When looking at the MLS fixture slate this weekend, there's automatically two matches that jump out at you, unless you're just here for the Cascadia. On Saturday, the top two teams in the Western Conference will do battle at Rio Tinto Stadium as Real Salt Lake hosts the San Jose Earthquakes. Sunday will feature a matchup of two of the Eastern Conference's top two sides, as the New York Red Bulls host DC United. Let's start with a look at the action that will take place at Red Bull Arena.
New York Red Bulls vs. D.C. United, Sunday, 6/24/12, 7PM EDT.
The Red Bulls have struggled a little bit coming out of the international break, with a loss against Chicago and underwhelming draw at Vancouver. However, they haven't had their best players on the pitch either. Both Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez have been missing of late, and both are officially listed as questionable for this match.
If they don't play in this one, where will the Red Bulls get the goals to compete with the high octane DC offense? Last Wednesday Heath Pearce scored off of a set piece, but it was his first goal in MLS in four years. Kenny Cooper was largely absent against Vancouver without the creative force of Henry teamed up with him. This time the Red Bulls will also be without Dane Richards for this one, who picked up 5th yellow card during the midweek match.
Things are a little bit more straight forward for DC United. MF Danny Cruz is listed as probable, but the rest of the Eagles' big guns look set to roll. Last time out against the Red Bulls at RFK, DC got a hat trick from Chris Pontius en route to a 4-1 win last April. They'll be looking to assert their dominance over the Eastern Conference with a repeat performance. It'll be up to the patchwork New York back line and ROY contender Ryan Meara in goal to keep the Red Bulls in this one.
Mark Geiger will be the center referee in this match. His stats in 97 MLS matches: FC/gm: 26.3; Y/gm: 3.7; R: 22; pens: 32. I look for the Red Bulls to actually hold United off at home and pull out a 2-1 win. If DC come out with a victory, they'll be up 6 points on NY.
Real Salt Lake vs. San Jose Earthquakes, Saturday, 6/23/12, 7PM MDT
Real Salt Lake is going to have plenty of motivation to come out and win 3 points against the Quakes. Last April, RSL went down to nine men when playing the Quakes in San Jose. Despite that, they took a 1-1 draw into stoppage time only to fall 3-1 to two late goals. Then you have comedy of errors that led to the 2-3 defeat to the Galaxy Wednesday night.
Perhaps the biggest thing RSL can do is eliminate the many individual mistakes the cost them so dearly against LA. They'll also need to keep their heads on straight as Beckerman, Morales, and Saborio will be suspended with their next yellow card. Morales and Olave are listed as probable, while Luis Gil and Sebastian Velasquez are listed as questionable.
The Quakes formula is simple, do what they've done all year. A good defense and good 'keeper will keep them in the match and Lenhart and Wondolowski will get their chances. RSL will have to come together at the back to stop them. For San Jose, Ramiro Corrales and Diver/Wanker Alan Gordon will be suspended on their next yellow card.
Jair Marufo is the ref in charge of this one. His stats in 135 MLS matches: FC/gm: 24.2; Y/gm: 3.2; R: 32; pens: 42. I'll take RSL to right the ship at home, though San Jose will certainly get their chances. I'm going with RSL 3-2 in an entertaining match.
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