Week Five Recap: I am terrible at predicting the future

By: travis | April 29th, 2008

So I’m not going to quit my day job. Over the past four weeks, I’ve proved completely useless at knowing the outcome of MLS matches. Considering I’m not psychic, I’ll have to live with that fact. Which is fine by me. I can live with not being psychic.

That’s enough about me. As for the past weekend, the excitement (or lack thereof) continues in 2008. Lando with a hat trick, Sacha with another pretty goal, Toronto continues to assert themselves, and the Dynamo remain winless. Thoughts from each game:

Dallas 0-1 New England
The last unbeaten team falls, defeated by a lone goal from Khano Smith’s first goal of the season. It was the first goal that Dallas conceded in 252 minutes this season, leading to the loss. The Hoops had their shots at an equalizer, but were unable to crack the depleted New England squad. Kudos must go to Steve Nicol for keeping the Revolution successful despite the number of injuries they are dealing with.

Toronto 2-0 Kansas City
The boys from up north continue to prove that they are here to stay with a convincing win against the Wizards. Former MVP Amedo Guevara scored two goals, the first when he pounced on a loose ball in the box to poach it home, the second on a beautiful free kick from 25 yards out. Toronto played well for most of the game, and the Wizards hardly looked convincing for most of the game, and Toronto won their third in a row. If Guevara keeps his head on straight, look for Toronto to keep playing well.

Columbus 1-0 Houston
Alejandro Moreno grabbed his fourth goal of the season and helped lead the Crew over the Dynamo. Houston remains winless on the year, the only team in the MLS that still hasn’t won a game. I think that Houston may begin to turn things around, but a month has gone by and they’ve continued to struggle.

DC United 4-1 Real Salt Lake
United got revenge for the 4-0 thumping they suffered a few weeks ago in Salt Lake City. Two goals from Jaime Moreno, and a goal apiece from Santino Quarenta and Marcelo Gallardo completed the rout. United played well, although Luciano Emillio continues to struggle, and Fred left the game early with an injury. However, they do look like they might be climbing out of their annual early season rut, despite the fact they sit last in the East.

Chicago 2-1 Colorado
Didn’t see the game, won’t even make anything up. John Thorrington netted a brace for the Fire as they turned it around after losing to KC.

Los Angeles 5-2 Chivas USA
The goal scoring machine that Landycakes has become continues, as his hat trick leads the Galaxy to a drubbing of the Goats. Brad Guzan continues to rue the fact he didn’t transfer to England, as each game his value drops off by at least a little. On top of that, LA continues to go with the heavy on the goals, light on the defense strategy. To borrow from ESPNSoccernet’s Steve Davis: “MLS games so far not involving the Galaxy are averaging 2.7 goals. Games with the Galaxy are averaging 4.4.” That’s astounding. But hey, so far so good, right?

New York Red Bull 2-0 San Jose
The Red Bull continue to scrap results with a decimated squad. Jozy Altidore, after scoring a wonderful goal last week, draws and penalty and scores the second to help down the Quakes. On a side note, the way the ball bounces on the turf up in the Meadowlands is no fun.

Goal of the week
I give the nod to Marcelo Gallardo and his volley against RSL. It was a tight race between him and Amado Guevara’s free kick, but credit has to go to Gallardo for having a slightly more difficult time.

Here are this week’s goals: