3 matches to watch in MLS: Week 2

You'd be forgiven if you missed the first week of Major League Soccer action, but there's no excuses in Week 2 - the 2017 season has now well and truly begun. With that in mind, here are three matches to watch in the second week of the 2017 MLS season:

Expansion Exchange

Minnesota United vs. Atlanta United - TCF Bank Stadium (March 12)

There are two new teams in MLS this season in Atlanta and Minnesota, and in truth, the two could not be built more differently; Atlanta is inspired heavily by Latin talent, led by former Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino; the Loons have a Nordic flavor but look like a mix between an MLS and an NASL side.

If everything goes as expected, Atlanta should be celebrating its first win soon. But, as with any match in MLS, anything truly can happen.

This game marks the one and only time these two teams meet this season in Minneapolis, barring an unlikely MLS Cup final tilt. While it comes relatively early in the season, it could provide a confidence-boosting platform to build on for either side. The two meet once more, this time in Atlanta, on Aug. 13.

Battle for the West Coast

LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers - StubHub Center (March 12)

It's California versus Oregon at the StubHub Center as the LA Galaxy host the Portland Timbers in a match between two West Coast adversaries. Sebastian Blanco and Romain Alessandrini headline the new stars that now call these two teams home, but Diego Valeri and Giovani Dos Santos also draw attention.

Coming off a huge 5-1 season opener, Portland will be feeling quite confident, while the Galaxy will look to shake off a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas by returning to the familiar comforts of home - and the winning form it so often brings.

This Western Conference heavyweight clash promises to bring goals, at least.

Olympic Home Opener

Montreal Impact vs. Seattle Sounders - Stade Olympique (March 11)

The Montreal Impact started the 2017 season in as poor a way possible, failing to record even one shot on goal as the club dropped a 1-0 result against the San Jose Earthquakes.

Paging Didier Drogba?

Not quite. Last week's fixture was but an anomaly for an otherwise dangerous Montreal team, a fact that the Impact will want to remind the rest of the league when the Canadian outfit hosts the Seattle Sounders, themselves fresh off an unexpected loss. With Clint Dempsey looking to keep up his own scoring form, the Olympic Stadium welcomes two hungry sides out to set the record straight.