MLS Week 5 Predictions and Previews

Predictions

Here are Soccer America Associate Editor Poul SwainÆs predictions for this weekend: Columbus 1 Miami 4 MetroStars 3 D.C. United 2 Chicago 3 Tampa Bay 1 Dallas 2 Colorado 1 San Jose 2 New England 2 Los Angeles 2 Kansas City 1

Previews

(all times ET) Saturday, May 5 (4:00 p.m.) – Miami Fusion at Columbus Crew Season series: First Meeting; All-time regular season series: Columbus leads 6-4-0 (Columbus leads 21-15 in aggregate goals). Leading scorers: Miami: F Alex Pineda Chacon (5g, 0a = 10pts); Columbus: John Wilmar Perez (1g, 1a = 3pts) Did you know? Miami is 0-5 all-time in Columbus, having been outscored 14-2 in those matches. Key players out: Miami: none; Columbus: M Robert Warzycha (dislocated ankle tendon-L), D Duncan Oughton (ankle sprain-L), Notes: A two-week layoff ends with this game for Columbus, as the Crew brace for a rejuvenated Fusion team that has shot to the top of the Eastern Division standings … Columbus hopes the return of U.S. national team F Brian McBride will jumpstart an offense that failed to capitalize on numerous chances in a 3-0 loss to Kansas City two weeks earlier … The Fusion have found the net in each of the team’s five matches, with Honduran F Alex Pineda Chac=n leading the way … Miami’s dynamic midfield could pose problems for Columbus, which will rely heavily on midfielders Brian Maisonneuve and John Wilmar Perez to control the tempo of the match … Each team boasts attacking options on the wings which could make the match a fast-paced affair … The Crew may again need to depend on goalkeeper Tom Presthus to earn the win. KEY MATCHUP: Miami D Carlos Llamosa vs. Columbus F Brian McBride: Llamosa anchors the center of the Fusion defense, which has had trouble containing McBride’s aerial assaults in the past … If Columbus can build its attacks from the wings, Llamosa may be left on his own to challenge fellow national team member McBride for crosses into the penalty area. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Michael Kennedy; Assistant Referees: Francisco Sanchez (SAR), Steven Davidson (JAR) Saturday, May 5 (7:00 p.m.) – D.C. United at MetroStars (Comcast SportsNet, MSG) Season series: First Meeting; All-time regular season series: United leads 12-7-1 (United leads 42-31 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: United: F Abdul Thompson Conteh (2g, 0a = 4pts); MetroStars: F Clint Mathis (2g, 2a = 6pts) Did you know? United has scored more goals against the MetroStars (42) than against any other team in MLS. Key players out: United: M Ben Olsen (ankle fracture-R); MetroStars: D Daniel Hernandez (knee cap fracture-R), D Mark Semioli (2nd degree hamstring strain-R), M Billy Walsh (foot stress fracture-R) Notes: A two-week layoff has helped United heal its wounded prior to this Eastern Division clash, while injuries have severely reduced the defensive corps of the MetroStars … The potential return of Eddie Pope as a starter to United’s defense would be a welcome sight for coach Thomas Rongen, as he looks for an effective method of clamping down explosive Metros’ strikers Clint Mathis and Adolfo Valencia in the middle of the field … This match will also be the first time that United GK Mike Ammann and Metros’ M Richie Williams will face their former teammates after an offseason swap that saw them change sides … Rookie Ryan Nelsen has assumed Williams’ role of defensive stopper for United, while young but tested prodigy Tim Howard has succeeded the veteran Ammann between the pipes for the MetroStars. KEY MATCHUP: M Marco Etcheverry vs. M Richie Williams: This two former teammates will engage each other as opponents for the first time ever. Etcheverry’s short fuse has come under fire lately after a loss of composure in a defeat at Chicago and Williams is known for his ability to pester and frustrate the game’s top creative players. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Tim Weyland; Assistant Referees: George Vergara (SAR), John Konstantinidis (JAR) Saturday, May 5 (8:00 p.m.) – Tampa Bay Mutiny at Chicago Fire (WTTA) Season series: Chicago leads 1-0 (Chicago leads 1-0 in aggregate goals); All-time regular season series: Chicago leads 6-1-2 (Chicago leads 16-7 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: Tampa Bay: M Steve Ralston (3g, 1a = 7pts); Chicago: F Josh Wolff (2g, 0a = 4pts) Did you know? In his MLS career, Tampa Bay midfield maestro Carlos Valderrama has registered an assist against every team but Chicago. Key players out: Tampa Bay: F Mamadou Diallo (disciplinary suspension), D John Maessner (red card suspension), D Steve Trittschuh (broken fibula-L), D Chad McCarty (broken ankle-L); Chicago: Sergi Daniv (ankle scope-L), Josh Wolff (sprained foot-L) Notes: Already missing two starting defenders, the Mutiny must now do without a third as right back John Maessner serves a one-game red card suspension … Again without F Mamadou Diallo, Tampa will place its offensive load on the shoulders of youngsters Ali Curtis and Gus Kartes … A hard tackle on Josh Wolff in last weekend’s 1-0 Fire win at Tampa leaves the U.S. national team star out for this match … With Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoitchkov seemingly ready to go, Chicago should still have plenty of firepower … Chances for the out manned Mutiny may be few and far between … To win this match they’ll need reliable finishing from their youngsters Curtis, Kartes and rookie Devin Barclay, who has been recalled to the Mutiny after being scheduled to join the U-20s … Another superb performance from Mutiny goalkeeper Scott Garlick, who robbed the MetroStars repeatedly two weeks ago, may also be required. KEY MATCHUP: Tampa Bay M Josh Keller vs. Chicago M Peter Nowak: Keller’s defensive skills will play a key role in slowing the Fire attack before the ball can reach Tampa’s depleted back line. Despite an abbreviated appearance last week, Nowak appears to be returning to form following a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Spring Training … With his defensive midfield partner Joe Addo (hamstring strain) questionable, Keller will be the Mutiny’s defensive linchpin. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Ricardo Valenzuela; Assistant Referees: Craig Lowry (SAR), Robert Fereday (JAR) Saturday, May 5 (8:30 p.m.) – Colorado Rapids at Dallas Burn (FOX Rocky Mountain) Season series: First Meeting; All-time regular season series: Series tied 9-9-0 (Dallas leads 27-23 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: Colorado: M/F John Spencer (2g, 1a = 5pts); Dallas: F Bobby Rhine & M Jorge Rodriguez (3g, 0a = 6pts) Did you know? Dallas has outshot their opponents 61-26 through three games but has been outscored 9-8 during that same stretch. Key players out: Colorado: M/F Wes Hart (achilles strain-L), D Robin Fraser (abdominal strain); Dallas: D Eric Dade (ankle sprain-R) Notes: The Rapids head to Dallas looking to tighten up defensively following a 3-2 loss at home to Los Angeles … Despite leading MLS in shots taken, Colorado is tied for ninth in goals scored, a clear sign that the Rapids have been unable to convert on their chances consistently … Without a win through four matches, expect the Rapids to push forward even more, perhaps leaving Dallas strikers Jason Kreis and Ariel Graziani free on counterattacks … Brief defensive lapses have cost the Rapids already this season, and few teams have proven to be as opportunistic as the Burn … Although they’ve allowed only 15 shots on goal, Dallas has surrendered a staggering nine goals so far this season, hinting that goalkeeper Matt Jordan has been left exposed … Veteran Colorado central defender Robin Fraser remains doubtful for this match, as he continues to recover from an abdominal strain … His ability to organize the defense will go a long way toward improving Colorado’s results. KEY MATCHUP: Colorado M Marcelo Balboa vs. Dallas M Oscar Pareja: Balboa has played an important role in helping Colorado create offensive pressure from his midfield position, but the Rapids’ defensive woes may cause him to adopt a more defensive role in this match … If Balboa can help limit Pareja’s touches, he may alleviate some pressure from the Colorado defense. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Kevin Stott; Assistant Referees: Tom Bobadilla (SAR), Jorge Reyes (JAR) Saturday, May 5 (9:00 p.m. ET) – New England Revolution at San Jose Earthquakes (ESPN2) Season series: First Meeting; All-time regular season series: New England leads 8-6-1 (San Jose leads 27-26 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: New England: F Matt Okoh & M Leonel Alvarez (1g, 0a = 2pts); San Jose: F Dwayne DeRosario & M Ian Russell (1g, 1a = 3pts) Did you know? In the last five MLS seasons, New England is 4-1 in the fifth game of the season. Key players out: New England: M Yari Allnut (foot surgery – R); San Jose Earthquakes: D Jimmy Conrad (foot fracture-R) Notes: The New England Revolution will be desperate to get their first points of the season in the third of four straight road games for the club … The Revs offense has been able to score just two goals while its defense has given up six … The team is still looking to find the right formation as players come back from injury and are introduced to the lineup … With Matt Okoh teaming up with Wolde Harris at forward, there were more scoring opportunities … The Earthquakes are coming off a positive performance in a 0-0 tie at Kansas City last weekend … ‘Quakes Head Coach Frank Yallop is looking for consistency from a team which altered a dominating performance in its opening match with two sub-par matches and a solid effort against Kansas City last weekend … Despite San Jose’s attacking depth the team has just one goal in the last three games. KEY MATCHUP: New England D Mauricio Wright vs. San Jose F Landon Donovan: The 19-year-old national team forward impressed many with his display against the Kansas City Wizards last weekend, showing the quickness and vision that have MLS fans excited about his future … Wright, the ex-Earthquake, is the linchpin of the Revolution defense and may need to keep his attacking tendencies in check as Donovan can take advantage of space behind the defense. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Gerry Corrie; Assistant Referees: George Gansner (SAR), Richard Huber (JAR) Saturday, May 5 (10:00 p.m. ET) – Kansas City Wizards at Los Angeles Galaxy (Metro Sports, FOX Sports West 2) Season series: Kansas City leads 1-0 (Kansas City leads 2-1 in aggregate goals); All-time regular season series: Los Angeles leads 10-9-2 (Los Angeles leads 32-23) Leading scorers: Kansas City: F Chris Brown (3g, 1a = 7pts); Los Angeles: M Cobi Jones & F Sasha Victorine (2g, 0a = 4pts) Did you know? The last Kansas City Wizards victory at the Rose Bowl was a 3-1 win back on May 31, 1997. Mo Johnston and Matt McKeon were in the Wizards’ starting lineup at the time. Key players out: Kansas City: D Peter Vermes (abdominal strain-R); Los Angeles: none. Notes: The Wizards already have a leg up on a battle which marked the Western Division in 2000, having defeated the F.C. Champions Cup holders 2-1 in the first match three weeks ago … That first meeting on April 14 was disrupted by a torrential downpour and a 57-minute weather delay … Kansas City will be going coast-to-coast this week as they travel to Giants Stadium to face the MetroStars on Wednesday before making the cross-country flight to Los Angeles … Two positive results this week against two MLS Cup contenders would re-affirm the Wizards’ status as the team to beat in 2001 … The Los Angeles Galaxy beat Mexican club Chivas 2-1 May 2 and seem to have recovered after an 0-2 start, notching two consecutive victories against the Colorado Rapids … The Galaxy defense continues to be suspect after giving up seven goals in a total of four matches, causing a change in the nets where Matt Reis is now the starter over Kevin Hartman … Reis will hope to hold off the best attack in MLS, with the Wizards scoring nine goals. Kansas City’s defense, while missing Peter Vermes, has kept opponents off the board over the last 208 minutes. KEY MATCHUP: Kansas City D Mike Burns vs. Los Angeles F Cobi Jones: The Galaxy striker, who has returned to top form of late, will look to take advantage of his speed in this matchup against Burns … The veteran defender will need to stick close to Jones and keep spaces tight … Central defender Nick Garcia can be expected to be pinching toward Jones’ flank as a backup. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Kevin Terry; Assistant Referees: Scott Weyland (SAR), Emiliano Monje (JAR)