As a result of their participation in the 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, the Houston Dynamo have this weekend off from MLS play. But that doesn't mean that Dynamo fans should not be tuned in to the rest of MLS, as there is a full slate of games on the docket, including three nationally televised matches.
March 9 - New England at Chicago - 6:30 p.m. - NBC Sports Network
After finishing 2012 in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, and adding key additions to the midfielder and front line, many pundits predict a big year for the Chicago Fire. The men in red lost their opener last weekend to the Galaxy, but will look to rebound Saturday night when they host the New England Revolution in their 2013 home opener. The match can be seen on the NBC Sports Network with coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT
March 10 - FC Dallas at Chivas USA - 4 p.m. - UniMas
Despite selling all-star midfielder Brek Shea to Stoke City, FC Dallas defeated the Colorado Rapids 1-0 last weekend in its season opener. The Dynamo's in-state rival will head to Southern California on Sunday to take on Chivas USA, who are coming off a 3-0 loss in their opener last week to the Columbus Crew. This will be the last match for Dallas before their lone showdown of 2013 with the Dynamo on March 17. The match can be seen nationally in Spanish on UniMas beginning at 4 p.m. CT.
March 10 - New York Red Bulls at San Jose Earthquakes - 9 p.m. - ESPN2
In arguably the most high-profile match of the weekend, the New York Red Bulls will head to the Bay Area to take on the San Jose Earthquakes. New York is coming off a dramatic 3-3 draw last weekend against the Portland Timbers. A year after leading MLS with 72 goals scored, the Earthquakes were blanked 2-0 by Real Salt Lake in their opener. With 2012 MLS MVP Chris Wondolowski and all-world striker Thierry Henry on the pitch, one can expect plenty of goal scoring opportunities for each club on Sunday. The match will kick off at 9 p.m. CT on ESPN2
March 9 - Atlante vs. Santos Laguna - 7 p.m.
It wouldn't be right if we didn't include the match that might hold the most importance to Dynamo fans this weekend. Although the Dynamo have the weekend off, Houston's CCL opponent Santos Laguna is in action tonight against Atlante. Los Guerreros are unbeaten in their last three Liga MX matches and will host an Atlante club that is winless in their last four matches and is 0-4-0 on the road in 2013. The match kicks off at 7 p.m. and can not be seen on national TV.
