Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
By THOMAS FLOYD
This weekend's American soccer slate will be dominated by some MLS teams testing themselves against the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester City and Everton, but regular season play will go on all the same elsewhere around the league.
The schedule kicks off Saturday night when the New York Red Bulls will look to put Wednesday's disastrous 4-1 loss to Colorado behind them and get a result at home against red-hot FC Dallas.
A couple hours later, a Portland side bolstered by the additions of Mike Chabala and Lovel Palmer will take on the Columbus Crew. And at Rio Tinto Stadium, Real Salt Lake will look to continue its climb back toward the top of the Western Conference standings with a win over visiting San Jose.
Here is a rundown of the full week 19 schedule:
NEW YORK RED BULLS vs. FC DALLAS (Saturday, 6 p.m., Galavision)
New goalkeeper Frank Rost couldn't do anything about the Red Bulls' dismal effort against Colorado on Wednesday, as Rapids role player Sanna Nyassi broke a long scoreless drought by recording three goals and an assist against New York.
The Red Bulls will look to rebound against 11-5-5 Dallas, which downed Toronto FC on Wednesday thanks to a spectacular strike from Brek Shea, who continues to tear up MLS. His counterpart on the opposite wing Jackson, however, will miss this contest because of yellow card accumulation.
COLUMBUS CREW vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS (Saturday, 8 p.m., Direct Kick)
Snapping a three-game losing streak with a 1-0 win at Chicago last weekend, the Timbers will look to make it two in a row against Eastern Conference foes on the road when they travel to Columbus.
The Crew, meanwhile, will be hungry for points after dropping a 1-0 contest at league-leading Los Angeles midweek. The return of forward Emilio Renteria (questionable with a quad strain) would be a welcome boost for Columbus.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs. TORONTO FC (Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Direct Kick)
This matchup is a classic case of two teams going in complete opposite directions. Kansas City, unbeaten in 11 contests and kicking off a nine-game homestand, will host a Toronto side that has lost five of its last six, including the past three matches by a combined 8-0 margin.
Still, the additions of players including Torsten Frings, Danny Koevermans, Ryan Johnson and Andy Iro mean this is a very different Toronto team than the one opponents have seen all season, even if those additions couldn't help the team avoid a midweek loss to Dallas.
COLORADO RAPIDS vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (Saturday, 9 p.m., Direct Kick)
Both squads enter this contest coming off positive midweek wins, as Colorado rode Sanna Nyassi's brilliance to a 4-1 thrashing of New York while New England stole a 1-0 win at D.C. United.
The key matchup to watch will be the speed of Colorado strikers Nyassi and Omar Cummings going up against New England's back line. If A.J. Soares and Co. struggle to contain that duo the same way New York did Wednesday, it's going to be a long night for the Revolution.
REAL SALT LAKE vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (Saturday, 10 p.m., Direct Kick)
After debuting Jacob Peterson last week, San Jose could unveil the other two players acquired in the Ryan Johnson deal with Toronto, Nana Attakora and Alan Gordon, Saturday at Real Salt Lake.
The match will be a tough task for San Jose, which will be missing captain Ramiro Corrales to suspension while going up against a Salt Lake team that is unbeaten in six and well-rested after its match at Vancouver last weekend was postponed because of poor field conditions.
CHIVAS USA vs. HOUSTON DYNAMO (Saturday, 10:30 p.m., Direct Kick)
Red cards for Houston's Brian Ching and Colin Clark against Kansas City last weekend mean the Dynamo will be short-handed when they travel to the Home Depot Center to take on Chivas USA on Saturday.
Chivas has quitely put together a four-game unbeaten stretch while sticking around in the race for one of the four wild-card playoff berths, and a win over Houston, which is one point ahead of Chivas in the standings, would be a big result.
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uh, nothing else matters
Chivas/Houston…0-0. Easy prediction
hogwash….one of the better draws in MLS can afford this
too many forwards without any playmakers…Morales’ absence turns them into a different team
how is that gonna make it a great game…oh wait you mean itll be great to watch FCD blow them out??
Ill toast to that!
Dalls has speed up top: Chavez, Jackson and Shea. Last time NYRB played a team with speed, it was Wednesday night v the Rapids. Ream and Co: Turnstiles on Saturday night!
Dallas! Dallas! Dallas!
Brek (Shea) yo self fool!
Too expensive. I heard he also has a problem with staying in shape, which does not go over well with Kreis. Also, we just signed Agorsor to fill the void of Paulo :/
If Union continues to stifle with their stingy D, they have a chance to surprise
Rafa is a huge lift…what about Luke?
Yes, but FCD is playing great ball and Ny is steruggggling
I think he’s a perfect fit in front of Kyle B…his long range bombs would add a new dimension. The defense is already super strong…they don’t need a box-to-box guy. They need a guy that can help on the offensive end…this was evident vs Monterrey
Let’s go Dallas! Beat those Pink Cows!
Love, Philadelphia Union
I have no expectations for the Red Bulls tomorrow. I thought they would whack Chivas and it didn’t happen, and certainly didn’t expect what happened in Colorado. They’re going to beat someone 5-0 in the near future, I just have no confidence when that will be.
Looks like Marquez but no Tainio for Saturday. I’d much rather see Albright at right back and Solli in the midfield, but I can’t imagine we won’t see Ballouchy. Also, considering it will be 90+ and humid during the game, it would be nice to see all three subs used but I won’t hold my breath.
RE: Dallas/NY
On paper its the MOTW but Dallas could be dead tired and NY is looking dead in the water.
Ill be watching and hoping for a good one though.
Some great games, there could be some routes in there too.
Dallas-NY Shea doesn’t have Nyassi speed, but he is fast enough…how many does he score ?
Toronto-Whoever Uhoh…hot KC in hot KC
I don’t think Hernandez would be a good fit at RSL-neither financially (who does RSL move to make room under the salary cap?), nor from a personnel standpoint. I think he’s extremely talented, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll fit into Kriess’ system.
Chivas USA 3-1. One goal for Bruin. Two goals for Braun. One goal for LaBrocca.
Houston is ripe for a beat down on Equality night.
Anybody know if RSL is going to sign Carlos Hernandez of Melbourne?
RBNY/FCD should be MOTW, but SKC/TFC should be interesting with all the new faces…
The match will be a tough task for San Jose, which will be missing captain Ramiro Corrales to suspension…thank god we are. dude’s way past his sell by date.needs to retire AND take yallop and doyle w/ him!
Chivas has been looking too good for comfort lately. Will Bruin needs to step up big for Houston…not many fireworks this season after that hat trick.