Courtesy: NY Sports Journalism.com
Across the pond the English Premier League starts and much has been made about the television coverage in the States of this league. Taxis and trains have been decorated to celebrate this event and for the first time in over 200 years Americans are shouting, ‘The British are coming!’
It is great that the sport is getting this attention but don’t forget you have your own league in progress and the arrival of the Premier League should highlight the MLS and not eclipse it. The MLS season is in full flow and still has a lot to be decided and taking the games in order of Kick Off times this is how I see it.
Montreal V DC United
At the beginning of the month these two met at RFK Stadium and DC won 3-1, which was only their third win all season. Defender Iapichino will be an interesting character to watch on the pitch after being released by the Impact and picked up by DC. If he plays then his first game for his new club will be at his old ground.
The Impact have been on a win one, lose one for the last four games and I can see this continuing Saturday. Their last game ended against in a 2-1 defeat so by my scientific calculations they will win this one.
Prediction: 4-0
Columbus V Toronto
These two must really be glad that DC are stinking up the League so bad. At least when they look down they will see at least one more team. At the end of July these teams met and Toronto won 2-1. Since then Columbus have lost away to Houston and won at home to New York. Funnily enough Toronto have had the same luck only their win came away from BMO Field and the defeat was at home. Personally I would love to see Darel Russell play some decent minutes for Toronto just because he recently granted me an interview.
Prediction: 2-2
New England V Chicago
Both Rev and Fire are close together going into this game. Both are currently outside the top five but both a win away from turning their season around and having the Playoffs as a realistic target once again. Which is funny because both these teams have faced off against each other in Playoff matches several times in their histories.
Dorman and Imbongo are suspended for New England who are on a two game losing streak and trying not to make it 3! Chicago are on the opposite trajectory after defeating Montreal and Philadelphia in their last two games.
Prediction: 2-2
New York V Philadelphia
Tim Cahill is out but could Bradley Wright Philips get a run out? He played for the reserves and scored on his debut but hasn’t featured in the first team as yet. New York just had their undefeated streak broken by Columbus last week. Meanwhile Philly have only lost two in their last eleven games and the winner of this game will know top spot will be theirs, for 24 hours at least.
Prediction: 3-1
Houston V Seattle
Clint Dempsey should start his second game back in the MLS not too far from the place he grew up. Seattle come into the game with three wins from three and with their last loss coming just over a month ago. Houston on the other hand lost their last game but were undefeated the four previous games.
Prediction: 2-1
Colorado V Vancouver
Both teams are tied on the same amount of points going into this game. Colorado are currently on an eight game unbeaten run which comprised of four wins and four tied games. They will be without Calderon and Buddle heading into this fixture whereas Vancouver will be without Salgado and Rusin. Will we see Torres take the field for Colorado? His paperwork is in so it is likely we will.
Vancouver have a few players who will not be decided on until Saturday with striker Kenny Miller, who scored against England midweek and Jay Demerit both in doubt.
Prediction: 2-1
Los Angeles V Salt Lake
Landon Donovan and co will be looking at this game as a three pointer. May 5th was the last time they were beaten at the StubHub Center, although June 8th the reverse fixture saw RSL slap LA about a bit for a 3-1 win. RSL have been stuttering of late also with only 8 points from their last six games and in that respect LA away isn’t the fixture you’d immediately look at to stop the rot.
Prediction: 3-1
Portland V FC Dallas
These teams are separated by just the two points heading into Saturdays game. The home team return to League action after last weekend off and will be looking to get back to winning ways. Two draws and a loss in their last three games is not the kind of form The Timbers will want to be in at this point in the season. The last win was against LA Galaxy back just over a month ago now.
Dallas just last week scored a goal for the first time for five games and they scored three times and still didn’t win. In fact their last win came way before the US Gold Cup victory and was back in May, 10 games ago. They will be looking to cut down The Timbers but I cannot see that happening.
Prediction: 2-0
San Jose V Kansas City
The Earthquakes just haven’t been consistent this season so far. Two defeats away preceded by three wins at home isn’t the greatest record when trying to kick on your season in the second part. That said, other than the very first game, they are undefeated at home, which has to give them some confidence.
Kansas City not doubt would have dropped to second place before this game and will be looking to reclaim top spot on Sunday. It must be said five wins in the last seven games in League and Champions League play has me thinking San Jose’s home record will be broken.
Prediction: 1-2
