Major League Soccer Preview, Picks, October 2-3: One Week To Decide It All?
With playoff spots and the Supporter’s Shield all still up for grabs, but almost none of those teams facing each other, this could be a week of significant movement.
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Seattle Sounders FC (39/26/+2)
Time: 3:30 EST; Place: Qwest Field, Seattle; TV: KONG, CBC
The Sounders have been the hottest team in MLS over the past 10 matches, claiming 23 points in that span. Toronto, once a seeming lock for its first playoff berth, has managed just eight points in the same span. These are teams heading in obviously different directions. Anything less than a win for the Reds likely means a MLS record fourth straight season without postseason appearance. A Sounders victory might lock up enough points for them to make the playoffs for the second time in their two-year history. Prediction: Sounders 2, TFC 0. More extensive coverage at Sounder at Heart.
Houston Dynamo (26/26/-10)
Philadelphia Union (27/26/-12)
Time: 4 p.m.; Place: PPO Park, Chester, PA; TV: TFT
This is one of the only matches without playoff implications this week. After a rough start to their season, the Union have turned it around enough to be respectable. There's reason for hope in the City of Brotherly Love with the forward tandem of Danny Mwanga (rookie) and Sebastian Le Toux (comeback, MVP) making cases for post season awards. The Dynamo, meanwhile, got off to a decent start but the losses of several key players appears to have finally caught up to them. Their win at DC United last week was their first road points since May 8. A repeat seems unlikely. Prediction: Union 1, Dynamo 0. More extensive coverage at Dynamo Theory and the Brotherly Game.
San Jose Earthquakes (39/25/Even)
Columbus Crew (45/26/+6)
Time: 7:30 p.m.; Place: Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH; TV: ONN
About a month ago, the Crew looked like a team poised to become the first MLS team to make a legitimate run at the Treble. The U.S. Open Cup, Supporter’s Shield, MLS Cup and even the CONCACAF Champions League title seemed like realistic goals. Now, we’re looking at a team that is two second-half goals (against lowly New England, no less) away from riding a three-match losing streak. They’ve been outscored 13-4 in their past six matches against Western Conference teams and claimed just four points in those matches. The Quakes seem to be doing just enough to feel secure about their first playoff appearance since returning to the league in 2008. Prediction: Crew 1, Quakes 1
Real Salt Lake (48/26/+22)
New England Revolution (26/26/-17)
Time: 7:30; Place: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA; TV: CSNE
As good as RSL has been at home (MLS record 24-match unbeaten streak), they’ve been far less impressive on the road (14 points in 12 matches). Away from “El Castillo,” RSL has been mostly willing to play for ties and have scored more than one goal just twice (none since May 22). The Revolution have been one of the worst teams in MLS this season, but are actually pretty respectable at home (21 points in 13 matches). RSL is chasing the Supporter’s Shield, but a tie would suit them just fine. Prediction: RSL 1, Revolution 1. More extensive coverage at RSL Soapbox.
Kansas City Wizards (33/25/-1)
New York Red Bulls (44/26/+7)
Time: 7:30; Place: Red Bull Arena, Harrison, NJ; TV: FSNY
Up until last week's loss to FC Dallas, the Wizards seemed poised to make one of the most dramatic single-season turnarounds in MLS history. After claiming just 15 points in their first 15 matches, the Wizards had moved to within three points of the No. 8 playoff spot and had lost just once since July 10. Living on the edge, though, gives you little room for error. Now the Wizards find themselves six points behind No. 8 Seattle and facing a Red Bulls team that has lost just once at home since May 29. The Red Bulls are finally playing like a team that is arguably the most talented in MLS and seem poised to make a run at the Supporter's Shield. Prediction: Red Bulls 3, Wizards 1. More extensive coverage at Once a Metro.
Chicago Fire (29/25/-1)
FC Dallas (46/26/+14)
Time: 8:30; Place: Pizza Hut Park, Frisco, TX; TV: FSC, FSE
Freddie Ljungberg finally looked like the player so many of us expected to see all this season when he had goal and two assists in Wednesday's win over San Jose. Whether he, and the Fire, can sustain that remains to be seen. The Fire have not gotten positive results in consecutive matches since claiming seven points from Aug. 1-18 and they haven't won a single point on the road since winning at Los Angeles on Aug. 1. FC Dallas hasn't lost in 17 matches and a point in this one would tie the MLS record for consecutive matches without a loss. Prediction: FCD 1, Fire 1. More extensive coverage at Hot Time in Old Town.
DC United (18/26/-24)
Colorado Rapids (41/26+11)
Time: 9 p.m.; Place: Dick's Sporting Good Park, Commerce, CO; TV: None
How bad could this get for DC United? Omar Cummings is riding a streak that has seen him score six goals in four matches and Conor Casey is returning from a one-match suspension. The two form a lethal strike force that has combined for 23 goals, easily the highest scoring tandem in MLS (the Galaxy's Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan have combined for 21). If that weren't bad enough, the Rapids have lost just once at altitude and have won their past four matches at home by a collective score of 13-1. With the Rapids still needing to lock up points to secure a playoff spot, this could get ugly. Prediction: Rapids 3, United 0. More extensive coverage at Burgundy Wave and Black and Red United.
Los Angeles Galaxy (50/26/17)
Chivas USA (25/25/-9)
Time: 8 p.m.; Place: Home Depot Center, Carson, CA; TV: ESPN2
It’s pretty hard to know how to feel about the Galaxy at this point. They clearly aren’t as dominant as the team that dominated MLS for the first few months (claiming 32 of a possible 36 points), but can’t possibly be as bad as they’ve looked at other times. Whatever you think of them, you have to think they are the favorite to continue their seven-match unbeaten streak against their Home Depot Center roommates. For all their foibles, a win would keep the Galaxy in the lead for the Supporter’s Shield, while a tie would leave them even with Real Salt Lake. They still have plenty to play for. Chivas, meanwhile, is merely playing for pride. Prediction: Galaxy 2, Chivas 1.
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