MLS Major League Soccer

#RivalryWeek Kicks off Live on NBC Saturday - This Week in MLS

Published on March 12, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


The Major League Soccer regular season may only be three weeks old, but the intensity gets dialed up this week as eight of the league's nine matches are regional rivalries that have historically produced boisterous crowds and dramatic moments.

NBC Sports Group will air 10 consecutive hours of MLS action, including live coverage of seven different games - three in their entirety and four during an innovative show called MLS Breakaway. It all starts with the New York Red Bulls vs. D.C. United on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

On Sunday, two more rivalry games will air ESPN2 and UniMas. The national TV schedule for #RivalryWeek is below.

Saturday, March 16

12:30 p.m. ET - New York Red Bulls vs. D.C. United (NBC)

The coverage kicks off live on NBC for the New York Red Bulls' home opener at Red Bull Arena. The fete will be a rematch of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Red Bulls and long-time rivals D.C. United. Last year's playoff series featured two own goals in one game and two schedule changes caused by a hurricane and a snowstorm. United took the series 2-1 on aggregate, winning the second leg 1-0 at Red Bull Arena on a Nick DeLeon goal.

3:00 p.m. ET - Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire (NBC Sports Network)

The Fire hold an impressive 23-11-9 advantage in the all-time series with Kansas City, including 3-1-1 since the latter's rebrand to Sporting Kansas City, but KC has twice defeated Chicago in a final (MLS Cup 2000 and the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup). About 200 Chicago supporters are expected to make the trip to Kansas City, Kan.

5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET - MLS Breakaway (NBC Sports Network)

Unprecedented in MLS history, this fast-paced show will bring fans to all the top moments of Rivalry Day, including live look-ins on four games in progress, highlights from earlier in the day, and all the top storylines.

The four matches unfolding during MLS Breakaway are: Montreal vs. Toronto (4 p.m.) for which Toronto FC's 4,200 traveling supporters are projected to be the largest group in MLS regular season history; Philadelphia vs. New England (5 p.m.); Columbus vs. San Jose (5:30 p.m.); and Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado (6 p.m.). NBC Sports Group's team of Arlo White, Kyle Martino, and Russ Thaler will call the NY-DC game and then travel to the new NBC Sports Group International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., to host MLS Breakaway. To Find NBC Sports Network click here: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/ and use the channel finder.

8:00 p.m. ET - Seattle Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers (NBC Sports Network)

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers has been a rivalry of epic proportions since before the teams entered the MLS ranks. With more than 40,000 Sounders fans expected to attend the game, the Timbers will have to handle the 11 players on the field as well as the Sounders' 12th man in the stands.

Sunday, March 17

1:00 p.m. ET - FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo (ESPN2)

The intensity carries into Sunday, as FC Dallas host the Houston Dynamo on ESPN2 at 1 p.m. ET. The "El Capitan," trophy, a 19th-centry Civil War replica cannon, is on the line as the two Texas rivals meet for the first and only time this regular season.

5:00 p.m. ET - LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA (UniMas)

The grand finale of rivalries will include the SuperClasico, featuring the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA, at the Home Depot Center. The Galaxy won the final two meetings last year by heavy margins (3-0 and 4-0), and they've now won eight of the last nine league meetings dating back to 2009. Chivas USA is riding high after win last week under new coach Jose Luis Sanchez Sola.

Semifinals at stake: CONCACAF Champions League

On Tuesday night, Seattle Sounders FC could make history becoming the first MLS team to eliminate a Mexican side in the CONCACAF Champions League. Down just one goal (1-0 aggregate), Seattle returns home for the second leg of the Champions League Quarterfinal series with Tigres UANL. Kickoff is set for at 10 p.m. ET on Fox Soccer

The Houston Dynamo and LA Galaxy both get their chance to advance on Wednesday night.

After posting a 1-0 score at home in the first leg, travels to TorreÃ"n needing only a tie to eliminate last year's Liga MX runner-up, Santos Laguna. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on Fox Soccer.

The LA Galaxy return home after playing to a scoreless draw against Costa Rican club Herediano on the road last week. The Galaxy won each of their home games during the group stage of the competition and have only lost one match at home in CCL play since the start of the 2011-12 tournament.

Quotables

"My parents are excited. All my family members came out to the first game. They're used to seeing me on TV, but instead of once a year, they can come out to most of the home games and see me. ... I like being here."

-Eric Avila, on how he is adjusting to playing with Chivas USA and having the opportunity to be closer to home

"You cannot take your eye off him, not even for a second."

-Mike Petke, talking about Chris Wondolowski in their upcoming match-up

"We have a unique setup because we have the resources, we have the culture and we have the weather. That is perfect for developing players. And we need to now take that and continue to build on top of it."

-LA Galaxy President Chris Klein, commenting on the Galaxy's Youth Development Program and its future

"We know what he is. We know that he'll score when the most pressure is on. He's that guy for us."

-Real Salt Lake Coach Jason Kreis, telling reporters that he's not worried about Alvaro Saborio only playing two weeks of preseason with the team

"You've got to have a short-term memory as a professional and that's a mental strength you've got to have at this level."

-Erik Hurtado, talking about his rookie debut last week and how he plans to prepare for the future

"I didn't go around wearing a nametag that said 'Hi, I'm Native American,' but if it ever came up, I've always been very proud to talk about it. It's part of my history and my culture."

-Chris Wondolowski, speaking to his pride in his Native American heritage

"I would have loved to have gotten it back at Rio Tinto in front of our fans and my family, but you take them when they come."

-Nick Rimando, recorded his 100th shutout on the road last weekend

"On Day 1 last year, we wanted to create a culture where we out-work, we out-think, we out-prepare, and that will lead us to out-play."

-Jay Heaps, on the motto he wants to set for his team

Sweet Tweets

@eddie_johnson7 - March 10

Wow soccer has really grown in america...Watched all of the teams highlights on ESPN from this weekend #MLS

@b_feilhaber22 - March 9

A day has not begun without an episode of saved by the bell!! #wheniwakeupinthemorning

@D6MERIT - March 9

You know you're at a good club when the whitecapsfc staff leaves this on your door.(complete w/ tribal... http:// instagr.am/p/WpadAXyYVc/

@MLopez5_12 - March 10

Had a great time at the watch party at our stadium and getting to meet some of the fans. Im excited to play already and play for y'all! #SKC

@JoeCannonGK1 - March 10

Earthquakes rally late again. Buck Shaw Stadium is feeling a lot like the old Spartan Stadium. @1906Ultras must be rocking out!!

MLS Week 3 Previews

(Home team listed first; all times Eastern)

Saturday, March 16

New York Red Bulls vs. D.C. United, 12:30 p.m. (NBC)

- D.C. leading rivalry: The teams have a rich history against each other, dating back to the league's inaugural season, when United defeated the then-MetroStars in the MLS Cup Playoffs. They've met 71 times in all competitions over the years; New York has won 22 and United have won 39, including a 6-1-2 record in the postseason.

- NY wants revenge: The teams met in a wild Eastern Conference Semifinal Series a year ago, featuring two own goals in one game and two postponements due to a hurricane and a snowstorm. United took the series 2-1 on aggregate, winning the second leg 1-0 at Red Bull Arena on a Nick DeLeon goal.

- Home cooking: The Red Bulls make their home debut with one point from two games on the West Coast, where they held second-half leads both in a 3-3 draw with Portland and a late 2-1 loss to San Jose.

- Bragging rights: The teams split their regular season series last year, each winning once at home with a second match at RFK Stadium a draw.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire, 3 p.m. (NBCSN)

- Tough win: Kansas City had gone a couple of seasons and four matches in all since defeating Chicago before their 2-0 victory in the final meeting last year, Sept. 28 at Sporting Park.

- Streak Ended: Sporting Kansas City saw their league undefeated streak come to an end at 13 games, losing a regular-season match for the first time since last July 28 in their 2-1 defeat at Toronto FC. The unbeaten streak was one game shy of the club record.

- Slow Start: For the first time since 2000, and just the second time in club history, the Fire have opened the season with back-to-back losses after their 1-0 loss at home to New England last weekend.

- Delightful Double: SKC Designated Player Claudio Bieler has opened his MLS account with a goal in each of his first two matches in the league.

Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC, 4 p.m. (TSN, RDS)

- Winning Ways: Toronto FC won for the first time in league play since last July 18, defeating Sporting Kansas City 2-1 at Rogers Centre on Saturday. It snapped TFC's regular-season winless streak at 15 games, tied for second-longest in league history.

- Milestone Moment: The Impact opened the season with a Pacific Northwest sweep, with victories in Seattle and Portland. It's the first time since the club came to MLS they've won back-to-back games on the road.

- Familiar Foes: The teams met five times in Montréal's first MLS season. In league play, the teams split the two matches in Québec; they played to a scoreless draw in the lone meeting at BMO Field.

- Crowning Victory: Toronto FC also took the Canadian Championship semifinal meeting 2-0 on aggregate, winning the second leg at home by that score.

- Canadian's Crushing: When Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver all won last weekend, it was the first time in MLS history the three Canadian clubs had all won on the same day.

Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution, 5 p.m.

- Undefeated: Union are undefeated in seven meetings all-time with the Revolution, with four victories. They won both meetings at PPL Park a year ago.

- Long time coming: The final team to begin the new season, the Revolution started 2013 with a 1-0 win at Chicago last weekend with a goal from Honduras international Jerry Bengtson. It was the first season-opening win for the Revs since 2009.

- Jack Mack: Union return home off their first win of 2013, a late 2-1 win in Colorado in a game delayed a day because of a blizzard. Jack McInerney scored the game-winning goal, his first of the season.

- About Time: In his fourth MLS season, Union defender Amobi Okugo scored his first professional goal, heading home a corner kick to give Philadelphia the lead against the Rapids.

Columbus Crew vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 5:30 p.m.

- Hey You Guys: The Goonies did it again. Chris Wondolowski's stoppage-time penalty kick gave the Earthquakes a 2-1 win Sunday against New York; on their way to winning the Supporters' Shield a year ago, the Quakes won or tied eight games with a goal in second-half stoppage time, by far an MLS record.

- Back in Form: The Crew's Jairo Arrieta has picked up where he left off in his initial half-season of MLS experience, scoring his first goal of 2013 in his club's 2-1 loss in Vancouver. Arrieta had an assist in the season-opening win at Chivas USA.

- Tough Battles: The teams have played to a draw in each of their last two meetings, including a 1-1 result last May 19 at Buck Shaw Stadium in their only match of 2012.

Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids, 6 p.m.

For the Cup: The rivals play for the Rocky Mountain Cup, a trophy awarded by the supporters groups of both teams. The rivalry has lived up to its billing in past seasons, as last-day results sent RSL into the MLS Cup Playoffs ahead of their Rocky Mountain rivals in 2008 (a last-minute RSL goal for a 1-1 tie) and 2009 (a 3-0 Real win). In 2007, an RSL win also ended the Rapids' playoff hopes, though Real also did not qualify.

- Home Sweet Home: The home team has not lost in the Rocky Mountain Cup series since 2007, when RSL knocked off Colorado 1-0 in Commerce City to close out their playoff hopes.

- Road Woes: The home team won every meeting last year, Real Salt Lake winning by a 2-0 scoreline in both meetings at Rio Tinto Stadium, and Colorado winning 1-0 in the lone match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

- Cold Start: The Rapids are coming off their first loss in a home opener since 2003, falling to Philadelphia 2-1 in a game delayed a day by a blizzard. Real make their home debut after winning at San Jose and losing at D.C. United.

Seattle Sounders FC vs. Portland Timbers, 8 p.m. (NBCSN)

- Cascadia Clash: Sounders FC defeated their Pacific Northwest rivals for the first time ever at home in MLS play with a 3-0 victory last Oct. 7 at CenturyLink Field. In the first meeting a year ago, the Timbers defeated Seattle in MLS play for the first time, a 2-1 win at Jeld-Wen Field on June 24.

- Bragging Rights: The clubs have a long history against each other, dating back to the North American Soccer League, when the Timbers played their first ever game against Seattle on May 2, 1975. In more recent times, the teams met in back-to-back years in the U.S. Open Cup, with the MLS Sounders defeating the D-II Timbers in both 2009 and 2010.

- Storied History: Versions of the club have faced one another in the NASL, Western Soccer League, APSL/A-League/USL First Division and now MLS. Overall, the clubs have met 78 times in official competitions, Seattle winning 41 times, Portland winning 28, and 9 draws.

- Change of Focus: Sounders FC return to MLS play coming off their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series against Mexico's Tigres UANL.

Sunday, March 17

FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo, 1 p.m. (ESPN2)

- Boom goes the Dynamite: clubs play for "El Capitán", the 19th-century Mountain Howitzer cannon to be awarded to the winner of the season series by supporters groups for both clubs.

- Series edge: The Dynamo have won the last two meetings between the teams, including a 2-1 win last June 16, the first meeting even in the series at BBVA Compass Stadium. FC Dallas has won once all-time in Houston in 12 meetings in all competitions, a 1-0 victory at Robertson Stadium on May 5, 2010.

- State Supremacy: FC Dallas last defeated Houston in 2010. FCD went nearly three years and nine games without a win against their in-state rivals, until a win in 2009.

- Texas Time: The Dynamo return to league play after a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series against Mexico's Club Santos Laguna.

LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA, 5 p.m. (UniMas)

- One-sided affair: The Galaxy won the final two meetings last year by heavy margins (3-0 and 4-0), and they've now won eight of the last nine league meetings dating back to 2009.

- Long awaited: Chivas won 1-0 last May 19 to snap a six-game Galaxy winning streak in the series and a Chivas 11-game winless run in SuperClásicos, their first victory against the Galaxy since Aug. 23, 2007.

- Goat Glory: Chivas USA are coming off the first victory under new coach José Luis Sánchez Solá, a come-from-behind 3-1 win against FC Dallas at The Home Depot Center.

- Back to Business: The Galaxy return to league play after a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series against CS Herediano of Costa Rica, opening their league campaign with a 4-0 home win against the Chicago Fire behind a hat trick from Mike Magee.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 12, 2013


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