Unlike most other domestic leagues, MLS keeps on chugging along during this international break. Every team will be missing at least one player and the depth of each team will be tested. But, it will be a good time for some young kids to see the field.
Minnesota and Atlanta seem to be the most affected with internationals. Minnesota will be missing 7 starters. Atlanta will be missing 7 players, including Almada who has been the best player in the league so far.
Portland v LAG
Two teams who have been underwhelming given their preseason expectations, Portland have a flurry of injuries. The Galaxy’s defense has been porous allowing the most shot-creating actions per 90 minutes so far (31.3 SCA/90).
Portland will miss Juan Mosquera as he is on international duty, and that’s significant. Mosquera creates so much down the right side that might as well be classified as a midfielder from his heat map. With Evander having a knock and slow to assimilate to MLS, Eryk Williamson has led the Timbers with 12 shot-creating actions. (And s/o to Tar Heel Tega Ikoba for scoring his 1st MSL goal last week!)
Savarese went to a back 5 against Atlanta and conceded 5 goals. So, I would expect a return to Savarese’s preferred 4-2-3-1. Savarese is infamous for his slow starts but being able to turn it around, but with the lengthy injury list it seems difficult for the Timbers to turn things around soon.
The Galaxy got screwed last week by calling out Joveljić’s goal due to hand ball when it clearly went off his shoulder. But the bigger issue is Galaxy’s defense. Plus, Bond went off hurt last weekend leading young Klinsmann in net. Additionally, it will be missing starting LB, Kelvin Leerdam, on international duty.
After a stellar first half of a season, Puig has looked less than sharp in 2023. The Barcelona product has just 0.4xG+xA total through 3 games after averaging 0.48xG+xA in 10 games last year.
With all the struggles, injuries, and absences, I would lean under 2.5 goals, but will most likely be on the sidelines here.
Philly v Orlando
Philly is the deepest team in the East. Andres Perea and Joaquin Torres were two intra-league transfers that are always underrated but provide quality depth pieces for weeks like this. Torres is a solid backup to Gazdag and performed well in limited minutes this year. It’s just a shame Jack McGlynn is with the USA u20s; otherwise, I’m confident he would bang a FK in here.
The story of Orlando’s season (MLS comps) has been getting bailed out by Pedro Gallese. He is responsible for them only conceding 3 times off 4.6xG so far. Now, Gallese is off with the Peruvian international team thus one of two backup GKs will have to stand in between the pipes Saturday. Plus, Orlando will miss Facundo Torres and Wilmer Cartagena. On the road over international break after a CCL exit, seems like a game Pareja mails it in and re-groups for next week.
SKC v Sounders
In classic SKC fashion, they have only scored 1 goal from 4.7xG thus far. But, they get some help in the attack with Johnny Russell and Alan Pulido returning to training this week.
The Sounders played well until the last 10 or so minutes vs LAFC. They let Opoku sneak into the 6-yard-box and sky a shot attempt and a few other chances to Vela and Bouanga. But this week they go without Heber (injured) or Ruidiaz (international), and that reminds me all too much of last year’s teams that missed the playoffs. The 60 minutes they played without Ruidiaz against FCC showed they still struggle to put everything together when Fredy Montero has to play the #9 role.
I’ll be the clown and back SKC again. Prepared for ultimate pain.
Plays
- SKC ML +120
- NE +0.25
- Philly -0.75
- SJ ML -110
Fantasy (great week last week)
The4thDP 
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