MLS Week 8 Predictions
It has been two weeks since I've got to watch any MLS play live, so I am looking forward to this weekend. All 12 teams are playing on Saturday with Houston and Chicago squaring off for the game of the week on ESPN2.
Houston Dynamo vs. Chicago Fire
4:00pm ET
TV: ESPN2
Houston has been doing all right without Brian Ching, however with Dwayne De Rosario looking like he will miss this week's match due to injury, they will have a hard time. Adding to their woes, his replacement from last week Adrian Serioux also went down so you can guess that there are going to be problems in the middle for the Dynamo. The Fire should have enough play from Thiago and Justin Mapp to exploit this hole. However, Chicago might find themselves in for some hurt as they will take the field in 90-degree heat and some high humidity. This could cause some mistakes for the team playing their 7th road game of the season. That said, I don't think Houston will be ready for the heat either, so points to Chicago.
Me: Houston 1-2 Chicago
Wife: Houston 0-2 Chicago
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New York Red Bull vs. Chivas USA
7:30pm ET
TV: Direct Kick (DK), MLStv
How different can these teams be? New York keeps getting out played, yet they keeping getting a share of the points while Chivas has played at least as good as most their opponents, but they always seem to lose. For the Reds, an injury to Tony Meola might just keep him off the pitch. If this is the case, then the backline of New York is in for a hard struggle. Chivas are well rested and Francisco Mendoza is looking to make some marks. If Meola was between the nets, I would figure for a tie, but without him, I think Chivas will get their second win of the campaign.
Me: NY 0-1 Chivas
Wife: NY 1-0 Chivas
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Columbus Crew vs. DC United
7:30pm ET
TV: DK, MLStv
While I was gone, the Crew found their offense. Turns out it was hiding in LA. With the addition of Ned Grabavoy and Joseph Ngwenya to the lineup, suddenly Columbus is not the laughing stock of the East. That said, DC is a bit better then Colorado (the team the Crew beat last week). United are still bringing everything together all over the pitch. The Crew can no longer we chuckled away, but they are not yet at the level of DC.
Me: Crew 0-2 DCU
Wife: Crew 1-2 DCU
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FC Dallas vs. New England Revolution
8:30pm ET
TV: DK, HDNet, MLStv
New England is out of their early season slump thanks to two home wins, but can they do it on the road? With the World Cup roster pressure gone, Twellman seems to have found his footing and their injury problems, while still big in number, are not as bad as they were a few weeks ago. This should force Dallas to play a strong game. Lucky for FCD, they can play strong games. With a full week of rest behind them, they should be able to come out and make some things happen without making silly 'own goal' style mistakes. Carlos Ruiz has found himself while Dario Sala is becoming a heck of a goalkeeper. There will be a lot of back and forth with this one, but FCD should be able to find a way to come out on top.
Me: FCD 3-2 NE
Wife: FCD 2-1 NE
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Real Salt Lake vs. Kansas City Wizards
9:00pm ET
TV: None
I could wonder why a game that is not available anywhere on the TV is also not available online at MLStv, but I'm sure there is some reason, somewhere. Anyway, Real is riding their longest winning streak in nine months, one game. Could this finally be the thing that takes the pressure of the team and allows them to actually play a full 90-minute outing? With Josh Wolff, Jimmy Conrad and Eddie Johnson away in Cary training for Germany, this is the moment for Real to make something happen. Scott Sealy has a history of scoring against Real, so that is the first play Salt Lake must shut down. I could see a tie coming out of this one, but then I remember that I'm talking about Real Salt Lake, so I'll go for a late defeat.
Me: RSL 1-2 KC
Wife: RSL 1-0 KC
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Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids
10:00pm ET
TV: DK, MLStv
I think LA coach Steve Sampson said it best when he described his team as "wounded." Without Donovan, LA is a lightweight. Chris Albright and Cornell Glen being out hurts too, but not having Herculez Gomez due to injury just about kills the team. The good news for LA fans, they welcome the Rapids to town on Saturday. With goalkeeper Joe Cannon likely out with a groin pull, LA will have a great chance to test the visitor’s backline. However, LA will need to find their offense to take advantage of this. For Colorado, they too need someone to wake up the offense. This will mostly likely be a sloppy match with little to show for it in the end.
Me: LA 1-1 Colorado
Wife: LA 1-0 Colorado
Houston Dynamo vs. Chicago Fire
4:00pm ET
TV: ESPN2
Houston has been doing all right without Brian Ching, however with Dwayne De Rosario looking like he will miss this week's match due to injury, they will have a hard time. Adding to their woes, his replacement from last week Adrian Serioux also went down so you can guess that there are going to be problems in the middle for the Dynamo. The Fire should have enough play from Thiago and Justin Mapp to exploit this hole. However, Chicago might find themselves in for some hurt as they will take the field in 90-degree heat and some high humidity. This could cause some mistakes for the team playing their 7th road game of the season. That said, I don't think Houston will be ready for the heat either, so points to Chicago.
Me: Houston 1-2 Chicago
Wife: Houston 0-2 Chicago
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New York Red Bull vs. Chivas USA
7:30pm ET
TV: Direct Kick (DK), MLStv
How different can these teams be? New York keeps getting out played, yet they keeping getting a share of the points while Chivas has played at least as good as most their opponents, but they always seem to lose. For the Reds, an injury to Tony Meola might just keep him off the pitch. If this is the case, then the backline of New York is in for a hard struggle. Chivas are well rested and Francisco Mendoza is looking to make some marks. If Meola was between the nets, I would figure for a tie, but without him, I think Chivas will get their second win of the campaign.
Me: NY 0-1 Chivas
Wife: NY 1-0 Chivas
-----
Columbus Crew vs. DC United
7:30pm ET
TV: DK, MLStv
While I was gone, the Crew found their offense. Turns out it was hiding in LA. With the addition of Ned Grabavoy and Joseph Ngwenya to the lineup, suddenly Columbus is not the laughing stock of the East. That said, DC is a bit better then Colorado (the team the Crew beat last week). United are still bringing everything together all over the pitch. The Crew can no longer we chuckled away, but they are not yet at the level of DC.
Me: Crew 0-2 DCU
Wife: Crew 1-2 DCU
-----
FC Dallas vs. New England Revolution
8:30pm ET
TV: DK, HDNet, MLStv
New England is out of their early season slump thanks to two home wins, but can they do it on the road? With the World Cup roster pressure gone, Twellman seems to have found his footing and their injury problems, while still big in number, are not as bad as they were a few weeks ago. This should force Dallas to play a strong game. Lucky for FCD, they can play strong games. With a full week of rest behind them, they should be able to come out and make some things happen without making silly 'own goal' style mistakes. Carlos Ruiz has found himself while Dario Sala is becoming a heck of a goalkeeper. There will be a lot of back and forth with this one, but FCD should be able to find a way to come out on top.
Me: FCD 3-2 NE
Wife: FCD 2-1 NE
----
Real Salt Lake vs. Kansas City Wizards
9:00pm ET
TV: None
I could wonder why a game that is not available anywhere on the TV is also not available online at MLStv, but I'm sure there is some reason, somewhere. Anyway, Real is riding their longest winning streak in nine months, one game. Could this finally be the thing that takes the pressure of the team and allows them to actually play a full 90-minute outing? With Josh Wolff, Jimmy Conrad and Eddie Johnson away in Cary training for Germany, this is the moment for Real to make something happen. Scott Sealy has a history of scoring against Real, so that is the first play Salt Lake must shut down. I could see a tie coming out of this one, but then I remember that I'm talking about Real Salt Lake, so I'll go for a late defeat.
Me: RSL 1-2 KC
Wife: RSL 1-0 KC
-----
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids
10:00pm ET
TV: DK, MLStv
I think LA coach Steve Sampson said it best when he described his team as "wounded." Without Donovan, LA is a lightweight. Chris Albright and Cornell Glen being out hurts too, but not having Herculez Gomez due to injury just about kills the team. The good news for LA fans, they welcome the Rapids to town on Saturday. With goalkeeper Joe Cannon likely out with a groin pull, LA will have a great chance to test the visitor’s backline. However, LA will need to find their offense to take advantage of this. For Colorado, they too need someone to wake up the offense. This will mostly likely be a sloppy match with little to show for it in the end.
Me: LA 1-1 Colorado
Wife: LA 1-0 Colorado
posted by Mike H at 4:48 PM
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