Around MLS: How to Watch MLS in Week 5

Another week, another slate of MLS games. This time around almost half of the Eastern Conference are on a bye week, leaving the West to provide the excitement.

There are not many games that reach out and grab you as must-watch event, but there are plenty that give the impression that they could be good. Unless they are not.

Bye week teams: Columbus Crew, Montreal Impact, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls

Friday

Orlando City FC vs. D.C. United

Watch it on: UniMas

Kickoff: 4:00 pm pacific at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL

Match Rating: 3/5

Friday's lone match features' D.C. United, second place in the Eastern Conference with six points from three games, against Orlando City. This game is pretty much worth watching for the contributions of Kaka, who is really, really good. The supporting cast from Orlando have yet to prove themselves and D.C. remains solid, if uninspiring, so even Kaka can't raise the anticipation for this one that much.

Saturday

Chicago Fire vs. Toronto FC

Watch it on: MLS Live

Kickoff: 12:00 pm pacific at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL

Match Rating: 4/5

The Fire are not in last place and, last week at least, not playing terribly. It remains to see if Harry Shipp can produce for more than a game at a time, but that possibility and the return of Toronto's national team stars could make this an interesting match.

Colorado Rapids vs. New England Revolution

Watch it on: MLS Live

Kickoff: 4:00 pm pacific at Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium in Carson City, CO

Match Rating: 2/5

New England may finally have scored a goal, but their second half was a regression to the form that held them back through their first four matches. The Rapids, meanwhile, are setting records for the most 0-0 draws to start a season. While the Rapids' streak of three 0-0 games could be broken here, it is far from guaranteed.

Seattle Sounders vs. Houston Dynamo

Watch it on: MLS Live

Kickoff: 7:00 pm pacific at CenturyLink Park in Seattle, WA

Match Rating: 1/5

This looks like a probable Sounders win after Houston has started off the season playing some rough soccer and getting some rough results. Even with Seattle still potentially missing some of their big guns, this could be rough to watch.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. LA Galaxy

Watch it on: MLS Live

Kickoff: 7:00 pm pacific at BC Place in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Match Rating: 3/5

Something about this match up seems familiar. Will the Whitecaps pack it in for the second consecutive week at B.C. Place? Maybe. Will the Whitecaps fouls the heck out of their opponents? Probably. Will the Galaxy make better use of their chances than the Timbers did? Very likely. Will two Galaxy defenders run into each other at the end of the match to give up the game winner? No.

Sunday

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake

Watch it on: ESPN2

Kickoff: 2:00 pm pacific at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA

Match Rating: 4/5

This match seems like it will be surprisingly competitive match between the undefeated-through-three-games RSL and the surprisingly competitive Earthquakes who have managed to beat Seattle while down a man and lose to the still stumbling Revolution. What will really make this one worth watching is the news that San Jose revelation Innocent Emeghara will have "Innocent" on the back of his kit.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Philadelphia Union

Watch it on: FOX Sports 1

Kickoff: 4:00 pm pacific at Sporting Stadium in Kansas City, KA

Match Rating: 2/5

If we are being honest, the Union are pretty bad. Going to Kansas City is going to be a tough trip for the boys from Philly and any sort of result that they can come away with is not going to be pretty.