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Three Big Storylines:
- The Beast could make his debut on Friday night at the Philadelphia Union. Orlando City's new signing Julio "The Beast" Baptista is a 34 year old Brazilian striker who just so happens to be best buddies with one Kaká. Speaking of Kaká, he was great in his 2016 MLS debut last weekend earning MLS player of the week honors in Orlando City's 4-1 demolition of the Portland Timbers. With Cyle Larin likely out with a hamstring injury, the veteran Baptista could earn the early start even though he has not started a game since 2014. Orlando City will be Baptista's 8th club team as he previously played for: São Paulo, Sevilla, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Roma, Málaga and Cruzeiro.
- Through four rounds (four teams have played five games, because MLS schedule is going to MLS schedule) only two teams are undefeated. One of those will debut The Beast (see above) this weekend while the other is Real Salt Lake. RSL host the Colorado Rapids in the aptly named Rocky Mountain Cup on Saturday (MLS Live, 6:30 PM). Joao Plata is in fine form with three goals on the season for RSL.
- The normal Sunday National TV double header has transformed into a triple header with two Fox Sports 1 games following the Seattle Sounders at Houston Dynamo (this is not the Gamethread you are looking for). New York City FC hosts the Chicago Fire with everyone's favorite referee, Mark Geiger, in the middle. To no one's surprise, Frank Lampard is out injured. His official injury report is listed as left gastrocnemius inflammation. The week ends with the LA Galaxy hosting the Portland Timbers.
From a Sounders Point of View:
D. C. United host the Vancouver Whitecaps and New York Red Bulls host Sporting Kansas City in the only cross conference matchups this round. The Western Conference is already starting to show separation from the East so a few points taken by those home teams in the Eastern Conference would be nice.
DeAndre Yedlin and Sunderland take on the Premier League leaders, Leicester City FC, at 5:25 AM Sunday morning on NBCSN. You can see if Yedlin's on loan club can help out his owning club as Tottenham are currently trailing Leicester by seven points for the title.
National TV Listings:
Philadelphia Union v Orlando City SC
Friday, 4 PM
TV: UniMas
Streaming: Univision Deportes
Houston Dynamo v Seattle Sounders
Sunday, 1 PM
TV: ESPN
Streaming: Watch ESPN
NYCFC v Chicago Fire
Sunday, 4 PM
TV: Fox Sports 1
Streaming: Fox Sports Go
LA Galaxy v Portland Timbers FC
Sunday, 6:30 PM
TV: Fox Sports 1
Streaming: Fox Sports Go
This is your Sounder at Heart MLS Week 6 gamethread. Watch with us.