Top Stories

MLS Week 8 (A Look Ahead & Your Running Commentary)

MLS_Logo

It's another weekend of East vs. West as five inter-conference match-ups fill out tonight's MLS schedule.

Four Western Conference teams have made the trip East for some interesting tilts, including Seattle's first visit to Red Bull Arena and The San Jose Earthquakes' trip to New England.

The lone intra-conference match-up today features Eastern Conference rivals Chicago and Kansas City in a battle of teams trying to break out of recent funks.

If you will be watching tonight's matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section of this post (SBI will be covering and providing commentary from the NY-Seattle, DC-Colorado and TFC-LA matches so look out for those).

Here is a rundown of the rest of today's MLS matches:

San Jose Earthquakes at New England Revolution (6pm, Direct Kick)

The red-hot Earthquakes will look to sweep the series from the Revs after beating the Revs earlier in the season. San Jose has posted consecutive shutouts, but traveling to play on the Gillette Stadium turf will present its own problems.

New England should be considered the underdog given the injuries it is dealing with, but Steve Nicol's squad showed ability and heart in pushing Columbus to the brink last week. Look for New England to put on a strong defensive performance in a bit of an upset. Revolution 1, Earthquakes 0.

Colorado Rapids at D.C. United (7:30pm, Direct Kick)

The Rapids offense has struggled far more than expected, and while D.C. might be seen as a chance to break the recent slump, Colorado better not expect an easy trip to RFK. D.C. has tightened things up defensively, and will benefit from the home-field advantage.

D.C. will need to keep tabs on the dangerous Omar Cummings, but more importantly for United will be working around the Rapids midfield wall of Jeff Larentowicz and Pablo Mastroeni. D.C. has the wing players to get around them and Danny Allsopp could be in for another big day. We see D.C. holding serve at home. D.C. United 2, Rapids 1.

Seattle Sounders at New York Red Bulls (7:30pm, Direct Kick/MSG)

The Sounders are struggling badly, and must take on a Red Bulls team that has yet to lose a match at Red Bull Arena (3-0 in MLS play, 2-0 in Open Cup play, 1-0 in exhibition play).

The Red Bulls suffered a tough 4-0 loss last week to San Jose, but did so playing most of the match a man down. Things should be much easier for New York, especially with Seattle expected to miss Osvaldo Alonso, the key to Seattle's midfield. Without Alonso's pressure, Red Bull midfielder Joel Lindpere should have a big game and New York should stay unbeaten at home. Red Bulls 2, Sounders 0.

Chivas USA at Columbus Crew (7:30pm, Direct Kick)

Chivas USA has had its ups and downs this year, but expecting to travel to Columbus and register points is probably more than should be asked of Martin Vasquez's squad. The Crew will feature Chad Marshall for a second straight match to anchor the defense, while Guillermo Barros Schelotto should have a field day. Crew 3, Chivas USA 1.

Chicago Fire at Kansas City Wizards (8:30pm, Fox Soccer Channel)

The Fire come off an ugly 4-0 loss to Toronto, and things don't get easier with a visit to KC, where the Wizards are unbeaten.

The only problem is Kansas City hasn't looked as good lately as it did to start the season. A return home should help, but only if Ryan Smith can recapture his early-season magic. Look for Josh Wolff to find the net as Kansas City tops its Midwestern rival. Wizards 2, Fire 1.

Toronto FC at Los Angeles Galaxy (10:30pm, Direct Kick)

The league's worst road team facing the best team in MLS in a home game? Should be a blowout, right? It should, but Preki has a way of making matches like this ugly. Toronto isn't likely to trouble LA defensively, but the potent Galaxy attack will have to fight hard for the win. A win will come though. Galaxy 2, Toronto FC 0.

————-

Comments

  1. for relatives of 2 chivas staffers that passed away. classy touch.

    if only their play was as good. anybody count how many fouls (and uncalled fouls) chivas had? i had around 90 by unofficial count. ended up burning them in the end tho….

    Reply
  2. Thierry Henry to the Red Bulls after World Cup is what the Spanish news media is saying, like its a done deal.

    Reply
  3. Off Topic,
    It appears Villarreal were eliminated from all Euro competitions today. That may be good news for Jozy as they will probably unload some expensive forwards.

    Reply
  4. must take on a Red Bulls team that has yet to lose a match at Red Bull Arena (3-0 in MLS play, 2-0 in Open Cup play, 1-0 in exhibition play).

    Way to jinx the team Ives lol

    Reply

Leave a Reply to madmax Cancel reply