Starting XI: A second glance at NYCFC and Orlando, Jermaine the painter and Nat Borchers' beard

Welcome to Starting XI, our Friday rundown of what to watch for this weekend in MLS and beyond. And don't forget to get your Spanish-language fix with FutbolMLS.com.

Our recommended listening for this weekend as per new media editor Andrew Wiebe is "Blessings" by Big Sean because another weekend is packed with domestic soccer. It just feels right.TV listings here for your convenience.

• Click here for the entire 2015 MLS schedule and results

1. LET DOWN YOUR HAIR: I had no idea what to expect of Mix Diskerud this year. I watched one game, and I still don't know what to expect – what, exact position he'll play, whether he'll go direct at goal, how much of the ball he'll have (it was a lot in Week 1, by the way). In Week 2 he'll go up against the Revs (Sunday, 5 pm ET; ESPN2) and... yeah, I still don't know what to expect.

Except this: His hair will be amazing. He actually took the time to fix it right before scoring NYCFC's first-ever goal, as you can see in the GIF below:

I didn't expect that either. But so far, I sure am enjoying the Mix Diskerud MLS Experience. Bring on Week 2! – MATTHEW DOYLE

2. JERMAINE THE PAINTER: First things first, go follow Jermaine Jones on Instagram if you aren't already. If you're already following U.S. Soccer's heir to the social-media throne (sorry, Eddie Johnson), then you've seen an awful lot of non-soccer related activities since Jones underwent hernia surgery in early February. It's all here: the requisite selfie, daddy time, whip shot, puppy love and Times Square-style caricature. Look, I get it. Los Angeles is sick, especially when you're Jermaine being Jermaine.

But when your teammates are busy trying to grind out results, it might behoove Jones to toss up a rehab shot or two just for appearance's sake. To be clear, I'm not doubting his dedication. I'm sure he's hitting the gym. I'm just wondering why Jones felt the need to paint a Coco Chanel logo on his leather jacket and whether Brek Shea inspired this new hobby. Here's hoping we see that creativity on the field, too. –ANDREW WIEBE

3. ANSWER UP TOP: One of the more frustrating parts of Sunday's Expansion Derby was watching Carlos Rivas do his best Marco Di Vaio impersonation, garnering five (?!) offside calls. Will Bryan Rochez get his shot up top or will Adrian Heath give Rivas another shot Friday night in Houston (7 pm ET; UniMas in Spanish and English)? Fantasy players should take note.– BEN BAER

4. TREEBEARD: The big games are coming thick and fast in Portland, as a week after opening the season against former playoff nemesis Real Salt Lake, they'll welcome the defending champion LA Galaxy to town (Sunday, 7 pm ET; Fox Sports1). The teams have played out some memorable encounters over the last couple years, but in this one all the eyes will be on the Timbers back line, including Nat Borchers' magnificent chin plumage. – NICHOLAS ROSANO

5. #TBT: Last season, Obafemi Martins scored the AT&T Goal of the Year vs. the San Jose Earthquakes. On Saturday, he will have his first shot at a repeat (10 pm ET; MLS LIVE).

Sadly, Jon Busch has since moved on to the Chicago Fire, and will not be around to try to repeat as our Face of the Year winner. – MATTHEW DOYLE

6. SCARVES UP, DRUMS OUT: Here's the thing about the month of March: Even an opening day loss can't dampen the enthusiasm and dreams of a new MLS season. And so in Chicago they're stoked for Saturday's home opener against a Vancouver Whitecaps team that has never scored at Toyota Park (6 pm ET, MLS LIVE and TSN). The great weather they're going to get obviously helps the mood, but there's also news of a potential midfield reinforcement from La Liga.

And if that still wasn't enough to fire up the Fire fanbase, this pump-up video (watch it here) and the special dedicated mix tape (watch below) probably do the trick. – SIMON BORG

7. TWEET(S) OF THE WEEK: We usually use this space for a laugh and a bit of fun, but this we're we're going to show you some anecdotal polling from an NYU professor:

March 12, 2015
March 12, 2015
March 12, 2015

8. GET YOUR BUSINESS DONE & YOUR LINEUP SET: You've got snacks. The beverages are bought. Your friends know Friday's game starts promptly at 7 pm ET on UniMas (SAP for those of you who don't speak Spanish) and they better not be late. Now, have you set your MLS Fantasy Soccer lineup? Don't be the guy kicking yourself on Monday.

Need advice? Boom! How about a video to get your ready for Round 2? Pow! Oh, and follow your matchups closely with the new dashboard. – ANDREW WIEBE

9. TRILLIUM THROWDOWN: Is TFC vs. Crew SC a "real rivalry"? How exactly do we define that term, anyway? Well, any time your matches inspire hundred of fans to hop in their cars for seven hours or so to weave between the Great Lakes and cross an international border just to smack-talk their opposite numbers in person, there's surely something of interest happening. Whether the series winners enjoy their trophy or just read their newspapers instead, the three points on offer at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday night (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE in US, TSN 2 in Canada) matter just a bit more for two teams expected to battle for a playoff spot this season. – CHARLES BOEHM

10. SRCBODYSECTION">CATCHING FLIES: The banter is already strong with this NYCFC team. On the way back from their 1-1 draw with Orlando, captain David Villa caught Sebastian Velasquez sleeping on the plane and took this cheeky selfie with him. But ever the good sport, Velasquez played along with #VeLasQuezing and vowed to get Villa back. – SARAH LERNER