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Friday MLS Forecast: Week 16
The Forecast reflects on a selfless decision before sharing its Week 16 picks.
Jul 16, 2010 2:12:00 AM
By Kyle McCarthy
Coaches around MLS hope Kyle Beckerman started a trend on Thursday.
Beckerman, the Real Salt Lake captain sidelined since tearing a tendon in his left foot on May 22, earned a spot in the First XI to face Manchester United in the MLS All-Star Game on July 28. Although Beckerman hasn't played since late May, he expects to return to the field either this weekend at FC Dallas or next weekend against Chivas USA and could potentially feature against the perennial English powers.
Most players in Beckerman's position would take the once-in-a-lifetime shot to play against Manchester United without a second thought about the welfare of their team. Beckerman isn't one of those players.
“I'm not going to [go],” Beckerman told the Deseret News. “I'm going to stay here and stay healthy for Real. Yeah, it's a great experience to play against Man U., but it means nothing, it does nothing for us here.”
More than a few other players could and should arrive at a similar conclusion as the midsummer classic approaches. The timing of the showcase – a midweek event plopped squarely in the middle of the typically rigorous summer schedule – places significant demands on players and teams around the league.
For the three clubs participating in the CONCACAF Champions League, the demands are too great. Seattle faces Isidro Metapan on the same night as the MLS All-Stars take on Man United, so any Sounders FC selection – admittedly, an unlikely scenario given the Rave Green's stumbles this season – is automatically consigned to the inactive list. Los Angeles and Toronto FC play the night before, but those jetlagged players may end up making the trip to Houston against all common sense. After all, what would an All-Star Game be without Landon Donovan available to make a brief cameo off the bench?
Other influential stars should ponder the ramifications of playing a midweek game with club commitments on either side of the glamor friendly. Maybe a few players will follow Beckerman's example, maybe most players won't. But the discussion, such as it is, is one that should continue for the next couple of weeks as the participants ponder the pros and cons of an enticing, but potentially costly, trip to Houston.
Last week: 1/7 (14%)
For the season: 43/95 (45%)
Saturday
Toronto FC @ Philadelphia – 3:30p.m. (CBC) – Goal.com Preview
Will the Union learn its lesson after letting three points slip away against San Jose last weekend?
Prediction: Draw.
New York @ Columbus – 7:30p.m. – Goal.com Preview
While the Red Bulls will be boosted by Thierry Henry's arrival, they aren't bolstered by the placement of this game on the schedule. The Crew don't lose at home very often, so Robert Warzycha's charges will want to redeem themselves after Kansas City rode Jimmy Nielsen to a surprising victory at Crew Stadium on Wednesday.
Prediction: Columbus win.
Real Salt Lake @ FC Dallas – 8:30p.m. – Goal.com Preview
This match stands out as a potential delight for the neutral because both teams like to put the ball on the floor and play. Will the artists on both sides shine or will the match peter out into a frustrating stalemate?
Prediction: Draw.
Kansas City @ Colorado – 9:00p.m. – Goal.com Preview
After the midweek victory in Ohio, Kansas City faces the classic letdown game in Commerce City. The Wizards will have to play their third match in eight days at altitude against a rock-hard Rapids side. Not exactly a recipe for a second consecutive road shocker, is it?
Prediction: Colorado win.
Sunday
Los Angeles @ D.C. United – 7:30p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel) – Goal.com Preview
Roger Levesque snatched a point away from United at the death on Thursday night. The Galaxy probably won't wait that long to secure its victory and submit its response to a disappointing effort in New England last weekend.
Prediction: Los Angeles 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 MLSsoccer.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com and follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
Coaches around MLS hope Kyle Beckerman started a trend on Thursday.
Beckerman, the Real Salt Lake captain sidelined since tearing a tendon in his left foot on May 22, earned a spot in the First XI to face Manchester United in the MLS All-Star Game on July 28. Although Beckerman hasn't played since late May, he expects to return to the field either this weekend at FC Dallas or next weekend against Chivas USA and could potentially feature against the perennial English powers.
Most players in Beckerman's position would take the once-in-a-lifetime shot to play against Manchester United without a second thought about the welfare of their team. Beckerman isn't one of those players.
“I'm not going to [go],” Beckerman told the Deseret News. “I'm going to stay here and stay healthy for Real. Yeah, it's a great experience to play against Man U., but it means nothing, it does nothing for us here.”
More than a few other players could and should arrive at a similar conclusion as the midsummer classic approaches. The timing of the showcase – a midweek event plopped squarely in the middle of the typically rigorous summer schedule – places significant demands on players and teams around the league.
For the three clubs participating in the CONCACAF Champions League, the demands are too great. Seattle faces Isidro Metapan on the same night as the MLS All-Stars take on Man United, so any Sounders FC selection – admittedly, an unlikely scenario given the Rave Green's stumbles this season – is automatically consigned to the inactive list. Los Angeles and Toronto FC play the night before, but those jetlagged players may end up making the trip to Houston against all common sense. After all, what would an All-Star Game be without Landon Donovan available to make a brief cameo off the bench?
Other influential stars should ponder the ramifications of playing a midweek game with club commitments on either side of the glamor friendly. Maybe a few players will follow Beckerman's example, maybe most players won't. But the discussion, such as it is, is one that should continue for the next couple of weeks as the participants ponder the pros and cons of an enticing, but potentially costly, trip to Houston.
Last week: 1/7 (14%)
For the season: 43/95 (45%)
Saturday
Toronto FC @ Philadelphia – 3:30p.m. (CBC) – Goal.com Preview
Will the Union learn its lesson after letting three points slip away against San Jose last weekend?
Prediction: Draw.
New York @ Columbus – 7:30p.m. – Goal.com Preview
While the Red Bulls will be boosted by Thierry Henry's arrival, they aren't bolstered by the placement of this game on the schedule. The Crew don't lose at home very often, so Robert Warzycha's charges will want to redeem themselves after Kansas City rode Jimmy Nielsen to a surprising victory at Crew Stadium on Wednesday.
Prediction: Columbus win.
Real Salt Lake @ FC Dallas – 8:30p.m. – Goal.com Preview
This match stands out as a potential delight for the neutral because both teams like to put the ball on the floor and play. Will the artists on both sides shine or will the match peter out into a frustrating stalemate?
Prediction: Draw.
Kansas City @ Colorado – 9:00p.m. – Goal.com Preview
After the midweek victory in Ohio, Kansas City faces the classic letdown game in Commerce City. The Wizards will have to play their third match in eight days at altitude against a rock-hard Rapids side. Not exactly a recipe for a second consecutive road shocker, is it?
Prediction: Colorado win.
Sunday
Los Angeles @ D.C. United – 7:30p.m. (Fox Soccer Channel) – Goal.com Preview
Roger Levesque snatched a point away from United at the death on Thursday night. The Galaxy probably won't wait that long to secure its victory and submit its response to a disappointing effort in New England last weekend.
Prediction: Los Angeles 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 MLSsoccer.com. Contact him with your questions or comments at kyle.mccarthy@goal.com and follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page.
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