MLS Week Six with three sides looking for their first win, two teams protecting unbeaten records and Colorado Rapids still hunting for their first goal.
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| The sun has set on Dallas' fast start |
FC Dallas vs Colorado Rapids – Toyota Stadium
Dallas’ opening three wins are now a fading memory; they have taken one point from the last two games after their first loss of 2015 in Portland.
Despite Colorado equalling the MLS winless record of 18 matches, they were also unbeaten this season until last weekend and have conceded just twice in four games.
However, the Western Conference’s bottom side are 23 minutes shy of the MLS record season-starting scoreless streak, and we can’t see them winning in Texas.
Verdict: 2-0
New England Revolution vs Columbus Crew SC – Gillette Stadium
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| Jones has not played this season for New England |
Revolution are hoping USA international midfielder Jermaine Jones will return from injury, while Crew welcome back DP Federico Higuain after a one-game suspension.
Revs are third in the Eastern Conference following back-to-back wins, while Columbus battled to a 2-2 draw at MLS leaders Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday.
Since then, Crew have endured a 2,500-mile coast-to-coast journey and their hectic week may take its toll on Saturday.
Verdict: 2-1
Philadelphia Union vs New York City FC – PPL Park (Live on Sky Sports 5 – Saturday 9pm)
Union were minutes away from their first win of the season last time out before conceding two injury-time goals and falling to a third straight defeat, 3-2 in Kansas City.
NYC enjoyed a weekend off after suffering their first-ever MLS loss two weeks ago, a break which has allowed captain and star man David Villa to return to fitness.
They have only conceded twice in four games but have gone 186 minutes without netting a goal, and MLS's bottom club Union will frustrate them here.
Verdict: 1-1
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| Wright-Phillips celebrates scoring v DC United |
D.C. United vs New York Red Bulls – RFK Stadium
D.C. became just the second MLS team to win back-t0-back games 1-0 with injury-time winners when they beat Orlando City last friday.
This is already the side's second MLS clash of the season - New York won 2-0 on March 22 at Red Bull Arena, with key duo Bradley Wright-Phillips and Lloyd Sam both netting.
Their last seven encounters have ended in home wins, but in the battle between for top spot in the Eastern Conference we think the Red Bulls will break that run.
Verdict: 1-2
Houston Dynamo vs Montreal Impact – BBVA Compass Stadium
Owen Coyle’s Dynamo have scored just twice in five games and have failed to net in 259 minutes, but they also have yet to concede more than one goal in any game this season.
Impact made history this week, becoming the first Canadian side to qualify for the CCL final, but are still hunting their first MLS victory.
The away team has never won in the three-year history between the clubs, and Montreal’s Champions League hangover may make the task even harder.
Verdict: 1-0
Sporting Kansas City vs Real Salt Lake – Sporting Park
Sporting's Benny Feilhaber took his assist tally to 4, a league high, as they recorded their second win of the season in a dramatic turnaround against Philadelphia last weekend.
Salt Lake remain undefeated in 2015 following their 1-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes, but have never won at Sporting Park and last won in Kansas City in 2009.
It’s fourth against third in the Western Conference, both teams sit on eight points, but we’re backing Sporting to inflict a first defeat on RSL.
Verdict: 3-1
San Jose Earthquakes vs Vancouver Whitecaps – Avaya Stadium
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| Wondolowski has three goals so far this campaign |
Earthquakes have not beaten Vancouver in eight games over the last three seasons, while MLS leaders Whitecaps are looking to win three consecutive away league matches for the first time.
Caps' have never won in San Jose but are five games unbeaten, and this game could well come down to something of a tale of two strikers.
‘Quakes captain Chris Wondolowski has three goals in five games, while Vancouver will look to MLS top scorer Octavio Rivero to add to his tally of five in six matches.
Verdict: 2-2
Portland Timbers vs Orlando City SC – Providence Park (Live on Sky Sports 5 – Sunday 10pm)
Timbers halted their four-game winless run with an impressive 3-1 win against second-placed Dallas last Saturday.
Meanwhile, Orlando have not won in three and conceded the only goal of the game in stoppage time for the second week running last Friday.
The Florida franchise have accrued four of their five points this season away from home but will have to be improve defensively to keep out Fanendo Adi and co.
Verdict: 1-1
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| Dempsey will hope to fire Seattle to victory |
LA Galaxy vs Seattle Sounders – StubHub Center
Galaxy have failed to score for two MLS matches in a row for the first time since May 2012 after falling 2-0 to Vancouver Whitecaps.
Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins have combined to score all six Seattle goals so far this season, three each.
Sounders have not won at Galaxy in nine visits since 2009 but the star duo of Dempsey and Martins, give them their best chance in years.
Verdict: 2-3
Images courtesy of Jess, Bay Area Bias, Jeff Zelevansky, Revolution Communications and EDrost88
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