Well there were some interesting matches on Saturday and now we get two more matches to enjoy on Sunday.
Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew - 2pm MT - Direct Kick
The Crew got a very good 2-1 win at home on Wednesday over RSL to boost their record to 4-3-6 on the season with 14 goals scored and 15 goals allowed and they have to expect more of the same when the Chicago Fire come to town with their 1-4-8 record. This match will be missing two of the bigger names as Chicago's Marco Pappa and the Crew's Robbie Rogers are both on Gold Cup duty with their national teams, both sides also are dealing with injuries, the Crew clearly have the worst of it. Both of these teams are looking for an onfield general to take charge and lead their offense, and so far nobody has answered that call for either team.
The Fired haven't scored a goal in their last two matches and haven't won a match since week 2, the Crew got a win for the first time in 5 matches midweek. The Crew had a little chaos on Wednesday as there was some controversy on who would take their PK, fans clearly wanted Jeff Cunningham (we know he loves to score against RSL) who is just a goal away from the MLS all time scoring record, but it was Andres Mendoza took and converted the PK. It is interesting that in the projected Chicago lineup that new coach Frank Klopas has neither of the players from Uruguay in his starting XI, Diego Chaves and Gaston Puerari were supposed to lead the rebuilding efforts at Chicago this year. They have a combined 5 goals and 2 assists on the season, but have been ice cold of late. This one should be a rough and tumble match, which should end up a 2-0 win for the Crew and don't be surprised if they get yet another PK issued to them
the other match after the jump:
Sporting Kansas City at FC Dallas - 5pm MT - Direct Kick
It had to hurt Sporting KC to not perform well in their first home match of the year on Thursday night, but they have no time to pout as they must try to turn things around, their 1-6-4 record simply isn't good enough. FC Dallas will be looking to keep pace with the LA Galaxy, the Hoops have a 7-3-4 record with 17 goals scored and just 12 goals allowed. I have to believe that Sporting KC may be looking for a new head coach to go with their new stadium if they don't get things turned around soon. Starting with 10 straight road matches is tough, and this will be their 11th of 17 road matches, so they will only have to leave home 6 more times, but just 7 points after 11 matches isn't good enough. What has me baffled is their inability to score lately, they have Teal Bunbury, Kei Kamara, recently Omar Bravo returned to the lineup. SKC will be without their starting keeper Jimmy Nielsen who is out on red card suspension, they will be without Michael Harrington for yellow card suspension. Then there are the Gold Cup call ups for Craig Rocastle, Roger Espinoza, Stephane Auvray, and Shavar Thomas, gonna make this one tough.
FC Dallas will be my top team in MLS if they can get a win on Sunday, they simply have been impressive lately and while their style of play isn't what some would prefer to watch it has been very effective. It has been almost two months since they have lost a match and they have gotten contributions from everyone on their roster, I think the biggest change since the David Ferreira injury has been the play of Brek Shea, who in the midfield has been very solid on both sides of the ball. I also have really like the play of Marvin Chavez and Fabian Castillo, both whom have really been huge on offense. This should be a fairly onesided match, but Sporting has some guys with speed who could test the defend and counter style of FC Dallas, still going to pick this one as a 1-0 win for FCD, but don't be surprised if it ends up a draw.
OFF MY SOAPBOX