Wednesday
Vancouver Whitecaps 2 Columbus Crew 2 - I'm standing by my decision to pick the Crew to win the East so at some point they need to start earning points.
Friday
FC Dallas 2 Colorado Rapids 0 - I'm going to go out on a limb and say Colorado isn't going to break their scoreless streak against Dallas.
Saturday
New England Revolution 1 Columbus Crew 1 - I'd love to say the Crew are going to be able to exact revenge for their playoff defeat, but playing two games this week isn't going to help them.
New York City FC 2 Philadelphia Union 1 - The Union have to be gutted after this weekend's loss to Sporting. Their defense has a lot of holes which I believe City has the weapons to exploit.
New York Red Bulls 1 DC United 0 - This was the game of the week just a few weeks ago. The only difference now is that DC is starting to get healthy.
Houston Dynamo 1 Montreal Impact 0 - All the Impact are going to care about is winning tonight's Champions League showdown against Alajuelense. This will work in Houston's favor.
Real Salt Lake 1 Sporting Kansas City 0 - Rimando and company are still unbeaten, and Sporting's still pretty inconsistent. Advantage RSL.
Vancouver 3 San Jose 3 - So many talented offensive players on both sides, why not a shootout? That said, it will probably end up 1-0 Caps.
Sunday
Portland Timbers 2 Orlando City 1 - Portland is high on confidence after knocking off FC Dallas. Orlando City is linked to Chicharito, but he won't help them on Sunday.
Seattle Sounders 4 LA Galaxy 1 - You think the Sounders won't get up for this game? LA's playing poorly, and Seattle will take advantage with Oba and Deuce leading the charge.
Last Week: 2-6 (Seattle, Sporting KC)
Overall: 9-25 (You'd think at some point I'd start accidentally getting some of these correct)
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Monday, April 6, 2015
Weekly Top Tens and Power Rankings - 4/6/15
THE SOCCERSMITH'S MLS POWER RANKINGS
1 - Vancouver Whitecaps (4-1-0) - Impressive win against LA gives them four in a row and Rivero's 4 goals lead the league. Last Week: 2
2 - FC Dallas (3-1-1) - The streak is over, but Dallas is still pretty darn good. Last Week: 1
3 - New York Red Bulls (2-0-1) - If they'd played this week, I'd have considered moving them ahead of Dallas, but hard to move someone up during a bye week. Last Week: 3
4- Seattle Sounders (2-1-1) - Seattle's only been scored on in one game so far this season. Meanwhile, Obafemi Martins has scored in all three matches he's played. Last Week: 6
5 - DC United (3-1-0) - Three 1-0 wins. Is this a playoff team without Bill Hamid? Last Week: 8
6 - Real Salt Lake (2-0-2) - One of just two unbeatens, Real Salt Lake always seems to find a way to be competetive. Last Week: 7
7 - LA Galaxy (1-2-2) - Winless in four, and their only win this year came against Chicago when the Fire were still playing badly. Last Week: 4
8 - Toronto FC (1-3-0) - Time to panic in Toronto? No. There are still 30 games left. Last Week: 5
9 - Portland Timbers (1-1-3) - Got to give them props for dealing Dallas their first loss. Just think where these guys will be when everyone's healthy. Last Week: 12
10 - Sporting Kansas City (2-1-2) - It was ugly, but they stole a win at home from Philadelphia, Dom Dwyer snapped his scoreless streak and Hungarian striker Krisztián Németh showed what a difference he can be when healthy. Last Week: 10
Out: Columbus (9-->11)
1 - Vancouver Whitecaps (4-1-0) - Impressive win against LA gives them four in a row and Rivero's 4 goals lead the league. Last Week: 2
2 - FC Dallas (3-1-1) - The streak is over, but Dallas is still pretty darn good. Last Week: 1
3 - New York Red Bulls (2-0-1) - If they'd played this week, I'd have considered moving them ahead of Dallas, but hard to move someone up during a bye week. Last Week: 3
4- Seattle Sounders (2-1-1) - Seattle's only been scored on in one game so far this season. Meanwhile, Obafemi Martins has scored in all three matches he's played. Last Week: 6
5 - DC United (3-1-0) - Three 1-0 wins. Is this a playoff team without Bill Hamid? Last Week: 8
6 - Real Salt Lake (2-0-2) - One of just two unbeatens, Real Salt Lake always seems to find a way to be competetive. Last Week: 7
7 - LA Galaxy (1-2-2) - Winless in four, and their only win this year came against Chicago when the Fire were still playing badly. Last Week: 4
8 - Toronto FC (1-3-0) - Time to panic in Toronto? No. There are still 30 games left. Last Week: 5
9 - Portland Timbers (1-1-3) - Got to give them props for dealing Dallas their first loss. Just think where these guys will be when everyone's healthy. Last Week: 12
10 - Sporting Kansas City (2-1-2) - It was ugly, but they stole a win at home from Philadelphia, Dom Dwyer snapped his scoreless streak and Hungarian striker Krisztián Németh showed what a difference he can be when healthy. Last Week: 10
Out: Columbus (9-->11)
Sunday, April 5, 2015
SuperDraft Rookie Watch, Week 5
Week 5 featured the debut of Philadelphia's Raymond Lee, but it was one to forget as Sporting Kansas City scored twice on his watch in stoppage time. In other action, Matt Polster and Fatai Alashe were once again in their respective starting lineups while number one overall pick Cyle Larin got his longest run of the season logging 68 minutes off the bench. Here's a look at all five SuperDraft rookies who saw the field this week:
1 - Cyle Larin - Orlando City - Appeared as a sub vs DC United, 68 mins, 4 shots
4 - Fatai Alashe - San Jose - Started vs Real Salt Lake, 90 mins, 1 shot, yellow card
7 - Matt Polster - Chicago - Started vs Toronto, 88 mins
67 - Dominique Badji - Colorado - Appeared as a sub vs New England, 32 mins, 2 shots
71 - Raymond Lee - Philadelphia - Appeared as a sub vs Sporting KC, 12 mins
1 - Cyle Larin - Orlando City - Appeared as a sub vs DC United, 68 mins, 4 shots
4 - Fatai Alashe - San Jose - Started vs Real Salt Lake, 90 mins, 1 shot, yellow card
7 - Matt Polster - Chicago - Started vs Toronto, 88 mins
67 - Dominique Badji - Colorado - Appeared as a sub vs New England, 32 mins, 2 shots
71 - Raymond Lee - Philadelphia - Appeared as a sub vs Sporting KC, 12 mins
MLS Weekly Recap - Week 5
So we're over a month into the season and both Toronto FC and the LA Galaxy continue to struggle with neither side able to find a win since Opening Day. Meanwhile, the Whitecaps stay red hot with their fourth straight win, Real Salt Lake remains unbeaten, DC United pulls off another last gasp 1-0 victory, Portland deals FC Dallas their first loss of the season, and Colorado finally yields a goal (although they still haven't scored one). Here's a rundown of all the action from Week 5.
RESULTS
FRIDAY
DC United 1 Orlando City SC 0
SATURDAY
Chicago Fire 3 Toronto FC 2
New England Revolution 2 Colorado Rapids 0
Seattle Sounders 1 Houston Dynamo 0
Vancouver Whitecaps 2 LA Galaxy 0
Portland Timbers 3 FC Dallas 1
SUNDAY
Real Salt Lake 1 San Jose Earthquakes 0
Sporting Kansas City 3 Philadelphia Union 2
RESULTS
FRIDAY
DC United 1 Orlando City SC 0
SATURDAY
Chicago Fire 3 Toronto FC 2
New England Revolution 2 Colorado Rapids 0
Seattle Sounders 1 Houston Dynamo 0
Vancouver Whitecaps 2 LA Galaxy 0
Portland Timbers 3 FC Dallas 1
SUNDAY
Real Salt Lake 1 San Jose Earthquakes 0
Sporting Kansas City 3 Philadelphia Union 2
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
MLS Week 5 Predictions
Friday
DC United 1 Orlando City SC 1 - Kaka is starting to get things going, but Orlando City still has things to fix before they become true competitors in the East.
Saturday
Toronto FC 2 Chicago Fire 1 - Toronto needs this win badly, and I have to think that their veteran leadership will make sure they get it.
New England Revolution 0 Colorado Rapids 0 - Hard to bet against a 0-0 tie with New England's attack struggling and Colorado having reeled off three straight scoreless draws.
Seattle Sounders 1 Houston Dynamo 0 - These are the kinds of games that we've become accustomed to seeing Seattle win. Even short-handed, they should be more than the Dynamo can handle.
Vancouver Whitecaps 2 LA Galaxy 2 - I don't see the Galaxy losing two in a row, but I don't see them playing well enough to knock off red-hot Vancouver.
FC Dallas 2 Portland Timbers 1 - Portland struggled to slow down Vancouver's offense, and Dallas's attack is far more dynamic. Darlington Nagbe will make sure Chris Seitz and the Dallas D doesn't get a fourth shutout in five matches.
Sunday
San Jose Earthquakes 2 Real Salt Lake 2 - RSL hasn't looked unbeatable, but here they are in Week 5 without a loss. Betting Wondo gets another goal closer to 100 here.
Sporting Kansas City 2 Philadelphia Union 0 - I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this is where Dom Dwyer gets his first goal of the season. Philadelphia just needs help and they're not going to find it here.
Last Week: 2-8 (DC United, Colorado-Houston)
Overall: 7-19 (I am NOT good at this...)
DC United 1 Orlando City SC 1 - Kaka is starting to get things going, but Orlando City still has things to fix before they become true competitors in the East.
Saturday
Toronto FC 2 Chicago Fire 1 - Toronto needs this win badly, and I have to think that their veteran leadership will make sure they get it.
New England Revolution 0 Colorado Rapids 0 - Hard to bet against a 0-0 tie with New England's attack struggling and Colorado having reeled off three straight scoreless draws.
Seattle Sounders 1 Houston Dynamo 0 - These are the kinds of games that we've become accustomed to seeing Seattle win. Even short-handed, they should be more than the Dynamo can handle.
Vancouver Whitecaps 2 LA Galaxy 2 - I don't see the Galaxy losing two in a row, but I don't see them playing well enough to knock off red-hot Vancouver.
FC Dallas 2 Portland Timbers 1 - Portland struggled to slow down Vancouver's offense, and Dallas's attack is far more dynamic. Darlington Nagbe will make sure Chris Seitz and the Dallas D doesn't get a fourth shutout in five matches.
Sunday
San Jose Earthquakes 2 Real Salt Lake 2 - RSL hasn't looked unbeatable, but here they are in Week 5 without a loss. Betting Wondo gets another goal closer to 100 here.
Sporting Kansas City 2 Philadelphia Union 0 - I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this is where Dom Dwyer gets his first goal of the season. Philadelphia just needs help and they're not going to find it here.
Last Week: 2-8 (DC United, Colorado-Houston)
Overall: 7-19 (I am NOT good at this...)
2015 MLS SuperDraft Rookie Stats Through March
Here's a look at your MLS Superdraftees who've seen MLS action in 2015:
1 - Cyle Larin (Orlando City) - 1 appearance, 0 starts, 19 mins, 1 shot
2 - Khiry Shelton (New York City FC) - 3 appearances, 0 starts, 81 mins, 3 shots
3 - Romario Williams (Montreal) - 1 appearance, 0 starts, 6 mins
4 - Fatai Alashe (San Jose) - 3 appearances, 2 starts, 189 mins, 3 shots, 1 goal
7 - Matt Polster (Chicago) - 4 appearances, 3 starts, 266 mins, 1 shot, 2 yellow cards
8 - Zach Steinberger (Houston) - 1 appearance, 0 starts, 21 mins, 1 shot
9 - Clement Simonin (Toronto FC) - 1 appearance, 1 start, 90 mins, 1 shot, 1 yellow card
14 - Axel Sjöberg (Colorado) - 2 appearances, 2 starts, 180 mins, 1 shot, 1 yellow card
16 - Cristian Roldan (Seattle) - 3 appearances, 1 start, 72 mins, 1 shot, 1 yellow card
17 - Miguel Aguilar (DC United) - 1 appearance, 0 starts, 13 mins
20 - Amadou Dia (Sporting KC) - 2 appearances, 2 starts, 180 mins, 3 shots
36 - Rob Lovejoy (Houston) - 3 appearances, 1 start, 114 mins, 2 shots
40 - Oniel Fisher (Seattle) - 1 appearance, 0 starts, 4 mins
45 - Cameron Porter (Montreal) - 2 appearances, 1 start, 39 mins, 1 shot
67 - Dominique Badji (Colorado) - 3 appearances, 2 starts, 160 mins, 1 shot, 1 yellow card
So far only 15 of 84 players drafted have gotten on the field, and only nine have broken into their clubs' respective Starting XIs. And that includes Cameron Porter, whose season was cut short by a knee injury. Chicago's Matt Polster leads all draftees with 266 minutes and 3 starts while San Jose's Fatai Alashe owns the only goal through the season's first four weeks.
1 - Cyle Larin (Orlando City) - 1 appearance, 0 starts, 19 mins, 1 shot
2 - Khiry Shelton (New York City FC) - 3 appearances, 0 starts, 81 mins, 3 shots
3 - Romario Williams (Montreal) - 1 appearance, 0 starts, 6 mins
4 - Fatai Alashe (San Jose) - 3 appearances, 2 starts, 189 mins, 3 shots, 1 goal
7 - Matt Polster (Chicago) - 4 appearances, 3 starts, 266 mins, 1 shot, 2 yellow cards
8 - Zach Steinberger (Houston) - 1 appearance, 0 starts, 21 mins, 1 shot
9 - Clement Simonin (Toronto FC) - 1 appearance, 1 start, 90 mins, 1 shot, 1 yellow card
14 - Axel Sjöberg (Colorado) - 2 appearances, 2 starts, 180 mins, 1 shot, 1 yellow card
16 - Cristian Roldan (Seattle) - 3 appearances, 1 start, 72 mins, 1 shot, 1 yellow card
17 - Miguel Aguilar (DC United) - 1 appearance, 0 starts, 13 mins
20 - Amadou Dia (Sporting KC) - 2 appearances, 2 starts, 180 mins, 3 shots
36 - Rob Lovejoy (Houston) - 3 appearances, 1 start, 114 mins, 2 shots
40 - Oniel Fisher (Seattle) - 1 appearance, 0 starts, 4 mins
45 - Cameron Porter (Montreal) - 2 appearances, 1 start, 39 mins, 1 shot
67 - Dominique Badji (Colorado) - 3 appearances, 2 starts, 160 mins, 1 shot, 1 yellow card
So far only 15 of 84 players drafted have gotten on the field, and only nine have broken into their clubs' respective Starting XIs. And that includes Cameron Porter, whose season was cut short by a knee injury. Chicago's Matt Polster leads all draftees with 266 minutes and 3 starts while San Jose's Fatai Alashe owns the only goal through the season's first four weeks.
U.S. Draws With Swiss - Three Things
1) The U.S. lacks mental toughness. Breakdowns late in games can often be attributed to mental shortcomings. A missed assignment, a bad decision, poor communication, etc. These have plagued the U.S. since the World Cup as we've seen an inability of this group to hold leads late in matches against any level of opponent. Yesterday we saw a new type of mental breakdown when Jozy Altidore earned himself a double yellow by cursing out the referee after committing a foul. Instead of comfortably hanging onto a 1-0 lead on the road, the U.S. spent the last 20+ minutes a man down in a hostile environment and eventually conceded an equalizer. These mental mistakes have to stop if the U.S. is to go anywhere in this summer's Gold Cup.
2) Brek Shea is coming around. Shea scored his second goal of the year when he drilled a free kick over the wall and into the back of the net from just outside the penalty box. Shea is starting to shake off the rust that comes with sitting on the bench for an extended period of time and looks to be a lock at left back for Klinsmann moving forward.
3) The U.S. is having issues on both sides of the ball. It's not just the offense or defense that is struggling right now, it's both. The defense has holes, and I defy you to put money on a starting backline. It's anyone's guess who our best three or four (or five?) defenders are at the moment. Offensively, it's been great seeing Jozy showing glimmers, but we still aren't creating enough opportunities and aren't finishing the ones we're getting. Even the goalkeeping has been somewhat suspect as neither Brad Guzan or Nick Rimando has done anything to distinguish themselves since Tim Howard's leave of absence. Klinsmann has his work cut out for him. All hope certainly isn't lost, but we're running out of time to figure this all out.
2) Brek Shea is coming around. Shea scored his second goal of the year when he drilled a free kick over the wall and into the back of the net from just outside the penalty box. Shea is starting to shake off the rust that comes with sitting on the bench for an extended period of time and looks to be a lock at left back for Klinsmann moving forward.
3) The U.S. is having issues on both sides of the ball. It's not just the offense or defense that is struggling right now, it's both. The defense has holes, and I defy you to put money on a starting backline. It's anyone's guess who our best three or four (or five?) defenders are at the moment. Offensively, it's been great seeing Jozy showing glimmers, but we still aren't creating enough opportunities and aren't finishing the ones we're getting. Even the goalkeeping has been somewhat suspect as neither Brad Guzan or Nick Rimando has done anything to distinguish themselves since Tim Howard's leave of absence. Klinsmann has his work cut out for him. All hope certainly isn't lost, but we're running out of time to figure this all out.
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