MLS Week 22 Predictions

Saturday, August 11th
Sounders FC - Chivas USA: While Chivas USA aren't exactly among the best in the league, they're definitely not among the worst. Head coach Robin Fraser has definitely really turned things around since last season, when Chivas finished in the basement of the standings. The two threats to be wary of are recently returned Alejandro Moreno who is on goal scoring form, and recent MLS All Star Nick LaBrocca who is having a career season with seven goals and four assists so far. Only two teams have been able to leave Century Link field this season with all three points, those two teams being the LA Galaxy and FC Dallas who happen to be the only two teams currently above the Sounders in the standings. Not only that, both also only won on a 1-0 scoreline. The Sounders may have been faltering as of late, but they have found their winning form once again with two straight wins against San Francisco and a brilliant late comeback against the formerly 14-match undefeated Sporting kansas City. With the possible return of three starting-quality players (Brad Evans, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, and O'Brian White), this match is looking very good for the Sounders. The Sounders should have no problem winning this one.

Toronto FC - Real Salt Lake: When Toronto made the visit to Rio Tinto earlier this season, Real Salt Lake had very little trouble in leaving the match with a win. Recently RSL has endured two straight losses, and while they snapped that with a 3-0 victory over the Red Bulls, a victory over the Red Bulls these days doesn't exactly say as much as it used to. Not only that, Toronto has been looking much stronger and much more dangerous in the past couple of weeks. Granted they have only been recording draws, but those draws certainly say a lot. Aron Winter has been rebuilding TFC, and seeing these recent improvements I'd certainly say he's close to finishing. Whether or not that makes a difference against a very strong RSL is the question. I'm gonna play it safe and side with RSL on this one.

New York Red Bulls - Chicago Fire: Lately the Red Bulls have been in a nose dive. They certainly started the season strong, but with their serious lack of depth and creative ability at times in the midfield they're starting to look more than a little lackluster. Their complete disregard for the US Open Cup is looking pretty foolish at this rate, as their no longer guaranteed a place in the play-off's if they continue on the track that they're on and if they do make it, they're certainly not going to make it very far. The results haven't been going Chicago's way throughout the season, but that figure can be deceiving. Regardless to the number of wins that they have, Chicago is a very good team and will certainly give a struggling Red Bulls a very good challenge. i think this one will end in a draw.

Philadelphia Union - FC Dallas: The second best in the east faces off with the second best in the west. There are two keys to this match-up: new Philadelphia signing Freddy Adu and FC Dallas' Brek Shea. It's no secret that the Union have been experiencing scoring woes, and could Adu be the remedy for these woes? His recent return to favor with the US national team syas that it just might be. Speaking of the national team, Brek Shea had a fantastic recent performance in the recent friendly against Mexico. There is no doubt that he is one of the best that the MLS currently has to offer, but he's been kinda quiet lately in the MLS. If he pick up his scoring form once again, FC Dallas should have little trouble in leaving PPL Park with all three points.