This might not be the busiest week on the MLS schedule, but with 11 matches and four teams playing twice, it's definitely up there. The Galaxy seem to be getting the short end of the stick, as they'll have played three games in eight days, all of them on the road. Toronto FC and the Portland Timbers, meanwhile, each get two home games.
MLS Week 5 Preview, Picks: 11 Matches Make For Busy Week
The highlight of the week should be Wednesday’s renewal of the Rocky Mountain Cup, as the last two MLS champs will square off at “El Castillo” Rio Tinto Stadium. We’ll also get our first look at Portland’s Jen-Weld Field.
Toronto FC vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, Wednesday, 8 p.m. (all times Eastern)
The Reds are coming off an entirely respectable tie against the San Jose Earthquakes, while the Galaxy are probably feeling like they left two points after their tie with DC United. It's been an up-and-down start to the season for both of these teams and we're probably still a few weeks away from really knowing how good either is going to be. Prior to a five-match home winless steak to close out the 2010 season, BMO Field was turning into quite the fortress with TFC going 13-4-5 at home during their previous 22 matches stretching back to the 2009 season. The Galaxy have shown a definite penchant for playing for ties on the road and in the middle of a three-game trip and on short rest, they'll probably be willing to settle for a point. Pick: Tied 1-1.
Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids, Wednesday, 9 p.m.
If ever a game felt like it deserved to be on national TV, this is it. Unfortunately, the schedule makers put this game one day before the opening of the Portland Timbers' new stadium, so it's not entirely surprising that only the hard-core will have access to this one. Those hard-core should be in for quite a show, though. The past two MLS Cup champions also happen to have quite the rivalry, with playoff spots regularly being on the line and emotions running high. The Rapids are likely going to be without the services of central midfielder Pablo Mastroeni and it looks like Jamie Smith will be filing in as a more attack-minded replacement. How Smith and Jeff Larentowicz match up with Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales will go a long ways toward deciding the winner. That 36-match unbeaten streak seems unlikely to end this week. Pick: RSL 2-1.
Portland Timbers vs. Chicago Fire, Thursday, 11 p.m. (ESPN2)
The Timbers have had a bit of a rude awakening during the inaugural MLS season. After an offseason in which there was open talk of making a playoff run, they've gotten off to a winless start through three matches and have posted a league-worst -4 goal difference. It hasn't been all bad, though, as the Timbers did win a U.S. Open Cup qualifying match and showed some life in a tie against the New England Revolution. Now, they face a Fire team that is playing on short rest, while the Timbers haven't played a MLS match since April 2 and are healthier than they've been all year. It seems to be setting up for a big home opener. Pick: Timbers 3-2.
Philadelphia Union vs. Seattle Sounders, Saturday, 4 p.m.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of 2011 is just how good the Union defense has been. With one goal allowed through four matches, no team can touch their goals-against record. Their offense, though, has been surprisingly docile, having scored just three times despite the addition of Carlos Ruiz. Obviously, something is going to have to give in the long term, but the Union defense is obviously significantly improved (maybe just not this improved). The Sounders are coming off their first win of the season and have scored four goals in their past two after scoring just one in their first three matches. They are also likely to get Fredy Montero back, even if he's in some kind of cast. This seems like a good test for both teams. Pick: Tied 1-1.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Chivas USA, Saturday, 7 p.m.
In the first three MLS matches at Empire Field, there have been 14 goals scored with three of them coming in stoppage time. We’ve also seen a match that ended with just 19 men on the field that featured a player being thrown out while celebrating a goal. The big question is what can the Whitecaps possibly do for an encore? Against a struggling team like Chivas USA, anything seems to be possible. The Whitecaps will have Designated Player Eric Hassli back, which always ratchets up the entertainment potential. Pick: Whitecaps 5-3.
Toronto FC vs. DC United, Saturday, 7 p.m. (FSC)
If the Reds are really an improved team, this is the kind of game in which it will show. On paper, United still seem like the better side, but for all their improvement they have gotten three goals from the penalty spot and are still at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table. Charlie Davies leads MLS with four goals, but only one of them has come in the run of play. TFC has looked downright respectable ever since their season-opening loss at the hands of the Whitecaps, albeit against mostly bottom-of-the-table competition. Pick: TFC 2-1.
Columbus Crew vs. Sporting Kansas City, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Sporting can score, of this there should be no doubt. Their 2.67 goals per game is the best mark in the league, having scored eight goals in just three matches. What is in question is their ability to prevent goals, as they’ve given up as many as they’ve scored, a league worst 2.67 per match. The Crew are on the other end of that spectrum, having allowed just .75 goals per match, but having scored just three times in their four matches. Something is going to have to give in this one, but with two weeks of rest it seems likely that SKC picks up the victory. Pick: SKC 3-2.
New York Red Bulls vs. San Jose Earthquakes, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
We just keep waiting for the Red Bulls to finally make good on all that talent they have. At some point, the lid just has to come off the goal and the likes of Juan Agudelo, Dwayne De Rosario, Joel Lindpere and Dane Richards (relying on Thierry Henry seems silly at this point) have to start terrorizing defenses ... right? Well, as preordained as that may be, this doesn't seem like the week it will happen. The Earthquakes may not be a great team, but they did win the last time they visited Red Bull Arena (last year's playoffs, in case you've forgotten) and they seem like a team that has to be reckoned with. Pick: Tied 1-1.
Chicago Fire vs. LA Galaxy, Sunday, 4 p.m. (Telefutura)
No one really expected much of the Fire after they got rid of most of their veterans and recognizable names over the offseason. But give them credit for assembling a group of little-known, but highly effective players. Uruguayans Diego Chavez and Gaston Puerrari are giving MLS defenses fits and even when their personnel doesn’t allow for a 3-5-2, they are a fun team to watch. The Galaxy will be closing out a trip that has seen them visit three cities in about eight days and they’re probably going to be happy to finally head home. Pick: Fire 2-1.
Timbers vs. FC Dallas, Sunday, 6 p.m.
Hopefully, for their sake, the Timbers will have gotten their first win of the season out of the way on Thursday. Otherwise, they may be waiting awhile. The Toros may not have gotten off to the strongest start, but their dismantling of the Rapids should be proof that this team has not suddenly turned bad. DP Fabian Castillo is looking like one of the best offseason signings, David Ferreira looks like his old self and the defense appears to be gelling. None of this bodes well for a Timbers team that still lacks any kind of identity. Pick: FC Dallas 2-0.
Houston Dynamo vs. New England Revolution, 7 p.m.
The Dynamo are not a great team. They might not even be a good team right now. But the Revolution, despite going undefeated in their first four matches, should not be confused for a good team either. As their 2-0 loss at home to a team of RSL reserves last week shows, they still have a long way to go to return to their glory days. Winning on the road, just doesn’t seem to be in the cards. Pick: Dynamo 1-0.
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