MLS Viewing Guide, Week 26

Two game weeks are pretty tough on any team, but if you are the Colorado Rapids at least you can say both matches are at home and then you have a week off.  And after the Saturday match the Burgundy Boys have 11 days off, so there is no excuse for going all out and trying to pull off the miracle and grab six points.  Can they do it?

Here is the MLS Viewing Guide for Week 26:

Off This Week: None

Wednesday, August 26

Chicago Fire vs New York Red Bulls--Toyota Park--6:30 PM MDT (MLS Live)

The Fire are not a particularly good team and despite that they should have beaten a pretty terrible Rapids team last weekend.  They get another crack at the well against a very good Metros team who has won 7 of 9 matches.   I have to like the road team getting the win in this one.

Colorado Rapids vs Houston Dynamo--Dick's Sporting Goods Park--7:00 PM MDT (Altitude Sports)

I know that everyone is all excited about the Rapids actually winning a game (myself included) but this is still a dreadful team run by a manager who does not know what he is doing.  By sheer will they will grab a tie in this, and if that is accurate it will leave their home form at just three wins on the year.  Piss poor

Friday, August 28

San Jose Earthquakes vs LA Galaxy--Avaya Stadium--9:00 PM MDT (UniMas)

Yeah, the Quakes won three in a row and all that jazz, but they are not going to beat the Galaxy.  Sorry, this is LA's cup to lose and I think reality smacks San Jose on Friday.

Saturday, August 29

Toronto FC vs Montreal Impact--BMO Field--2:00 PM MDT (MLS Live)

Hey is an all-Canadian battle!  This one will be hyped by the MLS marketing arm as something more than it is: an important game in the Eastern Conference.  To be blunt though regardless of the result, this is not a must win for either team and I think it ends in a draw.

New York City FC vs Columbus Crew SC--Yankee Stadium--2:00 PM MDT (MLS Live)

NYCFC might be a bit pissed after being taken to the wood shed in their last match, and will come out with guns blazing as they will need this game.  The issue is that I am not sure they have the defense to stop the Crew.  A victory for Columbus.

Philadelphia Union vs New England Revolution--PPL Park--5:00 PM MDT (MLS Live)

For as bas as Philly has been this year they are only a point out of a playoff spot and this match sure seems like a winnable one for them.  Although the Revs are starting to get their act together, I think the Union figure this out and grab the win.

Orlando City vs Chicago Fire--The Citrus Bowl--5:30 PM MDT (MLS Live)

Neither one of these teams are playing good ball right now and in these cases I will default to the home team.  Win for Orlando and probably a red card.

Colorado Rapids vs Sporting Kansas City--Dick's Sporting Goods Park--7:00 PM MDT (Altitude Sports)

SKC is going to be pissed after the week they had and will take it out on the Rapids.  They throttle the Burgundy Boys on the road.

FC Dallas vs Real Salt Lake--Toyota Stadium--7:00 PM MDT (MLS Live)

Yeah, RSL you are not that good and you will not win in Dallas.  A solid, if uninspiring, victory for the Hoops at home.

Houston Dynamo vs Vancouver Whitecaps--BBVA Compass Stadium--7:00 PM MDT (MLS Live)

The Caps are one of the most dynamic teams in MLS but will be hard pressed to get a win in Houston against a stubborn Dynamo team.  A lot of how Houston will play will depend on what the result is in Colorado on Wednesday, but this feels like a draw to me.

Sunday, August 30

Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers--Century Link Field--2:30 PM MDT (ESPN)

Cascadia action at its finest and for the Sounders they are on a stellar 3W-10L clip that has them clinging by the skin of their teeth to the sixth and final playoff spot.  These matches are historically unpredictable and this one has that feel.  I like Portland in an upset.

New York Red Bulls vs D.C. United--Red Bull Arena--5:00 PM MDT (Fox Sports 1)

The top two teams in the East meet and depending how Wednesday goes, this could be for top of the table in the Eastern Conference.  This will be a close physical battle that will be won by the Metros.