Week 28 – October

By: travis | October 4th, 2008

It’s an exciting time of year. As the crisp autumn weather cools most places around the country, the playoff race is heating up. Teams are fighting for their postseason lives, anxious to be one of the eight to have a shot at the MLS Cup. It has been well documented here that Columbus is the only team assured of making the playoffs, and while everyone is still alive, teams like DC, Los Angeles, and Toronto are quickly fading from the spot. On to the previews.

Columbus v Los Angeles
The international week that MLS ignores will likely strike the death knell of the Galaxy next week. Turning attention to this week, I can’t see them coming away with points at Columbus unless they really bring their A game tonight. The big question for the Crew is whether or not Argentinian playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto will get a chance to play. Listed as probable in the injury report, his absence leaves a void in the Columbus attack, but it’s a problem that hasn’t really fazed them, as the likes of Robbie Rogers and Pat Noonan have stepped up masterfully to ensure things run smoothly. Two people they will not have is Frankie Hejduk and Sigi Schmid on the sideline who were both sent off last week against the Revolution. This should be a walk in the park for the Crew, especially is Schelotto gets to play. The only thing that can save them is Landon. But which one will show up? The hat trick hero, or the non factor we saw in Chicago last week?
Columbus 3-1 Los Angeles

DC United v Chivas USA
United just can’t catch a break – those of you that watched or attended the Champions League match this week saw one of the flukiest goals scored by Cruz Azul. While United did show some life that week, they are much more focused on this game – a win tonight and the dim playoff hopes will get a temporary boost. DC has failed to win in their last five league matches, won’t have Luciano Emilio (injury) or Jaime Moreno (red card), but have a boost in the return of Marcelo Gallardo. Will his return make a difference? He’s been out of action for such a long time it would be close to impossible for him to actually play a lot of minutes, much less have a significant impact. Chivas on the other hand are in much better shape, sitting in second place in the West. They have hardly a comfortable buffer of two points over Dallas, Real, and Colorado, and needs a win to solidify their place. Injuries to Maykel Galindo and Ante Razov (among others) has been a major issue for Chivas, but Preki keeps them going. Honors could be even by the end of this one.
DC United 2-2 Chivas

New York v Toronto
Of the teams with a chance to “win and be back in the race” Toronto is one team that cannot be back in contention with a win. The Red Bull are hanging on to their spot for dear life, and will need some inspiration from Juan Pablo Angel to help recover from their poor defensive game last weekend against Colorado. Macoumba Kandji and Matthew Mbuta debuted well last week for the Bull, but they’ll most likely play a role off the bench. Dave van den Bergh is sorely missed, and while listed at questionable, I’m not sure if he’ll play tonight. For Toronto, their season is pretty much done. It’ll take a great performance from them on the road to have a shot at turning things around in a very late fashion. And while I wouldn’t put it past Amado Guevara and co, they haven’t played real well of late. Red Bull to win at home.
New York 2-0 Toronto

New England v Real Salt Lake
The countdown is close for RSL, who move to their new stadium next week. What would be a better way to christen a new stadium than by making the playoffs? They are in a three way tie for third with Dallas and Colorado for the final spot out West. But a win today, combined with some results in their favor would swing at least one of the wild card spots in their favor. Javier Morales, Kyle Beckerman, and Yura Movsisvan all need to be at their best to help control things in the midfield and spark the offense. They picked a good time to get just their second road win last week, and it’ll take a better effort today to get points on the road. New England can secure a playoff spot with a win and for New York to lose at home and D.C. United to lose or tie at home. Unlikely that all may happen, they’ll take care of business at the Gillette.
New England 2-1 Real Salt Lake

Colorado v Houston
The Dynamo had a shootout of their own this week against Pumas in the Champions League. It was quite an entertaining match, complete with a blatant show of no sportsmanship from the Mexicans. That aside, it’s shaping up to be another Dynamo controlled conference as the season winds down. The Rapids have had a fairly dramatic turnaround in recent weeks to get themselves back in contention for the playoffs. It’ll be a tough match out in Commerce City for both sides, and it could end in a draw.
Colorado 1-1 Houston

Kansas City v Chicago
The Wizards are right on the edge. Win today, and it becomes a bit easier, as they’ll be thrust back into the thick of things. Lose, and the hopes are fading. The good news is that they are playing at home, where results have been much kinder. They won’t have Claudio Lopez, who has seen less and less playing time as the season has progressed. He’s out with an ankle injury. Josh Wolff has had a great time out in KC since his return from Germany, and new recruits Abe Thompson and Herculez Gomez have been solid. Jack Jewsbury is back after serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation. The Fire are sitting pretty in third place, just one point behind the Revs, and a win would all but assure them a spot in the playoffs. I think that KC will be able to pull out a win tonight.
Kansas City 1-0 Chicago