MLS Previews and Predictions: Week 9

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao may be the main attraction in Vegas this weekend but which MLS sides will find a knockout punch this weekend.
As attention turns back to the domestic game tonight, here are our predictions for another mouth-watering weekend.

Thumbs down for the suspended Perez

Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas – BBVA Compass Stadium

Houston enter the season’s first Texan derby following an incredible 4-4 draw with Sporting Kansas City, while Dallas drew 1-1 with Colorado Rapids.

Since winning their opening three games Dallas have struggled, picking up one victory in five games, and they’ve only beaten Houston twice in 13 meetings.

A Dynamo side unbeaten in three will be a tough test for second-placed Dallas, who are without suspended top-scorer Blas Perez, but they should come away with a point.

Verdict: 2-2

Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose Earthquakes – Rio Tinto Stadium

This is the sides’ second meeting this season after Javier Morales’ goal secured a 0-1 victory for Real Salt Lake in San Jose four weeks ago.

RSL have failed to score in 316 minutes since Morales’ 44^th minute winner and after going five unbeaten have lost their past two games.

However, San Jose haven’t won at RSL since 2012’s 5-0 triumph and have lost back-to-back away games – we’re backing RSL to get back to winning ways.

Verdict: 1-0

Philadelphia Union vs. Toronto FC – PPL Park (Live on Sky Sports 5 – Saturday 9pm)

Union usually relish facing Toronto, who they have beaten in their last three meetings, but they have won just once all season and that was four games ago.

Meanwhile, Jozy Altidore scored his third and fourth goals of the season to end the Canadian’s four-game losing streak last weekend.

Both teams have six points but Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco should provide Greg Vanney’s side with the firepower to end their mammoth run of seven away games in victory.
Verdict: 1-2

Keane is expected to miss a fourth game in a row

LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids – StubHub Center

Bradford Jamieson IV became LA Galaxy’s second-youngest ever goalscorer last weekend, showing that the MLS Cup holders can survive in Robbie Keane’s absence.

Both sides took a point against Red Bulls last week, with Rapids continuing their minor recovery after failing to score in their first four games.

The original MLS franchises are long-time Western Conference rivals and Galaxy won this fixture 6-0 in September so we’re expecting another home victory.

                                                                                       Verdict: 3-1

D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew SC – RFK Stadium

United extended their unbeaten run to five matches with a 2-1 win in Vancouver and now sit joint-second in the overall MLS table.

Crew have been almost as impressive of late, they’re now four unbeaten after the 4-1 win over Philadelphia, and they have not lost at the RFK Stadium in three visits.

DC have not beaten Columbus since 2012 but having lost just once in seven games this campaign, we’re backing them to romp to victory.

Verdict: 3-0  

New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls – Gillette Stadium

Revolution have not suffered defeat at home for a franchise record-equalling 12 league games and are unbeaten in their last five this season.

Earnshaw bagged the winner on debut

However, Red Bulls remain MLS’ only unbeaten side and are just one point off New England at the top of the Eastern Conference with a game in hand.

New York won both regular season meetings in 2014 for the first time ever, securing their first victory in New England since 2002, but we’re hard pressed to split them.

Verdict: 1-1

Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps – Providence Park

The Pacific Northwest rivals are meeting for the second time this season after Robert Earnshaw scored a stoppage-time winner on his Whitecaps debut to secure a 2-1 win.

Timbers have picked up two wins in their last four matches, while MLS leaders Whitecaps have stuttered with only one win in their last four after their blistering start.

Vancouver’s victory in March was just their second ever over Portland in 12 MLS meetings and Timbers will again provide stern opposition.

Verdict: 2-2

Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago Fire – Sporting Park (Live on Sky Sports 5 – Sunday 10pm)

Former Derby County man is quickly emerging as one of the frontrunners for MVP this year – he has scored or assisted seven of Kansas’s 11 goals so far.

Fire have already experienced football’s highs and lows this season; the lost their opening three but David Accam’s first MLS goal secured a third consecutive victory last Friday.

Dempsey's starred for Seattle this season

Chicago haven’t won in Kansas since 2012 but their form coming into this one will give them the confidence to take all three points this time.

Verdict: 1-3

New York City vs. Seattle Sounders – Yankee Stadium

After New York’s promising start, taking four points from their opening two fixtures, their six-game winless streak is the longest in MLS this season.

Despite boasting the considerable talents of David Villa they have failed to score in half of their eight matches so far.

Meanwhile, Clint Dempsey has scored or assisted in all five games he’s played this season and Seattle are just three points off the top of Western Conference with two games in hand.

Verdict: 1-4

Images courtesy of R.Yeatts, Bay Area Bias, AFP and Eric Drost, with thanks.