Week 24 Preview - On the weekend

So the Rapids surprised everyone, especially myself with their 1-0 win against Dallas in a very empty Pizza Hut Park. We’ll see if Colorado can back that up and make a run at the playoffs, but I’ll leave that til Monday. The big story for this weekend is the number of players who will be missing because of international absences - why oh why can’t the MLS learn to not schedule games then? It’s a very frustrating topic for those of us who care, and has already been blogged to death. Without further complaining, on to the games for this weekend.

Toronto v Chivas USA
Here’s the best of example of why not to play games during a FIFA weekend: Toronto, fighting for a playoff spot will be missing nine first teamers. Not exactly the best way to get a good product on the pitch. Chivas will be miss Sacha Klejstan, but won’t feel anything much more significant. The question is, can Toronto’s reserves buckle down and steal some points? They’ll be at home, which should help out, but it could be another home loss. Of interest, Chivas has yet to lose to Toronto as well.
Toronto 1-2 Chivas

Columbus v New England
The Crew host the Revs this weekend, with the latter looking particularly worn out and decimated by the number of injuries they’ve had to deal with. “Only” six players are listed on their injury report, but a majority of them are starters/regulars. Steve Nicol was dealt a blow this week by the news that Adam Cristman is done for the season, and Taylor Twellman is doubtful for this match up against the best of the MLS. Good news for the Revs is that the Crew will feel the burn of international duty, with Frankie Hejduk and Alejandro Moreno among the call ups who will miss action. However, expect player of the month Guillermo Barros Schelotto to be in form and lead Columbus to an easy win.
Columbus 3-1 New England

Chicago v New York
Don’t look now but the Red Bulls are hot. Can the Fire cool them down? It’s going to be a tough one to call, with Blanco set to miss out through international duty. Whatever the case, it probably will be much closer than the 5-1 beat down Chicago laid out in their last meeting. I think the Red Bull, despite the absence of Jorge Rojas, will stretch the Fire and gain some ground in the playoff race.
Chicago 1-2 New York

San Jose v DC United
The Earthquakes have turned things around. I honestly never thought that I would say that. But here they are, with an injured DC United coming into town with a chance to grab three more points. United will be missing Luciano Emilio who is still bothered by a strained groin and Jaime Moreno on international duty. That leaves proverbial journeymen Francis Doe and Rod Dyachenko to start up front. I’m going with the home team on this one.
San Jose 1-0 DC United

Los Angeles v Real Salt Lake
You’d think that it’d be a no brainer to pick RSL to win against a Beckham and Donovanless Galaxy right? Well, yes, until you look at the away record of 1-8-1. Yikes, that is awful. Quite honestly, I don’t have enough faith in Alan Gordon or even Edson Buddle to get the job done against a decent Real team. Sorry, Bruce.
Los Angeles 0-0 Real Salt Lake

Houston v Kansas City
KC looks like a team that is almost dead in the water. A win this weekend is a must to have a real hope to make a run at the postseason. Unfortunately, they’ve struggled mightily on the road, and don’t have the unblemished home record (or convenience of the Western Conference) to bail them out like other teams. I thought that the Wizards had a chance of building on last season’s playoff run, but as of right now, major things would have to change in order to have a shot at the postseason. Houston are on their typical late season run that will probably see them advance to the MLS Cup final and probably win. Ok, maybe not, but they’ll also be a bit shorthanded against the Wizards, enough to probably force a draw.
Houston 1-1 Kansas City

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