MLS Predictions

Toronto at Kansas City – Toronto has the week off last week, while KC had to play Open Cup play on Wednesday, and on the road in Chicago on Saturday, losing both matches 2 – 1. At least they are back at home now, for their third game in 7 days. Home, and with Toronto coming in, they couldn’t ask for a better set of circumstances. Toronto has yet to play at home, and has yet to score a goal. Look for KC to rest a starter or two with these teams set to play again in Toronto on Saturday. I doubt Toronto will rest anyone, having not played in a 11 days. Still won’t be enough to secure their first point, KC Wizards 2, Toronto FC 0

NY Red Bulls at Dallas FC – This should be a better test for NYRB, after having favorable matchups the first three weeks. Dallas is very good at home, and will play better than they did on no rest in NY. Nunez is quickly showing why Ronny B was expendable, and I love Dax, the guy is all over the place making plays. I am just not sold on NYRB yet, their depth just sucks, and with Mathis out with a red card from last week, I just don’t see them keeping up with FCD on the road. Ruiz and Nunez score in the first half, Cooper in the second. FC Dallas 3, NYRB 1

KC Wizards at Toronto FC – KC handled Toronto pretty easily in the rain at home on Wednesday in a match that could have easily been 8 – 0. Toronto really only had one good chance. A sold out BMO field will do wonders for TFC, but I just don’t know if it will be enough. I see them scoring their first goal of the year, but I just don’t see them holding anyone under 2 goals, their defense is extremely suspect. With the adreneline flowing, a 1 – 1 draw would not surprise me. KC Wizards 2, TFC 1

DC United at Columbus Crew – Two weeks in, DC doesn’t have a point yet. A week off can only help. Columbus knows their talent is less than the rest of the teams in the league, and are happy to play for the draw. Look for DC to outshoot the Crew by 2 to 1, and walk away with the victory. DC United 1, Columbus Crew 0

Chivas USA at LA Galaxy – The Superclassico! LA has been horrible so far, about what I had expected. Outside of Landon, who only shows up every few games, their team is the worst in the league. It is possible the Galaxy may be 15 points out of the playoffs by the time Beckham arrives in LA. While this is technically a home game for the Galaxy, both teams will be represented well. If Chivas plays anything like they did last week agains RSL, it will be an easy win. Chivas USA 3, LA Galaxy 1

Revolution at FC Dallas – Dallas looked horrible on Wednesday agains NYRB. I think they went through a 60 minute stretch without having a shot. Every single possesion was spent trying to force the play through the middle of the pitch, where NYRB had 9 guys behind the ball the entire time. I saw a stat at the end of the game, NYRB had something like 27 crosses to 2 for FC Dallas. Not one adjustment was made by Dallas as the match progressed. Look for NE to pack the middle of the pitch, and force Dallas to play from the wings as well. Dallas should play better this week, but I don’t think it will be enough. NE Revolution 2, FC Dallas 2

Chicago Fire at Houston Dynamo – if Ching is able to play 90 minutes, which is unlikely, Houston has a change. DDR has been horrific this year, being outplayed on a consistent basis. While we all assumed Houston would be the tops of the league after returning the core of their championship team from last year, but things haven’t worked out. Injuries and poor play from many on the team have lead to a slow start. Chicago has been surprising so far, and can tie NYRB at the top of the league with a win. I expected them to lose last week to KC, but they dominated the run of play. They are solid in the back line and through the middle. And, does Chad Barrett look like a Rooney clone at times? Workhorse comes to mind. Chicago 2, Houston 1

Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake – The first leg of the 2007 Rocky Mountain Cup. On paper, RSL should be the best offensive team in the league, but have stuggled with only 2 goals in three matches. The four five one has worked as well as when the US used it in the 2006 World Cup. If RSL loses, they end up with 2 points after three home matches, and are just about eliminated from the playoffs after four games. If RSL loses, look for Ellinger to get fired this week. He should have been fired last year, but then RLS went on a run to have the best second half in the league, when no one really cared. If RSL wins, it just postpones the inevitable another week. Players love to play for him, but I am not sure how long that will last if you keep losing. RSL 2, Colorado 1

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