Predictions

Here are Soccer America Associate Editor Poul SwainÆs predictions for games on May 9: Tampa Bay 2 Los Angeles 2 D.C. United 3 New England 1

Previews

(all times ET) Wednesday, May 9 (7:00 p.m.) – Los Angeles Galaxy at Tampa Bay Mutiny (FOX Sports West 2) Season series: First Meeting; All-time regular season series: Los Angeles leads 8-4-0 (Los Angeles leads 33-19 in aggregate goals). Leading scorers: Los Angeles: D Greg Vanney (2g, 1a = 5pts); Tampa Bay: M Steve Ralston (3g, 1a = 7pts) Did you know?: Seven of the Mutiny’s eight goals have come in two road wins (@ DAL & @ MET). Key players out: Los Angeles: D Alexi Lalas (knee sprain-L); Tampa Bay: D Steve Trittschuh (fibular fracture-R); D Chad McCarty (broken ankle-L), D Kevin Anderson (hamstring strain-R) Notes: Two teams heading in opposite directions will brace for this midweek battle … Los Angeles has won three straight games, while Tampa has dropped consecutive matches without dominant striker Mamadou Diallo in the lineup (out due to red card suspension) … Diallo returns for this match to face a Galaxy defense that has organized itself into a four-man back after an 0-2 start … A depleted backline remains the Mutiny’s primary concern … Despite suffering two straight shutouts at the hands of the Fire, Diallo instantly bolsters a front line that had been relying on first-year MLS players Ali Curtis and Gus Kartes … On the flanks, Tampa’s Ralston will go head-to-head with the Galaxy’s Cobi Jones, while Tampa left winger Eric Quill will square off against the underrated and opportunistic Ezra Hendrickson … Young strikers also key the Galaxy attack, as Sasha Victorine and rookie Brian Mullan have gained the confidence of Los Angeles head coach Sigi Schmid … Nagging injuries have hobbled D Craig Demmin and M Joe Addo which could leave the Mutiny vulnerable in the center of the field. KEY MATCHUP: Los Angeles M Simon Elliott vs. Tampa Bay M Carlos Valderrama: Elliott’s high-energy style could overwhelm “El Pibe”, who thrives if given time to pick out his attackers with deadly accuracy … Elliott’s two-way game is among the league’s best, and his attacking tendencies and defensive effort could limit Valderrama’s touches. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Alex Prus; Assistant Referees: Paul Scott (SAR), Kermit Quisenberry (JAR) Wednesday, May 9 (8:00 p.m.) – New England Revolution at D.C. United (FOX New England) Season series: United leads 1-0 (United leads 2-1 in aggregate goals); All-time regular season series: United leads 13-8-0 (United leads 32-27 in aggregate goals). Leading scorers: New England: D Leonel Alvarez, D Mauricio Wright, F Matt Okoh (1g, 0 a = 2pts); United: F Abdul Thompson Conteh & F Jaime Moreno (2g, 0a = 4pts) Did you know?: New England defeated United in three of four meetings last season. Key players out: New England: M Yari Allnut (foot surgery – R); United: M Ben Olsen (ankle fracture-R). Notes: Already 13 points behind the Eastern Division-leading MetroStars and Fusion, the Revolution will find it difficult not to hit the panic button after an 0-5 start … They will face a United squad full of resolve following Saturday evening’s three-goal collapse in the final 11 minutes as D.C. fell to the MetroStars … The play of Jaime Moreno, who notched two goals against the Metros in his first start of the season, gives United a much needed scoring weapon … Sorely in need of offense, the Revolution must find a way to free attackers Wolde Harris, William Sunsing, Matt Okoh and Andy Williams … New England is currently second to last in both scoring average (.80 goals/game) and shots (55) … United ranks last in MLS with 51 shots, but has nearly doubled the Revs goal output (1.75/game) … Eddie Pope must rally a young defensive corps that showed its inexperience during the three-goal rally by the MetroStars … In the previous meeting between these two teams, New England was unable to maintain possession, fell behind and then succumbed to the counterattack of D.C. United. KEY MATCHUP: New England F Wolde Harris vs. United D Eddie Pope: New England must pull out all the stops to get Harris, who scored 15 goals in 2000, back on track. In his new role of defensive leader, Pope must rally his young defensive mates while keeping a close eye on the Jamaican international. SCHEDULED REFEREES: Referee: Richard Heron; Assistant Referees: Nathan Clement (SAR), Lorenzo Sanz (JAR)