MLS Matchday: Week 18
The second half of the MLS season kicks off today with four matches taking center stage on the MLS calendar.
The New York Red Bulls visit San Jose, the Los Angeles Galaxy travel to Texas to take on FC Dallas, The Chicago Fire are on the road to face Kansas City and the Columbus Crew vist Colorado to take on the Rapids.
Today's marquee match-up? That would have to be the Fire-Wizards tilt. Kansas City has been on a bit of a role in recent weeks and can actually leapfrog D.C. United and Toronto FC (and pull within a point of Chicago) in the East standings with a win. The Fire can move into a tie for second place with Columbus with a win and Crew loss.
Here is a closer look at all four of today's match-ups:
New York Red Bulls at San Jose Earthquakes
Call this the 'Who's That?' Derby as two teams who have made several new additions to their rosters square off in a battle of last place teams. The Red Bulls could have Venezuelan national team defender Gabriel Cichero ready to go while the Earthquakes will have Darren Huckerby and Francisco Lima making their home debuts. The Lima-Jorge Rojas battle should be a fun one to watch.
Los Angeles Galaxy at FC Dallas
The traveling circus known as the LA Galaxy visits Pizza Hut Park as Beckham and friends visit Kenny Cooper and FC Dallas. At least we think Cooper will be there, unless a transfer has gone down that we haven't heard about.
What do we make of this game? FC Dallas is trailing the pack in the West and rumors are swirling that Cooper and Juan Toja are on their way out. Is the white flag on the way for the 2008 season? Los Angeles certainly isn't raising the white flag and should welcome the debut of Argentine defender Eduardo Dominguez, who is supposed to be a difference maker in the LA back line.
Chicago Fire at Kansas City Wizards
Fresh from his MVP turn at the MLS All-Star Game, Cuauhtemoc Blanco travels to the heartland to face off against a Kansas City squad unbeaten in five matches. The match will mark Josh Wolff's first at home since re-joining the Wizards. It will also be the Fire's first meeting vs. KC since its 1-0 loss at Toyota Park in April.
Columbus Crew at Colorado Rapids
The Rapids have found a way to stay in the playoff race despite being frustratingly inconsistent. Posting a 5-2-1 record at Dick's Sporting Goods Park helps. The Crew has been one of the steadiest teams in MLS but could struggle without midfielders Robbie Rogers and Emmanuel Ekpo, who are both headed to the Olympics. Can the Rapids take advantage of those absences to beat the same team that beat them in Columbus just a month ago?
What do you think of today's matches? What will you be looking to see? What are you most looking forward to?
Share your thoughts below.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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I would be more nervous about the Fire if their away record wasn't better than their home one. Looking to what role, if any, Barrett plays considering the Toronto trade talks.
Posted by: Modibo | July 27, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Apparently the Fire haven't won away in 2 months, and yet their away record is still better than the home one.
Posted by: Mark | July 27, 2008 at 02:08 PM
IVES-Any news on Kenny Cooper going to visit Cardiff City or Rosenborg to make a decision on where he wants to transfer to? I read that both teams are offerering around the same amount (4 million). I guess will really know if something is up if Cooper is not in the lineup for tonight's game against the galaxy.
Posted by: Johnny | July 27, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Is Nyarko being given he keys tonite as barrett is surely sitting befor going to KFC?
Inquiring minds wants to know and I dont think Arroyve posts on weekends.
Posted by: mark | July 27, 2008 at 02:12 PM
New York Red Bulls
Starting Lineup
18 - Jon Conway (GK)
2 - Kevin Goldthwaite
3 - Hunter Freeman
4 - Carlos Mendes
6 - Seth Stammler
9 - Juan Pablo Angel
11 - Dave van den Bergh
13 - Jorge Rojas
23 - Juan Pietravallo
27 - Andrew Boyens
60 - Jeff Parke
Substitutes
24 - Zach Thornton (GK)
7 - Mike Magee
8 - Sinisa Ubiparipovic
12 - Danleigh Borman
15 - John Wolyniec
32 - Luke Sassano
33 - Chris Leitch
San Jose Earthquakes
Starting Lineup
1 - Joe Cannon (GK)
2 - Eric Denton
3 - Nick Garcia
5 - Ryan Cochrane
6 - Darren Huckerby
7 - Ronnie O'Brien
10 - Francisco Lima
12 - Ramiro Corrales
19 - Ryan Johnson
21 - Jason Hernandez
33 - Scott Sealy
Substitutes
24 - Michael Gustavson (GK)
4 - James Riley
11 - Ned Grabavoy
15 - Shea Salinas
22 - Kelly Gray
23 - Ivan Guerrero
77 - Jovan Kirovski
Posted by: sprool11 | July 27, 2008 at 02:37 PM
GOAL CREW!
(no running commentary thread live right now, so I gotta put it all here)
Rapids keeper comes out timidly and Lenhart beats him to the ball and chips over him for a goal.
Posted by: Brant | July 27, 2008 at 10:00 PM