I’m in the midst of moving this week, so I don’t have quite as much time to devote to my preview this week. Hopefully, you understand, but I’m going to try to have a little bit more fun with this week’s preview.
MLS Week 12 Preview, Picks: Sorry, It’s Going To Be Quick
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. DC United, 11 p.m., Friday (FSC)
The Galaxy have been the best team in MLS for almost two months now, while United have been one of the least consistent. On paper this looks like a Galaxy blow out, even if they are missing Landon Donovan. United will have Charlie Davies and Dax McCarty back, though. Could be interesting. Prediction: Tied 2-2.
Toronto FC vs. Sporting Kansas City, 7 p.m., Saturday (TSN)
What a long strange trip it’s been. Sporting has now played nine road matches to start the season and finally gets to head home after this one. As a cruel joke, the schedule makers have given them their most winnable game at the end of the trip. Can a team with just five points have a trap game? Guess we’ll find out. Prediction: SKC 2-1.
New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m., Saturday
If it seems like every Red Bulls player has left for the Gold Cup, that's because, well, most of the ones you care about have. Rafael Marquez, Juan Agudelo, Tim Ream and Dane Richards are all missing. Thierry Henry is still there, and so are Joel Lindpere and guys like Jan Gunnar Solli and Teemu Tainio. That should be enough to take care of a Crew team that is finally playing down to expectations. Prediction: Red Bulls 2-1.
FC Dallas vs. New England Revolution, 8:30 p.m., Saturday
After going seven weeks without allowing more than a goal, the Dallas defense finally broke, allowing two to the Houston Dynamo. Still, the Toros pulled out a tie. It wasn't the most impressive display last week, but they still ended up with four points in two matches. Steve Nicol would love to be able to get those kind of results. The Revolution are on a two-game losing streak and haven't won on the road all season. This is not the week it happens. Prediction: FCD 2-0.
Chicago Fire vs. Seattle Sounders, 8:30 p.m., Saturday
Fredy Montero may not get the start, as coach Sigi Schmid seems to like having his best player on the bench. That likely means we will be treated to another week of Mike Fucito's full-speed antics. The big question this week is how the Fire will react to the firing of coach Carlos de los Cobos. Do you believe in the "new coach bump?" No? I don't either. Prediction: Sounders 1-0.
Colorado Rapids vs. Philadelphia Union, 9 p.m., Saturday
The Rapids seem to have perfected the art of the unimpressive tie. Recent ties include the Revolution, Toronto FC and Sporting KC. That’s three teams struggling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. In case you haven’t noticed, the Union are not at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Also, the Union are practically an offensive juggernaut these days. Prediction: Union 1-0.
Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps, 9 p.m., Saturday
RSL is too good to keep playing this bad, but with so many players missing it’s hard to see how they can turn it around. Against a team like the Whitecaps, who really aren’t as bad as their point total suggests, this might not be the week they finally look like the world-beaters we have long expected them to be. Of course, maybe they were just waiting for us to stop believing in them... Prediction: Tied 1-1.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Houston Dynamo, 10 p.m., Saturday
Many Earthquakes fans still have a little special place in their hearts they reserve for hating the Dynamo. There aren’t a whole lot of players left over from the days prior to their abandoning San Jose for Houston, but coach Dominic Kinnear is still there. I honestly don’t know if Quakes fans actually direct their ire at Kinnear, but you can bet they want to win this game in the worst way. Prediction: Quakes 1-0.
Chivas USA vs. Portland Timbers, 10:30 p.m., Saturday
The Timbers finally lost at home, in some weird way does that mean they can finally win on the road? Chivas USA might be the team to do it against, as they are the rare team that seems to be playing better on the road than at home. It really doesn’t make an logical sense, but would it be MLS if it did? Prediction: Tied 1-1.
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