Freddy Ljungberg and Sigi Schmid lead the way again in 2010 for Seattle. (Getty Images)

We only have two more clubs to look at here in our preseason look-ins of each Major League Soccer club. Today we head to the Pacific Northwest to see how Sigi Schmid and his Seattle Sounders FC are doing this winter.

For the most part things have been fairly quiet for last year’s expansion darlings. Schmid has kept the majority of his club intact from last season which came very close to a western conference final birth, not to mention they were the winners of the US Open Cup.

So far this winter the Sounders have been fairly quiet, only signing a couple players. Though they will get one big boost this summer with Swiss striker Blaise Nkufo joins them. Until then the Sounders will have to rely on young star Freddy Montero to carry the offensive load, which shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Anyways, let’s dive in to see who Seattle has going into the new season and where else they need to fill in the holes.

Keepers:

Who they have: Kasey Keller, Chris Eylander, Terry Boss.

Notes: When you have one of the best American keepers in US soccer history you’re pretty set, even if Keller is up there in age. Also they have a pretty solid backup in Eylander too so this is an area I think Sounder founds aren’t at all worried about. I’d be even willing to bet that should Keller be out for an injury at some point in this season that Eylander will be a fine replacement. But for their sake I hope Keller stays healthy for the year.

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Defense:

Who they have: Tyrone Marshall, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni, Tyson Wahl, James Riley, Nathan Sturgis, Leonardo Gonzalez, Zach Scott, Taylor Graham.

Notes: This is a group I like but am not totally in love with…yet. Between Hurtado, Marshall, Riley and Gonzalez I think they’re pretty good but after that they’re pretty young and raw. I’d like to think that Sturgis will finally be fit enough to show his true potential this season. If he can be the player LA draft him to be a couple years back then they’ll be doing very well in the back this year.

I’d still like them to get a little deeper in the back though by getting another center back. Times they got beat least year were right down the middle on some sloppy plays. Possibly improving on their outside backs wouldn’t hurt either. I know they’ve had Jeff Parke in camp some this winter, that wouldn’t be a bad pick up for them.

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Midfield:

Who they have: Freddie Ljungberg, Brad Evans, Osvaldo Alonso, Steve Zakuani, Stephen King, Sanna Nyassi, Peter Vagenas, David Estrada, Kevin Souter.

Notes: When 100% the group of Ljungberg, Evans, Alonso and Zakuani are as close to being the top midfield group in the league as possible. I’d argue they are one of the best on any given day. Thing is you can’t count on them to be 100% all the time, especially not when they play 15 games on turf.

We could also see them lump in guys like Nate Jaqua to this group since they typically play more out wide than up top. But something tells me Jaqua could be on his way out with that recent signing. I would like to see them add a little more depth on the wings though and maybe another guy to facilitate the offense when Ljungberg isn’t out there.

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Forwards:

Who they have: Freddy Montero, Nate Jaqua, Roger Levesque, Miguel Montano

Notes: They’ve address this light area with the signing of Nkufo but he won’t be there until the summer. So a lot of pressure will be on Montero to live up to his hype yet again this season. If Montero struggles early it could be a bumping couple months until Nkufo arrives to this club.

I think adding another striker here for the short term could be beneficial. They do have young Montano but not many know exactly how productive the 18-year old will be. Adding someone with experience is the way to go here but it looks like they’re just waiting on Nkufo for the time being.

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Overall:

This should be an interesting year in Seattle. The club has a little more on their menu with the CONCACAF Champions League later in the year. Should they have any issues before then in terms of depth it could be a rocky road in the second half of the season. I think however Schmid’s club is set up nicely to brace any kind of storm that their schedule could present them this year.

The big wonder on most folks mind is whether or not they’ll be able to keep Montero for the entire season. My bet is they will so they’ll have to make the most of things this season.

Seattle should be in prime position to remain near the top of the west and the league this season should all the right parties be healthy this year. Lets not forget they were only a couple points out of being a Supporter’s Shield winner in their first season. I think they’ll be contending again in 2010.

Freddie Ljungberg and Osvaldo Alonso were huge additions to Seattle and to MLS this year. (Getty Images)

Everyone knew going into the 2009 season that the new kids on the block would make a splash. Just the kind of splash the league needed in some folks eyes. The Seattle Sounders FC came into the year not as a typical expansion club. No this group broke the mold for expansion clubs by being able to sign players from their old USL club and by going out of their way to sign quality veteran players to play even before the expansion draft last November.

Yes, these Sounders made a splash on and off the field as well. Minority owner Drew Carey hyped up his club in every way possible on TV or the radio or in newspapers. For once it looked like a club just got “it” for getting people’s attention in a city.

And it worked too as Seattle became one of the most successful expansion teams in Major League Soccer history. No they didn’t end up winning it all like the 1998 expansion Chicago Fire but they did definitely bring in a new era of how to do things both on and off the field.

Seattle started off strong in 2009 with big wins at home in front of massively packed crowds that the league had never seen on a consistent basis before. Guys like Newcomer of the Year Fredy Montero and Nate Jaqua proved to be solid up top while former USL guys like Osvaldo Alonso and Sebastian Le Toux proved they had what it takes to be big time MLS players.

Then there was the DP, the designated player from Sweden Freddie Ljungberg. The Swede proved to a load of folks around the league that he still had some gas left in the tank and that the wouldn’t be a Denilson-type of DP.

The club was tough to figure out for others as they went on to win their first US Open Cup in DC back in September, securing a spot in next year’s CONCACAF Champions League. Let’s just hope this year’s bunch will be one that they can build on for years to come.

What Went Right In 2009:
As mentioned above on and off the field there was plenty to smile about in Seattle this year. Montero was a beast to handle. Veterans like Ljungberg and Kasey Keller were great when needed. New faces like Jhon Kennedy Hurtado made big impacts and Sigi Schmid continues to be the Sigi Schmid we all know. Winning the Open Cup was also a big step for this club as well. They proved late in the year when it mattered most that they could get the job done away from home. Oh and lastly, the fans in Seattle were amazing this year…no getting around it they were just amazing.

What Went Wrong In 2009:
The play on the field wasn’t always so rosy. May was a dry spell that saw the club not win a single game (though they didn’t lose a game either). They struggled at home against clubs they should have beaten and the defense was clearly the weakest link on the field at times. Until late in the year they struggled on the road and looked like they may even fall out of playoff contention. But getting in the playoffs they struggled offensively to beat Houston.

What’s Next:
I think next is just the start of what could be a good run for this club. The foundation is there and we know the veterans that are coming back. I believe the transfer talks surrounding Montero will continue to be there but he will return in 2010. I think they need to get some depth right away on defense and find some extra quality in the midfield. Lastly getting Montero some support up top wouldn’t hurt at all. There is work to be done but to be honest it won’t be as hard as other clubs out there.

Order: George John, Maykel Galindo, Brandon McDonald, Justin Braun, Josh Wolff, Nate Jaqua, Luciano Emilio, Jim Brennen, and Fabian Espindola.

GBS is returning to MVP form, that is dangerous for everyone else. (Getty Images)

A full weekend is upon us here as we head into the final month of the season. Once again we have a weekend that has a lot of playoff implications from top to bottom. Can the spoilers like KC and San Jose step up and bring down some clubs gunning for the playoffs? Can teams like Columbus or Chicago make a push for the Supporter’s Shield once and for all? Or will someone like LA or Chivas step up and surprise them?

Lots of questions to be asked this weekend. Nearly every club is in action except for the Houston Dynamo who are busy putting the wraps on Brian Ching’s new four year deal.

As always feel free to post your score predictions below.

Saturday:

Seattle Sounders FC – at – New England Revolution:

If this game is anything like the one a month ago in Seattle you have to expect Sigi Schmid to figure out a way to get his offense more production out of the midfield. Last time around New England shocked the Sounders at Qwest Field thanks to a gutsy goal from Shalrie Joseph. After that goal New England clamped down in the midfield and never gave Seattle the space they needed to get things gong on offense. Seattle has to find a way to get Fredy Montero or Nate Jaqua into space in this one if they want even a shot at a tie. Seattle does have some confidence for once this season on the road thanks to a couple big road wins as of late in places like DC. If they can get Montero some space around goal they could steal some points, especially if the word is true about Joseph not being at 100%. I think New England could win this one too but to me this one sounds like a draw based on how Seattle has been as of late on the road.

WVH Prediction: New England 1, Seattle 1

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LA Galaxy – at – Columbus Crew:

LA has been solid on the road this year but they head into Crew Stadium possibly without David Beckham. You can also bet that the Crew aren’t going to want to give up that unbeaten record they’ve gotten at home anytime soon here either (yes I know they lost at home to Cruz Azul in the CCL this week but in MLS their record still speaks for itself). Beckham or not Beckham I think this one gets bogged down in the midfield enough that actually favors Columbus a little more than LA. The Galaxy need this big win if they want a true shot at the Supporter’s Shield. I just like the Crew’s chances a little more though here. Something tells me Guillermo Barros Schelotto is back to his MVP form and that is dangerous for all comers in MLS.

WVH Prediction: Columbus 2, LA 1

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Real Salt Lake – at – FC Dallas:

I feel like I haven’t seen Dallas at home in months (I missed their last home game due to my wedding) and now they bring in one of the worst road teams in the league. I think the chance to play spoiler is going to be in full effect tomorrow for Dallas. RSL needs three points in a big way but winning in Dallas hasn’t been easy for them over the years. They’ve found ways to drop points at Pizza Hut Park like you wouldn’t believe. Given the poor road effort this season by RSL and how well Jeff Cunningham has played for Dallas these last two months I am going with the homeside for the upset. I think this could be another one of those high scoring games that we’ve seen Dallas in this year since neither really defend that well. RSL will have to push the tempo but look for Dallas to push right back with a win.

WVH Prediction: Dallas 4, RSL 2

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Toronto FC – at – Chicago Fire:

It is about high time that the Fire got their act together at home here. Going only 4-4-5 at Toyota Park doesn’t strike fear into anyone’s eyes, especially when those four wins are over teams like New York and San Jose. Chicago needs points to push Columbus in the eastern standings as well as hold off others for the automatic bid in the east. Toronto is one of those clubs on the edge of the playoffs and need points no matter what. It could be a long night for the Reds though if they don’t slow down Brian McBride who looked great in return last week against Columbus. Stopping his is key to getting points. While I think Toronto will push Chicago well in this one I just see the Fire ending up on top. They seems to at least beat clubs that can’t win on the road like Toronto at home and I think that trend will continue.

WVH Prediction: Chicago 2, Toronto 0

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Colorado Rapids – at – Kansas City Wizards:

Boy the Rapids really did screw themselves in a big way these last two games against San Jose. Instead of getting the six points that they should have gotten they ended up with two similar draws. Now their playoff hopes go to KC where things aren’t gonna get easy with the way the Wizards have been playing as of late. Even with little playoff hopes the Wizards are certainly playing the role of spoiler very well. I think the Wizards will keep this one close but I see Colorado getting another late draw thanks to their wing play and thanks to Conor Casey who is trying to put away the Golden Boot race for the year. This one smells like a draw but don’t sleep on KC pulling out another win.

WVH Prediction: KC 1, Colorado 1

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New York Red Bulls – at – Chivas USA:

How lucky did Chivas get to have New York on their schedule twice this late in the year? Getting them at home should mean three points right? Its still possible but we honestly don’t know what to make of these Red Bulls under interim coach Richie Williams on the road yet. More than likely we can assume they will be the same old Red Bulls on the road here. Chivas has played well thanks to the addition of Maicon Santos up top. This one won’t be a blowout by any means but looks for Chivas to find a way to get three points and put some serious pressure on Home Depot Center mates LA and western conference leaders Houston.

WVH Prediction: Chivas 2, New York 0

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Sunday:

San Jose Earthquakes – at – DC United:

With the way the schedule lines up for DC in the last month or so they would only have themselves to blame if they failed to reach the post season again. DC looked good in CCL play this week as they dominated Marathon 3-0. United finally opened up the wing play and took over the game last night which is exactly what they have to do against San Jose who is struggling to find good wing play these days. DC needs to find their consistency with this game and build on the result from last night to continue to hold off New England, Toronto and Salt Lake for a playoff spot. I think San Jose gives DC a fight but late in the second half DC will do what they do best and that is put away the game.

WVH Prediction: DC 2, San Jose 1

Seattle needs another big game out of Fredy Montero this weekend. (Getty Images)

There’s not too many more weekends left in the 2009 regular season. Week 27 is a full one as we gear towards the playoffs in a few weeks. With so many clubs still in contention the action this weekend should promise to be very good.

More than likely after this weekend we will have a new group of wild-card clubs as right now three of the four clubs currently in the wild card spots are tied, and just one point behind the top wild card club Seattle. Plus the three or so clubs just right outside the playoff zone are just a couple points back as it is. So a shake up should go down just as it has over the last several weeks.

Plenty of good matchups this weekend, especially that Chicago-Columbus game which should shed some light on if the Crew will hold off the Fire for first in the east and in the Supporter’s Shield race.

As always feel free to post your score predictions below.

Friday:

New England Revolution – at – New York Red Bulls

New York will more than likely be missing Juan Pablo Angel to an injury, which could spell trouble for their offensive hopes tonight. New England is a bit banged up too but should have Shalrie Joseph back in gear which will certainly help the Revs control the pace of the game in the midfield. New England is out to get a record tonight for most consecutive matches unbeaten against one club. New York hasn’t beaten the Revs in 12 straight games now, dating back to 2005. I like New England to pull at least some points in this one if not all three. While we thought New York was bouncing back a little under Richie Williams last week’s result against KC proved they still have a long way to go.

WVH Prediction: New England 2, New York 1

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Colorado Rapids – at – San Jose Earthquakes:

The Rapids will be without Matt Pickens and Cory Gibbs but that shouldn’t make much of a difference if Conor Casey and Omar Cummings go going in this one. After dropping points in Toronto last week look for the Rapids to bounce back against the west’s worst club. The Quakes are coming off a long 20-day layoff and I look for that rust to play a big factor early in the game with Cummings and Casey leading the charge for the visitors. Colorado’s playoff hopes rest a lot on this game, three points is an absolute must.

WVH Prediction: Colorado 3, San Jose 1

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Saturday:

Chivas USA – at – Seattle Sounders FC:

Big time game for both sides, and probably the game of the week for me. I think Chivas proved last week they have plenty of gas in the tank for a playoff run here this season after handling the Revs pretty well last week at home. Seattle needs results at home and after beating DC yet again at RFK last week one has to think they will be riding high into this one. The Sounders will be getting Freddie Ljungberg back in this one and that could be a difference maker against a Chivas squad that has some new parts that may not be use to Fieldturf in MLS yet. Throw in the factor that a win could put Seattle within striking distance of Houston and LA for an automatic bid from the west and you could see Seattle gunning for three points in this one. Chivas will keep it close because they do know how to beat this Seattle squad but I see the mean green pulling this one out in the end thanks to Fredy Montero and Nate Jaqua.

WVH Prediction: Seattle 2, Chivas 1

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FC Dallas – at – Kansas City Wizards:

Revenge is on the minds of the Wizards after dropping a 6-0 game to Dallas a few weeks ago. Look for Dallas to also be a bit gassed from dropping six goals on the Galaxy a week ago anyways too. You just don’t score six on the same club twice in one season. Also KC knows their home grounds are small so look for little space for Jeff Cunningham to work in tomorrow night while KC holds a little more possession in the midfield. The Wizards are riding a nice two game winning streak but look for that to end as this one finishes in a draw. Dallas isn’t that great on the road and KC really isn’t that great at home. I think if KC had Jack Jewsbury for this I’d go with them but since he is out on yellow cards I will stick with a simple draw.

WVH Prediction: KC 1, Dallas 1

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Real Salt Lake – at – Houston Dynamo:

Big game for RSL and in a way for Houston too. The Dynamo haven’t looked the same over these last couple of months and they really need a nice pick up win at home against a club that is gunning for a playoff spot. Houston may be in luck though as RSL’s road form isn’t worth bragging about and they will be without a few key parts in the defense. I see Houston rebounding after getting a unlucky break last week in Columbus where they had a PK called on them in extra time. Brian Ching and company get the three points and their automatic bid from the west more in line.

WVH Prediction: Houston 2, RSL 1

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Toronto FC – at – LA Galaxy:

The road is never been too kind to TFC and especially playing at the Home Depot Center. LA may be coming off an embarrassing loss to Dallas last week but I look for them to bounce back and get three points in this one. Bruce Arena lead clubs usually don’t get scored on in masses in two straight games so I would expect that trend to continue tomorrow night. TFC just needs a point to feel good about themselves on the road but I just don’t see their defense slowing down Landon Donovan and company in this one. Toronto needs a big debut from Julian de Guzman if they want to get any points in this one, I just think his addition will be too little too late.

WVH Prediction: LA 3, Toronto 1

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Sunday:

Columbus Crew – at- Chicago Fire:

Columbus made a big statement this past week in Costa Rica beating Saprissa on their own turf, marking the first time a MLS club has done so. Look for their play to be a little down in Chicago this Sunday though because of that trip. Lucky for them the Fire aren’t great at home (4-4-4 this year at Toyota Park). Chad Marshall won’t be in the line up due to a suspension, so someone else will have to step up and stop the return of Brian McBride. Even without Marshall I still see this one ending in a draw though. Chicago hasn’t given me a good enough reason to feel good about them at home this season but a win over the Crew would do that. A draw sounds logical here with the recent form of these two and a point could just about lock up a playoff spot for the Crew if it happens.

WVH Prediction: Chicago 1, Columbus 1

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Order of video: Geoff Cameron, Nate Jaqua, Kheli Dube (hat trick), Juan Pablo Angel, Dax McCarty, Dane Richards, Chris Wondonlowski, Sacha Kljestan, and Landon Donovan.

Order of video: Todd Dunivant, Fredy Montero, Nate Jaqua, Yura Movsisyan, Clint Mathis, Dwayne De Rosario, and Omar Cummings (no audio on his goal).

Still with those results and the few in SuperLiga there is still some things to talk about here.

Blowouts in Salt Lake and Seattle

One thing we can say is home play will become more vital down the stretch here this season. I do believe we are mostly done with our crazy run of draws in the season. Most clubs aren’t as evenly matched as they were a few months ago with some clubs getting healthy and some losing players to international call-ups and injuries.

That could be the case in the RSL-Toronto and Seattle-Colorado games. A month and a half ago I would have marked both of these as draws. I thought going into the weekend it would be that way in each even though my predictions said otherwise. The RSL result over Toronto didn’t shock me in the least. While I think Toronto is talented their road play suggests they still aren’t on the same level that some think they could be.

The Seattle result was a little more shocking to me. I really underestimated how Colorado would come out in this one and it looks like I got on the Rapids’ bandwagon too early here. Fredy Montero and Nate Jaqua proved to be way too much Sunday afternoon and it is possible to say that Seattle could be going into a path here this summer that could really set them up for a deep run later on this year.

RSL on the other hand needed this 3-0 result at home more than anything. While I know it is a loss to Toronto it didn’t impact their overall standings as much right now as it normally would. The east is still so tight with DC, Chicago, and Columbus playing solid; not to mention you also have to look out for New England and Kansas City still. RSL will have a tougher road getting up in the west. Houston, Chivas and Seattle are all above them and LA is right there in the standings with them right now too.

Crew Rebound Well

Quality result even if it were against the lowly Red Bulls at home for the Crew. The 1-0 win was much needed for Columbus as they move into second place in the east with a couple games in hand. Even if the win was over New York who didn’t play all that bad it still means a good bit of confidence going forward for the Crew. As long as Columbus can make some small roster moves this summer before the CONCACAF Champions League kicks off for them they could very well sneak up and win the east again this season after their slow start.With the way Guillermo Barros Schelotto has played this season it wouldn’t be a shock at all to this guy.

Galaxy Win A Must Need Game

Hard to label a game a must-win in the ladder part of June but for LA the win over Houston at home was a big time win right now for this club. First of all it was without Landon Donovan and it should be a springboard type of game in terms of confidence here. Winning without your best player is one thing but to do it against the league’s best team who had been riding a long unbeaten run is another thing.

Houston looked gassed to me for some reason last night. It wasn’t a terrible game for them but they didn’t pressure enough from their midfield in attack like they normally do. Plus a couple mental lapses caused the game’s lone goal. Kudos to Todd Dunivent for getting in the way and re-directing the short corner kick into the goal.

Butts-in-Seats:

Only four games but probably one of the best weekends for a four game menu the league has seen in a while. Seattle and Salt Lake have a lot to do with that. 32,000+ in Seattle for their win over the Rapids. And 18,000+ in Salt Lake for their 3-0 win over TFC. LA and Columbus also posted good numbers, 17,000+ for LA and 15,000+ for Columbus. Not bad for a busy soccer weekend that had more people fixed on the US over South Africa.

SuperLiga Talk:

I won’t go too into SuperLiga since I honestly watch none of it. Chicago and New England move on to face one another in the semi-finals. Two Mexican teams face off in the other semi-final. Either way we will get a US-Mexico final this year. That has to be good for the tournament organizers.

Order of goals: Omar Cummings, Brian Ching, Eric Avila, Fredy Montero, Chirs Pontius, Osvaldo Alonso, Nate Jaqua, Fredy Montero, and Christian Gomez.

Yes it was unfortunate but there was some good out of it. SoccerAmeria just posted a great article on the 80 seconds of silence that Glenn Davis and Kyle Martino did at the start of the broadcast when the game was finally shown on ESPN2. Looking back on the tape of that game I saw and heard those 80 seconds. Boy it was pretty neat to say the least.

Aside from the ESPN fail on Wednesday this week and weekend are pretty big. We’ve already seen Toronto FC blow away Montreal last night in the final game of the Canadian Cup to advance to this year’s edition of the CONCACAF Champions League tournament. MLS will now field five teams with Toronto now to take on Puerto Rico in the preliminary rounds with a chance to be grouped in with the Columbus Crew.

We also have another competition starting up for a few clubs this weekend as well. The 2009 edition of SuperLiga comes at a good time for teams like Chivas USA and Chicago Fire. Both clubs play on Saturday in their opening matches of the tournament. Kansas City and New England will see their first games on Sunday. All SuperLiga matches can be seen live on the SuperLiga website.

But let’s get down to business as far as the MLS weekend slate goes. Plenty of decent games on the menu for us including one that I am very interested in out in Colorado between the Rapids and DC United.

As always feel free to leave your score predictions below.

Saturday:

LA Galaxy – at – San Jose Earthquakes:

Oddly enough we get another game on ESPN2 this weekend with the Galaxy and Quakes. While it won’t be nearly as good as it could be it should still be a decent western conference showdown between these two old California rivals. LA looked listless last week against RSL at home and now without a key leader in the midfield in Eddie Lewis (suspension). Not to mention the loss of Landon Donovan to the Confederation Cup with the US national team.

I think LA can shut down San Jose a little bit but with Darren Huckerby back and healthy right now I just don’t see LA shutting him out for the entire match. Huckerby has looked very good since his return and I think he will help lead the Quakes out of the cellar here with a win over their rivals.

WVH Prediction: San Jose 2, LA 1

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Seattle Sounders FC – at – New York Red Bulls:

I won’t lie, after Wednesday’s performance against DC and now having to travel across the country to face New York I do worry about this Sounder side. Thing is they are facing the league’s worst club in New York who haven’t look good all season. Danny Cepero did look good in goal last week in Toronto but I just have low hopes of him going back-to-back in quality games here. I think this one will be close but Sigi Schmid did take out his key offensive players early on Wednesday (Nate Jaqua, Fredy Montero, Freddie Ljungberg), possibly saving them for this trip. That should pay off in a win for Seattle as long as they figure out a way to close out a game on the road. This is a big time road game for Seattle and their confidence moving forward.

WVH Prediction: Seattle 2, NY 1

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Real Salt Lake – at – Houston Dynamo:

Congrats to RSL, you got your first road win of the year last week. Your reward is to go back on the road again and play the league’s best club, the Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium. Hooray Beer!

Big thing to RSL’s success last week was their midfield. Javier Morales finally returned to quality form and that will go a long way with this club and their playoff hopes this season. Also the play of guys like Will Johnson and Yura Movsisyan looked much better a week ago. Thing is I just don’t see RSL’s midfield stacking up well against the hot group from Houston in Houston. Brad Davis, Stuart Holden and company have been more than impressive and when they are at home they are even tougher to beat. Houston should roll here in this one.

WVH Prediction: Houston 2, RSL 0

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Columbus Crew – at- FC Dallas:

Another national TV game in Dallas. Sigh. The two HSG owned clubs square off Saturday night, probably in front of a crowd of 6-7,000. Unlike last week against Houston there probably won’t be that many Crew supporters there in Dallas for this one. Dallas hasn’t been able to shutdown quality attackers all season or even sub-par attackers all season. I just don’t see a way they contend with Guillermo Barros Schelotto. In a game that comes down to a lot of midfield play, Columbus still own one of the best midfields in the league while Dallas continues to own one of the worst. The Crew should leave with three points.

WVH Prediction: Columbus 2, Dallas 0

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DC United -  at – Colorado Rapids:

Probably the game of the week for me here. DC has always struggled at Colorado or anywhere west of Texas for that matter but the draw on Wednesday in Seattle should have given this side a big lift going on the road. I’m curious to see how Pat Noonan works out with the Rapids. He should be filling in for Conor Casey here this weekend. This game will come down to who can hold a lead better than the other. In a way I kind of think it will be a lot like the Wednesday night clash in Seattle for DC. They go down early to only come back late. Colorado is good but the lack of Casey does worry me up top for them in this one. DC should also get Ben Olsen back, which is good given the fact that the midfield is a bit spent after Wednesday’s game. I think a draw is the best way to go here in this one. As mentioned before DC typically struggles in Colorado but I think they will do enough to get a point out of this game.

WVH Prediction: Colorado 1, DC 1