The Daily Dirt, March 11: Seven MLS games today

Seven games are on the MLS schedule today after New England’s home match with Orlando City was postponed:

Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake, 2:00 p.m.: Juninho should make his Fire debut and we will begin to see how improved Chicago really will be in 2017.

New York Red Bulls vs. Colorado Rapids, 4:00 p.m.: After the Red Bulls’ impressive come-from-behind win in Atlanta last week, they return home to host the Rapids. Colorado might get Tim Howard back to today as they try to repeat last year’s surprising regular season success.

Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC, 4:30 p.m.: Neither team got on the scoreboard last week in goalless draws. Toronto eliminated the Union from the playoffs last year, and Philadelphia has set a goal of going deeper into the postseason this time around.

Montreal Impact vs. Seattle Sounders, 7:00 p.m.: The two MLS Cup contenders do battle in Montreal as the Sounders look to bounce back from a season-opening loss in Houston. The Impact go on the road for three straight after this one, so points are needed tonight for them.

Houston Dynamo vs. Columbus Crew, 8:30 p.m.: The Dynamo posted one of the most surprising results of the opening weekend, defeating the defending champion Seattle Sounders. Can Wilmer Cabrera’s Houston renovation continue?

Sporting Kansas City vs. FC Dallas, 9:00 p.m.: The defending Supporters’ Shield winners won on the road in LA last weekend while Kansas City could only manage a draw in DC. They split their meetings in 2016 with a 2-2 draw in Dallas in the last meeting in August.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 10:00 p.m.: The Whitecaps are a sleeper team for a deep run in the MLS Cup playoffs in my opinion. They knocked the Red Bulls out of the CONCACAF Champions League, but only managed a scoreless draw with Philadelphia in their league opener. San Jose surprised Montreal with a 1-0 win at Avaya Stadium on a beautiful goal from Anibal Godoy.

Domestic

Cold doesn’t bother Minnesota United (E Pluribus Loonum)

Orlando City changes their focus from today’s postponed game with New England to Philadelphia (Orlando Sentinel)

David Villa negotiating a new deal with NYCFC, Andrea Pirlo is undecided (MLS)

Patrick Vieira is impressed by the improvements in MLS (Daily Mail)

Jose Guillermo Ortiz caught DC United’s attention in a CONCACAF Champions League game, now he is part of the squad (Washington Post)

Sporting Kansas City’s goal in 2017 is to host home playoff games (Kansas City Star)

Notes from Bruce Arena’s preparation ahead of this month’s USMNT World Cup qualifiers (SI)

International

Week 10 of Liga MX postponed as referees go on strike (FMF State of Mind)

Local