For the first seventy minutes of yesterday’s First Kick match-up between the Galaxy and RSL, the predictions about the amazing 2012 Galaxy season looked like they were more than just hype.&nbsp; Only the crossbar and some timely RSL defending denied the Galaxy a multi-goal lead and the defense looked&nbsp;shaky&nbsp;but solid.&nbsp; When Edson Buddle converted a David Beckham pass into a goal in the 71st minute, fans could be forgiven for switching off the game and assuming it would spiral out of control from there.
But a funny thing happened at The Home Depot Center last night, and it was an intangible that we sometimes forget affects soccer games.&nbsp; The Galaxy had played in Toronto on Wednesday night and with an older team, the travel visibly began to affect the team in the second half.&nbsp; In addition, they needed a two goal comeback to get a draw from their CCL match.&nbsp; Those watching closely could see how the Galaxy defense began to sag in the middle of the field and, when losing a step on an RSL player, committed more fouls (fourteen for the game).
Two minutes after the Buddle goal, new RSL midfielder Sebastian Velazquez created some space down the right and put in a cross towards goal.&nbsp; Brian Dunseth on the&nbsp;MLS Live&nbsp;feed noted earlier that the pitch at Home Depot Center gets a little damp as the temperature drops, and Sean Franklin possibly fell victim to this.&nbsp; He threw his leg out to deflect the bouncing cross but ended up stabbing it into his own net.&nbsp; At that point the game changed as Real Salt Lake had the momentum and the home side looked deflated.&nbsp; Adding to this momentum was key substitutions by Jason Kreis who brought on banged up Javier Morales and Alvaro Saborio midway through the second half, substitutions that gave RSL a more confident and attacking line-up. &nbsp;In the 80th minute, Morales scored his first goal since his injury last season when he poked a loose ball in the LA box into the net. &nbsp;Fabian Espindola, who had a big second half, put the exclamation point on the win with a nice drive down the left that saw him juke a few defenders before finishing with a goal.
Even though this was the first MLS game for both teams, the impact cannot be understated. &nbsp;For the visitors, scoring the first away win against the Galaxy since 2010, especially when down a goal, is a major momentum boost for this side. &nbsp;Nick Rimando had an excellent game and while LA put RSL under a lot of pressure throughout the game, the Reds held the high-flying Galaxy to only one goal. &nbsp;The negative this game revealed is the team’s depth. &nbsp;With Morales and Saborio sitting, players like Paulo Jr., Louis Gil, and Sebastian Velasquez got the start. &nbsp;Despite Velasquez setting up the first goal, these players were&nbsp;shaky&nbsp;in the midfield and Espindola lacked any consistent quality passes from the midfield. &nbsp;LA gave the visitors some good chances at counters, but they failed to take advantage of them for the first part of the game.
As for the Galaxy, this game was a bit of a wake-up. &nbsp;Coming back to force a draw with Toronto is a confidence booster; this result should show them that they can’t play the entire season by wasting chances. &nbsp;Looking up at Real Salt Lake should help show this team that they won’t cake walk to another title and this is a good lesson to see early. &nbsp;That said, they could have easily gone home last night with a multi-goal win. &nbsp;Their offensive pressure was as advertised and the big names (especially Donovan and Beckham) were dynamic. &nbsp;Fatigue was a factor but that will be a factor all season. &nbsp;How they handle that will be a key to how far they advance this season. &nbsp;But this result should in no way lesson the impression that they are the most dangerous team in MLS.
A few other observations for you from the game:
<ul>
<li>The broadcast crew for RSL were pretty good, especially Brian Dunseth in the booth. &nbsp;That said, the unintentional comedy moment of the night was them hosting Don Garber in the booth. &nbsp;After introducing the Commish, there was about three minutes of play-by-play, with Garber finally interjecting that he felt like he was butting in.</li>
<li>I watched this game on the new MLS Live on my computer but about 10 minutes in hooked it to my HD TV. &nbsp;The picture was incredible and when MLS Live says it has an HD feed, it isn’t lying. &nbsp;I haven’t tried the phone or iPad feed but look forward to it.</li>
<li>I loved the LA Galaxy faux-Real Madrid shirts. &nbsp;They look great on TV with the&nbsp;sash.</li>
<li>The return match on June 20 will be fun to watch. &nbsp;This game got chippy midway through and it is obvious the players on these two teams don’t care much for each other.</li>
</ul>

Real Salt Lake Shocks Host Galaxy 3-1

Real Salt Lake Shocks Host Galaxy 3-1 - World Soccer Talk

The question I wrestled with in my head last night was this: if there were no playoffs or a playoffs with just four teams instead of 10, would this weekend be as exciting? &nbsp;Regardless of how you feel about the playoff format or the playoffs in general, the answer I came up with was YES. &nbsp;Looking at the fixture list, there are some damn good matches this weekend. &nbsp;Would, for example, the New York and Portland match be as exciting if they were not in a playoff race? &nbsp;My answer is most definitely, for reasons listed below.
The fact is this weekend’s action is a mixture of generally good matches, critical playoff-push games, and injury drama all around. &nbsp;Here is part one of a guide to this weekend’s matches (all times ET), with a key to each game and a prediction that undoubtedly will be horribly wrong. &nbsp;Share your own predictions and keys to the games below. &nbsp;Part 2 will come out tonight or tomorrow morning.
Sporting Kansas City v. Philadelphia Union (Friday, 8:30 PM, Fox Soccer)
The odd thing about this game is that after this weekend the winner could be in first place in the East while the loser could conceivably be outside the tenth playoff spot. &nbsp;Philadelphia is one of a couple of MLS teams that broke a long winless streak last weekend, but as NY showed getting that second win in a row can be tough especially against a good opponent. &nbsp;The Union are thin right now and missing Sheanon Williams is a HUGE loss for a defense that had been struggling recently. &nbsp;The bench is thin, so the visitors need their offense to be ready to score, while Kansas City as usual needs to hold off late comebacks and play some defense.
Prediction: Sporting KC 3, Philadelphia Union 2. &nbsp;I like there to be some goals in this game, with the magic of LIVESTRONG winning out
FC Dallas v. Houston Dynamo (Saturday, 4:00 PM, Telefutura)
Is Brek Shea tiring at the wrong time after a much increased work load? &nbsp;This is the type of game where Dallas will need their A-game from their stars. &nbsp;A key to this game is who wants it more, and the answer may be the visitors. &nbsp;Fourth in the West may be an ideal playoff position, while Houston is in a battle just to qualify. &nbsp;With a Champions League trip to Tauro FC on Wednesday, maybe Dallas pumps the breaks just a little.
Prediction: FC Dallas 1, Houston Dynamo 1. &nbsp;A spirited game that drags at the end.
DC United v. Real Salt Lake (Saturday, 7:30 PM)
The Chivas draw on Wednesday makes this an almost must-win for DC, and they face the hottest team in MLS right now who will be getting local boy Kyle Beckerman back. &nbsp;Ben Olsen called out his team in public on Wednesday, so who knows what was said in the locker room or the effect it will have. &nbsp;The key to this match will be if RSL can shut down Andy Najar and Santino Quaranta on the wings; DC’s offense stagnates without being able to spread the field.
Prediction: DC United 1, Real Salt Lake 1. &nbsp;DC takes an early lead and loses it in the second half. &nbsp;I’ve seen this movie before
Columbus Crew v. Los Angeles Galaxy (Saturday, 7:30 PM)
This game seems like the lock of the weekend – the Galaxy can basically seal the Supporters Shield against an injured and struggling Columbus Crew squad. &nbsp;But here are a few reasons Columbus could pull the surprise: Chad Marshall and Emilio Renteria could both be starting for this game, although Renteria is more likely to come off the bench. &nbsp;The Galaxy, while not taking this game lightly, have a must-win CCL match on Wednesday. &nbsp;And with their depth not being superb and some starters having nagging injuries, the starting XI for the Galaxy might not be their ideal XI.
Prediction: LA Galaxy 3, Columbus Crew 1. &nbsp;Remember what happened last time the Galaxy lost a midweek CCL game?
New York Red Bulls v. Portland Timbers (Saturday, 7:30 PM)
Wouldn’t it be great if MLS could flex schedule games? Who wouldn’t want to watch this soap opera? &nbsp;Let’s go out on a limb and assume Rafa Marquez doesn’t play. &nbsp;Does that mean a return to the solid defense NY showed against FC Dallas last week? &nbsp;Normally you would assume a team besieged by controversy and full of talent would rally at home against a team with a miserable away record. &nbsp;But nothing has been normal about this season for New York.
Prediction: New York 2, Portland 1. &nbsp;For one day, NY settles some controversy and slides into a wild card slot.

How Your Team Can Win Or Lose This Weekend, Part 1

How Your Team Can Win Or Lose This Weekend, Part 1 - World Soccer Talk

It’s catch-up time. &nbsp;In both games in hand and playoff positioning.
In the shadow of the CONCACAF Champions League matches six MLS clubs will take the pitch tonight in critical games for playoff positioning. &nbsp;One of the matches is a match-up of heavyweights, while the other two look to be mismatches that could be surprises. &nbsp;What do all three have in common? &nbsp;All three results could go a long way to helping or even ending the playoff hopes of three teams, while boosting the playoff positioning of a fourth. &nbsp;Below is a breakdown of each match; all three can only be seen on Match Day Live or Direct Kick.
DC United v. Chivas USA – 7:30 PM ET – RFK Stadium
Coming off their resounding loss at Seattle, DC faces a struggling Chivas side they dominated less than two weeks ago in Los Angeles. &nbsp;However, there are two differences this time around – no Chris Pontius for the home side and DC’s miserable home record. &nbsp;Bill Hamid should be back for tonight’s match which will help DCU in net; Joe Willis was solid but not great in net this weekend. &nbsp;The key will be to secure the home field – DC is 1-1-2 in home matches since July, a record that will keep them out of the playoffs if they keep it up. &nbsp;Chivas, meanwhile, is seeking its first win since August 6. &nbsp;Chivas will have Marcos Mondaini back for this match, which could prove useful against a DC midfield that looked suspect against Seattle.
Bottom line: DC needs 3 points to remain in the playoff race. &nbsp;A loss effectively puts their hopes on life support, a draw could do the same depending on other results. &nbsp;I see DC squeaking out a close 2-1 win here.
New York Red Bulls v. Real Salt Lake – 8:00 PM ET – RB Arena
Their win versus Dallas this weekend has reinvigorated a New York team that had hit a major slump. &nbsp;That win basically set up this week perfectly for New York: wins versus RSL and Portland mean they have an inside track to the playoffs. &nbsp;Their defense shone this weekend after some&nbsp;shaky&nbsp;recent performances but maybe the benching of Rafa Marquez has given them a spark. &nbsp;The key question is will the team’s depth allow them to play at the highest possible level in back-to-back-to-back must win games, to say nothing of the rest of the season.
Real Salt Lake will be looking to repeat its 3-0 beat down of the Red Bulls in early August. &nbsp;The visitors are riding a four-match winning streak and could conceivably clinch a playoff spot by Sunday if the various playoff scenarios play out. &nbsp;The visitors will critically be missing Kyle Beckerman due to yellow card accumulation, and Tony Beltran will also miss this match due to an abductor strain.
Bottom line: RSL will miss Beckerman against a possibly resurrected New York side, which needs a result more than the visitors. &nbsp;Still, I’m not 100% sold that NY is back on track and I think the backline will struggle against the RSL attack. &nbsp;I predict a 2-2 draw on this one.
Portland Timbers v. San Jose Earthquakes – 10:30 PM ET – JELD-WEN
The quotes are flying in this one, which Lovel Palmer <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/index.ssf/2011/09/pressure_increases_on_portland.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a>, “(this) game makes or breaks our season,” a sentiment John Spencer only somewhat disagrees with. &nbsp;The Timbers are riding a four game unbeaten streak and have won three of those matches, but have only two matches left at home while playing four of their final six on the road, where their record is not quite so good. &nbsp;Much like DCU needs to begin racking up wins at home, Portland needs some road wins. &nbsp;Darlington Nagbe will start again after a good performance against New England, and if Kenny Cooper is hitting a hot streak, this team can score with the best of them.
San Jose is likely battling for respectability in this one, as even their home town paper is saying their playoff chances are “<a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_18940665?nclick_check=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">slimmer than a pair of skinny jeans</a>“. &nbsp;The ‘Quakes actually had the lead against Houston at the half this weekend, but gave it away to continue their slide.
Bottom line: This is an absolutely must win for Portland, and at home they will get it. 2-0 victory for the Timbers.

Why Tonight's MLS Games are Critical to the Playoff Race

Why Tonight's MLS Games are Critical to the Playoff Race - World Soccer Talk

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Real Salt Lake Shocks Host Galaxy 3-1

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How Your Team Can Win Or Lose This Weekend, Part 1

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Why Tonight's MLS Games are Critical to the Playoff Race