MLS WEEK 15 IN FRONT VIEW

The Green vs the Orange.

Los Verde invades the Shell Energy Stadium in the MLS week 15 matchup. Games like this reignite the rivalry that exists between these two teams who are separated by almost 150 miles.

This is the 2nd meeting between Dynamo and Austin since Ben Olsen came on board and he triumphed over the Verdes on March 18th with a 2-0 home win.

Will the men in green seek revenge for that defeat?

The issue is that Dynamo's home record this season could scare any team away, Seattle is the only team to have taken 3 points from the Shell Energy Stadium, RSL took a point, but other teams left empty-handed, but their away form is a sharp contrast of their home form.

But for Austin FC, their form this season has not been impressive, get kicked out of CCL, get knocked out of USOC by Chicago Fire while Dynamo triumphed over Minnesota 4-0 midweek and will be buoyed by the huge scoreline at the Shell Energy Stadium, even the fans had dubbed that ground, Hell in the Shell.

On the western conference table, only a point separates these two teams and a win for Dynamo will see them leapfrog their state rivals into the playoff spot.

New signing Aliyu Ibrahim's electrifying speed will cause Austin FC's defense plenty of trouble while Houston Dynamo's conservative defense will make things difficult for Austin FC's attack which has only an 11.4% conversion rate with only a meager 13 goals from 48 shots on target.

Star man Sebastian Drussi who has just 2 goals in 9 MLS games may not be able to save the Los Verde as they enter the Hell in the Shell.

Another 3 points for Houston Dynamo to grab from the men in GREEN.

On the east coast, NYCF lay siege to the mighty Philadelphia Union.

Phila Union's resurgence this season should not surprise any MLS lover because last season MLS Cup finalist had their fair share of struggles this season with a poor start to their season, at a point, it seems that Jim Curtin prioritized the CCL but as soon they got knocked out by LAFC, attention shifted to the league hence reason while they have racked up few wins. In week 14, Philly Union thrashed New England Revs 3-0 at Subaru Park, they are 5th in the eastern conference, with Andre Blake back to his best, Daniel Gazdag, Jakob Glesnes, and Alejandro Bedoya all fired up, Philly Union are unstoppable.

Phila Union has won three straight meetings against NYCFC including a 3-1 win in last season's Eastern Conference finals. NYCFC's road form has been horrible with four straight defeats.

FC Cincinnati at Colorado Rapids

This match-up will be a litmus test for Pat Noonan's men as they aim to tighten their grip on the Eastern Conference summit.

FC Cincy this season is on a different level, but the absence of Alvaro Barreal may alter the way Pat Noonan sets his team up, it may slow their momentum because Bareal brings that threat from the wings and his crosses causes panic inside the opponent's goal areas whenever he does that.  

For the Rapids, they have won each of their first two matches against Fc Cincy and they are the only team without a home win this season. While FC Cincy became the 8th team with 30 points from 13 games so far this season.

At Gillette Stadium, The Revs seek to bounce back as they host Chicago Fire. In week 14, The Revs were beaten 3-0 by Philly Union, and Chicago needed a late-minute equalizer to draw 3-3 against Atlanta United. this match-up against Chicago Fire will be a redemption to atone for their three straight defeats in all competitions this season.

The Revs are unbeaten in eight straight matches against Chicago Fire but Kie Kamara loves to score against the Revs as he has amassed 11 goals against them in his MLS career.

Can Red Bulls fly at the Lumen field, 90 minutes will surely tell us.

Red Bulls of New York got kicked out from the USOC by FC Cincy midweek, a trip to the Lumen field will be another test for Troy Lesesne's men.

The last six meetings between the Sounders and Red Bulls have been won by the home team but Seattle is not fantastic at home after all, they are beatable.

Sporting Kansas ended their winless streak at the Lumen field.

Jordan Morris's goal drought now stretches into eight games.

Troy Lesesne has collected 7 points in their first three league games under him.

The music city will come alive with the visit of the Columbus Crew.

The Crew were beaten 3-2 by FC Cincy in a rivalry weekend while high-flying Nashville turned the screw at Charlotte with a 2-1 away win behind Hanny Mukhtar’s double.

What could Nashville do with the German Sudanese contributions.? He is the MVP of the league for a reason.

His eight goals from 20 shots on target have propelled Nashville to no 2 in the East. Hanny Mukhtar is averaging an 80% success rate in ball distribution while the team is flying on a 16.1% conversion rate in their offense. Hanny is Mr. Nashville period.

Nashville is unbeaten in 5 games at home and has won their last 3 home matches.

Other matches in the league this weekend will see Sporting Kansas whom everyone thought had broken free from their losing streak at home to welcome Portland Timbers, while San Jose will host FC Dallas, LA Galaxy will want to ride in the wave of their midweek win over city rivals LAFC as they welcome Charlotte FC, new expansion side, St Louis will welcome Vancouver Whitecaps while Minnesota will be at home in St Paul to RSL. Toronto FC, who are having a terrible season will seek redemption at home to Wayne Rooney’s DC United while Orlando City will play host to Atlanta United who drew 3-3n against Chicago in week 14.