Week Seven Preview: The fun continues

By: travis | May 8th, 2008

This is the week where we can welcome Volkswagen as the second-highest paying jersey sponsor of MLS. Meanwhile, the Crew and Fire look to maintain their hold on the top, as DC United and the Dynamo look to break out of funks they can’t seem to get out of. Lots of stuff going down. Should be fun:

DC United v Chicago
Does the new sponsor add more pressure to United? They’ve struggled mightily for most of the season, finding form in two games – scoring four goals apiece against Toronto and Real Salt Lake. The Fire on the other hand, are second behind only Columbus in points. They’ve played well for most of the season, and I find it hard to believe they will lose, even playing at DC. Of course, as I’ve proven in the past, picking the Fire means they’ll lose. Tonight, check it out on ESPN. Help MLS TV ratings!
Verdict: United 1-2 Chicago

Houston v Colorado
Can Houston grab their first win of the season? A paltry 0-2-4 record is what the Dynamo boast after six games. The Rapids meanwhile, are pulling a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde season, where one week they’ll be brilliant and secure a win, the other, they’ll come out flat and lose to the Quakes. The Dynamo have managed only five goals so far, with San Jose the only team with a worse goal-scoring record. I think the Rapids will take this one.
Verdict: Houston 0-2 Colorado

Real Salt Lake v Dallas
RSL was denied a potential win last weekend by a bogus offside call. They’ve had fine form at home, scoring seven goals at Rice-Eccles, while mustering just two on the road. Dallas come in tied for first with Colorado in the West. Should be a close one, but I think Real pull out the win.
Verdict: RSL 2-1 Dallas

San Jose v Columbus
Building a team from the back has yielded mix results so far this season for the Quakes – they’ve only conceded a total of five goals all season. Unfortunately, no one has stepped up to score much – they’ve only managed two goals. And that was in one game. So they’ll be searching for something as the Crew come to town. Columbus is running like a well-oiled machine at the moment and I have little doubt that Guillermo et al will have a pretty easy time with things.
Verdict: San Jose 0-3 Columbus

Los Angeles v New York
The Beckham show resumes with the Red Bull coming to town. The no defense and explosive offense strategy continues for the Galaxy. In their six games, 26 goals have been tallied on both sides. Remarkable statistic, considering at the other end of the spectrum, the Red Bull have scored six and let in four. Enough of statistics – I think that it’ll be another high-scoring draw, Altidore with a brace.
Verdict: Los Angeles 3-3 New York

Chivas USA v New England
The Revolution are another one of those teams who remain inconsistent. That has a lot to do with injuries more than anything else. With Taylor Twellman still out, I think they’ll continue to struggle scoring goals. Unless their Gambian duo can step things up. On the Chivas side, Guzan had a clean sheet last week after a couple of nightmare games. I think his form will begin to turn around, as will the rest of Chivas.
Verdict: Chivas 2-1 New England