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Saturday
NER @ Montreal 1pm - Garde seems to be busy creating excuses. NER plays a more refined pressing game now, akin to the EPL circa 2009. The flaw in their game is the space behind the WB's. Too bad Garde seems to have ticked off every one of his outside players with speed.
2-1 for NER
Why watch this game? We play NER in a week.
NYC @ NYRB 1:55pm
Game of the Week
Love me a Hudson River derby. A true derby where the teams don't really like each other much. Two good teams offensively with lots of firepower. Defence is an issue for the Pigeons and that will be the difference in this game.
3-1 for NYRB
Why watch this game? If NYC or NYRB are to be real contenders, they have to get through each other. The stakes are high in this game.
Vancouver @ Minnesota 2pm
The Loons have been decimated by injuries. The Caps have been decimated by bad management practices. A great game if this was 2009 MLS. The x factor here is Quintero. He will make the difference.
2-0 for Minnesota
Why watch the highlights of this game? Not worth the full 90. The odd technical adeptness & likely red card infraction will keep your attention span for about 20 minutes.
FCD @ LAFC 3:55pm
Dallas put up a decent game for the first 60 minutes against NYC but couldn't sustain their passing in that band box. This week will be different. LAFC's defence is slow everywhere but Beitashour. This will be exploited.
2-1 for Dallas
Why watch this game? Intricate offensive maneuvers everywhere but not necessarily getting goals
Columbus @ Seattle 4pm
Two teams that have looked less then convincing. After a week spent trying to back track remarks about Seattle being a contender, the home team is under pressure to get a result. Columbus doesn't need this win & with 2 home games against eastern opponents in the following 7 days, I think they mail this one in.
3-0 for Seattle
Why watch the highlights of this game? We play Seattle on Wednesday
Atlanta @ Chicago 8:30pm
The team we steamrollered through for 60 minutes is not going to be able to handle Atlanta for 90. The 5 stripes tend to come on late and devour defences. Same again, especially against that slow midfield.
4-1 for Atlanta
Why watch this game? Almiron has been the MVP - he's worth the price of admission
LAG @ Houston 8:30pm
Zlatan meets Texas heat. After the euphoria of the derby game, LAG has returned to form. Houston isn't really that good either. Sure some goals will be scored but this is not going to be a great game to watch.
1-1 draw
Why watch the highlights of this game? The panther & Zlatan - somebody is going to do something
Colorado @ SKC 8:30pm
STINKER OF THE WEEK
SKC has injury problems up front & has problems scoring goals when not up by a man. Still, they shouldn't have issues with a Colorado team that just isn't all that good.
3-1 for SKC
Why watch the highlights of this game? If you are a deep nerd about MLS trends, watching Vermes move from pressing to defence and back to pressing is kinda intriguing
Portland @ San Jose 10:30pm
Two teams that have looked horrid for most of the season but now going in different directions. SJE hasn't won since week 1 & lacks identity - Portland seems to have turned things around in the last couple of games with an offensive spark. Look for that to continue
2-0 for Portland
Why watch this game? If you are into vim and vigour, this is your match.
Sunday
RSL @ Orlando 5pm
Orlando is on a five game win streak. RSL is up and down and up and down putting nothing sustained together in terms of results. Not much should change this week. RSL just isn't good enough in defence or attack to keep Orlando down for a whole game in Orlando.
3-1 for the home team
Why watch this game? Orlando has been winning but has flaws that hopefully we can exploit this month.