MLS Week 2 Open Thread: Dynamo vs. Dallas for the Heart of Texas

The Portland Timbers are taking on the San Jose Earthquakes this weekend in what should be a stiff test for the champions. Between now and then, however, there are nine other matches being played in MLS and some of them look like they might be pretty darn good.

Friday

Orlando City FC vs. Chicago Fire

Watch it on: UniMas

Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. PT at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL

One sentence preview: Orlando are still inconsistent, but their attack has plenty of potential even without Kaka; this could be another shootout for the Fire in the strangely defensively inept East.

Saturday

New England Revolution vs. D.C. United

Watch it on: MLS Live

Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. PT at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA

One sentence preview: New England and D.C. United are both coming off leaky defensive showings against Western Conference sides, so expect these two Eastern Conference old dogs to come into this one wary and looking for three points closer to home.

Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders

Watch it on: MLS Live

Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. PT at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, UT

One sentence preview: The Sounders were stymied by SKC last weekend despite outplaying them for long stretches; that will not be the case against RSL, whose defense is their biggest question mark.

Montreal Impact vs. New York Red Bulls

Watch it on: MLS Live

Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. PT at Stade Saputo in Montreal, QC

One sentence preview: Two top teams in the East face off in a match that will go a long way toward determining the pecking order in the MLS power rankings.

Colorado Rapids vs. LA Galaxy

Watch it on: MLS Live

Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. PT at Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium in Commerce City, CO

One sentence preview: After a cagy opener on the road against San Jose, the Rapids showed that they have not quite overcome their scoring woes from last season just yet, which could be an issue against an LA Galaxy side that seems to have remembered that they are supposed to be good at soccer.

Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union

Watch it on: MLS Live

Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. PT at Crew Stadium in  Columbus, OH

One sentence preview: Fresh off losing to one of the most high-powered attacks in the league, the Union will go on the road to face one of the most high-powered attacks in the league.

Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas

Watch it on: MLS Live

Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. PT at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX

One sentence preview: The first real rivalry match the year should be hard fought, and maybe having home field advantage will be enough for the Dynamo to edge out the 2015 Western Conference winners.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Watch it on: MLS Live

Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. PT at Sporting Park in Kansas City, KA

One sentence preview: The Whitecaps were the best road teams in MLS in 2015 -- and one of the worst at home -- so this match up against SKC will be a good test of their road strength.

Sunday

New York City FC vs. Toronto FC

Watch it on: ESPN 2

Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. PT at Yankee Stadium in New York City, NY

One sentence preview: Was NYCFC's torrid goal scoring form last weekend a product of their prowess or Chicago's frailty? Either way, Toronto FC will prove a much steeper test this weekend.