Soccer Weekend: A good chance for the Revs to restore order, a couple of interesting MLS tilts, and the return of the Premier League

This weekend, the Revolution have an opportunity to show the rest of American soccer that they belong in the conversation when they head to Seattle to take on the Sounders Saturday afternoon.

Last weekend, New England suffered its first league defeat in nearly three months — before last Saturday, Thursday marked the three-month point — against LAFC, a team that is the odds-on favorite to win not only the Supporter’s Shield, but MLS Cup, too. But now The Boys In Blue are playing a Seattle team that is, by all accounts, depleted.

Chad Marshall? He retired back in May.

Román Torres? Suspended for 10 games due to a positive PED test.

Raúl Riudiaz? Has missed the last couple of games with a concussion, and isn’t a guarantee to play this weekend.

And not only that, this is a Sounders team that has lost six out of their last 10.

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Even so, New England has had very little luck when playing at The C-Link. The Revs are 1-3-2 when playing in Seattle, the lone win coming in the two sides’ first-ever meeting in 2009. The last time out, the Revs and Sounders battled to a scoreless draw on July 7 last year. And before that, the Revolution’s last trip here in 2017, it was a 3-3 draw.

With 10 games remaining, the Revs are looking to get as many points possible, especially points on the road. A win against Seattle would be another massive step in the resurgence of New England’s favorite soccer sons, and would help solidify their hold on a playoff spot.

Expect everything Seattle does to go through Nicolás Lodeiro, the Uruguayan playmaker who entered last Sunday night’s 3-2 loss to Sporting Kansas City with 16 assists on the season. But not only that, the Sounders have started relying more on Jordan Morris, the Stanford product who has battled through injuries as a pro. Seattle likes to utilize long balls over the top, as they tried to pick Morris out last weekend.

In his last two games, Morris has scored three times, including a pair against SKC on Sunday. Morris has great pace up top, and is a rather strong player in body size.

If there’s one thing that I saw in my Monday morning film session that I want readers to be aware of is the amount of space Seattle can yield. Against Sporting, the Sounders’ D yielded plenty of it, had late reactions — but on a couple of Kansas City goals, nothing they did would have been able to stop the Wizards from denting twine. They do, however, defend set pieces very well, and will press.

And of course, Stefan Frei in goal is one of the top keepers in the league. Nuff said.

Elsewhere around the league this weekend

NYCFC and Houston already kicked off the weekend with their tilt in the Bronx Thursday night, and both are in action Sunday. The Blues beat Houston, 3-2, with a pair of goals in the last 20 minutes; the win moved New York City to third in the East entering the weekend with 38 points.

On Saturday, Columbus hosts FC Cincinnati in the Hell Is Real Derby (no, seriously, that's what they're calling it), Toronto hosts Orlando City in an important six-pointer that Revs fans will want to keep their eyes on after the game against Seattle, FC Dallas hosts US Open Cup Final-bound Minnesota United on the short turnaround for the Loons, Sporting Kansas City hosts Real Salt Lake, Chicago hosts Montreal, Colorado hosts San Jose, and Portland hosts Vancouver.

On Sunday, Atlanta United hosts NYCFC on an incredibly short turnaround for the Bronx Blues (ESPN, 3:55 p.m.), Philadelphia hosts Houston, DC United hosts LA Galaxy (7:30 p.m., FS1), and the Red Bulls travel to LAFC (10 p.m., FS1).

Midweek will see several games in the league, as well as the second round of the Canadian Championship semifinals.

The Secondary Transfer Window ended early Thursday morning, and the Revs made no moves. But one former Revolution player did move, and that was Kelyn Rowe after a short stint with Sporting Kansas City. The Wiz sent him to Real Salt Lake, currently sixth in the West. It will be interesting to see how Mike Petke utilizes Rowe, if at all: Rowe has spent time recently with Swope Park Rangers of the USL Championship.

One has to wonder if Seattle -- Rowe's eventual goal -- will come calling in the offseason.

Real comes to Gillette on Saturday, Sept 21.

Across the pond

The Premier League resumes Friday, with Liverpool, the champions of Europe, kicking off the 2019-20 season against Norwich City (3 p.m.).

On Saturday, champions Manchester City are away to West Ham United for the first event at the London Stadium since the Red Sox-Yankees homerfest (7:30 a.m.), before a slew of 10 a.m. kickoffs. Crystal Palace hosts Everton, Burnley hosts Southampton, Watford hosts Brighton Hove & Albion, Bournemouth hosts newly promoted Sheffield United, and Tottenham Hotspur hosts Aston Villa in the 12:30 p.m. tilt.

Two matches for you Sunday, as Newcastle United hosts Arsenal (9 a.m.), while Manchester United hosts Chelsea at Old Trafford (11:30 a.m.).

Not a bad weekend of football, if you ask me.

Summer window closed Thursday for the Premier League. I like what Arsenal did, scoring left back Kieran Tierney from Celtic, and then grabbing David Luiz from Chelsea for £8 million. If Luiz will let Unai Emery coach him, he could be a rather solid get for the Gunners, who need a lot of defensive help. And selling Alex Iwobi to Everton for £32 million — not a bad piece of business in Ashburton Grove. And Spurs had some nice business, getting Ryan Sessegnon in a trade (and £25 million over the next five years), but missed out on Paolo Dybala. No business at the deadline by Liverpool or Manchester United.

Manchester United sold Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan, but didn’t get a quality striker to replace him. That’s going to hurt.

And Crystal Palace not wanting to transfer Wilfried Zaha out, gosh … have to feel bad for the lad, seeing how bad he wants to leave. Everton put in a bid, Palace rejected it, and that led the Toffees to go after Iwobi. Everton had offered £70 million, but getting Iwobi for £32 million is a steal — and obviously a better deal for the Merseysiders.

And lastly, hate to see what's happening with Bolton Wanderers and Bury FC, two Greater Manchester sides struggling financially -- and the Football League may bounce them both. Awful, awful news for the clubs, the players, those who work for them -- but also for the fans.