Week 12 Preview: Weekend Roundup

By: travis | June 6th, 2009

With two games already completed, the twelfth week of MLS is already well underway. United surprised no one with their 2-0 defeat of New York, while the resurgent Houston Dynamo clamped down for a 1-0 shutout in Chicago. Plenty more to talk about today, including a number of international absences.

First though, there was a lot of Friday chatter about tweeting Don Garber in hopes of improving referee in MLS. An interesting tactic, and the step in the right directions. While the numbers weren’t overwhelming yesterday, it was definitely a solid showing on Twitter. That, in and of itself, was funny to type.

The problems with officiating run deep after just twelve weeks. Just ask D.C. United, who on three occasions have been subjugated to three calls or inactions by a referee that were deemed incorrect. People are human and will make mistakes, but one major need for this league is to have at least competent officials. No more last questionable penalties in the last minute deciding results.

I’ve certainly glossed over this enough. Remember, if you’re on Twitter, follow MLS Offside right here. Let’s take a look at these remaining games.

Saturday, June 6
Toronto v Los Angeles
A meeting of two teams among the hardest hit by international absences. Amado Guevara is off with the Honduran side, where he will face the Galaxy’s Landon Donovan in Chicago tonight. That’s a massive game for the U.S. all of a sudden, so it’ll be nice if Donovan shows up. Back to MLS, it’s a chance for Toronto to jump back into a tie with D.C. for second, and trailing Chicago by only two points after their loss to Houston last night. Guevara’s loss won’t be felt as hard as Donovan’s who has had a hand in 10 of LA’s 13 goals. Dwayne De Rosario more than makes up for the loss of Amado, while the Galaxy rely on the likes of Dema Kovalenko.
Toronto 2-0 Los Angeles

Kansas City v Columbus
The Wizards are another one of those teams right in the thick of things in the East. Last week’s draw in Los Angeles was helped on by the loss of Josh Wolff and Santiago Hirsig to red card suspensions. Both will be back and should return to the starting lineup, a big boost for KC. Another win for Columbus in this one, and the road back to contention is no longer a daunting climb. Making the Crew’s life difficult today is the absence of three players — Alejandro Moreno, Duncan Oughton and Frankie Hejduk. That combined with the home field advantage of tiny Community America Ballpark and I see Kansas City getting the win.
Kansas City 1-0 Columbus

Real Salt Lake v Colorado
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (aka Real Salt Lake) make their way back home in a renewal of the Rocky Mountain Cup. I’m not much to buy into the faux rivalries created by MLS, but this one has somewhat of a nice ring to it. Visiting Colorado has it all to do, as the late call up of Conor Casey is a huge blow for a team already missing one of its key midfielders in Pablo Mastroeni. Salt Lake needs a win here if they want to stop the bleeding — they haven’t won in quite some time. Now is the time to capitalize on their home field advantage and some missing Rapids.
Real Salt Lake 3-2 Colorado

Chivas USA v Seattle
Draw-itis has firmly entrenched itself within Seattle. A string of five consecutive draws, combined with a Houston winning streak has knocked the Sounders down to second place. A return trip to the Home Depot Center is on hand for them as they take on Chivas USA. The Goats have been quiet themselves, unable to muster a win since a 1-0 win against Real Salt Lake on May 9. So what’s going to give? Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Klejstan both miss out through USA duty, but that wouldn’t really favor Seattle all that much. The big question for the Sounders is the status of Osvaldo Alonso — their winless slump has coincided with his injury. If he makes it back into the starting lineup, their chances increase exponentially. But if he can’t, then back to square one, and probably another Chivas win in LA.
Chivas USA 2-1 Seattle

Sunday, June 7
Dallas v San Jose
It’s the battle of the two worst teams in MLS as San Jose travels down to Frisco, Texas to face FC Dallas. Neither side has been convincing at all this season — though both have a chance to build a comeback, coming off wins in the previous week. The Quakes will be without Bobby Convey, who misses out with a hamstring strain suffered Thursday. He didn’t make the injury report, however, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens. Simon Elliot, away with New Zealand, will also miss out. The variable in this one for San Jose is the return of Darren Huckerby — listed as questionable, if the midfielder is fit, he could help tip the scale’s in his team’s favor. Dallas will only be missing Coach Schellas Hyndman, who is suspended through June 7, so he’ll coach from somewhere above the pitch. I bet both sides cancel each other out in a draw.
Dallas 2-2 San Jose

New England v New York
This is a tough one for the Red Bulls. Only a few days after another tough loss in D.C., they now have to travel up to New England and face a Revolution squad that is starting to show signs of turning it around. That is due to the recovery of Taylor Twellman, and depending on how healthy he is on Sunday may make his first start of the season. Juan Carlos Osorio needs a result in the worst way, something made harder by his side’s 0-5-1 record away from home. He tried something new on Thursday with a 3-5-2, but now will be without Jorge Rojas to spearhead the midfield. The health of Macoumba Kandji will be a big factor, as the lanky striker has partnered well with Angel when not sidelined with an injury. I’m going to be a bit conservative and say that it ends in a draw.
New England 1-1 New York

Record last week: 3-6
Season to date: 33-56