Predictions

Here are Soccer America Associate Editor Poul SwainÆs predictions for the games on June 13: D.C. United 2 MetroStars 1 Los Angeles 1 Kansas City 0

Previews

(all times ET) Wednesday, June 13 (8:00 p.m.) – MetroStars at D.C. United (Metro Guide) Season series: MetroStars lead 1-0 (MetroStars lead 3-2 in aggregate goals); All-time regular season series: United leads 12-8-1 (United leads 44-34 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: MetroStars: F Clint Mathis (7g, 5a, 19pts); United: F Abdul Thompson Conteh (6g, 1a = 13pts) Did you know?: At least four goals have been scored in the last five games between these teams. Key players out: MetroStars: D Daniel Hernandez (fractured knee cap-R), F Clint Mathis (torn ACL-R), M Billy Walsh (foot stress fracture-R), M Richie Williams (U.S. national team); D.C. United: M Ben Olsen (ankle surgery-L&R), D Brian Kamler (partially torn hamstring-R), M Bobby Convey (U.S. under-20 national team), M Ryan Nelsen (New Zealand national team), D Eddie Pope (U.S. national team). Notes: The MetroStars will take the field for the first time after the season-ending injury to leading scorer Clint Mathis … The Metros took striker Adolfo Valencia off injured reserve prior to this contest … Valencia, fellow Colombian Alex Comas and rookie Rodrigo Faria will all need to step up their play to help replace Mathis’ scoring ability … The MetroStars will also be without head coach Octavio Zambrano, who was suspended for one match for his public comments following the MetroStars game against New England on June 3, 2001 … United comes into the match with their own problems, having lost five straight games, while sinking to the bottom of the Eastern Division … D.C. will be without starting midfielders Ryan Nelsen and Bobby Convey, perhaps giving youngsters Mark Lisi and Jose Alegria a chance for bigger roles on Wednesday … United striker Jaime Moreno has scored 14 career goals in 18 games against the MetroStars. KEY MATCHUP: MetroStars D Steve Jolley vs. United F Jaime Moreno: The Metros will need Jolley’s speed and skill to match up against Moreno, leaving Mike Petke to face the more physical Chris Albright. Moreno has tortured the MetroStars’ defense during his career and is looking for a breakout performance in 2001. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Gus St. Silva; Assistant Referees: Craig Lowry (SAR), John Schmitz (JAR) Wednesday, June 13 (8:00 p.m.) – Kansas City Wizards at Los Angeles Galaxy (Metro Sports) Season series: Series tied 1-1-0 (Series tied 3-3 in aggregate goals); All-time regular season series: Los Angeles leads series 11-9-2 (Los Angeles leads 34-24 in aggregate goals) Leading scorers: Kansas City: M Matt McKeon (4g, 1a, 9pts); Los Angeles: F Cobi Jones (3g, 4a = 10pts), D Greg Vanney (4g, 2a = 10pts) Did you know?: This will be the 28th overall meeting between these two clubs including the playoffs, the most ever for any Wizards opponent. Key players out: Wizards: M Chris Klein (U.S. national team), F Onandi Lowe (Jamaican national team), F Gary Glasgow (Trinidad & Tobago national team); Galaxy: M Simon Elliott (New Zealand national team), F Luis Hernandez (Mexican national team), D Greg Vanney (U.S. national team). Notes: Both of these teams will be challenged by international call-ups with each missing several key players … Kansas City will also likely be without 2000 Honda MVP Tony Meola, who is doubtful with an abdominal strain he aggravated in last week’s 5-1 whitewashing at the hands of Miami … Veteran Bo Oshoniyi will likely get his first start in goal this season … Head Coach Bob Gansler will also need to find a replacement for striker Onandi Lowe, who has begun to form a nice tandem with veteran Roy Lassiter up front … The Wizards have fallen to third place in the Western Division, two points behind the Galaxy … The Galaxy are looking to extend a four-game unbeaten streak at the Rose Bowl, while closing the gap on San Jose atop the Western Division. KEY MATCHUP: Wizards F Roy Lassiter vs. Galaxy D Danny Califf: Lassiter becomes the main target of the Galaxy defense with the absence of Lowe. Possessing more speed than veteran defenders Alexi Lalas and Paul Caligiuri, Califf will likely be called upon to mark ‘Rocket Roy’. If Califf can neutralize the Wizards’ main scoring threat, the Galaxy could keep a clean sheet on Wednesday. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Roger Sill; Assistant Referees: Scott Weyland (SAR), Glenn Prechac (JAR)