Friday, June 01, 2007

2007 Week 9 Questions and Predictions

Week 9 of the MLS schedule is here and it could prove to be the best one yet. There are three games that could be called must wins plus a meeting of two of the best teams of the moment. There are also three inter-conference games, which could cause the East to open a huge lead over the season to date.

Anyway, here are some questions for each game along with some predictions.

Colorado Rapids (4-2-3) vs. Toronto FC (2-5-1)
Saturday - 3:30pm ET
TV: Direct Kick, CBC
Internet: MLStv

With nine members away for international duty, can Toronto even find enough people to field a full side? With all the openings TFC is bound to give them due to the missing players, can the Rapids actually play some interesting soccer? TFC is going to have both arms, the left side of their head and one leg tied behind their back for this one, but I don't think Colorado is going to blow them away. Roberto Brown is going to be away for the Rapids, so their only big offensive threat will be Herculez Gomez. If they can stall him out, TFC might just pull it off.
Predictions: Me CR 1-0 TFC, Wife 1-1 TFC


Real Salt Lake (0-3-5) vs. New England Revolution (5-2-2)
Saturday - 7:30pm ET
TV: Direct Kick, HDNet
Internet: MLStv
Forget the win, can Real do what they have already done twice this season and get back-to-back ties? Will the Revs open up a can of redemption after last week's lost to KC or is playing RSL just not worth their time? New England gave up a lot of goals last week but that was due to KC's fast connections between midfield and forward. Real does not have any such connections. The backline is picking up for Salt Lake, but with Twellman and Ralston looking good, it will not be enough. Still, I think Alecko Eskandarian will get a goal.
Predictions: Me RSL 1-3 NE, Wife RSL 0-2 NE


New York Red Bull (5-1-2) vs. Kansas City Wizards (5-2-1)
Saturday - 8:00pm ET
TV: Direct Kick
Internet: MLStv
Can KC conquered their second giant of the East in as many weeks? Will New York finally show as well on the road as they do at home? This is the game of the week as both these clubs are still looking to prove they are for real this year. New York has been amazing at keeping the balls out of their own net, but they have yet to come up against a strike force that is clicking as well as KC's. Eddie Johnson is leading their pack, but eight others also have goals, which means there are a number of threats on the pitch. However, New York has just about as many threats including a remarkable Juan Pablo Angel, so it could get interesting.
Predictions: Me NY 2-1 KC, Wife NY 3-0 KC


DC United (3-3-1) vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (1-3-2)
Saturday - 10:30pm ET
TV: Fox Soccer Channel (30-minute pre and post game show), FSE
Can DC finally put that slump behind them with a win over their cross-nation rival? Will LA figure out that they are playing soccer? With Landon Donovan about to skip off to Gold Cup duty, this is a must win for the club as he is the only player that has been producing this season. If they do not get a full three points out of this, they will probably remind scattered till early July. United is starting to work things out, but they are still lacking on the attack. They should have some time to set things up, but will they make the most of it?
Predictions: Me DC 2-1 LA, Wife DC 1-2 LA


FC Dallas (5-4-1) vs. Houston Dynamo (2-5-1)
Sunday - 5:00pm ET
TV: TeleFutura
Will FCD stick the knife in their intra-state neighbor and can they get their first shut out of the year? Can Houston pull themselves back from the abyss and get a goal or two? This is a huge game for the Dynamo as they need to start getting points in the conference. If they drop this one, they will be 12-points back a third of the way in. Dwayne De Rosario is out training with Canada which would normally be a very bad thing, but with the way he has been playing, it might just prove to be a gift. This club has not suffered from lack of chances, just lack of finishing. Dallas has been having some problems finishing as well and will need to see Cooper really fight in the box to get something past the Dynamo. One last question, will we hear the 'All we are saying is give us a goal' chant by the Houston fans?
Predictions: FCD 1-2 HD, FCD 1-1 HD


Columbus Crew (1-2-5) vs. Chicago Fire (3-4-2)
Sunday - 7:00pm ET
TV: Direct Kick
Internet: MLStv
Can either of these teams win a game? If the Fire lose, will coach Dave Sarachan be tossed aside? In total these two teams were outscored 19-6 in the month of May. There is nothing to say to that but 'ugly.' Neither side has any offense and their defenses are fantastic at giving up balls in bad spots. This is really a must win game for both teams, but I don't think either have what it takes to do it.
Predictions: Me CC 1-1 CF, Wife CC 0-1 CF


Odd team out: Chivas USA

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1 Comments:

Blogger J said...

Dwayne De Rosario scored today for Canada in their 2-2 friendly draw with Venezuela, so if he can combine that with a nice Gold Cup run, perhaps he'll have his finishing boots ready when he returns to the Dynamo lineup.

10:56 PM  

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