MLS Week 29 Predictions

Thursday, September 29th
Philadelphia Union - DC United: This will be an eastern conference showdown, the Union looking to extend their unbeaten streak and further press for higher placement in the table and DC will be looking to gain more ground in the fight for the last wild card spot. DC's confidence will definitely will be on a high, after last week's 4-1 drubbing of Real Salt Lake and De Rosario's record breaking performance. I expect this to be a closely contested match, so a draw wouldn't be all that surprising.

Saturday, October 1st
New England Revolution - Seattle Sounders FC: The stats say it all: 54 points to 27, fifteen wins to a paltry five, 49 goals scored to 32, and a +17 goal difference to -15. The Sounders have a clear statistical advantage over the New England Revolution. Another stat to throw in is the Sounders recent road record across all competitions, a remarkable 5-0-1. Not only that, the Sounders are tied with the LA Galaxy for the best overall road-record in the league at 7-3-5. Speaking of records, if their home record (4-4-5) is any indicator, the Revolution do stand a decent chance in this match. However, if the Sounders can avoid too much line-up shuffling (RSL went too far and they paid for it), they honestly should have very little trouble winning this one.

Colorado Rapids - FC Dallas: This is a rematch of sorts of last year's MLS Cup final, but that isn't the only factor that makes this match interesting. Both teams have taken a bit of a nose-dive as of late, FC Dallas taking only three out of fifteen points available in their last five matches and Colorado only claiming just two. Despite their recent slump, I believe that FC Dallas still have the capacity to win. The fact that they struck woodwork three separate times last weekend says that their offense is still their, but fortune simply has not been on their side. If a key player like Brek Shea can step up and the ball can finally bounce in their favor, this is a match that FC Dallas should win.

LA Galaxy - Real Salt Lake: Up until recently, this was looking to be one of the best match-ups of the weekend. Two contenders for the Supporter's Shield squaring off, but RSL's recent fortunes have just about eliminated them from contention for the best regular season record. They've drop two matches in a row now, conceding seven goals (two players even netting hat tricks) and to make matters worse they're captain, Kyle Beckerman, was red carded in their mid-week match against Chicago. Without Beckerman, RSL's chances at leaving the Home Depot Center with any sort of result is shrouded in doubt. RSL have proven themselves to be one of the league's best, but I don't think they have what it takes to break the Galaxy's home unbeaten run.

Columbus Crew - DC United: This is a must win match for both teams, who are both desperate to remain contenders in the play-off race. The Crew have been struggling lately, picking up only a single pint in their last five matches. They were able to hold the Galaxy off last weekend, until their distinct lack of the ability to finish came back to haunt them in the last minute of stoppage time when Chad Barret fed on a rebound from a saved Landon Donovan shot and scored the game-winner. On the other hand, DC has been a little inconsistent in the results that they've been getting but they have been winning games and picking up points. One can look no further than DC's 4-1 drubbing of Real Salt Lake last weekend to know what they are capable of doing. If DC can keep up the offense and Columbus continues their struggles in front of goal, DC will come away with all three points.

Vancouver Whitecaps - Portland Timbers: Last week the Sounders claimed the Cascadia Cup in their 3-1 victory in the final match at Empire Field, so there will be nothing to play for in this final Cascadia Derby but pride and points. Vancouver may be officially out of the play-off race after last weekend's loss, but the Timbers are very much in the middle of it, which gives the home side even more reason and conviction to win. Not only that, the Timbers poor road form (only one victory in fourteen matches) is encouraging for Vancouver's chances in this matches. If the Timbers' poor road form continues and Vancouver continues to play as good as they did last weekend against the Sounders, the Whitecaps easily have the victory in this one.