4/28/07 - ESPN - Ives Galarcep
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Tags: ESPNToronto FC at Kansas City Wizards
A week to recover from the thrashing by New England as well as the arrival of defenders Marvell Wynne and Kevin Goldthwaite should help Toronto FC be more competitive, but beating an improved K.C. squad appears unlikely. Mo Johnston has added so many new pieces, including English forward Danny Dichio, that expecting the team to play well together so soon might be a bit much. The Eddie Johnson-Scott Sealy speed combo proves too much as the Wizards continue their solid start to the season and Toronto keeps feeling the pain of being a new team. Wizards 3, Toronto 1.
New York Red Bulls at FC Dallas
You can blame Dallas’ 3-0 loss to the Red Bulls last week on the fatigue of three games in eight days and the heavy travel, but it had just as much to do with a defense that is struggling in large part because of a lack of support from the midfield. Argentine midfielder Pablo Richetti should help with this when he eventually arrives. Without Richetti, Dallas will struggle yet again against a Red Bulls team whose midfield is just too balanced. Red Bulls 2, FC Dallas 1.
Kansas City Wizards at Toronto FC
Teams opening new stadiums have a track record of success in MLS, but even that won’t be enough for a Toronto squad that is still adjusting to all the new additions to the roster. The Wizards thoroughly dominated Toronto on Wednesday and will look to control the midfield play yet again. Toronto scores its first goal but the Wizards’ attack will have just enough to leave Canada with three points. Wizards 2, Toronto FC 1.
DC United at Columbus Crew
It may seem a little early for a team to already be playing a must-win match, it is still April after all, but D.C. United will travel to Ohio knowing it needs three points to keep from falling even further behind the leaders in the East. Will a week off be enough to help correct the defensive deficiency that has led to a pair of early-season losses? DC’s back line will be helped by the fact that it is facing a Columbus attack still searching for its first goal. Look for Luciano Emilio to find the net as D.C. scores its first win and the Crew suffers its first loss. DC United 1, Crew 0.
Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy
The latest installment of the Super Clasico pits a rested Galaxy team against a Chivas squad playing some quality attacking soccer. Through two games, the Galaxy is still trying to find its rhythm offensively, unlike the Goats, who have scored six goals in three matches. This has the feel of one of those matches in which Landon Donovan takes over and wills his team to victory, but Chivas USA’s attack is too potent and midfield too strong, even without suspended Sacha Kljestan. Amado Guevara enjoys his best game as the Goats roll. Chivas USA 2, Galaxy 1.
New England Revolution at FC Dallas
The Hoops play host to a Revs team that is playing well offensively but still making costly mistakes defensively. Not a good formula to have against an FC Dallas attack that is one of the league’s most dangerous. Carlos Ruiz is clearly nursing a hamstring injury but FC Dallas still boasts enough weapons to beat Matt Reis and rebound from Thursday’s home loss to the Red Bulls. Kenny Cooper steps up as the Revs must once again pay for some suspect defense. FC Dallas 2, Revolution 1.
Chicago Fire at Houston Dynamo
The Fire are off to a strong start but will face their toughest test to date against a Dynamo team eager to rebound from last week’s loss to the Red Bulls. Dwayne DeRosario has gotten off to a poor start and won’t have any easy time against Chicago’s smothering central midfield combo of Chris Armas and Diego Gutierrez. Houston will rely on its strong wing play to help Brian Ching find the net as Houston squeezes out a tough home victory. Dynamo 1, Fire 0.
Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake
Which RSL team will show up on Monday, the squad that outplayed FC Dallas in the season opener, or the team that has bumbled through the past two matches without scoring a goal? John Ellinger’s team needs a win here to avoid settling for a maximum of three points from its first three home matches. The Rapids are coming off a 3-1 thrashing at the hands of FC Dallas and should post a better defensive performance here. Look for Niko Hernandez and Roberto Brown to exploit Real Salt Lake’s suspect back line as the Rapids leave Utah with a victory. Rapids 2, Real Salt Lake 0.
Filed under: Ives Galarcep - ESPN