Week 8 of the MLS season gets off to an early start this week with a pair of Wednesday matches, both featuring teams riding season-best six-match unbeaten streaks. Neither team has lost since Week 1 -- with the Sounders ignominiously losing twice.
MLS (Mid)Week 8 Preview, Picks: Seattle Sounders, Houston Dynamo Riding High
DC United Vs. Seattle Sounders, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday
These two teams could not have started in more different fashions. United beat the Columbus Crew 3-1 in their first match of the season, while the Sounders dropped both of their Week 1 contests. More recently, they have gone in similarly opposite directions. The Sounders are on a two-match winning streak and have not lost in six weeks, while United is one a two-match losing streak and has won just once since Week 1. United's defense has been the biggest culprit, allowing eight goals in their past two matches. In their losses, in fact, United have been outscored 14-3, while they've won their two matches by a collective score of 6-1. The Sounders appear to be hitting their stride despite losing a several starters to various ailments over the past week. Steve Zakuani and O'Brian White may both very well be out for the year and Mauro Rosales is fighting his own injury. Despite those losses, the Sounders turned in their most complete game of the season last week in a 3-0 win over Toronto FC. If current form holds, this could get ugly. Pick: Sounders 2-0.
Houston Dynamo vs. Colorado Rapids, 8:30 p.m.
Two more teams that are headed in diametrically opposed directions, but in their cases few people seem to have noticed. The Dynamo have won three of their past four and haven't lost in their past six, while the Rapids have lost three of four and are riding a four-match winless streak. The Rapids have been struggling due in large part to several key injuries that have seriously tested their depth in both the midfield and at forward, where last week they started Andre Akpan who began the season fifth or sixth on the depth chart. The Dynamo have dealt with several injuries of their own, but the performances of players like Will Bruin -- who scored a hat trick on Friday -- have helped minimize those losses. Tally Hall, who took over the starting job this year, has arguably been the best keeper in the league. Pick: Dynamo 1-0.
See More:
