Predictions
Here are Soccer America Associate Editor Poul SwainÆs predictions for the games on June 16: Kansas City 1 D.C. United 2 MetroStars 1 San Jose 2 Columbus 0 Tampa Bay 2 Miami 3 Los Angeles 2 Colorado 1 Dallas 2
Previews
(all times ET) Saturday, June 16 (4:00 p.m.) – D.C. United at Kansas City Wizards (ESPN) Season series: United leads 1-0 (United leads 3-2 in aggregate goals);
All-time regular season series: Series tied 6-6-1 (Kansas City leads 31-24 in aggregate goals)
Leading scorers: United: F Abdul Thompson Conteh (7g, 1a = 13pts); Kansas City: M Matt McKeon (4g, 1a, 9pts)
Did you know?: Five different Wizards have recorded the game-winning goal in all five of the Wizards victories so far in 2001 (Francisco Gomez, Mo Johnston, Chris Klein, Roy Lassiter and Onandi Lowe), second behind only San Jose with six different players.
Key players out: United: M Ben Olsen (ankle surgery – Both), 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). Wizards: M Chris Klein (U.S. National team), F Onandi Lowe (Jamaican national team), F Gary Glasgow (Trinidad & Tobago national team).
Notes: United broke a five-game losing streak against the MetroStars on Wednesday with a 2-1 win at RFK Stadium, but has still not won a match on the road in 2001 … Three days after facing one of his former clubs, the MetroStars, D.C. goalkeeper Mike Ammann will face the Wizards, the team that he began his MLS career with in 1996 … Ammann will not have the protection of central defender Eddie Pope or defensive midfielder Ryan Nelsen, who are both away on international duty … Kansas City is hoping to have the services of 2000 Aquafina Goalkeeper of the Year Tony Meola, who did not play in a 4-0 loss to L.A. on Wednesday because of an abdominal strain … Reserve goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi, who made just one start in 2000 was in the nets against the Galaxy.
KEY MATCHUP: United M Marco Etcheverry vs. Wizards M Kerry Zavagnin: Without Convey, Etcheverry will likely have to move back into a playmakers role this week. By his standards ‘El Diablo’ has had a subpar season and will need to keep possession in the center of midfield. Zavagnin is one of the best in MLS at stopping the other team’s offense through the middle of the field and springing his team on quick counterattacks.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Richard Heron; Assistant Referees: Jon Wilson (SAR), Bill Dittmar (JAR)
Saturday, June 16 (7:00 p.m.) – San Jose Earthquakes at MetroStars (FOX Bay Area, MSG) Season series: San Jose leads 1-0-0 (San Jose leads 2-0 in aggregate goals);
All-time regular season series: San Jose leads 9-4-1 (San Jose leads 22-15 in aggregate goals)
Leading scorers: San Jose: F Ronald Cerritos (3g, 5a, 11pts); MetroStars: F Clint Mathis (7g, 5a, 19pts).
Did you know?: MetroStars defender Mike Petke needs 72 minutes to break the team record for minutes played (Tony Meola, 8,100).
Key players out: Earthquakes: D Jeff Agoos (U.S. national team), F Landon Donovan (U.S. under-20 national team); MetroStars: D Daniel Hernandez (fractured knee cap – R), F Clint Mathis (torn ACL – R), M Richie Williams (U.S. national team).
Notes: The red-hot Earthquakes take to the road riding a nine-game unbeaten streak (6-0-3) … San Jose’s run has coincided with the insertion of Donovan into the starting lineup … The ‘Quakes will have to keep their run going without the teenage phenom and standout defender Jeff Agoos, who are competing for the U.S. in international play … San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon, coming off a spectacular performance last week against Los Angeles, is among the hottest players in the league with seven wins and a 1.05 GAA … The MetroStars lost in their first outing without Clint Mathis losing 2-1 to D.C. United on Wednesday. Coach Octavio Zambrano, who watched his team lose from the press box due to a suspension, hopes the return to health of Colombian striker Adolfo Valencia will provide a boost up front … All-Star defender Daniel Hernandez may be able to return to action by Saturday … The MetroStars are 12-3-2 with Hernandez in their lineup all-time.
KEY MATCHUP: Earthquakes M Manny Lagos vs. MetroStars M Mark Chung: The Metros need increased offense from its wingers without Mathis in the center of the field. Lagos has had a solid season for San Jose, chipping in with timely goals. One of these two dangerous wingers may be able to get forward and provide the offensive spark needed without Donovan and Mathis on the field.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Ricardo Salazar; Assistant Referees: Nathan Clement (SAR), Richard Eddy (JAR)
Saturday, June 16 (7:30 p.m.) – Tampa Bay Mutiny at Columbus Crew (Sunshine Network) Season series: Columbus leads 1-0 (Columbus leads 2-1 in aggregate goals);
All-time regular season series: Tampa Bay leads series 14-8-0 (Tampa Bay leads 41-31 in aggregate goals)
Leading scorers: Tampa Bay: F Mamadou Diallo (6g, 2a, 14pts); Columbus: M John Wilmar Perez (3g, 3a = 9pts)
Did you know?: Tampa Bay handed Columbus its first ever loss at Crew Stadium courtesy of a shootout win on May 22, 1999.
Key players out: Tampa Bay: D Chad McCarty (broken ankle-L), M/D Joe Addo (hamstring strain-R); Columbus: F Brian McBride (U.S. national team), M Ansil Elcock (Trinidad national team), F Edson Buddle (U.S. U-20 national team), M Ian Woan (groin strain-L), M Todd Yeagley (stress fracture-L foot), M Robert Warzycha (dislocated ankle tendon-L)
Notes: Battered and bruised both physically and emotionally, Tampa Bay travels to Columbus, where the Mutiny are a perfect 5-0 in their last five games in central Ohio … Columbus meanwhile enters the game depleted, without regular contributors Brian McBride, Ansil Elcock, and Edson Buddle … Offensive production has plagued the Crew, which has scored the fewest goals in MLS (10) … Attackers Dante Washington and Jeff Cunningham provide Greg Andrulis with dangerous alternatives … Despite the presence of All-Stars Mamadou Diallo and Carlos Valderrama in the team’s last two matches, the Mutiny have failed to notch a goal during the run of play since a May 5 loss to Los Angeles … Tampa dominated the Crew last season, sweeping all four meetings, but Columbus prevailed 2-1 in the first matchup between these two teams on April 14 at Raymond James Stadium.
KEY MATCHUP: Tampa Bay F Mamadou Diallo vs. Columbus D Tenywa Bonseu: Diallo is precisely the reason Columbus acquired Bonseu. The Crew’s center back should have his hands full while attempting to contain ‘Big Mama’s’ size and speed.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Noel Kenny; Assistant Referees: Richard Huber (SAR), Todd Perry (JAR)
Saturday, June 16 (8:00 p.m.) – Los Angeles Galaxy at Miami Fusion (ESPN2) Season series: First meeting;
All-time regular season series: Los Angeles leads 4-2-0 (Los Angeles leads 17-11 in aggregate goals)
Leading scorers: Los Angeles: F Cobi Jones (4g, 4a = 12pts); Miami: F Diego Serna (8g, 7a = 23pts)
Did you know?: Los Angeles exploded for a five goals in its last visit to Lockhart Stadium, downing Miami 5-3 on July 8 of 2000.
Key players out: Los Angeles: D Greg Vanney (U.S. national team), F Luis Hernandez (Mexican national team), M Simon Elliott (New Zealand national team); Miami: D Pablo Mastroeni (U.S. national team), D Carlos Llamosa (U.S. national team), D Tyrone Marshall (Jamaican national team)
Notes: Miami may need all of its league-leading 2.33 goals per game average, as starting defenders Carlos Llamosa, Pablo Mastroeni and Tyrone Marshall could all be involved in the World Cup qualifying clash set for Kingston, Jamaica on Saturday … For the Galaxy, F Luis Hernandez and D Greg Vanney will also be involved in qualifying, leaving the offensive chores to forwards Cobi Jones and Sasha Victorine … Fusion midfielders Jim Rooney and Ian Bishop could adopt a more defensive posture for this match, although the two have helped key Miami’s offensive surge … A wide-open game could pose problems for Los Angeles, which will play its third game in seven days … Speedy wing play from the Fusion’s Chris Henderson and Preki will test the Galaxy’s flank defenders Paul Caligiuri and Ezra Hendrickson.
KEY MATCHUP: Los Angeles F Cobi Jones vs. Miami D Ivan McKinley: With his speed, Jones could become a nightmare for Miami’s defense, which will be challenged by call-ups to the U.S. and Jamaican national teams. As Miami’s stongest left-sided defender, McKinley will be charged with defusing Jones’ forays down the right wing. The quick and versatile Jay Heaps and the gritty Leo Cullen will likely be called into defensive roles for Ray Hudson.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Alex Prus; Assistant Referees: Steven Taylor (SAR), Brian Poeschel (JAR)
Saturday, June 16 (9:00 p.m.) – Dallas Burn at Colorado Rapids (KSTR) Season series: Colorado leads 1-0 (Colorado leads 1-0 in aggregate goals);
All-time regular season series: Colorado leads 10-9-0 (Dallas leads 27-24 in aggregate goals).
Leading scorers: Dallas: F Bobby Rhine (4g, 5a, 13pts); Colorado: F John Spencer (7g, 2a = 16pts)
Did you know?: Colorado has defeated Dallas 1-0 in each of the last three meetings between the two teams.
Key players out: Dallas: none reported; Colorado: M/F Wes Hart (torn achilles tendon-L), D Robin Fraser (U.S. national team), D Chris Dawes (Jamaican national team)
Notes: Dallas will be looking for revenge in this match, after Colorado stole the initial meeting between the two teams courtesy of a late Paul Bravo goal at the Cotton Bowl … Despite consistent production from F John Spencer (currently riding a three-game scoring streak), the Rapids have not posted a win in six matches, going 0-4-2 in that span … Dallas captured two wins last week, downing Tampa Bay 1-0 on the road, and hammering D.C. United 3-0 at home on Saturday … Playing with a three forward set, the Burn’s offensive firepower will test a Colorado defense which will likely take the field without the defensive services of center back Robin Fraser and defensive midfielder Chris Dawes, who could become adversaries in World Cup qualifying … Dallas seems to have tightened up their defensive scheme in the past week, as goalkeeper Matt Jordan rebounded from a 6-2 shelling at the hands of Miami to post two straight clean sheets … Salvadoran Jorge Rodriguez has emerged as both and offensive and defensive linchpin for Dallas this season … Colorado must hope Spencer can keep him occupied.
KEY MATCHUP: Dallas M Joselito Vaca vs. Colorado M/D Steve Herdsman: Vaca’s playmaking abilities shown through in the Burn’s domination of D.C. United on Saturday. Without Robin Fraser or Chris Dawes to control the center of the field, Herdsman will need all of his speed and mobility to help limit Vaca’s touches.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Tim Weyland; Assistant Referees: David Bragg (SAR), Corry Dean (JAR)
