Quick MLS Week 1 Predictions

D.C. United vs. Colorado Rapids
3:30pm ABC

This is going to be a tough match-up for United and it's not because they have a 'Chivas hangover'. It will be because Colorado's team, in my opinion, is drastically improved. We are going to see Herculez Gomez and Nico Hernandez thrive this year. Roberto Brown is a question mark, but had an okay preseason. The good riddance of Clint Mathis makes the Rapids a better team as he was not the right fit. Beckerman and Mastroeni will do well in the midfield. The Latin trio of D.C. is real hard to bet against though.
PREDICTION: 1-1, Emilio strikes, Nico counters.

FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake
6:00pm

I have put Dallas on my shit list for the year as I think their defense has been downgraded. If they pick up one or two pieces to address that issue, my opinions can be swayed. I'm a fickle character. Juan Carlos Toja will be the guy to watch and Ruiz can hit the century mark for goals today if he performs. RSL's spotlight will be occupied by how Freddy Adu and Jeff Cunningham link up. There's about a decade and a half separating the two guys, so it should be interesting. Also, look for Mehdi Ballouchy to make his matured presence known.
PREDICTION: 2-1, Ruiz gets one, Wagenfuhr the other as the FC Dallas defense scores just to spite me, Adu scores to welcome himself to Salt Lake

Red Bull New York vs. Columbus Crew
7:00pm

From comments I have received, being bullish on the bulls is utter bullshit (say that five times fast). My bets are on the abilities of Bruce Arena. He knows how to craft a winner and RBNY will be no different. Young'un Josmer Altidore will have a burden on his shoulders, but it should be okay as he's got Dave Van der Bergh and Claudio Reyna feeding him crosses/passes. Robbie Rogers and Andy Herron will have to adjust to the Columbus cold and mediocrity. Who knows though, could be a better year for the PREDICTION: 3-1, Altidore gets 1, Van der Bergh 1, rookie Dane Richards adds one; Kamara scores for Columbus

New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire
8:30pm

This proves to be an intriguing matchup mainly because for many previewers of the MLS season these teams along with F.C. Dallas had the biggest swing of the predictions. New England is without Dempsey, but still has a solid core in Dorman, Larentowicz, and Joseph whether he is happy or not. Nicol has praised his new draftees - Adam Cristman, Amaechi Igwe, Wells Thompson, and Ryan Solle but only Cristman looks to seize his first MLS cap today. Chicago will field Blanco and I will be watching on MLSlive.tv to see how that turns out, especially with Justin Mapp and Chris Rolfe already up front. If certain things fall in place for these teams, both could be dangerous.
PREDICTION: 2-2, Twellman solid, scores 2, Blanco gets his first and tough guy and soon-to-be retired Chris Armas tallies the other

Toronto FC vs. Chivas USA
10:30pm, FSC

I love expansion speculation - but there is nothing that makes me happier than when a team actually comes into fruition. There are many question marks for Toronto and some key injuries with Ronnie O'Brien and #1 Draft Pick Maurice Edu are out. Everyone cites the TFC defense as being relatively weak, but it's underestimation. We will know today. My guess is they do have some trouble but that is expected from a team trying to grasp cohesion. Chivas USA's men to watch consist of Cuban Maykel Galindo and Francisco Mendoza, my sleeper pick for this year's assist champion.
PREDICTION: TFC 1, Chivas USA 2, rookie John Cunliffe registers, Razov registers, and Toronto gets a consolation goal from Esky.

Because I Think...'s Record for the Year: 0-0