Before we get to the predictions and the results from last week, let's take a quick look at the Black And Red United group in the ESPN MLS Fantasy game. The names at the top of the group are easily recognizable for frequent readers. Chest Rockwell and Travis Clark are the respective first and second place combatants heading into segment two, and both sit above the 99% mark. Not far behind are Zach J, Ted Meyer, and AMT.
Week 10: Chest 5, Readers 5, Martin 4, AMT 4
Overall: AMT 43, Chest 41, Readers 37, Martin 35
Wednesday May 25, 8:00 PM: New York Red Bulls vs. Colorado Rapids
Martin: NY. Chest: Tie. AMT: NY.
The Rapids couldn't solve that vaunted TFC defense in DSG Park last week - unless they get some help from the medical ward, do we really think they'll be able to get past the Red Bull D, which actually is somewhat vaunted? (AMT)
Sunday May 29, 5:00 PM: D.C. United vs. Portland Timbers, CSN
Martin: Por. Chest: Por. AMT: Tie.
Cross-country trip, unfamiliar surface, best team on set pieces in the league, no Charlie Davies or Josh Wolff. I hate picking against DC, but there are so many reasons to expect the worst here. (Chest)
Wednesday May 25, 10:00 PM: Seattle Sounders vs. FC Dallas
Martin: Dal. Chest: Sea. AMT: Tie.
Dallas has played better (or at least achieved better results) since its best player David Ferreira suffered a long-term injury. This leads me to worry that Schellas Hyndman may soon send the Macau Mafia after Brek Shea and Marvin Chavez. (Martin)
Wednesday May 25, 10:30 PM: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo
Martin: LA. Chest: LA. AMT: LA.
What's the most likely excuse for Beckham to miss his next game after he skips this one? A: "My uncle is having a cookout. They're roasting a whole pig!" B: "Tesco is having a sale. I have 4 kids to feed!" C: "I'm getting a haircut that day." Nonetheless, no one in MLS is better at overcoming missing stars than the Galaxy. (Chest)
Saturday May 28, 12:30 PM: Toronto FC vs. Philadelphia Union
Martin: Phi. Chest: Phi. AMT: Tie.
TFC will be on a short rest against a Union team that lives up to Peter Nowak's "run and fight" mantra. Throw in the fact that Aron Winter's side is already thin, and will likely be without Julian De Guzman (their best midfielder), Joao Plata (their most dangerous forward thus far), and Dicoy Williams (who has somewhat stabilized their central defense). If Philly were ever going to score 3 goals, this is the game to do it. (Chest)
Saturday May 28, 5:30 PM: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. New York Red Bulls
Martin: NY. Chest: Tie. AMT: NY.
Some Red Bulls fans will soon suggest that the U.S. Soccer program might as well shut down Brambleton because the New York Academy does a far better job identifying youth prospects and elevating them to European leagues as fast as possible so to avoid the risk that they might win anything of consequence with their home team. (Martin)
Saturday May 28, 7:30 PM: Columbus Crew vs. Chivas USA
Martin: Chv. Chest: Clb. AMT: Tie.
Two teams that are remarkably difficult to figure out on a week-to-week basis. If I learned one thing from the Black Knight, it's when in doubt, call it a draw. (AMT)
Saturday May 28, 8:00 PM: New England Revolution vs. Los Angeles Galaxy, Galavision
Martin: LA. Chest: Tie. AMT: LA.
I'm nervous about this one, considering the Revolution midfield will be missing the only skilled players it has in Shalrie Joseph and Benny Feilhaber. On the other hand, no one in MLS has won flying across 3 time zones in 2011. Both teams will be satisfied with the boring draw this will end up being. (Chest)
Saturday May 28, 8:30 PM: Chicago Fire vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Martin: Tie. Chest: Chi. AMT: Tie.
I'd pick San Jose to win outright if this game were on the West Coast, but I think even de los Cobos finds a way this week at Toyota Park. And like I said, "when in doubt..." (AMT)
Saturday May 28, 8:30 PM: Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas
Martin: Dal. Chest: Tie. AMT: Hou.
With Andre Hainault and Jermaine Taylor away for the Gold Cup, it's the time of year where we get to watch Eddie Robinson be too slow to play in MLS. (Chest)
Saturday May 28, 9:00 PM: Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders
Martin: RSL. Chest: Tie. AMT: RSL.
Speaking of teams lacking strikers, RSL will be without Alvaro Saborio and Arturo Alvarez while also listing Fabian Espindola and Paulo Jr. as questionable. If Jason Kreis isn't wearing his usual tailored suit on the bench, watch out! (Chest)
Saturday May 28, 10:00 PM: Colorado Rapids vs. Sporting Kansas City
Martin: Clr. Chest: Clr. AMT: Clr.
If the Rapids organization hands out some plastic yellow wristbands to all in attendance, they might be able to convince the Sporks that Dicks is actually Livestrong Park, since the Sporks have no idea what their new stadium actually looks like. (Martin)