Just like everyone expected, Atlanta United are in last place in the Eastern Conference, barely ahead of NYC FC, and the New York Red Bulls would also miss the playoffs if they started today. Meanwhile FC Cincinnati slots in at No. 5 right now.

OK, early sample size, but still! The start of the MLS season has been crazy, complicated by a million factors including but not limited to the Concacaf Champions League, in which the MLS is getting its butt thoroughly kicked by its southerly neighbor Liga MX. I apologize, Sporting Kansas City fans. (The score could’ve been much worse, actually.)

Here’s one thing that hasn’t been a surprise, though: Carlos Vela is really freaking good, and he’s absolutely on fire right now. Vela leads the MLS in goals with six and he’s bagged three assists to boot. He also completely peppers the goal, having accrued 26 total shots (10 on target) through LAFC’s five games. Bob Bradley’s squad also leads the MLS in points, goals scored, and goal differential. 

The MLS gods have gifted us mere mortals with a very tasty matchup early in the season. Let’s enjoy it. 

So when Vela and LAFC visit Wayne Rooney and D.C. United on Saturday, there will be fireworks. The teams are certainly way more than their two superstars. Both defenses are top-notch. Both are in form. Both are led by supremely good skippers. But still, despite all the “other guys”—who are very, very good—the eyeballs will be glued to Rooney and Vela. 

Vela’s left foot is like in NBA Jam from the Super Nintendo days, when the player catches fire and get pretty much do anything on the court and it goes in. This is Vela’s left foot in action:

Carlos Vela.
Left foot.
Curler.

You KNOW how this one ends. pic.twitter.com/ECjHOx8tDS

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 31, 2019

Vela on his left in the box?

We know how that one ends. 2-0. #USOC2018 https://t.co/zi9FO5G7Ee

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 19, 2018

That’s pretty good!

And this is Rooney’s right: 

ARE YOU KIDDING ME WAYNE ROONEY?! ?

He scores his 4th goal of the year and puts D.C. United up by 2 against Orlando. pic.twitter.com/rV8ESb55Ga

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 31, 2019

Also pretty good! I, for one, hope that these two guys get some serious scoring chances and that we get some highlight reel-worthy moments. D.C. United will hope that their dynamic midfield duo of Russell Canouse and Junior Moreno—who have been spectacular to this point in the season—will mitigate Vela’s effectiveness. You can bet Canouse especially will be on Vela like Velcro. 

Here’s more preview content for tomorrow’s matchup:

-Orlando City analysis: sitting deep and defending

-Ben Olsen recaps Orlando City, previews LAFC

-Rooney’s influence: set pieces and positional flexibility

-Roundtable: Which DCU reserve will be key?