MLS Week 11
In trade news, the LA Galaxy sent defender Tyrone Marshall to Toronto for forward Edson Buddle.
While Jim Brennan is doing a an admirable job playing in the middle of the Toronto backline, head coach Mo Johnston would obviously prefer to have a natural center back to pair with Andy Boyens. The problem, however, is that Marshall’s play this season has been sub-par. Plus, he will be suspended for three games after breaking Kenny Cooper’s leg. Finally, Abel Xavier’s arrival in made Marshall expendable in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles is in desperate need for forwards. So desperate that they are willing to take a flier on Edson Buddle. Perhaps playing with Landon Donovan and David Beckham can help Buddle regain his form of 2004 when he had 11 goals for the Crew in 24 games. If his play doesn’t improve, he will join Kyle Martino, Santino Quaranta, and Nate Jaqua in the Galaxy’s group of players with unfulfilled potential.
Okay, on to this week’s games:
FC Dallas at Real Salt Lake (Tonight 8 PM CT ESPN2)
Salt Lake has been playing better as of late (at least they are picking up a point here and there), and Kenny Cooper’s broken tibia will be problematic for Dallas in the coming months. Dallas has been inconsistent this season, but it is hard for me to predict Salt Lake getting a result from this one. FCD 2, RSL 1
Columbus Crew at New England Revolution
Guillermo Barros Schelotto has played well since arriving in Columbus. Unfortunately for the Crew, it has not translated into victories. The good news for Columbus is that the Revs are missing Taylor Twellman, Steve Ralston, and Michael Parkhurst, all of whom are with the national team. I really question the Revolution’s 3 man back line without Parkhurst in the middle so I think the Crew can eek out a couple of goals. Crew 2, Revs 2
Chicago Fire at DC United
This one features two teams heading in opposite directions. The Fire have only won once since the beginning of May, and with Justin Mapp, Chris Rolfe, and Ivan Guerrero missing for various reasons, this Fire team really doesn’t have much offensive punch. DC United, on the other hand, is undefeated in their last six games, and while several of those games were against mediocre competition, it’s safe to say they have snapped out of their early season doldrums. DC 3, Chicago 0
Kansas City Wizards at New York Red Bulls
This has to be the game of the week with the league’s top two teams meeting at the Meadowlands. Two weeks ago, Eddie Johnson smoked a makeshift Red Bulls defense for a second half hat trick in Kansas City. Unfortunately for the Wizards, EJ is with the national team. KC will at least have underrated forward Scott Sealy back in the lineup for this one to pick up some of the slack. New York picked up some good news as defenders Todd Dunivant and Jeff Parke should be available to help shore up their back line. The Red Bulls should win this one and that’s what I’ll predict. However, I wouldn’t be shocked if KC grabs a result either (yes, I’m hedging). NY 2, KC 1.
Colorado Rapids at Chivas USA
The Amado Guevara saga was supposed to wreck this Chivas team, but they have started to pull it together since Guevara left the team. Without a true playmaker, Chivas has been manufacturing wins in the past two weeks. Grinding it out without a singular creative genius on the field may not sound like the hallmarks of a team managed by Preki, but it has been getting the job done. Meanwhile, the Rapids have lost two straight. Chivas 2, Colorado 1.
FC Dallas at Toronto FC (Sunday)
This should be a tough one for Dallas. Toronto is a tough team at BMO, and Dallas will be playing on short rest. I expect Toronto to come out flying in front of the home crowd, but can they avoid the emotional collapse in the second half that they have suffered in previous home games? I think Dallas has the kind of midfield that can keep this game under control and will allow them to get out of Canada with a point. FCD 1, TFC 1
Real Salt Lake at LA Galaxy (Sunday)
Yikes! Kansas City against New York pits the top two teams this week, and this match features perhaps the bottom two. Salt Lake is in better shape right now, but I don’t think they will be able to pull off a win on the road after playing tonight. RSL 1, LA 1.
Tyrone Marshall, Edson Buddle, MLS, LA Galaxy, Toronto FC
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