Predictions

Here are Soccer America Associate Editor Poul SwainÆs predictions for games on May 23: Dallas 2 San Jose 3 Colorado 1 Miami 2

Previews

(all times ET) Wednesday, May 23 (8:30 p.m.) – San Jose Earthquakes at Dallas Burn Season series: Dallas leads 1-0-0; All-time regular season series: Dallas leads 11-8-0 (Dallas leads 26-25 in aggregate goals). Leading scorers: San Jose: F Dwayne DeRosario, M Manny Lagos & M Ian Russell (2g, 2a =6pts); Dallas: D/M Jorge Rodriguez (4g, 0a = 8pts), F/M Jason Kreis (2g, 4a =8pts) Did you know? Dallas (62) and San Jose (75) rank first and second, respectively, in fewest shots allowed. Key players out: San Jose: none reported; Dallas: M/D Jorge Rodriguez (El Salvador national team) Notes: Having taken a grip on first place in the Western Division, the Earthquakes carry a three-game win streak to the Cotton Bowl to meet the Burn … Dallas appears to have sorted things out defensively, having not allowed a goal in the team’s last two matches, including Saturday’s well earned draw in Los Angeles, where the Burn have struggled historically … Although the team has earned positive results on the road, defending away from the small confines of Spartan Stadium has provided challenges for the Earthquakes … Central defenders Jeff Agoos and Troy Dayak will need to work hard to help San Jose keep its shape against the opportunistic Jason Kreis and Ariel Graziani … Without versatile Jorge Rodriguez, who has left for national team duty, Dallas will need a strong effort from M Chad Deering in order to contain San Jose M Ronnie Ekelund … Ekelund has been dangerous when he carries the ball forward with speed, stretching the defense and creating room for strikers Ronald Cerritos and Landon Donovan … With Rodriguez gone, rookie Ryan Suarez will surely be tested by Cerritos’ experience and Donovan’s speed … Finishing remains a concern for Dallas, who will need more than long range blasts to beat ‘Quakes GK Joe Cannon. KEY MATCHUP: San Jose M Ronnie Ekelund vs. Dallas M Chad Deering: With both Oscar Pareja and Jason Kreis in the attacking midfield, and Jorge Rodriguez absent, Deering will be Ekelund’s primary obstacle in the midfield … When given enough space, the Dane can send balls deep to the quick and talented ‘Quakes flank players and forwards … If the service can be cut off, Dallas’ three-man backline should be able to manage San Jose’s offensive pressure. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Ricardo Salazar; Assistant Referees: Tom Bobadilla (SAR), Misail Tsapos (JAR) Wednesday, May 23 (9:00 p.m.) – Miami Fusion at Colorado Rapids Season series: Miami leads 1-0-0 (Fusion lead 2-1 in aggregate goals); All-time regular season series: Miami leads 6-3-0 (Miami leads 17-15 in aggregate goals). Leading scorers: Miami: F Alex Pineda Chacon (5g, 1a = 11pts); Colorado: M John Spencer (4g, 2a = 10pts) Did you know? Miami is 0-3 at Mile High Stadium when the team has scored one goal or less. Key players out: Miami: F Pete Marino (ACL tear-R), M Kyle Beckerman (broken fibula-R); Colorado: GK Adin Brown (sprained neck), M Wes Hart (torn achilles-L) Notes: Expect a motivated Fusion squad to take the field after Head Coach Ray Hudson stormed away from Saturday’s win over Tampa upset by poor finishing despite the 3-1 victory … A formation shift for the Fusion will move Jay Heaps back to his right flank position, and Preki to the center along with Jim Rooney and Ian Bishop … F Junior Agogo likely returns to Colorado’s starting 11, where he’ll team up front with Paul Bravo … Although he surrendered only a penalty kick to New England last weekend, Rapids GK David Kramer was not severely tested on Saturday and could still be rusty from not seeing game action … He’ll likely see more activity with the Fusion’s balanced attack rushing him from all angles … For Colorado to find the scoring touch they’ll need to get past the Fusion’s league-leading defense (.71 GAA), which is led by the hard-charging Pablo Mastroeni and the consummate organizer Carlos Llamosa … Colorado must look to counter-attack when Mastroeni makes one of his committed runs forward … Expect attacking midfielder John Spencer to push the Colorado attack forward quickly. KEY MATCHUP: Miami D Carlos Llamosa vs. Colorado F Paul Bravo: The Colorado attack has not been able to produce much-needed goals … Whether it’s Bravo or Junior Agogo who takes up the high striker slot, they will be going up against the best defenders in MLS in Llamosa and Pablo Mastroeni … It will come down to how creative Bravo (or Agogo) can be in creating space for themselves. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Gus St. Silva; Assistant Referees: Roger Itaya (SAR), Jose Corro (JAR)