Week 15: Examiner.com's MLS Preview: Part II

June 27, 3:50 AMMLS ExaminerCharlie Corr

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the MLS Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

 

It's a light weekend in Major League Soccer play for Week 15, with four matches over the two days.

Toronto FC hopes to maintain some momentum when the Reds face host Real Salt Lake on Saturday. A Toronto win would mean overtaking D.C. United for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Sunday is an all-Western Conference tilt, with the Colorado Rapids on the road to face Seattle Sounders FC, and the Los Angeles Galaxy hosting the league's top team, the Houston Dynamo.

(The Week 15 Examiner.com preview and predictions are written solely by MLS Examiner Charlie Corr and are not a collective opinion among the individual Examiners who cover their respective teams.)

SATURDAY'S MATCHES

• New York Red Bulls (2-11-4) at Columbus Crew (4-3-7): The Crew had a minor setback when they blew a lead against Dallas and wound up with a loss (their first defeat since April 5 against Chivas USA). But look for them to rebound this week against the hapless New York Red Bulls. The Red Bulls are woeful on the road and they don't have a playmaker remotely close to the likes of the Crew's Guillermo Barros Schelotto. One thing that doesn't sit well for me is the Crew receiving their 2008 MLS Cup championship rings. Ever get the feeling that the opposing team steps up in these moments? I'm banking the Red Bulls don't. Winner: Columbus Crew (For more, check out Columbus Crew Examiner Thomas DelSignore's and New York Soccer Examiner Jeff Kassouf's coverage.)

• Toronto FC (6-5-4) at Real Salt Lake (4-6-4): June has been a turnaround month for Real, but just how much of a turnaround can be answered Saturday. They are 1-0-2 in June, nearly pulling off a victory against the host Houston Dynamo last week. Meanwhile, the Reds can possibly move into first place in the East. Without Jamison Olave (red card) and Will Johnson (Gold Cup), Real has a bit to overcome in the midfield and defense. The Reds could sneak into Rio Tinto and ride their newfound momentum, even though that boost has been generated from two New York wins. Winner: Toronto FC

SUNDAY'S MATCHES

• Colorado Rapids (5-2-6) at Seattle Sounders FC (5-3-7): The Rapids and Sounders are neck-and-neck in the West, with Seattle carrying a one-point edge for third. Seattle's Fredy Montero has adjusted beautifully over the last several games and knows how to create. Omar Cummings has catapulted himself as the Rapids' main man while Conor Casey battles with the U.S. MNT. But 15 of the Sounders' 22 points this season have come at home (4-1-3). Qwest Field had treated them well so far this season, and they enter this interesting showdown with the home-field edge. Winner: Seattle Sounders FC (For more, check out Seattle Soccer Examiner David Falk's and Colorado Rapids Examiner Deron White's coverage.)

• Houston Dynamo (8-2-4) at Los Angeles Galaxy (2-3-9): The Galaxy have dropped a couple in a row and are hoping The Home Depot Center can provide the proper venue to turn things around. But Landon Donovan still is away with the U.S. national team, and they are facing the best defense and hottest team in MLS in the Dynamo. Additionally, Houston has had the upper hand in L.A. of late, so there isn't much reason to think the Dynamo can't continue their winnings ways. Winner: Houston Dynamo (For more, check out Houston Dynamo Examiner Joshua Villarreal's and Los Angeles Galaxy Examiner Richard Manfredi's coverage.)

* * *

(Prediction record last week: 1-2, with three draws. My cumulative record: 17-13, with 17 draws. ***Please note, all draws are actual MLS draws - this forum only decides winners and losers each week.***)

* * *

Send a message: E-mail your comments or thoughts to charliecorr@gmail.com.

Charlie Corr is a freelance sports writer based in Chicago. In addition to his Major League Soccer duties, he is the Chicago Sports Examiner and the creator of a Chicago-based soccer Web site, SlideTackles.net.

Follow Charlie on Twitter!