Week 24 Preview - On the weekend

So the Rapids surprised everyone, especially myself with their 1-0 win against Dallas in a very empty Pizza Hut Park. We’ll see if Colorado can back that up and make a run at the playoffs, but I’ll leave that til Monday. The big story for this weekend is the number of players who will be missing because of international absences - why oh why can’t the MLS learn to not schedule games then? It’s a very frustrating topic for those of us who care, and has already been blogged to death. Without further complaining, on to the games for this weekend.

Toronto v Chivas USA
Here’s the best of example of why not to play games during a FIFA weekend: Toronto, fighting for a playoff spot will be missing nine first teamers. Not exactly the best way to get a good product on the pitch. Chivas will be miss Sacha Klejstan, but won’t feel anything much more significant. The question is, can Toronto’s reserves buckle down and steal some points? They’ll be at home, which should help out, but it could be another home loss. Of interest, Chivas has yet to lose to Toronto as well.
Toronto 1-2 Chivas

Columbus v New England
The Crew host the Revs this weekend, with the latter looking particularly worn out and decimated by the number of injuries they’ve had to deal with. “Only” six players are listed on their injury report, but a majority of them are starters/regulars. Steve Nicol was dealt a blow this week by the news that Adam Cristman is done for the season, and Taylor Twellman is doubtful for this match up against the best of the MLS. Good news for the Revs is that the Crew will feel the burn of international duty, with Frankie Hejduk and Alejandro Moreno among the call ups who will miss action. However, expect player of the month Guillermo Barros Schelotto to be in form and lead Columbus to an easy win.
Columbus 3-1 New England

Chicago v New York
Don’t look now but the Red Bulls are hot. Can the Fire cool them down? It’s going to be a tough one to call, with Blanco set to miss out through international duty. Whatever the case, it probably will be much closer than the 5-1 beat down Chicago laid out in their last meeting. I think the Red Bull, despite the absence of Jorge Rojas, will stretch the Fire and gain some ground in the playoff race.
Chicago 1-2 New York

San Jose v DC United
The Earthquakes have turned things around. I honestly never thought that I would say that. But here they are, with an injured DC United coming into town with a chance to grab three more points. United will be missing Luciano Emilio who is still bothered by a strained groin and Jaime Moreno on international duty. That leaves proverbial journeymen Francis Doe and Rod Dyachenko to start up front. I’m going with the home team on this one.
San Jose 1-0 DC United

Los Angeles v Real Salt Lake
You’d think that it’d be a no brainer to pick RSL to win against a Beckham and Donovanless Galaxy right? Well, yes, until you look at the away record of 1-8-1. Yikes, that is awful. Quite honestly, I don’t have enough faith in Alan Gordon or even Edson Buddle to get the job done against a decent Real team. Sorry, Bruce.
Los Angeles 0-0 Real Salt Lake

Houston v Kansas City
KC looks like a team that is almost dead in the water. A win this weekend is a must to have a real hope to make a run at the postseason. Unfortunately, they’ve struggled mightily on the road, and don’t have the unblemished home record (or convenience of the Western Conference) to bail them out like other teams. I thought that the Wizards had a chance of building on last season’s playoff run, but as of right now, major things would have to change in order to have a shot at the postseason. Houston are on their typical late season run that will probably see them advance to the MLS Cup final and probably win. Ok, maybe not, but they’ll also be a bit shorthanded against the Wizards, enough to probably force a draw.
Houston 1-1 Kansas City

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Week 24 Preview - Thursday Night Special

FC Dallas v Colorado
Good day to everyone. We’ve got an enticing matchup on ESPN2 this evening - although it could turn out to be a real dud. Colorado travels to Dallas in a game that features two teams that are struggling to make the playoffs. Fortunately, both teams are in the West and are still alive - but Colorado has major problems that they’ll have to correct if they want to turn things around. Neither teams are hit hard by international call ups - Dallas won’t have Adrian Serioux and the Rapids will be without starting keeper Bouna Coundoul. Hard to see Colorado coming away with any points, as they’ve dropped four of their last five. Interim coach Gary Smith can’t fancy his chances to stick around. Look for Kenny Cooper to grab a goal or two in response to yet another snub by Bob Bradley.
FC Dallas 3-1 Colorado

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Week 23 Recap - Better late than never

Ok, so I want to try and write these recaps on Monday. I didn’t get around to it this time, but I promise that it’ll be better next week. Or not, as I think I have jury duty. Yuck. There wasn’t as much Eastern dominance though, as only Columbus managed a win against a non-Conference opponent. The Revs and their injuries seem to be catching up with them, while DC and New York continue their battle for the final playoff spot.

Real Salt Lake 2-0 Rapids
The Rapids continue to sink, while RSL’s home surge continues. Colorado can’t seem to muster anything positive these days, and it’s not going to be long before you can stick a fork in their season - their done. Meanwhile, Real must not want to move into their new stadium anytime soon, as they continue to be dominant at home. A brace from Fabian Espindola, along with a couple of Javier Morales assist meant this game was over. Preston Burpo, what were you thinking on that second goal?

New England 2-2 Los Angeles
As I previously mentioned, the Revs seem handicapped right now by injuries. This was the surprise of the week for me, but when Landon Donovan decides to switch it on - and with Gullit gone, expect it to continue - the Galaxy can go toe to toe with anyone. New England must be more embarrassed about losing to Joe Public 6-1 on aggregate. Yikes.

DC United 0-0 New York
This was a close one, with either side staking a claim at dropping two points. I guess the stronger argument can go on the half of DC, as Jaime Moreno absolutely blew a PK. I haven’t seen a worse taken kick in awhile - that’s for sure. Louis Crayton then had to bail them out, as Juan Pablo Angel remains the only sort of consistent attack up front for the Thai Austrian energy drink conglomerate. Although Osorio’s new signings are really starting to continue the improvement. Might this be the year for the Red Bull? We’ll see.

FC Dallas 1-2 Columbus
The old adage proves true as Guillermo Barros Schelotto goes, so goes the Crew offense. With two assists this week, the Argentinian midfielder continues to leave his mark week in and week out on the MLS. Somehow, Dallas still holds the fourth and final playoff spot in the west, but anymore goalless games from Kenny Cooper and they’ll be toast.

San Jose 2-1 Kansas City
Give Frank Yallop credit where credit is due. I remember the beginning of the season when San Jose equaled the Derby County of the MLS and was practically a 3 point ATM. He’s turned them into a squad with some real bite, thanks to additions like Darren Huckerby, who scored the game winner this week. While they may not make the playoffs, I can’t help but feel happy for the Bay Arena folk. At least they’ve put up a fight, and if this continues, make the playoffs. The Wizards, on the other hand, are stuck in the wrong conference, and Curt Onalfo could be feeling the pressure out in KC.

Chivas 2-1 Toronto
The Canadians just can’t get points on the road. An ugly goal from Atiba Harris off an even uglier corner kick trickled past Greg Sutton for the winner. Hardly deserving, although Chivas had a number of other chances go astray. Rohan Ricketts had a lovely chip to set up Toronto’s lone goal, although Ante Razov - USMNT anyone? - set up journeyman Alecko Eskandarian’s goal soon thereafter. Chivas is still in a good place to get to the postseason, although Toronto must start winning on the road. 2-9 away from BMO field will get you nowhere.

Houston 2-1 Chicago
Brian McBride’s first goal for the Fire wasn’t enough to grab an away victory, as they were overcome by the Dynamo’s Dewayne De Rosario and Brian Mullen. I just hope that the Dynamo don’t win the MLS Cup. Again.

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Week 23 Preview - Remember Me?

It has been awhile. But after a few weeks of traveling and vacation, I’ve decided to make a triumphant return to MLS preview/picks as the season winds down. Lots have happened since I’ve been away, so much that it’s been hard to keep up with. What’s clear are a few things: the East dominates the West, the playoff system could use a retooling, and that every team has played 21 games. So the standings are fairly clear, and it’s going to come down to the wire, with every team still in contention. That’s been a surprise: the resurgence of San Jose, who didn’t look very good at the beginning of the season. Enough of that: I’m going to shake off these cobwebs and dive into this week’s action head first.

Real Salt Lake v Colorado
It isn’t look good for the Rapids, who are coming off a 3-0 pounding at the hands of DC United. It’s been a rough few weeks for them, with Fernando Clavijo leaving and former MVP Christian Gomez riding the bench. Even so, they remain tied for the last playoff spot in the West with the two LA squads. They’ll be visiting Salt Lake, which is bad news, because Real has yet to lose at home. Still. Columbus had their way with RSL last week, but returning home will help cure their woes.
Real Salt Lake 2-0 Colorado

New England v Los Angeles
As usual, lots of storylines going along with the Galaxy. Can Arena turn things around with a couple of months left in the season? Will Eddie Lewis make his debut? What is going to happen with Landon? And how will World Cup qualification affect the squad? All that and more, as the Galaxy taking on the Revolution, who sit up on top equal with Columbus on top of the table. Matt Reis is listed as questionable, as New England has been forced to cope with some injuries. Should be an interesting game on the football-lined field in Foxborough.
New England 2-1 Los Angeles

DC United v New York
Probably the biggest matchup of the weekend, with both teams locked in fourth place of the East. Untied is fighting their own injury problems, with Zach Wells “injured” along with Marcelo Gallardo and Fred still out of action. The Red Bull have been up and down all season, and are heading into RFK on more of their upswing. It’ll be a tough test for United and I wouldn’t be surprised to see points shared.
DC United 2-2 New York

FC Dallas v Columbus Crew
Hello Bob Bradley? Kenny Cooper deserves a shot more than Eddie Johnson, again and again. And again. That point aside, the Crew have done well staying near the top of the East and the MVP award is Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s to lose. His play on the season has carried Columbus, and as long as he continues to click, so should the rest of his team.
Dallas 1-3 Columbus

San Jose v Kansas City
To me, the resurgence/emergence of the Earthquakes has been the surprise of the season. Their new signings, including Darren Huckerby and trading for Scott Sealy has helped to bring them within two points of a potential playoff spot. That would be a shocker. On the other side, KC has had the squad all season but has failed to be consistent. Both sides are desperate to make up ground in the playoff race and need points. I think the home team should come away with the points.
San Jose 2-0 Kansas City

Chivas USA v Toronto FC
Another two teams on the outside looking in to the playoffs. Toronto’s road record looks like to be their undoing, and it’s hard to believe that it won’t continue this weekend. Chivas to win at home.
Chivas 1-0 Toronto

Houston v Chicago
With the end of the season approaching, the Dynamo are once again making a push for the playoffs, opening a five point gap between first and second place in the West. This will be a tough game, with the Fire and Jon Busch a tough opponent. Probably a draw on the road for the Fire, which would be a good result.
Houston 1-1 Chicago

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MLLinks: Weekend Wrap Up

Here is what you missed this weekend while you tried to wrestle that snake from your pants. You know what Im sayin . . . :

+ Big news out of LA - Kyle Martino has been found! (By Laurie!) . . . oh yea. And Gullit and Lalas are on permanent vacation - Check out Nathans take as he recounts The Massacre at the HDC. And while your there, get the 411 on Gibbs and the Galaxy.

+ Kyle with the Rapids is getting that sinking feeling after a heartbreak of a loss to TFC.

+ While Jon forsees the inevitable, I rejoice in the glory of a Red Bulls 4 - 1 victory. And while your at the Red Bull page, check out this Claudio Reyna Tribute Video.

+ And, in a perplexing post, a person actually went out of their way to praise the front office. A great read, Sean with San Jose gives us his front office Hall of Fame.

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