Friday, October 05, 2007

2007 Week 27 Predictions

With only three weeks remaining in the season, this weekend should finally start answering some questions involving playoff spots and the Supporters' Shield. Then again, if things go the way they normally do for MLS, the weekend will end up asking more questions then it answers.

DC United (53pts) - KC Wizards (36pts)
Friday - 8pm ET/5pm PT
TV: Direct Kick, MLStv
United returns to league play after learning that playing a 90-minute defensive game in Mexico is not the best of ideas. Will United walk in tired and distracted or will they exploit the rather laxed attack of the Wizards to all but take the Supporters' Shield back to the capitol? KC will be without Davy Arnaud and Jimmy Conrad, so there is going to be a lot of space for Fred to exploit. Look for some still play during the first half with United getting the win in the end.
Prediction: Me DC 1-0 KC, Wife DC 3-1 KC

FC Dallas (40pts) vs. Columbus Crew (31pts)
Saturday - 7:30pm ET/ 4:30pm PT
TV: Fox Soccer (30-min pre & post), FSE
Dallas really has nothing to play for in this game as they will not be winning the West and there is no chance of them dropping out of the third playoff spot in the conference, so the pressure is off. This should give the team the chance to relax and try and get something, anything out of their midfield, but don't count on it. The Crew, on the other hand, are playing for everything. The only chance they have of extending their season is a win in this match. With games remaining on the road against New England and DC, the Crew must get points here or it all ends for them. So what will happen? The Crew will end up with a tie after letting in a late FCD goal.
Predictions: Me FCD 1-1 CC, Wife FCD 0-2 CC

New England Revolution (49pts) vs. Chicago Fire (33pts)
Saturday - 8:30pm ET/ 5:30pm PT
TV: Direct Kick, MLStv
Both teams need these point to keep a dream alive. The Revs still hold out hope for a late sprint towards the Supporters' Shield while Chicago needs the points to put some distance on Columbus and, to a lesser degree, Colorado. New England does not play very exciting soccer, but they are good at what they do. The Revs know how to pick teams apart, even when they don't own the ball (for more see FC Dallas: 2007 US Open Cup final) and the Fire give them a lot to pick at. With Chicago's coach out due to a red card, I don't know if the side will have enough to hold things together without some guidance from the sidelines. Chicago will have chances, but they never seem to finish them, unlike the Revs.
Predictions: Me NE 2-1 CF, Wife NE 1-0 CF

Chivas USA (48 pts) vs. Real Salt Lake (24pts)
Saturday - 9pm ET/ 6pm PT
TV: Direct Kick, MLStv, HDNet (10pm)
Chivas has a chance to take the West, which would give them a major advantage home pitch advantage if they reach the semifinals. Real, they just want to score against the goats once this year. Chivas looked like the team to take on DC till about two weeks ago when they started slowing down. Their passes were not connecting, they were not as tight on defense and they didn't finish balls. Real has been heading in the other direction, but they are still not getting the win. There is nothing to suggest that Real can win this one, but I think Chivas is going to have a difficult time on the turf, which will give RSL the little something to get a little something.
Predications: Me CV 1-1 RSL, Wife CV 2-0 RSL

Los Angeles Galaxy (27pts) vs. Houston Dynamo (48pts)
Sunday - 3pm ET/ 12pm PT
TV: TeleFutura
What little hope LA has of sneaking into the playoffs could come to an end with this game. Meanwhile, Houston does not want to end up facing Chivas in the semifinals on the road, so they will need full points from this one to keep in the race for top of the West. Added little twist for the Dynamo, this starts their 'no Clark' run. Can Richard Mulrooney make Clark's spot his own and deliver in a key moment? Will Donovan continue to show some signs of resurrection? Will Chris Klein and Cobi Jones stay hot? Can Dwayne De Rosario make it two strong games in a row? My guess is Houston comes out quick but that LA responds often.
Predictions: Me LA 2-3 HD, Wife LA 0-3 HD

Toronto FC (24pts) vs. Colorado Rapids (29pts)
Sunday - 8pm ET/ 5pm PT
TV: Direct Kick, MLStv
What to say about this one? Colorado is playing some of the most boring and least productive soccer in the whole league while TFC is just not productive. Toronto got a much-needed victory last night, but I don't think that will carry over to the road. The Rapids will do their usual 'non-attack' attacking style that will open up holes for Edu and Marvell Wynne to push through, but I can't see them force it through. All this means a tie is very likely and Colorado will remain within reach of a playoff spot.
Predictions: Me TFC 0-0 CR, Wife TFC 0-1 CR

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2 Comments:

Blogger Jon Sutton said...

Nice article! I liked it a lot, keep up the good work.


Attempting not to spam, but I was wondering if you could take a look at MY soccer blog (www.uefafan.com) and give me a few pointers? You seem pretty good at this!

6:06 PM  
Blogger ERic said...

Tough week on the predictions!

9:43 AM  

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