MLS Week 11 Preview, Predictions: Jam-Packed Weekend Features Nine Matches

One of the busiest weeks on the MLS schedule continues with a jam-packed weekend that features nine more matches. The most intriguing is probably the Texas Derby between FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo, but the most telling may be the Seattle Sounders visiting Real Salt Lake.

Toronto FC vs. Philadelphia Union, 12:30 p.m., Saturday

It's been a bit of an odd week for the Reds. On Wednesday, they were poised to decide their fate in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. Instead, with them trailing, weather forced the match to be abandoned and tentatively rescheduled for Thursday morning. Conditions had not sufficiently improved, though, and it was ultimately pushed back to July 2. Luckily, they never had to leave Toronto, at least diminishing the effects. They'll need all their wits about them as they face a Union team remains tied for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Union are coming off their first two-goal performance of the year and will have striker Carlos Ruiz for one final game before he joins Guatemala for the Gold Cup. After opening the season with a win on the road, the Union have lost all three matches away from PPL Park since then. Pick: Tied 1-1.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. New York Red Bulls, 5:30 p.m., Saturday

The soccer gods did not do the Whitecaps any favors this week. Adding insult to the abandonment of their 2-1 aggregate-goal lead over Toronto FC in the NCC was the fact that they had to stick around an extra day while the BMO Field conditions were assessed for the tentatively rescheduled match the next day. Just to put an extra cherry on top of the frustrating week, they now get ready to face the Red Bulls just a couple days after getting back home. If there's any good news to come out of this, it's that they at least don't have to face a full-strength opponent as Thierry Henry has been left at home and Dane Richards and Rafael Marquez have already joined their respective national teams. Of course, that just means Whitecaps fans will get to see the likes of Juan Agudelo and Luke Rodgers for a full match. Pick: Tied 1-1.

Columbus Crew vs. Chivas USA, 7:30 p.m., Saturday

After a start that featured just one loss in their first eight matches, the Crew have lost two straight. More tellingly, they haven't scored in more than 200 minutes and have scored just eight goals all season. Making matters worse is that leading scorer Emilio Renteria has been ruled out for the match, meaning so-far-disappointing Designated Player Andres Mendoza will likely get the start as the lone forward in Robert Warzycha's 4-1-4-1 formation. They'll also have left winger Robbie Rogers for at least one more match before he (gosh, it hurts to write this) joins the United States national team. Chivas USA have quietly put together a solid season, going 3-2-3 in their last eight that has included two road victories. Justin Braun and Alejandro Moreno seem to be forming a decent forward partnership and their defense has allowed a perfectly respectable seven goals in their past nine. Pick: Tied 0-0.

New England Revolution vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, 8 p.m., Saturday (Galavision)

No MLS team has been better this year on the road than the Galaxy, whose 13 road points is easily the best total in the league. For the most part, they've gotten those results by playing lock down defense, as they've registered three shutouts and allowed more than one goal just twice away from Home Depot Center. They should have a full complement of Designated Players, as David Beckham joined the team in New England and Landon Donovan will play one more game with the Galaxy before joining the USMNT. The Revolution, though, have lost just once at home and have claimed 11 of their 13 points at Gillette Stadium. They don't always look pretty doing it, but this team does have the talent to compete with almost anyone. It also looks like Shalrie Joseph is having second thoughts about joining Grenada for the Gold Cup, meaning they too should have a pretty close to full-strength side. Pick: Tied 1-1.

Chicago Fire vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 8:30 p.m., Saturday

It's been a long time since the Fire last tasted victory. In fact, it's been just over two months as their only win of the season came in Week 2 on March 26. That said, they are coming off a huge come-from-behind win over the Earthquakes to earn a spot in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16. In the game, the Fire erased a 2-0 halftime deficit and overcame playing the final 22 minutes of overtime a man down to win in the sixth round of the penalty shootout. Each team should be at close to full strength, as both Marco Pappa and Chris Wondolowski will play one more game for their clubs before joining their respective national teams. The Earthquakes have picked up their game as of late, winning two straight after a six-match winless streak. Wondolowski is looking like the reigning Golden Boot winner again, picking up a goal or an assist in each of the past three matches. Pick: Earthquakes 2-1.

Colorado Rapids vs. Sporting Kansas City, 9 p.m., Saturday

If there's a team that is the definition of treading water right now, it's the Rapids. Wednesday's tie was their fourth straight and they have now now gone 1-0-5 in the six games since Brian Mullan was given a 10-game suspension. The offense has definitely been lacking, but they did find a way to get two goals at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday and Conor Casey appears to be nearing full fitness. Up until Wednesday' game, their defense was also on a seven-game run in which they had not allowed more than a goal. None of this bodes well for a Sporting side that has not won since Week 1 and is riding a six-match losing streak, the most recent of which came after a 93rd minute heartbreaker in Seattle. The good news is they have just one more road game after this before finally playing their home opener. Pick: Rapids 2-1.

There's still no reason for panic to set in around RSL, but there has to be some cause for concern. Despite still leading in points per match, the Royals have now gone four matches without a goal against a full-strength side and their once indisputable spot atop the MLS hierarchy has been loudly questioned. Unfortunately, the offense doesn't appear to have an obvious path to improvement as Alvaro Saborio and Arturo Alvarez have already joined their national teams for Gold Cup duty and Paulo Jr. is likely out for a month with an injury. That leaves the slumping Fabian Espindola as the main option at forward and hoping that someone like Jean Alexandre can step up. The Sounders haven't exactly been burning the backs of nets, either, having failed to score more than one goal in any of their past five matches and in just three of their 13 matches this season. Pick: Tied 1-1.

Portland Timbers vs. DC United, 5 p.m., Sunday

They are still a few games away from making significant MLS history, but the Timbers have already established Jeld-Wen Field as a fortress. Their 5-0-0 record is the best start at home for a first-year franchise in the post shootout era and has included wins over several likely playoff teams. Right now, United does not appear to be in that class, and the availability of Charlie Davies is still in question. The Timbers won't keep up this perfect start forever, but it seems highly unlikely to end this week. Pick: Timbers 1-0.