I welcome everyone to the Week 11 edition of Around the Major League Soccer, LAFC is back to the CONCACAF Champions League finals after a 4-1 aggregate win over Philadelphia Union, and Liga MX club Leon stands in their way for the ultimate glory.
This will be huge for the MLS if LAFC would replace Seattle Sounders last season's winners as CONCACAF champions.
After a bye in week 10, Houston Dynamo, Philly Union, and LAFC are back to league action. The Black and Gold is the only unbeaten team so far this season.
Sporting Kansas City will go again in search of their first season win at Seattle Sounders but what a wrong time to visit Lumen field due to the current form of the host. Seattle sits top of the Western Conference, with 20 points from 10 games.
Week 10 recorded 26 goals, 6 draws, and 3 away wins, so MLS aficionados, might be expecting goals galore in this Cinco de Mayo’s MLS weekend.
Houston Dynamo manager, Ben Olsen just celebrated his 46th birthday and a win at home against RSL would be a befitting gift. His team was still unbeaten at home at the Shell Energy Stadium, 4 wins out of 4, and yet to concede at home, Houston Dynamo is riding on the crest of Benny Ball waves and fans even dubbed the stadium, Hell in the Shell after their week 9 shutout win against Inter Miami.
In his pre-match press briefing, Ben Olsen paid tribute to Real Salt Lake as an attacking team with a clear strategy on how they play.
Nashville accordion for DC United.
After Hanny Mukhtar inspired Nashville to a 3-1 home win over Atlanta Utd in week 10, they are getting ready to feast on Chicago Fire who drew 1-1 at home against Red Bulls New York in week 10.
The music city will be agog this weekend. Hanny Mukhtar has found his mojo and started to show his explosive attacking skills which earned him last season's MVP.
Chicago Fire with legendry Kei Kamara would be a litmus test for Nashville SC who are yet to taste defeat against Chicago Fire.
LA Galaxy is still huffing and puffing.
In one of the worst starts in their franchise, LA Galaxy will host Colorado Rapids. The Galaxy was beaten 2-0 in week 10 by Orlando City, a defeat that vanquished any gains they made in week 9 when fans thought that LA Galaxy was back with this season's solitary win at home over struggling Austin FC.
Injury has limited star player, Chicharito to just 304 minutes (about 5 hours) of play in 4 games this season with only 1 goal from 4 shots on target.
In Chicharito’s absence, Riqui Puig has 8 starts in 8 games so far with only 1 goal to show for it. Now you know why LA Galaxy are underperforming when their star players are struggling.
The Ultimate Search for Sporting Kansas.
Sporting Kansas headed to the Lumen Field in search of their first season win. What a wrong time to face Western conference table toppers. Seattle has established itself as one of the best attacking teams in the league.
Jordan Morris pumped 4 goals past Kansas early this season at Children’s Mercy Park. Seattle has won 4 of their first 5 games this season at the Lumen field.
Sporting Kansas skipper, Johnny Russel has 6 goals in 10 matches against Seattle Sounders
Will TQL stand firm against DC?
FC Cincinnati will return to their fortress this weekend against DC United at the TQL.
FC Cincy is still unbeaten at home. In week 10, they earned a nail-biting 1-1 away draw at the Gillette Stadium against New England Revolution in a game Pat Noonan, FC Cincy manager praised his side's courage in earning that point.
Tied on 21 points with New England Revolution, a win for FC Cincy would potentially see them at the summit of the Eastern Conference table depending on the outcome of The Rev's away game at Toronto FC.
Ex-Enugu Rangers defensive midfield maestro, Obinna Nwobodo earned his 8 starts in 8 games last weekend for FC Cincinnati.
A Tale of two legends.
Toronto will host New England Revs and America’s most brilliant minds in the round leather game, Bob Bradley and Bruce Arena will go head-to-head.
Both managers represent America's finest. Bruce Arena’s love for winning could be seen in his trophy-laden career, 5 MLS cups, 4 Supporters Shields and his 2002 quarterfinals appearance at the World Cup with the USMNT will be hallmark of his illustrious managerial career.
But as for Bob Bradly, guiding LAFC to topple LA Galaxy as kings of Los Angels Soccer where he won both the MLS Cup and Supporter Shield and his love for attacking football made him stand out among his contemporaries.
It will be a great sight to see these two legends go head-to-head at the BMO Stadium.
LAFC attacking machine will visit San Jose. The Earthquakes looked like a different team this season. they have been able to grind out results and Cristian Espinoza has been phenomenal this season, but LAFC have shown that they have the most potent strike force, if Denis Bounaga is not scoring, Carlos Vela is doing the damage. San Jose has won each of their last four home matches against LAFC while the Black and Gold are unbeaten in 9 away games. caging the Gabonese striker, Denis Bounaga will be paramount in San Jose's quest for victory against the CCL finalist.
Other matches in this Cinco de Mayo's MLS weekend will have Austin headed to Portland Timbers. the Los Verdes have mastered the art of drawing their games whether on the road or at the Q2. Mr. Wolfe should remember that the fans are tired of this trend and winning at the Providence park will be a perfect way to pacify them.
Week 11 promised to be goal filled.
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