Friday MLS Forecast: Week 25

Shalrie Joseph | Revolution midfielder continues to mount his MVP case in dual role

These two teams are headed in completely opposite directions as they meet for the fourth and final time this season. New England has won three on the trot and is 5-1-1 in its past seven games. Kansas City hasn't picked up a point or scored a goal in three games under interim boss Peter Vermes. If the Wizards go scoreless in the first three minutes to extend their drought past 427 minutes, they'll set a club record for consecutive minutes played without finding the back of the net. Finding a goal at any point could prove a problem for Kansas City against a New England side that has remained organized and disciplined at the back recently, though it has shown a penchant for giving up late goals to end shutout bids. The Revolution's perky wing play – Wells Thompson scored in Saturday's 2-1 win over San Jose, while Mauricio Castro has fared well enough since returning to the lineup – has added some diversity to the attack over the past two games. Kansas City holds the upper hand in the season series with a win and a draw (plus a draw in SuperLiga), but that past success won't be enough to halt the Wizards' current slide or Revs' roll in this one.

Prediction: New England win.

D.C. United @ FC Dallas – 8:00p.m.

Though this game is absolutely critical for Wicks, it is somewhat less important for United. After last weekend's victory in Chicago, United is operating with house money in this one given the fact it plays the next five matches at R.F.K. Stadium. That being said, United doesn't exactly have a ton of cushion in the playoff race right now as it sits a point outside of the final eight. Any points here would be welcome rather than expected given United's generally dodgy road form (2-5-6). United will have to find earn a point or three without key defensive cog Dejan Jakovic (suspension). As shown by his display on Wednesday, Jakovic is essential to United's defensive hopes in a three-man back line, so expect Tom Soehn to restore Julius James and opt for four at the back against the Hoops. The home side is expected to hand Ugo Ihemelu his debut at right back after he arrived in a deal with Colorado earlier this week. New signing Daniel Hernandez may not be available to join Ihemelu at the back, but the Hoops could certainly use his experience in central defense. Even if the Hoops can't get Hernandez into the lineup, they may just find a way to intensify United's Open Cup hangover and prolong their faint playoff hopes anyways.

Prediction: FC Dallas win.

Toronto @ Colorado – 10:00p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel)

Omar Cummings | MLS assist leader will have to carry scoring burden with Conor Casey on U.S. duty

Colorado enters the first game of this back-to-back series facing a heap of selection issues. Cory Gibbs (thigh) and Jamie Smith (knee) limped off injured in the first half of Sunday's 1-0 win over Houston, while Pablo Mastroeni (suspension) starts a three-match ban after MLS handed down an additional two-game punishment on Thursday to the one-match ban triggered by the yellow card given for his elbow on Andrew Hainault. Conor Casey is also away with the U.S. national team. In better team news for the Rapids, former FC Dallas defender Drew Moor should slot into the starting XI after he swapped places with Ugo Ihemelu earlier this week, but that straight swap still leaves four major holes for Rapids head coach Gary Smith to fill. Expect goalscoring hero Julien Baudet to come in for Gibbs at the back, while Pat Noonan should get the call up front with Mehdi Ballouchy inserted somewhere in midfield. Influential TFC midfielder Carl Robinson will miss out as well after injuring his ankle in training this week – he is expected to miss 2-8 weeks, according to TFC blog The 24th Minute, but is somehow listed as questionable on the TFC injury report. Amadou Sanyang ably filled in for Robinson (suspended) last weekend, so he should keep his place in defensive midfield. Amado Guevara is away with Honduras, but Pablo Vitti could return to the side in that spot after being left out last weekend. With all of the absences, this one is a tough one to decipher. The results last week – TFC's 0-0 draw in Seattle and Colorado's 1-0 win over an unimpressive Houston side on the day – don't provide much of an indicator either, while Toronto's one win from six and Colorado's alternating results in the past eight both point towards a loss for each team. Let's shade it for the home side and head into Labor Day weekend.

Prediction: Colorado win.

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 and follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

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