If it were any other club causing me to have to submit this post a day earlier than usual I would complain, but it’s the Revolution, so I’ll let it slide. There’s plenty of good domestic and international footie on offer this weekend, so grab yourself some IRN-BRU and a bag of these and settle deeply into the couch.
New England Revolution v. D.C. United (Friday)
I should be worried about New England’s chances in this game- they have four players listed as “out,” two listed as “questionable,” and two as “probable” for Friday’s match. That’s more than half of their active roster. I’m not worried because it’s been this way all season and they’ve done just fine anyway. D.C. United, on the other hand, are about as healthy a club can be after a month’s competition and should provide a stern test for the Revs. Fun fact: Washington D.C. in July is the most unpleasant place I’ve ever been weather-wise.
Seattle Sounders F.C. v. Chivas U.S.A. (Saturday)
This should be a good one. The winner will sit atop the Western Conference table no matter what happens in other matches. Chivas has the best record in MLS and Seattle suffered it’s first setback last week and will be looking to get back on the good foot this week. Both teams, however, will be at less than full-strength. Seattle will be missing Kasey Keller and Chivas will be missing Paulo Nagamura, both through red card suspensions. Keller’s absence is probably the more meaningful of the two, but Seattle has shown themselves to be a balanced side, so it probably won’t be the key to the game.
Kansas City Wizards v. Chicago Fire S.C. (Saturday)
Two of the three best teams in the Eastern Conference face off in Chicago’s Toyota Park this Saturday with the winner emerging from the match in no worse than second place. A win for Chicago and it’s business as usual at the top of the conference table. A win for Kansas City and maybe they have taken the first steps toward returning to the glory days of a decade ago when they won MLS Cup. Keep your eyes on the Wizards Davy Arnaud and the Fire’s Marco Pappa- both are off to fast starts and are early contenders for league MVP.
Real Salt Lake v. New York Red Bulls (Saturday)
I’m ready to say it- Real Salt Lake are for real. That doesn’t mean they are “great,” or even that they are “good,” only that they are solid, no longer league doormats. New York, on the other hand, are trying very hard to convince everyone willing to listen that last year’s run to MLS Cup was a fluke. They can’t score (one goal so far) and they can’t defend either. I’m no genius, but I’ve coached a couple of hundred matches and I’m pretty sure that’s about all there is to the game. Sharp uniforms and a new stadium in New Jersey aren’t going to make that pill any easier to swallow. In fact, a bad team and a new stadium on the horizon are a recipe for something, and it’s not “success.”
Colorado Rapids v. Houston Dynamo (Sunday)
This match is an example of the “changing of the guard” that seems to be underway in MLS this year. Colorado’s past is one of mediocrity and Houston’s is one of excellence, though this year the clubs seem to have switched places. For the Rapids, the confidence gained in the first month of the season might just be all it takes to propel them into the playoffs. Houston, conversely, must be wondering if anything is going to go right- ever. Fun fact: Despite his growing number of international appearances, Ricardo Clark is still vastly overrated.
Other MLS Matches:
Los Angeles Galaxy v. San Jose Earthquakes (Saturday)
Toronto F.C. v. F.C. Dallas (Sunday)
Arminia Bielefeld v. Bayern München (Saturday)
That’s right, no Borussia this week! Though a win against Eintracht Frankfurt would pull them out of the relegation zone. But back to this match… I love the matches that have implications at both ends of the table. Bayern are only a win (and a Wolfsburg loss) away of taking over first in the Bundesliga or missing out only on goal differential. Arminia Bielefeld currently sit only a point above the relegation zone and really need a win because even taking all three points from this match will leave them in danger of dropping to the 2 Bundesliga. Put your Reichmarks Euros on Bayern.
Bordeaux v. Olympique Lyon (Sunday)
I kills me to say this about a match taking place in Ligue 1, but this might just be the best contest taking place this weekend. Olympique dropped out of first place on goal differential after last weekend, and will be looking to regain the league lead this weekend. Their opponents, Bordeaux, have been on a tear as of late and a win- along with a loss by Olympique Marseilles- could vault them into first place. Whatever happens in France this weekend it’s pretty clear that the league title and European places won’t be settled until the final weekend of the season.
Palermo v. Bologna (Sunday)
I know, I know, this doesn’t seem like it should be the “marquee match-up” of the Serie A weekend, but to me, it is. Palermo- I’ll leave the Mafia-related cheapshots to you- can move into a UEFA Cup spot with a Roma loss and Bologna- mmmm…baloney…- can move out of the top(?!) relegation spot with a win. Or, to put it into economic terms, a win for Palermo and they reap the financial benefits of a European competition. A win for Bologna and they don’t have to rely on away fans from Empoli and Ascoli to spend their Lira Euros on match tickets at Stadio Renzo Barbera next year in Serie B.
Recreativo Huelva v. Real Madrid (Saturday)
It’s much the same situation in La Liga. Real Madrid have safely locked up a Champions League spot and probably won’t catch Barcelona for the league title, but if they are going to have any chance they will have to win this weekend. Recreativo are at the opposite end of the table, currently occupying the top relegation spot. A win for Huevla (and a loss by Sporting Gijon) will result in a week’s reprieve for the club from Al-Andalus. Fun facts: Recreativo are the oldest professional club in Spain and were founded by a Scottish doctor.
Middlesbrough v. Fulham (Saturday)
Believe it or not, if other results go in their favor (namely if Sunderland and Newcastle lose), Boro could actually climb out of the relegation zone for a week- maybe longer if they are lucky. While I have nothing against them, I’ll be pulling for Fulham and last weeks two-goal-scoring-rapper Clint Dempsey. Also, if Boro lose it will probably seal their fate and I won’t have to see Gareth Southgate’s beak, chompers, and that drowned marmot he calls a haircut on a weekly basis. That being said, Roy Hodgson’s comb-over is not aesthetic picnic either.
Ross County F.C. v. Dunfermline F.C. (Saturday)
County haven’t been “dominant” over their last five matches, but they also haven’t lost- I’m not sure if that makes me confident about this weekend’s match against Dunfermline or not. In any case, County need only five points in their last four matches (and that assumes all matches their not in go against them- something that won’t happen) to stay up. If Airdrie United lose to Clyde this weekend, County will need only three points in their last three games to stay up. Overall, I’d like to think that things are looking pretty good.
