MLS Game of The Week Preview: Seattle Sounders FC Vs. Real Salt Lake

Coming into Saturday night's RSL home-opener at Rio Tinto, both teams are coming off of tough losses that put a temporary halt in the momentum each had from week one wins. For Sigi Schmid's Sounders side, a home tie with the Red Bulls was supposed to be a lock for a win, but that was not the case. After a Macoumba Kandji goal in the first half for the Red Bulls, and some passes that barely missed teammates and shots that barley missed goal, the Sounders fell 1-0 after a week-one win over the expansion Philadelphia Union. Real Salt Lake had the worst luck of all MLS teams this season so far at Robertson Stadium in Houston last Thursday. Jamison Olave had the worst luck of all. Olave was called for two penalties within a span of five minutes by referee Jair Marrufo. Brad Davis converted on both of those penalties, giving Houston the 2-1 advantage which they held onto for the rest of the match. Keys to Game for Seattle: 1. Midfielders need to be more accurate with passing. During the second half against the Red Bulls, the Sounders had many chances to score, but could not get either the pass or shot down ...

Union Already Beloved in City of Brotherly Love Before Opener

The newest franchise in Major League Soccer makes their home debut tomorrow and it will try to match the one of the 2009 expansion team, the Seattle Sounders. With the same type of support that Seattle had in their first season, the Union are poised to succeed at home. Philadelphia fans have a reputation for being the most supportive of their sports teams. But at the same time, they also have a reputation for getting on an athlete's case if the performance is not up to their standards. The supporters group, Sons of Ben, has been behind the Union even before its official inception on May 11, 2009. The supporters section at the new PPL Park, which opens June 27th against the Sounders, has been sold out for quite some time and the club had to cut off season-ticket sales because they were selling so quickly. The Sons of Ben will have to travel for all except two games until the opening of PPL Park, with the exception of Saturday's game against DC United and a May 15th match with FC Dallas, both games being played at Lincoln Financial Field. After June 27th, the Union will host 14 home games that will be filled ...

MLS Preseason Power Rankings

With the 2010 MLS Season starting at Qwest Field Thursday night with a game between 2009 expansion team, the Seattle Sounders, and 2010 expansion team, the Philadelphia Union, here is the preview of all 16 teams, ranking them by projected finish. Many storylines will arise at the beginning of the year like: Will the Galaxy be able to deal without Beckham? How good is Landon Donovan? Can Preki take TFC to the playoffs? Can Real Salt Lake repeat? Will Columbus win their third straight Supporters' Shield? How good will the Union be? What MLS players other than Donovan will be on the World Cup roster? All of these questions will be answered throughout the season and it should be an exciting season in 2010 for the MLS.Begin Slideshow