MLS Multiplex
Fansided

MLS Week 2: Top 7 storylines to watch

By Joshua Bowers

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 3: 3252 Supporters Group during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 3: 3252 Supporters Group during Los Angeles FC's MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 8
Next
MLS, LAFC
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 3: 3252 Supporters Group during Los Angeles FC’s MLS match against Sporting Kansas City at the Banc of California Stadium on March 3, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-1 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /

The second week of the MLS season kicks off this weekend. Here are the top seven storylines to follow for the upcoming slate of matches.

The rigors and routines of the Major League Soccer season are now well and truly underway. The domestic campaign has started, the CONCACAF Champions League is into the quarter-finals, with the first legs all having been played already, and the relentless stream of matches now flowing towards us.

Week 2 sees a number of intriguing match-ups, from underperforming stars, a major contest in the Eastern Conference, and two of the elite Western teams seeing where they stand at this early stage.

Related Story. MLS Week 1: Team of the Week. light

Here are the top seven storylines for Week 2 of the 2019 MLS season.

BRIDGEVIEW, IL – SEPTEMBER 16: Djordje Mihailovic #14 of the Chicago Fire and Yoshimar Yotun #19 of the Orlando City SC vie for the ball at Toyota Park on September 16, 2018 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
BRIDGEVIEW, IL – SEPTEMBER 16: Djordje Mihailovic #14 of the Chicago Fire and Yoshimar Yotun #19 of the Orlando City SC vie for the ball at Toyota Park on September 16, 2018 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

7. Revamped offenses test weak defenses

The MLS’ first match this weekend features the Chicago Fire at home against Orlando City. Both of these teams increased their offensive firepower during the offseason. Unfortunately, both teams still have questions at the back. They each gave up two goals in their season openers.

Chicago only scored a single goal, and it came when CJ Sapong capitalized on an LA Galaxy mistake. However, Przemyslaw Frankowski made a very favorable impression and even showed a willingness to get back to defend. He paired nicely with Aleksandar Katai to threaten the LA Galaxy on the flanks. They combined for six shots and three key passes.

The Fire, of course, already have Nemanja Nikolic, Djorde Mihailovic, and Bastian Schweinsteiger (playing his natural CM position). Nikolic was absent from the starting line-up last week, but Fire fans are salivating at the prospect of him playing with the slew of playmakers now on the team.

Orlando City also improved their attacking prowess for 2019. Nani came off the bench, along with star striker, Dom Dwyer, to help spark a second-half comeback and earn the draw against NYCFC. When everyone is match-fit, a front-four of Dwyer, Nani, second-year starling, Chris Mueller, and veteran, Sacha Klejstan will form a lethal attack.

Two high-powered offenses face off this week, but both defenses leave much to be desired. Orlando City have the weaker of the two. Alex de John, especially, was terrible in Week 1 and does not belong in an MLS starting line-up. Chicago also have deficiencies. Their weakness is on the flanks where they will likely have to start Nicolas Hasler and Jorge Corrales again.

This match will have goals! It will be interesting to see, which team can muster enough defense to prevail.

Home/MLS News