No Holden Them Down

Houston 2, Colorado 1
Robertson Stadium

A rocket to the top left corner supplied by baby-faced and rising stock Stuart Holden kept Colorado at bay. The scoring started real early with Joseph Ngwenya getting his first Houston goal on a breakaway in the 3^rd minute. Jose Cancela put the Rapids equal with his penalty conversion in the 12^th. Throughout the game, there were no real standouts except for Houston’s substitutes and those who took over for the absent quartet of Ching, Clark, Onstad, and De Rosario. Corey Ashe gave the Colorado defense some problems as he has been doing somewhat consistently.

Because I Think…’s MVP: Stuart Holden, because that shot cannot be ignored. It could have been lucky – but it made the game and helped a Houston that is need of a shot of good form.

HOU: Ngwenya (2), Holden (1)
COL: Cancela (PK 1)

Game Previews:

Saturday, June 9^th

Chivas USA vs. Chicago

Justin Mapp and Ivan Guerrero are out for Chicago and Jonathan Bornstein is gone for Chivas USA. Mapp is really the only creative injection that the Fire have unless Willian Oliveira can continue his decent debut. Chivas, however, could be fine with Jonathan Bornstein and I can see them stamping all over a still shaky Chicago defense. Maykel Galindo’s speed will give CJ Brown, Jim Curtin, and even Gonzalo Segares (whose a bit faster than the aforementioned two) a lot of trouble.

PREDICTION: Chivas USA 2-1, Galindo scores both and Calen Carr knocks home his first of the year in a losing cause

Los Angeles vs. FC Dallas

Without Jazic, Donovan, Harmse, Jaqua, Juan Carlos Toja and Pablo Ricchetti look to take advantage of the whittled down Galaxy line-up. With Kenny Cooper still around, the feat is highly probable. It depends on whether or not Joe Cannon has a career game or not.

PREDICTION: FC Dallas 3-1, Los Angeles can’t get a big game from Robbie Findley but Cooper and Alvarez light up the makeshift Galaxy defense.

Sunday, June 10th

D.C. United vs. Red Bull New York

A battle of two full squads – this should be the real test for D.C. as to whether or not they actually are back on track. Can Boswell mark Angel? Or will the iffy defense of earlier this season return for United? Dane Richards looks to also trouble D.C. wing and to feed the crosses early as it is evident now that Juan Pablo Angel can make something out of almost nothing.

PREDICTION: RBNY 1-0, in a defensive encounter – the shots stat favors United but nothing is converted – Angel however continues his productive ways and puts away a late winner

Houston vs. Columbus

Columbus can make this game interesting and, in fact, they probably will do so. Guillermo Barros Schelloto will take over the midfield as De Rosario and Clark’s presence are sorely missed. Though spotty, Columbus’ defense has been somewhat decent and you can expect Chad Marshall to start returning to form. Both meetings last year ended in 1-1 draws. This one will end no different.

PREDICTION: 1-1 tie. Schelloto scores first but Ngwenya finds the net somehow to tie it up leaving Columbus without the three.