MLS Week 9 Predictions and Preview

King of the Hill

When the Rev’s try to do what no other MLS side has been able to do yet this season, they for the first time all season will have close to a full roster, but can they stop the winning ways of the Crew at home (4-0-0)? Well New England have proven themselves to be road warriors so far this season (3-1-1), those three road wins are tied for the best in MLS. But at home I have to stick with the undefeated Crew, this one should be exciting as no team can knock Columbus out of first, but New England could make it interesting heading into June. I have been impressed with the talent that the Rev’s have brought to MLS from Africa, there 3 new additions bring pace, size, and talent to what already was a good side. Columbus has been riding high off the talent of 2^nd year player Robbie Rogers, and one of their most experienced players Alejandro Moreno, who have 9 of the teams 14 goals so far this season. Columbus gets challenged but win this one 3-2.
Game Guide

Midweek Rematch

DC United suffered another loss on Wednesday night as they went north of the border to face TFC in front of what some call the leagues best fans, today they get another chance at beating Toronto, but now in front of their home fans. DC United will seek revenge on their first ever loss to TFC, and more importantly they will be trying to stop their 4 game losing streak that has seen them score only one goal in those 4 matches. If you want to know how important the loss of Gomez was, simply look at the tables, DC United are the worst team in MLS and Christian’s new team Colorado is atop the Western Conference, add in the loss of Ben Olsen and the failure of the talented Gallardo to make the team better and their problems just seem to be getting started. TFC on the other hand is one of the hottest MLS teams, they have a 6 match unbeaten streak (4-0-2), and their defense has been stellar giving up only one goal in their last five matches. Toronto has not been the highest scoring team in recent play scoring only 5 goals in their last 5 matches, but with their defense, they don’t need many goals to get results and I am going to pick TFC to win again (despite my feeling that United may finally break out like they did against RSL) TFC 2- United 0.
Game Guide

RSL rivals battle

I still struggle to figure out which of these teams I hate more, Colorado with Pablo, or the Goats USA? Neither side has looked impressive yet this season, but both hold wins over RSL on their home pitches, when these two sides have met in Colorado the most common result has been a draw (4 out of 5). Both teams have scored 13 goals this season; the difference is that Colorado has given up only 9 goals which makes them the best defense in the West. On the other side Chivas have given up 16, only DC United has given up more. Both teams have scored in almost every match so far this season, only once have the Rapids failed to score, and Chivas has been blanked only twice. I think this will be a entertaining match but will end like most of their matches in Colorado as a draw 2-2.
Game Guide

Galaxy aim for the stars

Well LA could put themselves in first place in the Western Conference with a win against KC and if my prediction for a draw between Chivas and Colorado comes true. No team has scored more goals than LA so far this season 19, and they are facing a KC team that has less than half that with only 9 goals all season (3 in their last 4 matches). The problem in this one for LA is that other than the United no team has given up more goals 16 (same as the other team from LA), the KC defense is anchored by Jimmy Conrad one of the best defenders in MLS and KC have only allowed 10 goals to be scored against them. Something is going to give in this one and I have a feeling that it will be the defense of the Wizards, I don’t think that LA will get a hat trick from anyone player but I think a team hat trick will give them the win at home, Galaxy 3-1.
Game Guide

Defensive battle in the East

So the two best defenses in MLS match up on Sunday in New York, as the Red Bulls who have only given up 6 goals all season will face off against the Chicago Fire, who have only given up 5 goals. Both teams have a lot of injuries that will impact who can play as well as how well some players may perform, check the game guide for the gory details. New York will be without Dave van der Bergh out for a red card suspension, as well they will be without head coach Juan Carlos Osario who is also serving a one game suspension. Chicago will be trying to just stay close to the top of the East, and hoping that Columbus cools off at some point this season. This game also features the match up of the non-Beckham superstars, both Juan Pablo Angel and Blanco made an impact last season on their teams and the league, now the two superstars will match up for the first time this season. Angel has been suffering from injuries early in 2008, but Blanco has been on the pitch every minute of every game so far for Chicago, this matchup should be one of the best of the weekend, shame it is only going to be offered on Telefutura with their horrible technical issues and Spanish only broadcasting. Imagine if all the other matches were English only, outrage. Anyhow I have no idea if this one will end up being a scoring fest or a drought, but I am leaning towards the latter a 0-0 draw.
Game Guide

Can RSL take advantage

So RSL already owns a victory over Dallas this year, but they have never gotten a win or draw when facing Dallas in Texas (0-4-0), RSL has also not gotten any points on the road this year (0-4-9) and only scored two goals in their four defeats. How could anyone think that this match should be any different? Well Dallas has just made a coaching change, out is Steve Morrow and in is Marco Ferruzzi, but has that interim label, how will players react? Dallas will be without Adrian Serioux who is serving a red card suspension, their defense was already suspect as DP Duilio Davino has struggled to adapt to the MLS style of play, Dax McCarty is still out due to an injury, and they are coming off a total thrashing at home against the Galaxy 5-1. Their biggest weakness in my opinion is that they are a one trick team so far, long balls over the top to Kenny Cooper has been their only real offensive threat this year, it has lead to half of their 10 goals, but shut down Kenny and who will step up? One of last season’s surprises was Juan Toja, who has been almost invisible this season, their midfield is very suspect, but can RSL take advantage?

I think RSL has to counter the long ball tactics of Dallas with two efforts, first control the midfield and don’t allow the more accurate balls from the middle of the pitch, make Dallas play long balls out of their own defensive third. Second, counter and cross, we have to have a quick response as Dallas will throw too many players into the attack, if we counter fast and get the ball into their third of the pitch and put good crosses into Deuchar we could just start to see the goals be delivered by “Dr. Goal”. This will be tough as our attack will have to come from the outside as Morales appears to be out for another match, I had hoped we would have moved Dema back into the defensive mid role and given Matias Corboba a chance to show if he has the ability to play on the first squad. But if the game guide is to be believed it looks like Kenny Cutler will get another start in the midfield, he had moments last week both good and bad moments (more bad than good in my opinion) but the reality is that we lost a match we could have won at Colorado, and this week is another match we could and should win.

I am going to pick another RSL win and I am going to pick it the same as the last time these two teams met, 2-1 for RSL.
Game Guide

This entry was posted on May 24, 2008 at 12:31 pm and is filed under MLS Predictions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.