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(Author's note: The Weekend Gamethread is back after taking a week off. Your author hurt his wrist playing soccer (getting old is fun kids) and was an 8 on the Sigi Schmid Injury Quote Assessment Tool.)
Three Big Storylines:
- The New York Red Bulls won the 2015 Supporters' Shield, but are off to a horrible start this year with only six points from eight played and a negative nine goal differential in the first quarter of the season. They host an FC Dallas team that many think might be a leading MLS Cup contender on Friday night. FC Dallas has 17 points from nine played but are coming off a 3-0 loss in Vancouver so there might be hope at Red Bull Arena.
- There were three midweek MLS games on Wednesday and strangely enough, all three ended 1-1. All six of those teams are playing this weekend, but the Vancouver Whitecaps really have a quick turnaround. The Whitecaps hosted Sporting KC at 7:30 on Wednesday and are playing New York City FC in Yankee Stadium at 1 PM on Saturday afternoon.
- Toronto FC wrap up their eight game road trip to start the season (BMO Field was getting a roof) at the Portland Timbers on Sunday afternoon. TFC already has 11 points from seven played and will be looking to add to their impressive road trip. The Timbers welcome Diego Valeri back after he served his red card suspension during Wednesday's 1-1 draw at the New England Revolution.
From a Sounders Point of View:
Three points, just get three points.
Also, it would be nice for Toronto FC to cap off that epic eight game road trip with a win in Portland.
The Colorado Rapids are somehow sitting on a robust 2.0 PPG through 8 games, hopefully the Montreal Impact can bring them back to earth in Montreal.
National TV Listings:
New York Red Bulls v FC Dallas
Friday, 4 PM
TV: UniMas
Streaming: Univision Deportes
Portland Timbers v Toronto FC
Sunday, 12:30 PM
TV: ESPN
Streaming: Watch ESPN
Sporting KC v LA Galaxy
Sunday, 5 PM
TV: Fox Sports 1
Streaming: Fox Sports Go
This is your Sounder at Heart MLS Week 9 Gamethread. Watch with us.