Juan Pablo Angel needs to step up and lead New York tonight. (Getty Images)

The battle for the Atlantic Cup resumes tonight in Washington as United play host to the New York Red Bulls on ESPN2’s weekly telecast. Both clubs are in need of three points to stay up in the eastern standings and a win over a rival is always nice to say the very least.

We also get a treat tonight in the broadcast booth, Glenn Davis and Kyle Martino will call the game in place of JP and Harkes who are on National team duty. Honestly some may not like Davis or Martino but I think the pairing is as good as, if not sometimes better than JP and Harkes. That’s just me though.

I’ll do my usual week night game preview here with a couple questions along with the quick thoughts on the game. Feel free to post you predictions below as well.

1. What can New York do to win this game?

First of all they have to start early here. Get DC rattled from the start and continue that pressure for 90 minutes. The problem with the Red Bulls this year is flipping the switch off at the wrong time too many times this season. A lot of people thought this would be a good club with the talent in place but maybe its just a matter of poor talent collection afterall along with poor coaching.

New York also needs to rely on getting numbers forward. With DC playing a 3-5-2 most games they tend to lack cover in the back, hense the reason why they tend to give up leads easily and for their high number of draws so far. Push numbers forward early and don’t allow their young rookies to catch you on turnovers.

2. What can DC do to get the three points at home tonight?

DC has to play their game for a full 90. We’ve seen them break away from that too many times this season but when it counts they do know how to put on the pressure and get the goals needed to save points. New York will be without a few players tonight which means they will have a fairly young and inexperienced lineup on the field.

With the way they’ve played New York this season in both league play and in US Open Cup qualifiers, I would imagine the confidence level is pretty high for this bunch going into this game anyways.

3. Player to keep an eye out for.

I know he is a designated player but it’s about time he starts acting like it again. You know I am talking about New York’s Juan Pablo Angel. If he is going to play like a MVP he needs to step up now and do so for his club.

Quick Thoughts:

This is a big game right now for each club. New York really needs three points to move up the standings a bit and get their name back in contention here this season. Eight losses in 13 games never looks good and usually means you won’t see the post season. DC on the other hand just needs to get back to closing games out here. They need to break that deadlock in the east with KC and Toronto and get back up the charts here like they were a couple weeks ago.

I think in the end New York is missing too many guys and even if some were there tonight I doubt they’d make a big difference anyways. DC has too much talent to handle tonight and I think in the end talent wins. Plus New York hasn’t even scored a goal this season on the road and I don’t see it starting tonight.

WVH Prediction: DC 2, NY 0

Marco Pappa and Chicago face Carey Tally and Chivas USA tonight. (Getty Images)

This seems to be a running theme as of late, conference leaders clashing each weekend. Oh wait, that is because Chivas USA continues to play clubs from the east when they are at the top of the east. Okay, I get it now. Anyways this should be a real interesting game tonight when the league leading Goats host the Fire in a prime-time clash on ESPN2.

The game kicks off a little late for you east coast folks (10:30ET). I haven’t decided if tonight will be a twittering during the game kind of night like last night or not here. All depends on the amount of time that I have later on this evening. I may just enjoy the game without the use of a computer in front of me.

Anyways, if you have a score prediction for tonight, leave it below.

1. Is Chivas starting to slide?

One has to wonder with their last two results if the AmeriGoats are starting to hit a wall. They’ve given up goals in spots that they weren’t at the start of the season and aren’t putting away clubs like we had seen. Then again it is almost expected for that kind of thing to take place when you get this big of a jump on everyone to start a season. The thing is there is one club that is starting to get real close to the Goats in the standings, and that is Chicago.

The Fire are still undefeated here and are really picking things up these days on the field with a couple wins lately. Guys like Chris Rolfe have been the big part of that so I would expect Chivas to play a bit tighter tonight defensively to slow down the Fire attack.

2. What does the Fire have to do to stay undefeated?

Its is as simple as playing their game and controlling the midfield with guys like Marco Pappa and Blanco. Lately the Fire have done everything right in terms of controlling the game and keeping as much pressure of their defense as possible. It also hasn’t hurt that their defense has really come together a good bit in recent weeks to now allow as many goals as they were earlier in the year.

Chicago also has to spread Chivas out. The AmeriGoats do well in controlling tight spaces but when you spread them out they can tend to get exposed a bit more. The Fire are excellent at using the wings and sending balls into the box for Rolfe and Brian McBride.

3. Player to keep an eye out for.

Sacha Kljestan has to be the big factor in this game for Chivas. We know he has struggled so far this season but this could be a great time to showcase his talents and get back into the spotlight for his club.

Quick Thoughts:

We really have an excellent matchup tonight on our hands. The league’s best defensive club (Chivas) against the best offensive club (Chicago). While Chivas doesn’t score as many goals they have scored a bunch at home this year. I have a feeling it will be a tight game with loads of fouls (Chivas leads in fouls committed and Chicago is near the top if fouls suffered).

In the end it does scream a draw with the way things are going this season but I like the Fire here to continue on their winning and inch closer to Chivas in the standings. Something out the last couple weeks with Chivas worries me a bit about this club and I think the Fire will expose that a bit more tonight. Then again I could be totally wrong and see Chicago’s undefeated mark end tonight but I’m going with my gut feeling here.

WVH Prediction: Chicago 2, Chivas 1

Expect a big night out of KC's Josh Wolff. (Brian Stevens, WVH Photo Correspondent)

Unlike last week where I totally goofed on the date of the game, there is a Thursday night clash this week. That I promise you. This week we get an eastern conference clash between two up and coming teams as New York travels to Kansas City.

New York finally found the net in their last game in the win over RSL, while KC came from behind on the road against Chicago.

As always feel free to leave your score prediction below.

1. Can New York consistently keep up what they started last week at Giants Stadium?

Honestly that is a big question of this club. A year ago they were largely one the worst road clubs in the league, and when you fast forward to this season not much has changed in two road games (two losses and four goals against). But a lot has been said about how this club bounced back last week at home and actually played good soccer for once this season.

Consistent play will be key tonight for New York on the shorter field at CAB in Kansas City. Not to mention the fact that this club hasn’t won a game in KC since 2005. Also double the fact that this starts a big stretch of games for the energy drink club. New York will play the first of four matches in a 10-day stretch tonight, with games against DC on Sunday, at San Jose the following Wednesday in the USOC, and at LA next Saturday.

Getting off to a bad start on a stretch like that can really set a club back.

2. What does KC have to do to keep up their production offensively?

Keep Josh Wolff as a striker. It is as simple as that, when Wolff is free to float around the penalty box he is as dangerous if not more dangerous than most players in this league. I know the Wizards have a long list of guys who’s lead position on the pitch is at striker but Wolff is best when positioned there. Not on the wing. We saw that against Chicago last week, when Wolff was on the wings the Wizards’ offense was stagnent and nearly non-existent. One quick change to move him up top lead to two goals.

3. Player to keep an eye out for.

For New York be be successful in the midfield tonight they need a big game out of Seth Stammler and Jorge Rojas. If either of those two fails to keep possession in New York’s favor it will be a long night on a New York defense that is still a bit shaky. Plus keeping the possession means more chances on Kevin Hartman’s goal for Juan Pablo Angel and Mac Kandji.

Quick Thoughts:

The Wizards are either hot or at least luke warm depending on who you talk to right now. Their offense is clicking like it should and their defense is playing some decent soccer as well. But truth be told their midfield is really been stepping up and Curt Onalfo has been making some big time subs in the second half in recent games.

New York needs this win to keep rolling here but I don’t like their chances on the road. For me its one of those things, if they can prove to me that they can consistently put it together for a full 90 on the road then I will feel better about picking them in games like this. But they haven’t done so yet. I like KC in this one due to another strong performance out of the big four of Hartman, Jimmy Conrad, Claudio Lopez and Josh Wolff.

WVH Prediction: KC 2, NY 1

Luciano Emilio hopes to keep a hot hand for DC tonight against New England. (Getty Images)

EDIT: Yeah I goofed and realized the game was on the wrong day…sorry folks…my brain is in another place right now…

I love a good rivalry, and yes I am one that still finds any of the eastern clubs against one another an interesting rivalry. I especially love it when we get one of the league originals pitted against one another in a Primetime clash on ESPN2.

This week we are getting just that with New England traveling south to face DC at RFK Stadium.

1. How will the extra week help New England?

Anytime you get a little bit of a break in a long season it should help with getting players healthy again. Thing is Taylor Twellman is still listed as out for this game, as are rookie Kevin Alston, Gabriel Badilla, and Mauricio Castro. All four players are key parts to this club and without them healthy in the early going it could be a long game against a DC club looking to hit it’s stride in the early going of this year.

Even without those guys I see Steve Nicol using that extra time off wisely to get his troops ready for this rivalry. Last year the Revs and United split the season series but the one New England loss came in RFK Stadium.

2. What can DC do to find some momentum here?

Well getting healthy is one thing but staying consistent offensively and defensively is another. Their depth has been questioned a lot in the early going this year due to three blown leads in games. DC has to show they can keep a lead at home and on the road. Usually finding that magic touch starts at home and even oddly enough it can come against a rival. They need to get the ball to the hot foot of Luciano Emilio early and often in this one.

3. Player to watch out for.

In this Primetime clash I am going to be eager to watch New England’s Jeff Larentowicz in the midfield. As he controls the defensive side of the ball for the Revs, it allows guys like Steve Ralston and Shalrie Joepsh to do their thing and spread the attack out to speed on the wings with Kenny Mansally and Sainey Nyassi. I’ve said for years that Larentowicz may be one of the most under appreciated players in the league.

Quick Thoughts:

For New England to keep their early success going here they need to control things in the midfield like they normally do. Secondly they have to find a hot hand in front of the net and start scoring. Offensively they haven’t really impressed this year but somehow they have gotten the job done enough to be near the top of the table already this season. Saying that though I am going with DC in this one since it is at RFK. It is still one of those places that is a homefield advantage and hopefully the crowd will be loud and crazy for this one. I think Emilio keeps his current pace up and rookie Chris Pontius gets on board as well. New England will keep it tight with a late goal though.

WVH Prediction: DC 2, New England 1

The weekly MLS Primetime Thursday is now no more, or for at least the time being it is no more. The World Wide Leader decided today to cut the weekly telecast of the American soccer league citing its lack of ratings as a problem.

“We didn’t see the kind of ratings climb we’d like to, so we’re trying something different,” said Scott Guglielmino, ESPN vice president of programming.

The decision to cancel the regular Thursday night game marks a stunning turnaround for a league that two years ago believed it was creating destination programming that would increase interest in MLS. But even the 2007 arrival of David Beckham couldn’t boost MLS ratings.

MLS games averaged a 0.2 rating and 289,000 viewers on ESPN2 in 2007. Those numbers dropped to 0.2/253,000 viewers the following year. Its highest rating during that period was Beckham’s second regular-season game in August 2007 that earned a 0.6/658,000 households.

Instead ESPN will now carry a MLS Game of the Week on it’s telecast. The Sports Business Journal cited today that it will be aired on four different nights throughout the season. The weekly matches will occur on Thursdays (10 times), Saturdays (eight times), Wednesdays (six times) and Fridays (three times).

Its a tough blow to the league but in all reality I kind of see this as a blessing. Thursday nights and really week night games anymore in American sports carry little in terms of ratings. Pushing to get more weekend telecasts of their games is where the league needs to be anyways. You see this in terms of attendance right now, the mid-week matches stuggle to sellout (except for a couple locations) while the weekend number typically do much better.

What do you all make of this news? Think it could be damaging to the league or will it help it out in the long run?

Crew Stadium will be rocking tonight. (Getty Image)

With the game a mere two hours or so away, I put this preview/prediction off long enough. I must admit, I have no idea who I think will win or even who I’d want to win this game between Chicago and Columbus. Part of me thinks Chicago and the other part of me kind of wants Columbus.

That’s what makes this game have some solid hype to it. Its really what should be this year’s MLS Cup. Not to be rude to Salt Lake or New York fans but really this is a better MLS Cup type matchup than anything that is potentially out there for the actual game.

What makes this matchup great is you have so many good storylines and matchups to follow.

• You have Brian McBride returning to his old grounds. Columbus fans must love that.
• The Blanco-Schelotto matchup in the middle seems more than great. Two MVP candidates in one game is what the playoffs should be about.
• Two really good defenses going head to head.
• Crew Stadium and its rowdy fans in the corner near the stage.
• The few hundred Chicago fans that will be at this game.
• Two of the best midfield units in MLS going at it.
• One of the best home side going up against one of the best road sides.

Yeah it truly should be a great game.

I think Chicago has the MLS Cup-type of club right now with the way they are playing but then again Columbus has shown a lot of hear this year. Both games between the clubs this year left us little to go with as they were both 2-2 draws.

In the end it will be close. I think McBride gets the Fire up early but the Crew come back and win it late. But really this game could go either way.

WVH Prediction: Columbus 2, Chicago 1

It’s a bit weird when you are driving into work and you hear something on the radio that makes your head turn. That was today for me on my way into work. Listening, as always, to ESPN Radio I heard a SportsCenter update that actually mentioned a MLS game. I was stunned because usually it never happens as a preview or even in a recap.

Nonetheless, the Chicago Fire host the New England Revolution tonight in the second leg of the opening round of the playoffs. The series is tied up a zero goals each. Its a winner take all kind of game really.

Chicago is trying to avoid the same end to their season that they have endured over the last three years, losing in the playoffs to the Revs. New England has had their number each of the last three years in the post season in some fashion and are looking to make it four in a row. They will have to do so without a couple big time players like Steve Raltson (injured), Taylor Twellman (injured), Adam Cristman (injuried) and Khano Smith (suspension).

The Fire are in a great spot to move on after getting a 0-0 tie on the road last week in a dud of a game in New England. No goals either way ment they were put into a prime postion to move on at home and actually knock out the Revs this year. This should be the year that it happens too as the Fire will pour on the pressure in this one from the start.

I look for the Revs to go extremely defensive in this one. They know their offense is a little bit done for here and will hope they can catch the Fire napping on a counter attack or even just hold out until penalty kicks if they can keep it tied again. That’s the Revs best bet to win this one if they can do one of those two things.

It just won’t happen though. The Fire want this game badly and will get a great crowd tonight for it up in Chicago. I think the Blanco-McBride connection will be too much for the Revs to overcome here and the Fire will move on thanks to the speed on the wings of guys like Chris Rolfe and Justin Mapp.

WVH Prediction: Chicago 2, New England 0