Friday MLS Forecast: Week Four

By Kyle McCarthy

I wonder what the Forecast would look like if each of the 70 proposed U.S. World Cup venues had a MLS team.

Think of the possible fixtures. A Niagara Falls derby between Wings B.F.C. and Toronto FC. Intracity and intraregion derbies in Atlanta, Birmingham, Detroit, Dallas, Los Angeles, Houston, Jacksonville (!), Minneapolis, Phoenix, Seattle, Washington, D.C. and the Bay Area. Northeastern rivals New Haven F.C. and Penn State United meeting at the Yale Bowl. The battle of the Columbias (Columbia M.O.F.C. v. Columbia S.C.) taking place in South Carolina. Perennial MLS powerhouse Columbus Crew traveling to Georgia to face Peach Tree Columbus. The Arkansas-based Walmart A.F.C. traveling across state lines to combat Old Opry S.C. A Big Ten battle between Packers A.F.C. and Illini F.C.

My head is spinning just thinking about writing previews for over 30 games a week. Thankfully, the needlessly bloated World Cup venue list will never accurately reflect the American top flight. Instead of coping with 70 venues and 70 potential sides, I have only seven matches to break down ahead of week four. Thank goodness for the more manageable workload.

Saturday

FC Dallas @ Toronto – 4:00p.m.

After watching FC Dallas in person last weekend, I thought that individual mistakes gutted a relatively decent performance. A problem arises for FCD when a description of a decent performance needs to be qualified by an adverb. Toronto didn't approach any adjective as flattering as decent in last weekend's 2-0 defeat to Seattle. A total stinker, according to TFC players and coaches. Don't expect a repeat against FCD and its injury-riddled defense.

Prediction: Toronto FC win.

Chicago @ San Jose – 4:00p.m. (Telefutura)

John Thorrington's suspension will likely force Fire head coach Denis Hamlett to insert either Cuauhtemoc Blanco or Chris Rolfe into the lineup. I wonder which player the national audience on Telefutura would prefer to play, particularly after watching said player warm the bench last Sunday against New York. Hamlett could also throw a real surprise and play both of them from the start instead of opting for younger players in good form. On the other side, Frank Yallop had to play Bobby Convey as a left back last week in Kansas City after he struggled in the center of the park. Think there's a difference in squad depth between the two teams?

Prediction: Chicago win.

D.C. United @ Real Salt Lake – 6:00p.m.

I suspect D.C. United fans think I am undervaluing their side after the first three weeks. Those critiques may not be far off. Five points in three games is a nice haul for United. However, it might be difficult for United to extend that positive run at Rio Tinto this weekend. History isn't on United's side; RSL has won the past three meetings between the teams in Utah. As an added hurdle for United, RSL looked very good at home against Columbus last Thursday with Yura Movsisyan, Robbie Findley and Clint Mathis particularly active in the attack.

Prediction: Real Salt Lake win.

Colorado @ Columbus – 7:30p.m.

One look at the Columbus injury list – Robbie Rogers, Frankie Hejduk and Chad Marshall are all questionable – makes this match less straightforward than most would expect. So too does Colorado's early season form with Omar Cummings and Conor Casey both among the goals. The Rapids also boast a decent record in Columbus (6-6-3) and have built some momentum with two consecutive wins. Perhaps the Rapids will find a way to continue their impressive start.

Prediction: Draw.

New York @ Houston – 8:30p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel)

Both teams have started slowly and hope to have key additions (Albert Celades and Alfredo Pacheco for New York and Ade Akinbiyi for Houston) play some part in the match. Those new players will be a sideshow to the main storyline. This is first meeting between these two teams since New York knocked the Dynamo out of last season's playoffs with a shocking 3-0 win at Robertson Stadium. If that doesn't serve as sufficient motivation for the orange-clad home team, something is definitely rotten in Dynamoland.

Prediction: Houston win.

Kansas City @ Seattle – 10:30p.m.

The Wizards were just about the only thing to look good in the middle of a driving rain/snow/sleet storm at CommunityAmerica Ballpark last Sunday. They were good value for their 2-0 win over San Jose with Santiago Hirsig settling well in a deeper central role. Kansas City is still coping with a few injury concerns, particularly at fullback. Given the momentum built up by Seattle and the imposing atmosphere at Qwest Stadium, I'm not sure dragging Preki, Mo Johnston, Uche Okafor and Richard Gough out of retirement to bolster the side would help the Wizards get a result this weekend.

Prediction: Seattle win.

Chivas USA @ Los Angeles – 10:30p.m. (ESPN2)

One look at the standings and the form book says this looks like an easy win for the nominal visitors. Los Angeles managed to lose twice at home to Colorado in a four-day span, while Chivas USA is one of two unblemished teams in MLS. But predicting the SuperClasico isn't as easy as looking at recent form and making a selection. This is a passionate local derby with its own peculiar way of doing business. That way of doing business often favors Los Angeles. The Galaxy have a stranglehold on this series (8-3-4) and scraped out two draws and a win against the Goats last season. That's enough for me to say the nominal home side will scrape out a much needed point in this one.

Prediction: Draw.

Kyle McCarthy writes the Monday MLS Breakdown and frequently writes opinion pieces during the week for Goal.com. He also covers the New England Revolution for the Boston Herald and MLSnet.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com.