Predictions

Here are Soccer America Associate Editor Poul SwainÆs predictions for games on May 26: Chicago 2 San Jose 2 Tampa Bay 0 Miami 2 Columbus 1 Colorado 0 Los Angeles 2 New England 1

Previews

(all times ET) Saturday, May 26 (4:00 p.m.) – San Jose Earthquakes at Chicago Fire (Telemundo) Season series: First meeting; All-time regular season series: Chicago leads 5-4-1 (Chicago leads 19-14 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: San Jose: F Dwayne DeRosario (3g, 2a =8pts); Chicago: M Dema Kovalenko (3g, 3a = 9pts) Did you know? Chicago has won all three of its home games in 2001 by identical 2-0 scorelines. Key players out: San Jose: F Dwayne DeRosario (Canadian national team); Chicago: F Josh Wolff (foot sprain-L), D Carlos Bocanegra (ankle sprain-L), M Peter Nowak (red card suspension) Notes: This battle of division leaders takes San Jose to Soldier Field, where the Fire are undefeated in their last 14 regular season matches … Ironically a Fire win would equal San Jose’s all-time MLS record 15-game undefeated streak … Without leading scorer Dwayne DeRosario, the Earthquakes will look to tested veteran Ronald Cerritos and talented U.S. national team youngster Landon Donovan for offense … In the midfield, San Jose’s offensive presence will come from MLS newcomer Ronnie Ekelund and winger Manny Lagos … The absence of three regular starters will cause Bob Bradley to again juggle his starting 11, meaning that veteran striker Eric Wynalda could earn the start if Dema Kovalenko assumes the midfield playmaking duties … Chicago’s depth will face a test as San Jose’s defense has grown more organized and confident with each game … Fresh off consecutive shutouts against the MetroStars and Dallas Jeff Agoos and Troy Dayak provide a formidable obstacle in the middle of the field. KEY MATCHUP: San Jose D Zak Ibsen vs. Chicago M DaMarcus Beasley: Ibsen will need to be aware of Beasley’s speed down the left wing. When right side midfielder Ian Russell pushes forward, Chicago will likely find the most space to attack on the wings. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Terry Vaughn; Assistant Referees: Greg Barkey (SAR), Thomas Supple (JAR) Saturday, May 26 (7:00 p.m.) – Miami Fusion at Tampa Bay Mutiny (Sunshine Network) Season series: Miami leads 1-0 (Miami leads 3-1 in aggregate goals); All-time regular season series: Miami leads 6-5-0 (Mutiny lead 18-17 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: Miami: F Alex Pineda Chacon (5g, 1a =11pts); Tampa Bay: F Mamadou Diallo (6g, 2a =14pts) Did you know? Tampa Bay is the only team in MLS without a home win in 2001. Key players out: Miami: F Pete Marino (ACL tear-R), M Kyle Beckerman (broken fibula-R); Tampa Bay: D Steve Trittschuh (fibular fracture-R), D Chad McCarty (broken ankle-L), F Mamadou Diallo (disciplinary suspension), M Steve Ralston (red card suspension) Notes: A week after their initial meeting of the 2001 season, these in-state rivals will tangle again at Raymond James Stadium … A midweek 1-0 win at Colorado could leave the Fusion with tired legs Saturday … Although they only face one match this week, the six days of rest will not help Tampa recover the services of M Steve Ralston and F Mamadou Diallo, both of whom will serve suspensions for this match … The task of replacing the offense lost in their absence (9 of Tampa Bay’s 14 goals), will fall on the shoulders of rookies Devin Barclay and Ali Curtis … After his five-goal tear to start the season, Alex Pineda Chacon enters Wednesday’s match without a goal in his last three games …Diego Serna has now come under fire for his lack of production … Will Hudson’s harsh words spark a more committed effort from the Colombian this week? KEY MATCHUP: Miami M Chris Henderson vs. Tampa Bay M Gus Kartes: Henderson assisted on Jim RooneyÆs goal against Colorado, with Steve Ralston serving a one-game suspension the task of tracking Henderson may fall to Kartes. The highly-touted newcomer will need a superb game to keep Henderson in check. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Kevin Stott; Assistant Referees: Craig Lowry (SAR), Chip Reed (JAR) Saturday, May 26 (7:30 p.m.) – Colorado Rapids at Columbus Crew (FOX Rocky Mountain) Season series: First meeting; All-time regular season series: Colorado leads 9-3-1 (Colorado leads 24-17 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: Columbus: M John Wilmar Perez (1g, 2a = 4pts); Colorado M John Spencer: (4g, 2a =10pts) Did you know? Only the Crew’s Mike Clark and Colorado’s Marcelo Balboa have played in all 13 regular season meetings between these two teams. Key players out: Colorado: M Wes Hart (torn achilles-L); Columbus: M Ansil Elcock (red card suspension), D Tenywa Bonseu (red card suspension), M/D Todd Yeagley (stress fracture/foot-L), M Robert Warzycha (dislocated ankle tendon-L), M Ian Woan (groin strain-L) Notes: Although injuries have decimated the Crew in recent weeks, the team should regain the services of striker Dante Washington, who missed the last two games as a precautionary measure after he suffered a concussion … Both the Crew and Colorado need wins to avoid falling further back in their divisions … Without anchor Tenywa Bonseu holding down the center of the Crew defense, the Rapids may attempt to put Columbus on their heels early … Interim Crew Head Coach Greg Andrulis may be forced to take advantage of the versatile John Harkes or Duncan Oughton by shifting either to a defensive role with Bonseu out … Colorado’s defense will rely on the steady play and organizing skills of Robin Fraser to contain the Crew’s speed on the outside … Creating chances has been the Rapids’ strength although the team has been victimized by inconsistent finishing … Sharp finishing will be required to beat the hot hand of Crew goalkeeper Tom Presthus, who has already rescued Columbus numerous times this season with clutch saves. KEY MATCHUP: Columbus M Duncan Oughton vs. Colorado M John Spencer: Oughton frustrated United’s Marco Etcheverry in the Crew’s unlikely win last weekend. This week he’ll encounter Colorado’s Scottish offensive sparkplug John Spencer, who few teams have contained thus far this season. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Paul Tamberino; Assistant Referees: George Gansner (SAR), Richard Eddy (JAR) Saturday, May 26 (10:00 p.m.) – New England Revolution at Los Angeles Galaxy (WB-WLVI 56) Season series: First meeting; All-time regular season series: Los Angeles leads 8-3-1 (Los Angeles leads 25-12 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: New England: M Cate (3g, 1a =7pts); Los Angeles: D Greg Vanney (3g, 1a =7pts) Did you know? Revolution Head Coach Fernando Clavijo and goalkeeper Juergen Sommer were members of the 1994 World Cup team along with Cobi Jones, Alexi Lalas and Paul Caligiuri of the Galaxy. Key players out: New England: M Yari Allnut (foot surgery-R), D Mauricio Wright (hamstring strain-R); Los Angeles: D Alexi Lalas (sprained PCL/knee-L) Notes: The Revs’ three-game winning streak has coincided with the return of left midfielder Ted Chronopoulos and the addition of midfielder Braeden Cloutier on the right flank … New England will look again to creative midfielder CatT, the reigning MLS Player of the Week, to provide offense in Los Angeles … CatT has either scored or setup four of the last five Revolution goals … New England’s attack should also receive a boost from the return of striker Wolde Harris and midfielder Andy Williams, both of whom competed for Jamaica in the Copa Caribe over the past week … Los Angeles is hoping that striker Luis Hernandez can jumpstart its offense, which hasn’t scored a goal in two straight matches … Hernandez led the team with three shots on goal in last week’s 0-0 draw with Dallas … The Galaxy’s starting goalkeeper, Matt Reis (3-0-2, 2 SO), has taken over after spending the bulk of the past two seasons backing up Kevin Hartman … Los Angeles’ creative midfielder, Mauricio Cienfuegos, has yet to get on track this season, recording just three assists in eight games. KEY MATCHUP: New England D Rusty Pierce vs. Los Angeles F Luis Hernandez: As the Revolution’s best man-marker, the determined Pierce will likely shadow Hernandez, who’s grit and determination were evident in his 2001 MLS debut last weekend … Hernandez found multiple scoring chances Saturday night … Expect his finishing to improve dramatically unless Pierce can frustrate him. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Gerry Corrie; Assistant Referees: Jon Wilson (SAR), Chris Strickland (JAR)