2007 MLS Week 14 Predictions

Major League Soccer keeps their busiest week of the season rolling with six meaningful games on the schedule. Sure, some of them mean more then others but even those on the lower end of the scale could still reveal a great deal. Also, this might be the weekend for the West to improve in their season race with the East as they have three of the five inter-conference matches at home.

Real Salt Lake (1-6-6) vs. Columbus Crew (4-4-7)
Saturday - 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT
TV: Direct Kick
Internet: MLStv
Can Real get a win and start making something out of their season? Will the Crew continue their excellent run of form and over take New York in the standings for at least a day? Wednesday's game showed just how bad things are in Salt Lake as thy got tossed by a team that had yet to win on the road. Even worse, the team had their chances late to get a tie, but could not get the ball inside the frame. Those are the types of defeats that linger. Meanwhile, the Crew has evolved their team into one that actually plays the game of soccer. They have found some attack and their defense is showing. All these things point to a Crew win however, considering the teams involved, a tie is more then likely.
Predictions: Me RSL 0-2 CC, Wife RSL 0-2 CC

Chivas USA (6-5-2) vs. New England Revolution (6-3-4)
Saturday - 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT
TV: HDNet, Direct Kick
Internet: MLStv
Will Chivas ever show their talent on the road? Can the Revs get revenge for last weekend's defeat by the goats? It is always fun to see teams play a home-home series in back-to-back weekends. Last week Chivas did what they always do at home, shutdown the opposition's attack and fire in enough shots to get a goal or two, but the question that haunts the team is why can't they do such things on the road? At 1-5-1 with just four goals on the road, they are an easy target. The Revs have the offense to take this game but they have suffered from defensive errors of late. If they can hold such events to a minimum, they should get a full three points from this one.
Predictions: Me CV 0-3 NE, Wife CV 1-3 NE

Toronto FC (5-7-2) vs. Chicago Fire (4-7-3)
Saturday - 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT
TV: Fox Soccer Channel (30-minute pre & post), FSE
Can Toronto make it three road games in a row without a lose? Will the Fire reignite with a new coach? Toronto must be happy with themselves to finally have a road victory under their belts. Sure it came in Salt Lake but a win is a win. Even better news for TFC, they are about to face the one team in the league that is in the middle of a worse run of play then Real. With injuries still eating away at them, the Fire don't seem to be positioned to get much from this game however they will have Justin Mapp back from the Copa. This should give them a few dangerous moments but not enough to make it shine.
Predictions: Me TFC 1-1 CF, Wife TFC 1-2 CF

KC Wizards (6-5-3) vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (3-5-3)
Saturday - 10:30pm ET/7:30pm PT
TV: Direct Kick
Internet: MLStv
With Johnson back, will the Wizards return to their early season style? Can LA get one more win before their Beckham matches begin? This is LA's last MLS match of the month, so look for them to pour everything they can into it. Donovan is looking improved and the new supporting cast of characters is coming together, which should cause the leaky backline of KC some problems. The Wizards have been hurting since Johnson went away (they only have 5 goals in those 5 matches), but they cannot expect that much from Eddie this weekend. He will be there, but he will be tired. Which means Scott Sealy has got to be a little more accurate with his attempts. LA is a team on the rise, but they are still beatable, but KC might not be able to exploit it (ie, a repeat of last weekend's DC game).
Predictions: Me KC 1-2 LA, Wife KC 1-3 LA

New York Red Bulls (6-5-3) vs. Colorado Rapids (4-7-5)
Sunday - 8pm ET/5pm PT
TV: Direct Kick
Internet: MLStv
Will Angel reawaken? Can the Rapids not stink? Sorry to be so harsh on Colorado but they are in a miserable place right now and, unlike others in a similar spot, they don't seem to be doing much to change their situation. For months they have had a problem with huge holes all over the pitch that allow teams to march deep into their halves without any pressure and it continues. For months they have been lacking in offense (14 in 16 games) yet it continues. If it weren’t for a bit of fortune on the backline, they would be in a very bad place. The Red Bulls looked like the team to beat in the East, but now they are looking like a group past their prime. Last night against Houston they were run into the ground before the end of the first half and I don't expect anything different from the Rapids. The big question is will Colorado make an example out of New York's backline or will they yet again fail to inspire?
Predictions: Me NY 1-1 CR, Wife NY 0-1 CR

DC United (7-4-2) vs. Houston Dynamo (8-5-2)
Sunday - 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT
TV: Direct Kick
Internet: MLStv
Question for both teams, can you beat the very best? It is a real shame that TeleFutura isn't airing a match this weekend because this has all the makings of a great one. Both these clubs are excellent midfields and good finishers. On defense, they are about even with Houston maybe being a little tighter while their goalkeepers are a source of pride. Yes, this should be good. That said, there is a big x-factor hanging in the wings as DC can expect a warm, humid night. The Dynamo love to run and if they can force United to chase them for the first half, they will be well on their way to winning the second. United meanwhile, will need to find a weak spot and that might just be De Rosario who still has not found his fit this season. Predictions: Me DC 1-3 HD, Wife DC 1-2 HD