Seattle Sounders are the new MLS leaders and there are now
six franchises separated by just three points in the running for Supporters’
Shield glory.
Montreal Impact have lifted themselves off the foot of the
overall table in what has been a slow-starting domestic season after their
Champions League exploits.
As the 2015 table really begins to take shape, here are our
predictions for another bumper weekend of MLS action.
Sporting Kansas City
vs FC Dallas – Sporting Park
Sporting are unbeaten in five games and have lost just once
in 10 matches since March 21 after an impressive defensive display earned a
point at Seattle Sounders.
A first loss since April 10 saw Dallas begin a five-game
road swing with a 2-1 defeat at Montreal Impact on Saturday, ending their
undefeated run.
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| Wondo is the latest 100 Club member |
Dallas secured a 3-1 home win over KC in the sides’ first
meeting this season but we’re backing them to gain revenge this time around.
Verdict: 2-1
Toronto FC vs San
Jose Earthquakes – BMO Field (Live on Sky Sports 1 - Saturday 10pm)
Sebastian Giovinco’s stunning strike capped a fine
individual performance as Toronto recorded their first league win at BMO this
season – his fifth goal already.
Chris Wondolowski became the ninth member of the 100 Goal Club
as his penalty ensured San Jose drew 1-1 with Orlando City on Sunday.
Earthquakes are unbeaten in five matches but Toronto’s form
has picked up since late April – the Reds have lost just one of their last five
games.
Verdict: 1-1
Vancouver Whitecaps vs
Real Salt Lake – BC Place
Whitecaps’ slide continued as a 1-0 defeat in Colorado saw
them lose back-to-back games for the first time this season, slipping to third
in the Western Conference.
Salt Lake saw Javier Morales and Joao Plata return from
injury but still lost at LA Galaxy to leave them with just two wins from their
last nine matches.
These franchises are also meeting for the second time this
season and we think the Canadian Championship finalists will make it back-to-back
wins against Real.
Verdict: 2-0
New York City FC vs
Houston Dynamo – Yankee Stadium
City’s winless run is now at 10 matches after a 2-0 defeat
at head coach Jason Kreis’ former club Real Salt Lake last weekend.
Dynamo have been one of MLS’ most inconsistent performers in
2015 and a planned friendly against Manchester City was cancelled due to
flooding on Thursday.
NYC have fallen to the bottom of the Eastern Conference and
are MLS’ joint-lowest scorers, and we think Houston’s prolific strike
partnership will add to their misery.
Verdict: 0-2
Orlando City SC vs Columbus
Crew SC – Citrus Bowl
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| Kaka will be looking to add to his five goals already |
Orlando couldn’t capitalise on their stunning 4-0 win over
LA Galaxy as Kaká’s fifth goal of the season could only earn a 1-1 draw with San
Jose Earthquakes.
Kei Kamara’s third brace of the season earned a 2-2 draw for
Crew against Chicago Fire last time out – the striker leads the MLS Golden Boot
standings.
Columbus cruised to a 3-0 home victory against Orlando last
month but we think the Lions pose a sterner test this time and claim a second home
win.
Verdict: 2-1
DC United vs Philadelphia Union – RFK Stadium
Since United’s eight-match unbeaten run was ended earlier this month they haven’t won in three, but they remain top of the Eastern Conference.
Union secured consecutive wins for the first time this season last Sunday, but they have conceded six more goals than any other MLS side in 2015.
Philadelphia secured a stoppage time win over DC just two weeks ago, but United’s home advantage should see them triumph in the second meeting this season.
Chicago Fire vs Montreal
Impact – Toyota Park
Fire salvaged a point at Columbus last Friday but are now four
without victory, after they had won three in a row from the end of March until
late April.
Impact claimed a second consecutive win after losing their
first five, Ignacio Piatti starring in a 2-1 victory against high-fliers Dallas
on Saturday.
The visiting team has never won a match between these two
franchises and Impact are yet to score away from home in MLS in 2015 from three
attempts.
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| Doyle made his Rapids debut in the week |
Verdict: 0-0
Colorado Rapids vs Portland
Timbers – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
After ending their MLS-record home winless streak last
weekend, Rapids lost 1-0 to Seattle in midweek as DP striker Kevin Doyle made
his first start for the franchise.
Portland also played in the week, beating Eastern Conference
table-toppers DC United to move three points clear of Colorado at the foot of
the Western Conference.
Timbers have never beaten Rapids in Colorado and with these
sides currently the two lowest scorers in the Western Conference it should be a
tight affair.
Verdict: 1-0
Seattle Sounders vs
New York Red Bulls – CenturyLink Field (Live on Sky Sports 5 - Sunday 10pm)
Seattle’s midweek win over Colorado moved them to the top of
both the Western Conference and the Supporters’ Shield standings for the first
time in 2015.
Red Bulls’ form has slipped in recent weeks – after going
seven unbeaten to start 2015 they have one win in six and have failed to score
in back-to-back matches.
Sounders are MLS’ joint-top scorers and have conceded just
nine goals, the fewest of any side, meaning the formbook and the statistics
only point to one outcome.
Verdict: 4-1
New England
Revolution vs LA Galaxy – Gillette Stadium
Substitute Alan Gordon scored in second-half stoppage time to
move to four goals for the season and give Galaxy a 1-0 win against Houston
Dynamo last weekend.
Revs striker Charlie Davies has five goals in his last seven
games, as his side recovered from their first loss in nine games with a draw
against DC United.
This is a mouth-watering rematch of last year’s MLS Cup
final, won 2-1 in extra time by Galaxy, and we’re predicting a high-scoring
home win.
Verdict: 3-2
Images courtesy of Ronald Martinez, Alex Menendez and Bongarts, with thanks
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