It’s easy to get excited for the start of the MLS season. It’s equally easy for that excitement to wane after a couple weeks.
MLS 2013, Week 3 preview and fixtures: Two thumbs up for Rivalry Weekend
MLS has given us a dream weekend of matches and dubbed it “Rivalry Weekend.” Thank you.
Enter Rivalry Weekend.
MLS’s newest contraption is pure genius. On one weekend, most of the league’s best rivalries will take center stage and give everyone a series of great matches. That NBC hopped on board with a triple-header, which includes a game on big NBC, just makes it that much better.
Either the head honchos at the MLS offices are starting to find a groove or they found a nut.
Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET - NBC
Unfortunately, this time a bus full of supporters won’t make the trip to New York, only to have a snowstorm postpone the match. Their sacrifice was worth it for the epic slow motion clips of the snow coming down on the players in warmups.
Pick: Draw, 1-1.
Saturday, 3 p.m. ET - NBC Sports Network
“I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win!”
Well, duh, Sporting. You’re playing the Fire.
Pick: Kansas City, 2-0.
Saturday, 4 p.m. ET - MLS Live
Simply supporting TFC isn’t enough masochism for nearly 5,000 fans. They want to travel to Montreal and really feel the pain, up close and personal while their rivals point and laugh.
A shot of the supporters’ section will accompany the definition of “masochists” in the newest Webster’s dictionary.
Pick: Montreal, 2-0.
Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution
Saturday, 5 p.m. ET - MLS Live
A battle of interesting and talented, but not actually good, which is an improvement for both of these teams.
Pick: Draw, 1-1.
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ET - MLS Live
Roy Miller doesn't play for the Crew.
Pick: Columbus, 2-1.
Saturday, 6 p.m. ET - MLS Live
RSL are handing the reigns to Luis Gil and hoping for a dose of creativity from the 19-year-old. The Rapids are hoping and wishing that Martin Rivero gets fit. Somehow, the "pray for the 19-year-old" approach wins out.
Pick: Salt Lake, 2-0.
Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET - NBC Sports Network
Important storylines: Tifo, who hates which city more, why Don Garber is a greedy meanie. A soccer match will also be played.
Pick: Seattle, 3-1.
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET - ESPN2
Dallas hates Houston. Houston hates Dallas. Nobody outside of Dallas and Houston cares. It is the Missouri vs. Kansas of MLS.
Pick: Houston, 1-0.
LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA
Sunday, 5 p.m. ET - UniMas
Once the SuperClasico, it was relegated to Clasico when Jesse Marsch stopped trying to break David Beckham's leg. It was relegated to just another match when Chivas, well, Chivas'd.
Pick: LA, 3-1.
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