having a poor start in the league, just 1 point in 2 games, a draw, and a defeat, it is a sharp contrast to how LAFC have started their season. A perfect start for the black and gold in this present MLS campaign, 6 points from 2 games, LAFC will be buoyed by their 3-0 thrashing of Columbus Crew in the first leg of Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 going to Lumen Field while Seattle also will get a boast with their goalless draw at home to Liga MX giants, Cruz Azul in the first leg of Concacaf Champions Cup last 16.
The game will be won on the forms of the attacking players of both teams, LAFC Gabonese forward, Dennis Bounaga is on fire, a brace against Columbus Crew in the last 16 of CONCACAF Champions Cup yet to score for LAFC in the league, Jeremy Ebobise scored on his debut, so what Bounaga cannot do Ebobise does. For Jordan Morris, he got a brace on the opening day in their 2-2 home draw to Charlotte FC, but was ineffective in Seattle Sounders 2-0 away defeat at Real Salt Lake in week 2 match up, the Sounders will surely need him against LAFC and the fans will cherish another last gasp winner just like last season playoffs win.
Inter Miami vs Charlotte FC
This game is one of MLS Sunday night soccer showcase alongside LA Galaxy and St Louis FC match up. Inter Miami are making their intentions know this season, a 4-1 win at Houston in week 2 and a 2-0 win against Cavalier FC in the first leg of CONCACAF champions cup last 16 without Lionel Messi might be preparing first year head coach, Javier Mascherano life after the superstar, no concrete reason has been given for his absence from these games but speculations is rife that he might be getting the needed rest for Argentina World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay on March 21st. Venezuelan winger, Telasco Segovia has been incredible this season so far, 3 goals In two MLS games while Luis Suárez pace may have diminished, his passes, assists, and finishes are still world class.
Charlotte FC brings the Wilfred Zaha's factor. he scored on his debut in Charlotte FC 2-0 home over Atlanta United after their opening day 2-2 draw against Seattle Sounders.
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