Time for MLS to implement real international breaks

It’s a sign of the league’s progress over the past decade that international teams from across the globe now pluck their rosters from MLS ranks. No less than 74 players from North America’s top flight have received call-ups for fixtures over the next week, with Canada and USA both playing World Cup qualifiers. Of course, MLS will carry on with such a handicap regardless.

Only three games will be played this weekend, with New York City FC facing the New England Revolution, DC United up against FC Dallas and the Vancouver Whitecaps hosting the Houston Dynamo on Saturday evening. A full card it may not be, but scheduling fixtures during international week undermines the credibility of the league, with all six teams short of players through call-ups this weekend.

It used to be the case that MLS simply didn’t have the pedigree for international fixtures to be an issue, but with an improvement in quality has come an increase in call-ups too. An anonymous player survey (conducted by ESPN FC) released this week put on-the-field support of international fixtures at an overwhelming 92%, reflecting general sentiment. The time is right for MLS to finally take a few weeks off when duty calls to so many of its players.

Brad Davis exit prompts positive change in Houston

Part of MLS’s appeal comes from its unpredictability. It’s a result of the league’s centralised structure, wage restrictions and intricate rules and regulations designed to achieve an equal footing for all. The Houston Dynamo have become the epitome of that volatility this season. Few could have predicted that Owen Coyle’s side would start the campaign in such dynamic manner.

In just three games the Dynamo have netted 11 times, with their 5-0 thrashing of FC Dallas coming as the season’s most surprising result so far. Coyle’s winter rebuild of his midfield and attacking midfield has been more effective than anyone could have envisaged, even if his leaky defence has somewhat offset Houston’s red-hot attack.

The Dynamo have quickly become the most compelling team in MLS. In particular, their addition of Cristian Maidana and Andrew Wenger has given them a drive, energy and flair that they so desperately lacked at certain times last season, with Houston only scoring 42 goals in 34 regular season fixtures last year. The loss of Brad Davis was considered a heavy blow to their 2016 prospects, but in actuality it looks to have prompted ideological change.

Travis Worra needs to prove he’s safer than Tally Hall

Practice has been a busy place for DC United this week. For the first time since the close of last season Bill Hamid took to a field, taking part in a light workout in both Tuesday and Wednesday’s session. His return is significantly ahead of schedule, although the league’s best goalkeeper is still some way short of a competitive recovery. Hamid had another shot-stopper training alongside him too – Tally Hall.

The capital club’s goalkeeping deficiency certainly hasn’t been aided by Andrew Dykstra undergoing back surgery, ruling him out for 10 to 12 weeks. And so 22-year-old Travis Worra has started successive games for DC United, holding his own in the first team for the most part. But with Hall invited for practice this week it would seem Ben Olsen is looking for an alternative.

Hall – an experienced MLS campaigner following spells with Houston and Orlando City – could be a shrewd short-term addition for DC, although should he join Olsen will hope to have signed the No1 that played his way into the US national team camps at the start of 2013 and 2014 rather than the confidence-shot keeper that floundered in the seasons that followed. With a big display this weekend against FC Dallas Worra could prove that he’s a safer pair of hands.

Who will the international break benefit most?

While six MLS teams will treat this weekend like any other, the rest of the league has been afforded a break. For some – like Sporting KC, who have claimed three wins from three – this comes at an inopportune time. For others, however, it presents the opportunity of a much-needed do-over. Looking at you, Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls and the Seattle Sounders.

Last year’s MLS Cup runners-up have yet to pick up a single win so far this season, with Gregg Berhalter’s usual high-scorers only netting twice in three outings. Slumped at the foot of the Eastern Conference, the Crew will be thankful at the possibility of recalibration over the next two weeks.

The same goes for the Red Bulls. Last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners have the worst defensive record in MLS at present, with only a 4-3 win over Houston salvaging what has been a difficult start following defeats to Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact. The loss of Matt Miazga may have taken more of a toll than was initially anticipated. Then there’s Seattle, who are in desperate need of a regroup having lost all three of their opening 2016 fixtures. So whilst there are those who can use this weekend to find an advantage on the field, there are also some who will benefit from being off it.

New York City FC getting used to life without Lampard

Much has changed at New York City FC since last season, but one thing hasn’t – year two, just like year one, has started with Frank Lampard sidelined through injury. In the context of designated players throughout history, the former England international must go down as one of the biggest busts. Everything from the process of his signing to his eventual arrival in the States has gone wrong.

NYC FC currently have a $6m player sitting in the stands, but the issue for the former Chelsea midfielder is that Patrick Vieira is building his team without him. His midfield trio of Andrea Pirlo, Mix Diskerud and Thomas McNamara has given NYC FC balance in the centre of the pitch, with all three players bringing their own individual qualities to the mix (even if Pirlo remains defensively suspect). So where does Lampard fit in when he finally returns?

Taking four points from their opening three games, the start of the 2016 campaign has been a mixed one for NYC FC. However, there has been progress and much of that can be found in development of their midfield unit, without Lampard. Given everything that has happened, it might not be long before NYC FC are without Lampard entirely.