Soucie on Soccer

Last week was quick and dirty style and it worked well for me.  We’re returning back to our regular programming this week, with a slight twist.  I’m still adjusting to a new work schedule, so right now you only get Thursday’s game.  Late Thursday night (technically Friday morning), expect the rest of the picks.  I just wanted to make sure I got my Thursday pick in before the game started.

Houston Dynamo 3, FC Dallas 1:  Sure, Dallas scored six goals last week.  Houston also scored four, and they did it against a very good DC United team.  Kansas City is imploding before our very eyes, culminating with the firing of Curt Onolfo.  FC Dallas caught a lucky break, but they won’t be so lucky against the best team in MLS.  Holden and Ching are back, which only makes them better.  El Captain already belongs to Houston this year, but now they’ll prove why.

Los Angeles Galaxy 2, New England Revolution 2:  When these two teams last met, LA got the win.  At the time, the Revs were coming out of Superliga group play and playing well.  They have continued their good form, but so has LA.  The arrival of Beckham has kicked the Galaxy into a gear we never knew they had, and they suddenly find themselves with a shot at the playoffs.  This should be an excellent game.

Columbus Crew 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1:  Surprising win against Seattle aside, the Quakes aren’t very good this year.  Every time has an off game, and that was Seattle’s.  I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of Seattle’s young players were focusing more on the fact that Barcelona was coming to town.  The Crew might be without Schelotto again, but they’ve managed to do pretty well without him in the lineup.  I finally believe they are the real deal.  Seeing who comes out on top of the East should be very interesting.

Real Salt Lake 1, Seattle Sounders 0:  All of the starters only played 45 minutes against Barcelona, but that’s like playing a full match against an MLS team.  I fully expect Seattle’s players to be gassed by the 60 minute mark.  The only thing that could hurt Real Salt Lake is the long layoff they’ve had between matches.  They haven’t played since before the All Star Game, so they might be a tad rusty.

Colorado Rapids 2, Chivas USA 1:  The Rapids have been an up and down team all season, but finally have Conor Casey back.  Chivas’ wheels have fallen off completely since Superliga started.  The same thing happened last year.  For whatever reason, Chivas has difficulty playing well when the summer hits.  The Goats are in trouble.  At this rate, they might even miss the playoffs.

Chicago Fire 1, Houston Dynamo 1:  The Dynamo beat a depleted Fire squad last time they met.  This time around, the Dynamo are the exhausted team.  While Ching and Holden are back, they still need some rest from their busy summer schedule.  The Fire will be looking to bounce back from their loss in the Superliga final, a game they should have won.  I don’t think either team has enough left in the tank to win this one.