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.
Kudos though to the Quakes fans with the Evil Monkey banner. I’d love to see that at RBA (but with a RBNY kit).
Oh, Condoul – you are not nearly as good as your stats. How about a GK for that 3rd DP? Just kidding – kind of. Condoul sucks.
The team buildup that lead to the Quakes goal was absolute TOP TIER QUALITY! So far this season, Convey is looking, dare i say, national team material on the wings. Comfortable dribbler, crosser and has good hustle in defensive duties. A step above Robbie Rogers in every way so far this season
It’s what happens when you win the USOC in your first season (although I’d still say to some degree that felt a lil fixed to me). I never understood the calls for them to win the MLS Cup this season. a disgruntled DP who wants away, and a front line of rapists.
Yawn, wake me up when the Timbers are in town.
No Hall for Red Bulls?
Entertaining match between Crew and New England. Gaven and Rogers were true quality on the wings.
The league is doing the right thing by expanding. As for the product the talent pool of players coming out of college and youth academies is booming, for lack of a better word. Almost every player taking in the 1st round and some in the second are quality players. This trend is clearly headed upward.
If Bruce Arena could keep this team together, which includes keeping LD I think they could compete in the lower thrid of the EPL and avoid regulation. If Beckham were a a couple of years younger and healthy they would do well. In one of my two humble opinions.
There are many Sounder supporters in denial. The Sounders have been bad for some time. None of the short comings were addressed, personnel or tactics. Yet many expected different results.
not a good comparison on the Aogo and Badstuber front
I can’t watch the Dallas game on TV… awesome.
They sure do. Their stay at the bottom will not be a short visit.
I’m sure that you and I both agree that Lalas was just doing what he thought was good for the league but he couldn’t possibly truely believe what he was saying.
At least in the top 10 teams of all the best leagues. I believe that the best MLS teams could do what Burnley, Hull, Indios, and Nexaca, and any of the other bottom feeders have done. Win a few, earn a few ties and generally hang around hoping to stay afloat.
Whatever, opinions are like armpits… most everybody has two…
My feed cut out, but ESPN claims he just assisted on Pachuca’s goal. Pachuca are through 3-1 on aggregate. Now let’s go Pumas!
Gringo Torres with the assist, 2-1 pachuca
Lalas used to go on radio and TV all the time telling people MLS could compete in the EPL. Did you forget?
Wait when your Galaxy plays some real competition in CONCACAF. Although I will admit that the MLS structure is very restrictive to assemble very good teams. Each team has one or two key players, that’s it. With 16 teams for three years could have helped solidify or strengthen the level of play, but money talks, so forget about quality play.
is he still in the game?
Obviously you’ve never watched Hull vs Wigan, yet everyone tries to tell me they play in A top league!
I do watch other leagues. Mexico, Spain, and EPL mostly. That’s why I think MLS should have stayed at 16 for a few years. The overall product doesn’t come close to compete with even the Mexican league, our closest neighbor. Wait next year when Galaxy plays in CONCACAF. They will loose as soon as they play any Mexican team.
I think it’s more of a *when* not if with Donovan.
Additionally, there’s always the possibility that Buddle get’s a chance as well.
Those two would be tough to replace right away.
Trolls will be trolls.
Beckford is gone this summer.
Speculation on my part but something I’d be willing to wager money on.
Apparently I cant type on an iphone 🙂
OT, but Gringo Torres had a pretty rough first half for Pachuca. A couple of bad turnovers, one of which led directly to Monterrey’s goal.
Melodramatic, party of one. Your table in the hypersensitivity section is ready.
I gate complaining about the ref when the sounders deserved the result that they got, but wow. the assistant ref needs to be fired. he called off three one on one chances in the first half. The Montero one was waste most egregious. He was on sides by a full step.
Just a thought – between Lenhart, the wingbacks, Gaven, and GBS, does any team in MLS have better hair than Columbus?
Thanks KFS, and I thought Marshall should have been walking off then too. Two handed choke? Weird.
I really MISS Jim Healy. He was the best!
Galaxy are on a tear. It makes me wonder what they’ll look like at the tail end of the season if Donovan gets sold this summer.
Edson no goals in two games. He sucks.
Chivas fan, I’ve been reading Ives for almost two years now and I can’t recall anyone ever claiming MLS to be a “top league”. We all would LIKE MLS to become a top league and we are all working towards creating a fan base who understands footie and will sing all game long to compete with top leagues by making sure that inane and illogical comments straight out of left field (Dodger stadium for you perhaps?) like yours is dealt with swiftly and firmly. A la Jim Rome, if you’re gonna bring smack bring it hard and bring it accurate. Otherwise go back to being a silly little clone.
I, for one, am very happy with the improvements made in our league. Even though I am a tried and TRUE Galaxy fan I watch as many MLS games as I can so I can see for myself if there is improvements, however subtle, from game to game.
Finally, I am, in fact, extremely happy that my boys are thumping the league to this point with quality defense, controlled midfield play, and solid finishing. Are the games always gorgeous? NO, but so what, where else can I go on a Saturday night, within 120 miles of where I live to see a professional soccer game. Get over yourself, Eurosnob, and enjoy the ride.
If what I wrote contains too many words and you couldn’t keep up I’ll have a picture book for you and ELAC on Sunday Oct. 3rd.
Haha Steven Lenhart is the coolest player ever! Anybody else just see his pre-game interview on fsc? Hilarious.
Choose your words carefully joejoe… one of my 22 year old students DID drop dead on Wednesday. Pretty cold thing to say to someone over a soccer game… Very hard to bury a child… 6 weeks away from earning a degree from UCSanta Barbara… 🙁
So, keeping all that in mind, I agree… “Go Chivas! Go get your own stadium.”
Wow Seattle suck
Why WOULDN’T we add another team? Philadelphia are a new team, but they play a pretty attractive style of soccer. Seattle Sounders played pretty well in their first season. Of course there is skill in this league, there is no need to use hyperbole. I understand it’s not always attractive, not always skillful, but why don’t you go watch a different league if you don’t think this league is “skillfull” enough?
Poor play plus miserable mistakes on goals 1 and 3 make for a painful game to watch. The only positive thing from the whole game was that Montano looked like he’s got potential.
Some of our Galaxy fans are maybe get a little “too high” after these wins. I am honestly shocked that we won by such a large margin, but I should remind you that last year we got spanked by FC Dallas at home 6 to 3. I was at that game and was very quiet myself. Then we went on to the finals that same year, go figure. Seattle will definitely have a chip on their shoulder next game. I predict a Seattle victory next game no matter who they play.
Wow. Sounders just folded.They need some sort of a character building lesson. sounders defense is weak. Llungberg or however you spell it is not particularly impressive.
By the way, I only ref my 6 year old’s games but isn’t grasping someone by the throat with two hands and squeezing a red card? I think it falls under the First degree felonious conduct rule or something.
Jordan was surprisingly solid all game. I thought WTF the first time he popped up in the back. Buddle’s assist to Donovan was beautiful. Rickets has looked WAY healthiear this year.
Anyway, props to the commenter with the Jim Healy reference.
it was on fox sports west in SoCal too
well, I’ve been reading ives’ blog before it was sbi.net, so I’d say that qualifies as a long time. Sarcasm shouldn’t need to have a historical background to it, perhaps thats where you’re getting confused.
I appreciate that. Friendly banter is perfectly fine, but that seems to escape some people. I need a beer after this game ha.
ericj,
Don’t sweat that a-hole as we know he is “obviously” not a gracious winner. You commended the Galaxy on the victory and you are a cool guy for coming on this blog and defending your team even through defeat. Fans like you are the fans we need in this league, gracious even in defeat. Keep it up and I know that Seattle will bring their “A” game next time.
Top league relative to what? At any rate I agree with some of your sentiment.
That LA vs the Green guys was horrible to watch. Is there any skill in this league? The ball was mostly knocked around for most of the game without any purpose whatsoever. Yet, we are adding another team to further dilute the horrible level of play. I laugh when some guys claim the MLS is a top league.
Learn to use the reply link. At any rate I never suggested Klein had bad intentions, so your argument is a strawman. I was also not taking issue with the score or whether LA were the better team, thus your common is making a second strawman argument.
What I was actually taking issue with was your fallacious argument then the Sounders were “cheaters”. An argument for which, when challenged on, you made no rebuttal.
Thus, to conclude, you have just kept on making strawman arguments and avoiding my point the whole time. That or you were missing is.
To all who are interested, Mike Grella’s Leeds have been promoted to the Coca Cola Championship after beating Bristol Rovers 2-1. Good for Grella. Is Jermaine Beckford not leaving after this season?
Please drop dead already. Go Chivas!
oh ericj, I could sit here all day talking with you about the real issue, which is the final score, but I won’t. Do you know why? it is because your team is garbage and if you honestly believe that Chris Klien had bad intentions, in that play that we were discussing, then I know having a respectable conversation with you is pointless. Well have a great day and I shall leave you with your thoughts of what could have been.
Did I mention 4-0 Galaxy. Oh and if I do not respond to your next comment, please let me apologize in advance, but it is because I try my hardest not to waste my time con perdedores como tu.
I agree to an extent, but contracts are contracts. I would just suggest making the games that are available on Telefutura to also be available on the DK package or from the MLSLive strea.
Is anyone else frustrated watching American soccer in frickin Spanish.