Predictions
Here are Soccer America Associate Editor Poul SwainÆs predictions for games on May 16: New England 2 Columbus 1 MetroStars 3 Colorado 1
Previews
(all times ET) Wednesday, May 16 (7:30 p.m.) – Columbus Crew at New England Revolution (Sport!TV, FOX New England) Season series: First Meeting;
All-time regular season series: Columbus leads 15-4-1 (Columbus leads 34-17 in aggregate goals).
Leading scorers: Columbus: M John Wilmar Perez (1g, 1a = 3pts); New England: F Matt Okoh (2g, 0a = 4pts)
Did you know?: Columbus is in the midst of a team record 308-minute scoreless streak
Key players out: Columbus: M Robert Warzycha (dislocated ankle tendon-L), F Dante Washington (concussion), F Jeff Cunningham (knee strain-R), D Todd Yeagley (pinched nerve), F Jeff Cunningham (knee strain-R), D Todd Yeagley (pinched nerve), D Mike Lapper (knee contusion-R), Ian Woan (groin strain-L), M Ansil Elcock (T&T national team); New England: M Yari Allnut (foot surgery-R), F Wolde Harris (Jamaican national team), M Andy Williams (Jamaican national team)
Notes: Columbus travels to New England looking to erase from memories of a dismal 4-0 loss at Dallas on Saturday … New England meanwhile will look to carry the momentum of a surprise overtime win against the Fire … Injuries have riddled the Crew lineup … Columbus begins the week with eight players listed as out or doubtful for this clash at Foxboro … Recent acquisition Braeden Cloutier and the return of Ted Chronopoulos has provided the Revolution midfield with increased depth … Columbus M John Harkes will play his first game against his former teammates following the trade which brought him to Columbus late last week … Having suffered its third straight shutout, Columbus may be forced to alter its attack strategy, which for the past two games has left F Brian McBride up top as the team’s lone forward … the Revs are hopeful that F Wolde Harris will be released from the his call-up to the Jamaican National Team for Copa Caribe Tournament.
KEY MATCHUP: Columbus M John Harkes vs. New England M Cate: Still bitter about the trade that left him looking partially responsible for New England’s poor start, Harkes will get his chance to stop Cate, New England’s primary creative presence in the midfield.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Alex Prus; Assistant Referees: Chip Reed (SAR), Richard Eddy (JAR)
Wednesday, May 16 (8:00 p.m.) – Colorado Rapids at MetroStars (FOX Rocky Mountain) Season series: 0-0-1 (teams tied 1-1 on April 14);
All-time regular season series: Series tied 6-6-1 (MetroStars lead 24-18 in aggregate goals).
Leading scorers: Colorado: F John Spencer (4g, 2a = 10pts); MetroStars: F Clint Mathis (7g, 4a = 18pts)
Did you know?: The team that scores first in this series is 11-1-1.
Key players out: Colorado: F Wes Hart (achilles strain-L); MetroStars: M Petter Villegas (red card suspension), D Daniel Hernandez (fractured knee cap-R), M Billy Walsh (foot stress fracture-R), F Martin Klinger (hamstring tear-L), F Adolfo Valencia (slight medial meniscus tear-R)
Notes: In the first of their two matches with Eastern Division opponents this week, Colorado heads to Giants Stadium looking to snap the MetroStars four-game winning streak … A victory for the MetroStars in this match will match tie the team’s record for consecutive victories at five … An entertaining 1-1 draw between these teams earlier in the season featured fast-paced attacking soccer with numerous scoring chances for both clubs … A healthy Robin Fraser paid immediate dividends for the Rapids this past weekend, as the team frustrated the Mutiny’s offensive terror Mamadou Diallo … Colorado will assuredly need more cohesiveness to slow down MetroStars F Clint Mathis, the league’s leading scorer … Without midfielder Petter Villegas (red card suspension), the MetroStars must find a new attacking presence for the right flank … Despite their sub-500 record, the Rapids rank third in MLS in shots taken, but are tied for ninth in goals scored … Consistent finishing by both teams could create a mid week offensive showcase similar to last week’s MLS action.
KEY MATCHUP: Colorado M Marcelo Balboa vs. MetroStars M Richie Williams: Although he earned a reputation as a reliable defender, Balboa has been charged with a more offensive role in the Rapids midfield alignment … Williams will need to be wary of Balboa’s positioning as he moves forward to join the attack … With midfielders John Spencer and Ross Paule also pushing forward from the midfield, Williams’ stamina and awareness will be put to the test.
SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Sergio Vega; Assistant Referees: George Vergara (SAR), Bill Dittmar (JAR)
