Previews and Predictions: MLS Week 19

As international Gold Cup action continues, many franchises are still having to learn to adapt to life without some of their key stars of the season so far.

It looked as though we would finally see Frank Lampard in a New York City shirt but we will have to wait a little longer after injury ruled him out. 

Lampard's debut has been delayed by injury

San Jose Earthquakes vs Houston Dynamo – Avaya Stadium

Missing their captain and top scorer Chris Wondolowski through Gold Cup duty, Earthquakes suffered their first defeat in four games with a last-gasp 1-0 loss at Portland Timbers on Sunday.

Despite scoring for the first time in three games, Houston have won just one of their last six after being held to a 1-1 draw at home by MLS bottom side Chicago Fire last Friday.

San Jose won 1-0 in Houston when these two sides met in May, and if the home side can learn to find the net without Wondolowski then they should secure a second victory here.

Verdict: 1-0

New York Red Bulls vs New England Revolution – Red Bull Arena (Live on Sky Sports 1 – Sunday 12am)

Anatole Abang’s third goal in the last five games was not enough for Red Bulls, who went down 2-1 at Columbus Crew last weekend for their fifth loss in the last seven.

Revolution are suffering an even worse slide after losing 3-0 in Dallas for their fourth defeat in a row; after winning five from six between March 28 and May 2, they have won just once in their last 11.

That terrible run began the week after Revs beat Red Bulls 2-1 at home but the away side typically struggle at Red Bull Arena something which we think will continue here.

Verdict: 2-0

Philadelphia Union vs Portland Timbers – PPL Park

Union, who haven’t played in the league since drawing 2-2 at home with Montréal Impact on June 27, are struggling in 2015 – they have both conceded and lost more than any other MLS side.

Timbers won for a sixth time in their last seven league games thanks to Jack Jewsbury’s dramatic injury-time winner against San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday.

Another good omen for Portland is that they have never lost to Philadelphia in five all-time meetings, although both previous clashes at PPL Park have been scoreless draws.

Verdict: 1-2

Kaka misses out through suspension

Orlando City vs FC Dallas – Citrus Bowl

For the first time in MLS City will have to cope without star man Kaká, after the Brazilian followed his ninth goal of the season with the first straight red card of his career in the 1-1 draw at Real Salt Lake.

Meanwhile, after returning winless from a five-match run of away games, Mauro Diaz’s goal and assist led a depleted Dallas to a convincing 3-0 victory against New England Revolution on Saturday.

Although both sides are missing key players, Kaká and Cyle Larin have between them scored 15 of Orlando’s 23 goals in MLS this season, and their absences could motivate Dallas to a first away win since May 1.

Verdict: 0-2

Montreal Impact vs Columbus Crew – Stade Saputo

Impact’s four-match home winning streak in the league was ended by a 2-1 defeat to New York City on Saturday to leave the Canadians without a victory in their last three matches.

Ethan Finlay’s brace led Crew to a 2-1 win against New York Red Bulls which extended their unbeaten run to four – the influential midfielder now has a goal and/or an assist in four consecutive matches.

Montreal’s 2-1 win in Columbus a month ago was only the second victory by the team playing away in these franchises’ 10 all-time meetings, and we think the points will be shared here.

Verdict: 2-2

Chicago Fire vs Seattle Sounders – Toyota Park

Patrick Nyarko’s first goal since returning from a 10-month injury absence ended Fire’s 285-minute goalless drought and their four-game losing streak by salvaging a 1-1 draw at Houston Dynamo.

Sounders returned to the Western Conference summit on goal difference after ex-Burnley and Bolton Wanderers right-back Tyrone Mears’ first MLS goal secured a late 1-0 win over MLS leaders D.C. United.

Seattle have never lost to Chicago in nine all-time meetings in MLS, and Fire have not won in the league at all since May 30 – even without Clint Dempsey or Obafemi Martins, Sounders should win here.

Verdict: 1-2

Colorado Rapids vs Real Salt Lake – Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

Kevin Doyle’s matchwinner – his first goal since arriving in MLS – ended Colorado’s six-game streak without a victory as they overcame Western leaders Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 last Saturday.

Real Salt Lake have just one win from the last seven after failing to capitalise on Kaká’s red card in the 1-1 draw with Orlando City.

These rivals, who play for the Rocky Mountain Cup each season, drew 0-0 at Rio Tinto Stadium a month ago, and though RSL haven’t lost in the last five meetings, we think that could change here.

Verdict: 2-1

Altidore is away with the USMNT

New York City vs Toronto FC – Yankee Stadium (Live on Sky Sports 1 – Sunday 8pm)

David Villa now has six goals in his last six games after scoring twice to propel an improving City to their fourth win in the last five last weekend, a 2-1 victory over Montréal Impact.

Toronto suffered badly without international absentees including Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, thrashed 4-0 at LA Galaxy in the first half of their tricky coast-to-coast trip this week. 

Villa scored a brace when NYC beat Toronto at BMO Field three weeks ago and we can only see this going one way, despite Lampard’s absence.

Verdict: 3-0

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Sporting Kansas City – BC Place

Whitecaps’ arduous five-game road trip finished on a low note with the 2-1 defeat to Western bottom side Colorado, although they will be relatively happy with their total of three wins and two defeats.

Sporting KC return after a weekend off on a run of just one defeat in their last nine matches since April 25 after beating Colorado on June 27.

These teams are joint-top and sixth respectively but separated by just five points in an ultra-competitive Western Conference, and a refreshed KC could capitalise on what is likely to be a tired Whitecaps side.

Verdict: 1-3

Images courtesy of Shaun Botterill, Alex Menendez and Bongarts2, with thanks