Friday, April 27, 2007

Lots of Games - Get MLSLive.TV

Saturday, April 28th

Kansas City vs. Toronto FC
BMO Field

Toronto are gonna try their hand at home across the border. I'd say it's a clean slate with the buzz circulating at home and the big expected crowd, but the truth is, TFC is nine goals and three games in the hole. Sealy will still be out most likely but Kansas City had no trouble without him last time. New TFC signing Daniele Dichio from Preston North End might make his first appearance, but expect little in his first run-out. Can Ronnie O'Brien help when he does come back? I hope so - I really want to see these guys do well.
PREDICTION: 2-1, home-field advantage will help TFC to get their first goal but not their first win. Davy Arnaud scores his first in a while and Eddie J. isn't lazy today and scores again. Esky scores Toronto's first.

D.C. United vs. Columbus
Crew Stadium

United looks for its' first win as does Columbus. Columbus statistically has the upperhand with a 0 goal difference, whereas DC has conceded 6 goals in 3 games. Now clearly we all know after watching CONCACAF Champions Cup games, not to bet against the awakening of a sleeping giant. In terms of this match-up, that's exactly what I expect. Luciano Emilio could have some fun with the Columbus back line provided Gros, Carroll, and Gomez all wake up. For Columbus, Andy Herron is suspended for a nasty elbow and Jason Garey could be out with a groin strain, leaving Kei Kamara, Brad Evans, Ricardo Virtuoso, or Robbie Rogers (who was tried out up front in the USOC loss) to keep the scoring streak going.
PREDICTION: 2-0, Emilio and Gomez bring back past success.

Chivas USA vs. Los Angeles
Home Depot Center

First Superclasico of the new season. Look for Maykel Galindo to have a little more trouble using his speed as both rookie centerback Ty Harden and defensive midfielder second-year Nathan Sturgis can control it. Sacha Kljestan was suspended in that flurry of MLS discipline action that happened with mid-week. Englishman rookie John Cunliffe could get a look at attacking midfielder as he has shown bouts of decency in his limited appearances. A sad note, former US international Carlos Llamosa has pretty much been handed a career ending injury. A knee injury will put him out for almost the whole season. Anyways, look for a real competitive match with great quality on both sides. Don't expect Donovan to let LA go down easy.
PREDICTION: Los Angeles wins 2-1...Donovan has one of those crazy games and scores 2, Mendoza the other.

Sunday, April 29th

New England vs. FC Dallas
Pizza Hut Park

FC Dallas will try again at home with a visit from yet another east coast team. If the Revolution can find the holes, Dallas could be lost early. Both Alex Yi and definitely David Wagenfuhr will not be in the back four, leaving an already thin defensive line a good deal shakier. Look for Adam Cristman to have a breakout game and Khano Smith to light up Chris Gbandi like Dane Richards did on Thursday. If Dallas gets a couple goals from tired but perfectly capable Kenny Cooper and Carlos Ruiz, the game could become more interesting.
PREDICTION: NE wins 3-1. Cristman with a goal and two assists. Khano, if he plays, will partake in one as well and Dorman finds the net again, this time with a long range shot. Cooper uses some of that footwork to pull the Hoops close.

Chicago vs. Houston
Robertson Stadium

Houston looks to rebound after a demoralizing loss to a 10-man Red Bull New York. By demoralizing, I meant nothing that bad. If there is any team capable of bouncing back from a loss, it's Houston. They just need to make sure Ching is in the starting 11 this time. Chicago might be missing Justin Mapp due to a muscle strain and without him the Fire could have a hard time penetrating a tough Houston defense. What I'd like to see up front for Houston is Wondolowski and Ching. I just don't see Dalglish having that much effect going up against a Dasan Robinson or CJ Brown. He's scrappy - but normally only scores when he's in the right place at the right time. I see Chicago making this a tough game for the Dynamo to recoup.
PREDICTION: Chicago 0, Houston 0

Monday, April 30th

Colorado vs. Real Salt Lake
Rice Eccles Stadium

Colorado looks to get back to the basics after a loss that interrupted their great start to the 2007 season. Roberto Brown will back up top with Niko (who has yet to do much). Brandon Prideaux sits out leaving the somewhat untrustworthy Dan Gargan to take over the rightback spot. Hunter Freeman would be nice for them right about now. A couple of knicks plague RSL - seasoned Jamaican midfielder Andy Williams will definitely be sitting out this one. Everyone in MLS is still waiting to the see the Adu-Cunningham-Ballouchy connection but nothing as been produced as of late. Could this be the game? Jason Kreis has now started to look old and I unfortunately don't think this game will be any different. Give Besagno a chance.
PREDICTION: Colorado 3, RSL 2 - it's gonna be a goalfest in Salt Lake. Adu scores his first (please? cause i've been saying that for a while now). Cunningham tallies. Roberto Brown has a field day in the penalty box though and spoils Chris Seitz's debut.

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