Wednesday, September 21, 2005

MLS Mid-Week 25 Predictions

Oh boy, time for some Wednesday night soccer.

Columbus Crew vs New England
7:30pm EST
TV: Direct Kick

I think tonight is the night the Crew are official out of the playoffs. Both sides are coming off of defeats from late goals and will be looking for a bounce. However, the Crew is still shaky on defense and lack serious offense even with Edson Buddle back in the line up. The Revs have loved their games against Columbus. They are on a seven game unbeaten streak against the Black and Yellow going back to last year's playoffs. Taylor Twellman really enjoys these games, having scored three goals in their last two meetings. The main spot on the Revs to watch is keeper Matt Reis. He looked lost on Saturday. If he can come out and recover nicely, this should be an easy night for his side.

Columbus 0 - New England 3

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FC Dallas vs LA Galaxy
8:30pm EST

Next Wednesday these two will battle it out for the US Open Cup, but this week they are only battling for second place. FCD come into this match on a bit of a high after finally winning a MLS game in their new home. Sure it was against Salt Lake, but they did it without forwards Carlos Ruiz and Eddie Johnson and with a new-ish goalkeeper. However, it is this lack of striking force that will doom Dallas tonight. LA is not a road team, but as of late, they have been looking better as visitors. Donovan is key to this team as is Herculez Gomez. Gomez is their goal scorer of late and I don't think the iffy backline of Dallas will be able to put a stop to him tonight. Combine that with a weak offense and you have the recipe for another notch in the lose column.

FCD 1 - LA 2

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Colorado vs Salt Lake
9:30pm EST
TV: Direct Kick

These two sides better get use to one another since they play three matches before the end of the season. If Salt Lake want to make the playoffs, they have to pretty much win all three of these meetings as well as their three other games. For the Rapids, a win tonight means they only need one point during their final 5 games to make the playoffs. Salt Lake has plenty of injuries, but Clint Mathis will be there so who knows, maybe he will actually show his talent and help out. For the Rapids, they are still trying to sort out their team after all their additions during the transfer window. They should be able to pull things together enough to overtake the weaker Salt Lake side.

Colorado 2 - RSL 0

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San Jose vs Chicago
10:30pm EST

This will be an entertaining affair. San Jose is back home were they have yet to lose this season while Chicago are on the tail end of (including US Cup meetings) a 7 game road trip (this being game 6). During their time away from home the Fire have gone 3-2, but are on a two game streak in MLS competitions. For this outing, they will be without forward Chris Rolfe. This will mean another shift in the Fire's offensive tactics. For San Jose, the big question is will the play all their starters or give them a night off? Kelly Gray, Brad Davis, and Danny Califf all are listed as questionable. If the get the bench tonight, it will be a major blow to the Quakes defense. This will be an opening, but will the Fire be able to sail through it?

San Jose 3 - Chicago 2

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