WVHooligan - Soccer Blog

The MLS returns to primetime action tonight after a week off (for golf?!) with an eastern conference battle that smart are starting to call Yankee Superclasico.

Columbus Crew - at - DC United: Yes this new Yankee Superclasico is due to the old rivalry between Columbus’s Schelotto and DC’s Marcelo Gallardo, from their time in Argentina. DC is coming off what some are calling an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Real Salt Lake last week; while the Crew were able to outlast Chivas USA 4-3 thanks to two goals from Robbie Rogers.

This game should have the makings of a pretty decent one. DC will be looking to rebound as the Crew will be looking to pick up their first road win of the young season. Playing in RFK hasn’t been well for the road side over the years, in fact, the Crew have only won four times in the Nation’s Capital. The most recent came last year’s season finale.

Will RFK be that kind to the Crew this year? Its hard to say, but by the way the two clubs are going into this game anything is possible. My feeling is DC will be hungry to bounce back from the bad loss last week, just as they did after their season opening loss to Kansas City when they dumped on Toronto 4-1 in the following game.

However, some feel that United could already be falling into their normal CONCACAF Champions Cup hangover right now. If last week’s game is any indication of that hangover, then you could bet it is going on in full force right now.

The Crew have some momentum on their side after their win last week against Chivas. Beating a quality side like Chivas was something that the Crew needed to do. Now if they can only put it together in that fashion on the road, then we could be looking at a side that may be a dark-horse in the east.

Of course the interest in this game has to be the match-up of Marcelo Gallardo and Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The two were old rivals in Argentina and probably will look to continue their old rival here in the MLS tonight. Schelotto has to play like he did against Chivas and not how he played against New York in week two. If he comes to play you can bet the Crew will be able to put enough pressure on a DC defense that hasn’t been too good so far this season.

As much as I think momentum is on the Crew’s side in this one I have to think the home side will prevail in the end here. Historically the Crew aren’t great in RFK. The goals could come but I expect DC to want to get the hangover off their back for good in this one. Its a home game on primetime and I have to think that the Black-and-Red will put a better showing than in previous weeks.

WVH Prediction: DC 2, Columbus 1