The Los Angeles Galaxy will look to keep its unbeaten record intact today with a seond win in the week against the Seattle Sounders in Week Seven's marquee match-up in MLS.
The Galaxy comes off a 1-0 victory at Colorado, but the Sounders should offer more of a challenge in front of what should be a raucous crowd at Qwest Field.
LA-Seattle is just one of the weekend's top matches. New York faces San Jose in a battle of two of the league's pleasant surprises, while Houston Chivas USA clash to see which of them is a legit contender in the West.
Here is a rundown of today's matches, along with our predictions:
Los Angeles Galaxy at Seattle Sounders (4pm, Telefutura)
The Galaxy rolls into Qwest Field unbeaten and take on a Sounders side that has yet to really find a rhythm or scoring consistency.
Seattle has the midfield horses with the work rate and tenacity to disrupt the Galaxy’s playmakers, while Jhon Kennedy Hurtado can offer Edson Buddle more resistence than most defenders.
Offensively, the Sounders need Fredy Montero to step up his contributions. Freddie Ljungberg did just that last week and the Swede should find room to operate yet again.
Look for Seattle to trouble a tired Galaxy side and hand Los Angeles its first loss of the season. Sounders 1, Galaxy 0.
Chicago Fire at Toronto FC (4pm, Direct Kick)
Toronto FC has been better at home (no real surprise) but the Fire may be the toughest team TFC has faced at BMO Field this season.
The Fire still hasn’t really been able to show off the Collins John/Brian McBride forward tandem, but is actually the dynamic midfield duo of Marco Pappa and Patrick Nyarko that creates the real problems. Toronto’s midfield is solid though, so it should be able to slow down the Fire playmakers.
The real question is whether Toronto can produce scoring chances against a tough Fire defense. We don’t see it happening as Wilman Conde and C.J. Brown lock up TFC’s forwards. The Fire should win at BMO, which will only add fuel to the already unhappy Toronto fans who are looking for heads to roll after a disappointing start to the 2010 season. Fire 2, TFC 0.
Philadelphia Union at Real Salt Lake (4pm, Direct Kick)
The Union comes off another disappointing loss, but things don’t get easier as Philly takes on an RSL squad poised to rattle off some wins after a rough first month of the season.
RSL welcomes back playmaker Javier Morales, who should find it relatively easy to cut up a Philly midfield that has been exposed in recent weeks. Forwards Robbie Findley and Alvaro Saborio should be the recipients of several chances apiece.
Defensively, RSL must keep taps on Philly playmaker Roger Torres, which Kyle Beckerman should be able to do. With Sebastian LeToux hobbled, the Union will struggle to generate chances.
RSL rolls, pulling itself back into the Western Conference race, while the Union continues to look for answers as more questions mount. Real Salt Lake 3, Union 0.
New England Revolution at Columbus Crew (7pm, FSC/FSE)
Not much to say about this one. New England, minus Shalrie Joseph, Marko Perovic and Kevin Alston, must take on a loaded Crew side that is expected to welcome back MLS defender of the year Chad Marshall and starting left back Gino Padula.
It won’t be pretty.
Stevie Nicol’s men should fight hard, but the Revs are overmatches and the Crew should have little trouble. Crew 2, Revolution 0.
D.C. United at FC Dallas (9pm, Direct Kick)
Two teams that were winless before last Wednesday, D.C. and Dallas come into this match riding some confidence after finally breaking the win column. Which team can carry it over remains to be seen.
D.C. United has the edge in creativity, but Dallas has the speed to cause problems to the D.C. defense. If D.C. can defend the potent Dallas counter, it has a chance to pull the road win.
I don’t see that happening though. Both team should find chances in a rather even game that should have some goals. FC Dallas 2, D.C. United 2.
New York Red Bulls at San Jose Earthquakes (10pm, Direct Kick)
The two most surprising teams in MLS this season face off in San Jose as the Earthquakes look to halt the Red Bulls two-match winning streak.
San Jose has done a good job of staying disciplined defensively, but Juan Pablo Angel has been playing better in recent weeks and he should cause problems for an Earthquakes back-line that should have rookie standout Ike Opara back in the lineup.
The Red Bulls defense has been stellar this season and should limit Ryan Johnson’s looks, but Chris Wondolowski is the player New York will want to contain.
The Earthquakes are tough at home, but don’t have enough to stop New York from recording another road victory. Red Bulls 1, Earthquakes 0.
Houston Dynamo at Chivas USA (10:30pm, Direct Kick)
Two teams that have been maddeningly inconsistent square off in a match that is almost impossible to predict
Will the Houston squad that plays stingy defense and attacks with energy show up, or will the lethargic side that can’t keep the ball or create chances show up? Actually, the same question can be asked of Chivas USA.
I’ll give the edge to Chivas USA at home, with Sacha Kljestan stepping up with another strong performance. Chivas USA 2, Dynamo 1.
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What do you think of this week's matches? If you will be watching today's action, please feel free to make this your place to discuss today's MLS schedule.
Share your thoughts below and enjoy the MLS action.
I’ll take your non-response for what it is.
I agree. Who would you say the second best is? I hesitate to say NY, but I find it hard not to.
oh ericj, i love you!!!
LA BY FAR, the best team in the league, TFC, your next.
Just responding to you idiotic comments. Por ejemplo, when you called called the Soudners cheaters “for the world to see” when marshal was upset for taking a forearm in the back ha. Thus, any comment after that is hard for me to take seriously, sorry.
You are right. Seattle is playing horrible today, supporters can only do so much for the team.
Yeah, that is the only nice thing for a SS fan today haha. Kudos for winning cordially. LA has a great team this year.
oh ericj, I know that you are sitting at home wondering “why oh why is my team getting spanked like a frat boy at a fraternity” but please do not take out your frustrations on me.
oh by the way 4-0 Galaxy!!!!!!!
Props to the fans in that stadium. Most of them remain even though their team checked out. Kudos SS fans.
Really? Well, it’s obvious you haven’t been following this website too long. Here’s some advice guy… get over it. Ives obviously doesn’t mind the hazing, it’s all in good fun. I love Soccer By Ives, and that’s never gonna change.
Not that we can take your word for it.
That last foul they called on Brian Jordan was a joke. Someone in the EPL is laughing right now for that call
That is what I was thinking at the time too. At least it did not look tooo serious.
When Alonso went out before halftime for the Sounders, it was all over.
Arlo White is the new Seattle announcer. Since he is their best addition this year, you know they have troubles.
Yeah it sucks haha. Although losing to LA is not the worst thing we could have done. LA is a great team this year, congrats.
edson cant be happy to be subbed out w 15 min left when seattle is looking ready to give up another goal – he’ll miss out on a chance to pad his resume for Bob… unless Bruce knows that Bob has already decided to call in Edson and would prefer to have him avoid injury in a blowout (like LD).
*at defending
Man we suck at set pieces. I actually feel more comfortable with Ianni in than Marshal, but what do I know.
Way to generalize you idiot.
Come on Ed, Ed, Edson bury one and BURY THEM.
Didn’t someone predict a victory for Seattle? 🙂
MLS should be concerned how Seattle management is abusing the best fan base in the league. Hanauer and CO. are a major disaster.
Bruce Arena is looking out for the US National Team. Taking Donovan out in the 70th minute of a blowout.
Can you say “Gooooaaaaalllll Landon Donovannnnnnnn?” What a beauty.
4-0 Ives? Sorry, I only said 2-0! 🙂
there was NO sign of sarcasm in your first post at all, try harder next time
There it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4-0 Galaxy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Donovan with his first of the season, and Edson with the assist!!!!
Oh what a wonderful day!!!!
Would not like to be a Seattle fan right about now.
4-0!!!!! 4 F****ing 0!!!!! What happend Flounder Fans?!
Tyrone Marshall will be suspended the next game. I mean I am not surprised, Seattle are cheaters and now the whole world can see.
Bruce Arena is awesome.
this seattle announcer is also in love w/ O. Gonz “he’s a brick wall” “a real physical presence” “fantastic header”. can’t say he’s wrong — OG lookin good.
battle of the young gun attackers:
Tristan Bowen
—v.—-
Miguel Montano
I was just messing with him, jeez. I know Ives was a beat writer for the bulls. Im just 1 of the many who tease him for his supposed nepotism. Oh, btw, this is the first saturday i’ve had off since February. So please, do us all a favor and get yourself a new sarcasm detector.
the seattle announcer is gushing that LD has 3 assists today, but didn’t stephens assist on the first? maybe they gave LD a cheap secondary assist on the first goal?
Seattle is the better team? PleeEEAAAaaaseee. Those of you LA people who remember Jim Healy’s radio show in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and early 90’s will remember this… “bad team man, BAD f*&^ing team”… to describe this Sounders debacle.
GO Galaxy… run the table in the League and dominate Champions League!
Donovan with two assists today, on a corner and a free kick. Looks like he must have seen ESPN’s “No. 10” commercial and got inspired.
there was a leaked West ham wage bill, and if real, it says spector’s contract is up in June of 2010…… did we know this already?
http://www.holymoly.com/sites/default/files/west-ham-staff-wages.pdf
He’s a bargain compared to some of those contracts.
LOS ANGELES!!!!!!!
GALAXY!!!!!!!!
LOS ANGELES!!!!!!
GALAXY!!!!!!!!
Wow did the volume on my TV go out, or did the sounders crowd go mute!!!!!
There is the nail in the coffin, Dunivant!!! 3-0 Galaxy!!!!
Gonzales and Ream for SA. Be brave Bradley, look who Low in Germany picked.
Sounders have been in steady decline for nearly a year. Team works so hard to get corners and gets nothing from them.
its 4pm on a saturday, get a life. Even IF he has a bias, which I dont believe he does, it’s his site, and was started when he was working the red bulls beat, and many of his fans are still concentrated in that area. In case you haven’t noticed they’re one of if not the hottest team in the league with possibly the nicest soccer stadium in the western hemisphere in one of the largest media markets in the world. He’s not only a jounralist, he’s a business, mannn
Agreed. Seattle has had more of the possesion, but LA has created far more dangerous chances. Hopefully Bruce doesn’t go too defensive too soon.
THERE IT IS!!!!!OMAR!!!!DONOVAN!!!!F*** YEAH!!
Where are the seattle fans??? I think it’s funny when people believe that the team with the most possession is playing better. The Galaxy have looked far more dangerous than Seattle all game, they can have the ball as long as they want but the results will be the same as the first half, zero goals. The Galaxy will continue to the let the game come to them and catch Seattle on the counter. If both teams keep the same strategy look for the Galaxy to win 2-0.
Keller has made two other howlers this season which cost points. Both were covered up and blame was given to others.
Galaxy game is a bit boring, especially compared to their last match. Fatigue looks clear.
Seattle the better team today, but not by much. Stephens is a great prospect. making mistakes, but appears to have a bright future. Keller. wtf happened on that. I can’t remember him blowing a save like that. Klein looks poor. Jordan is surprisingly solid at back. Galaxy clearly the deepest team in MLS by far.
The best match of the week gets no running commentary from sbi? Really? Huh? I guess Ives’ red bulls are the only team to get a weekly running commentary.
Wow, what happened to Keller on Kirovski’s goal? Kind of stunning
Goooooooaaaaaalllllll galaxy de kirovskyyyyy
Cant decide what is better. Jack Mac starting or Luis Gil on the bench. A pretty good accomplishment for a 17 and 16 year old.
You mean “recording another road victory” Ives for the Red Bulls!
Ives, Ives, Ives… again the safe prediction for the Galaxy… They will go there, enjoy the Seattle sun, adapt to the turf, exert those “old men” legs (Klein and Kirovsky) and dominate those “…mid-field horses…” to a 2-0 victory.
I’m LA till I die, I’m LA till I die, I am I am, I know I am, I’m LA till I die!