MLS Predictions

Houston 2, Chicago 0 — The Fire are having a hard enough time scoring as it is
DC United 1, FC Dallas 0 — Good news, Hoops: Only four road games left after the break
New England 2, New York 1 — N.Y. is 2-9-5 vs. Revs in past four regular seasons
Kansas City 3, Real Salt Lake 1 — Can E.J. record his third straight MLS hat trick?
Chivas USA 2, Columbus — Goats have conceded 1 goal in 540 home minutes
Houston 2, Toronto FC 0 — Dynamo break MLS shutout streak record in the 76th minute

Filed under: Ryan Hunt - CNNSI | No Comments »

Sorry, I was forced to take a week off last week. I was in Europe for a few weeks, and was in several locations that had no internet access at all, so not only could I not make any predictions or post anything, I was also unable to follow MLS action at all.

For anyone traveling to Munich, the new Allianz Arena has a fantastic tour available. While we weren’t allowed on the pitch, the rest of the stadium is fantastic.

Houston Dynamo at Chicago Fire – First game for new Fire head coach Juan Carlos Osorio. Teams usually play well in their first game under a new coach, but will it really matter? Houston has won 7 of their last 8 games, and is not giving up goals at all. With their full Gold Cup/Coppa America players back, they should be even better now. Look for Chicago to start playing better next week. Houston Dynamo 2, Chicago Fire 0

FC Dallas at DC United – After a rough start, DC has turned their season around, and now is near the top of the table in the East. Dallas has been playing well as well, with more points than DC United, but having played more games. Look for Dallas to bunker back, and counter attack, and hope for a 1 – 0 win. Will it work, probably not. FC Dallas 1, DC United 1

New England Revolution at NY Red Bull – Probably the game of the week. NY has been horrific in the back the last 2 months, and after cutting just about every defender on their roster, has yet to find a solid back line. NE is playing well, and with Twellman back, he should run wild, though every time I say that, he disappears. I just don’t see NY holding NE to less than 2 goals, and it will come down to whether NY can score enough goals to keep up. I think not. NE Revolution 3, NY Red Bull 2

Real Salt Lake at KC Wizards – two teams going in the wrong direction. KC is winless in the last 6, though EJ is back, which should help. RSL has been embarrassed the last two matches after a win over DC (good thing I was out of the country). RSL should play better than last week at Columbus, though they are without Ballouchy and Esky. A few young guys will get a chance for RSL in this match, and if they can limit mistakes, they should have a decent chance at getting a point if not better. RSL has beaten KC once this year during the open cup, but that was at home. All things lead to another loss for RSL, but I see them turning a corner, and KC extending their losing streak. RSL 2, KC Wizards 1

Columbus Crew at Chivas USA – Columbus is on a roll, going from bottom of the table to in playoff contention. Chivas is nearly unbeatable at home this year, with only one tie. Chivas hasn’t been dominating at home, but they find a way to win. I am just not sure what to think of Columbus, there really isn’t any part of the team that impresses me, but they have figured out how to win. Chivas should control this match, but this is a hard one to figure out. Columbus 1, Chivas USA 2

Toronto FC at Houston Dynamo – Toronto has been playing well, even picking up their first, though undeserved, road win of the year at RSL. However, Houston is in a different league than everyone else right now, will break the league record for the longest streak without being scored upon sometime during this match. While Toronto may sneak in a goal sometime during the match, it doesn’t seem likely, and it seems even less likely that they will be able to keep Houston of the back of the net. Toronto 0, Houston 3

Filed under: MLSP Predictions | No Comments »

D.C. United 2, Colorado 0 — Colorado hasn’t won in D.C. since July 10, 1999
FC Dallas 1, Houston 1 — Hoops only 1-4-1 against Lone Star rivals in past six
New York 2, Columbus 1 — Ángel will match MLS record with goal in 7th straight
Chivas USA 2, New England 1 — Chivas USA is only remaining team without a home loss
Colorado 1, Chicago 1 — Two teams that have fallen off the map after positive starts
Kansas City 2, Toronto FC 0 — Wizards rolled 3-0 in TFC’s last trip to Arrowhead

Filed under: Ryan Hunt - CNNSI | No Comments »

For the record, the following predictions were written Thursday during an international flight from Salt Lake to Munich, this is the first chance I have had to settle down with any kind of internet access.

Colorado Rapids at DC United – Colorado, early on, looked to be one of the best teams in the West, but has since fallen on hard times, with four straight losses, and not having scored more than one goal since a late April win at RSL. DC seemed to have everything back on track, until a loss last week at RSL, where they looked disinterested. Playing back at home, and with the loss of a few key players, those on the pitch should be much more interested. Look for Colorado to continue to struggle on the road, and DC to pick up where they left off. Colorado Rapids 0, DC United 2

Houston Dynamo at FC Dallas – The two top teams in the West, they both looked destined to make the playoffs baring any crazy injuries. FC Dallas keeps on finding a way to win, despite not looking impressive for weeks now. Houston on the other hand, just can’t seem to find a way to loose. They finally figured out how to score, and now look nearly unstoppable. With the return of the Gold Cup players, it will be interesting to see if they can continue the great team play that has got them to where they are now. With Dallas at home, this could be a great match. Look for Houston to score early, and try to hold on for the win. Houston Dynamo 2, FC Dallas 2

NY Red Bull at Columbus Crew – Look out, Columbus is on a roll. With two wins in a row, they have lifted themselves out of the Eastern cellar, and are now looking to get into the playoff race with another game at home this week. 6 weeks ago, these two teams played in NY, with NY dominating in a 4 – 0 win. With Columbus playing better, and at home, look for a better match this time around. NY is struggling on defense, giving up 11 goals in their last four matches. Arena gutted the defense this week, releasing four players and trading another. If your defense is struggling, I am not sure the best way to sure it up is to cut all the backups. I guess we will see. NY Red Bull 2, Columbus Crew 3

NE Revolution at Chivas USA – NE has given up 6 goals on the road this season in 6 matches. Chivas has been playing well, despite a nasty 4 – 0 loss on the road to Houston last week. Back home, where they are undefeated this year, Chivas should be able to handle NE’s defense, and get chances on goal. Whether they will finish them or not will determine the outcome of this match. NE Revolution 0, Chivas USA 1

Colorado Rapids at Chicago Fire – Colorado has a tough week, game on Thursday in DC, Sunday in Chicago, Wednesday at home against Columbus and then another game Sunday at home against NYRB. Four matches in 10 days, including a decent amount of travel. The Rapids can’t score on the road, or at all, while Chicago looks to start off right with new interim manager Denis Hamlett. If Chicago were healthy at all, Denis would still be second in command. While I just don’t see Colorado wining this match, I can’t see Chicago doing so either. Look for a defensive match, with both coaches receiving red cards for boring play. Now that I say that, it will end up 5 – 5. Colorado Rapids 1, Chicago Fire 1

Toronto FC at Kansas City Wizards – Well, Toronto on the road, instant loss, correct? Toronto has a tough stretch here, with six straight road matches while the U-20s are in Toronto. You figure they have to pull it together sometime, and with 6 straight on the road, this could crashing down on them, or they could figure out how to play on the road. Their first match was a 3 – 0 defeat at NE, and look for that trend to continue, as KC has to be a bit upset with their performance at Columbus last week and that home loss to Houston. Look for them to take it out on Toronto. Toronto FC 0, Kansas City Wizards 5

By the way, if any of you find yourself in Munich with a bit of free time, head out to Allianz Arena, home of Bayern Munich. They do an English tour every day at 1 PM. Well worth the time and money. Fantastic stadium, now I need to find a way to come back during the Bundesliga season.

Filed under: MLSP Predictions | No Comments »

Kansas City Wizards at Columbus Crew – Kansas City has turned into the Beast in the East, they seem unflappable, despite not having EJ on the roster for a few matches. Their midfield is the best in the MLS, and anyone on the pitch outside of Hartman could score at any time. Columbus is hurting, and can’t seem to catch a break, though they did get a point on the road last week at a struggling NE. I just don’t see Columbus keeping up with KC in any aspect of this match. While at home, my guess is they won’t have 5,000 fans at the match, so they don’t have much of a home field advantage. KC Wizards 4, Columbus Crew 1

Chivas USA at Houston Dynamo – Chivas played well at home at Colorado, but then again, they could beat Colorado on the moon. Houston has been playing better, but will still be missing their Gold Cup players. This is a big match up for second place in the West, and should be the match of the week. Usually when I say that, it ends up being a 0 – 0 draw with no shots on goal. Look for Chivas to control the midfield with their speed, but not be able to get good chances on goal. Chivas 2, Houston Dynamo 2

Toronto FC at NE Revolution – Toronto blew Dallas out of the water last weekend at home, but they have yet to win on the road this year. Toronto will be playing 6 straight on the road, starting with NE, it could be a long time before they see another win. Even though NE is missing a few players at the Gold Cup, they are good enough to handle Toronto at home. Look for Cunningham to have a few break aways and not be able to score. Toronto FC 0, NE Revolution 3

FC Dallas at Colorado Rapids – Dallas was fortunate to get a win at RSL, and looked horrible at Toronto. Another game on the road, this week at Colorado. Neither team is playing all that well, but with Colorado at home, look for their defense first style to work this week, and both teams will walk away with a point. FC Dallas 1, Colorado Rapids 1

DC United at RSL – RSL moved Chris Klein this week for Nathan Sturgis and Robbie Findlay, so they now have one more hole to fill in their roster. RSL’s defense looked solid for a few weeks, then they looked horrible in two games last week. If they can play well this week, and limit the number of shots Rimando has to face, they should do fine. I just don’t see RSL winning this week, a tie would be a good result. With the altitude, hot weather and big home crowd, they may get lucky. DC United 2, RSL 2

Columbus Crew at LA Galaxy – Just when you think you have the crew figured out, they man handle KC at home midweek. The Galaxy are coming off a win at home against RSL. Columbus has been horrible on the road this year, with three loses and two ties. The Galaxy seem to be retooling for the arrival of Beckham in a few weeks, and once he as well as Pavon arrive, they could suddenly be very good. If Jacqua could figure out how to put the ball in the back of the net, they could be even better. Look for Columbus to bunker back, and be out shout by LA 3 to 1. Columbus Crew 1, LA Galaxy 3

Houston Dynamo at KC Wizards – Should be the game of the week, Houston is playing well, probably better than any team in the league right now, and KC is leading the East (well, 1 point back of NY with a game in hand). Both are coming off of games midweek, KC looked bad in Columbus while Houston dominated Chivas at home. It appears Houston has figured out their scoring problems, and has the best defense in the league, while KC looked average midweek without EJ. Look for Houston to continue their scoring ways. Houston Dynamo 3, KC Wizards 1

Filed under: MLSP Predictions | 1 Comment »