Major League Soccer Preview: Week 26 (Oct 23-24)
The final weekend of MLS regular season play will see playoff seeding sorted out throughout the league. The Los Angeles Galaxy lead Real Salt Lake by one point in tight race for the Supporters Shield.
Edson Buddle enters the final regular season weekend tied for the lead in the Golden Boot race.
The final weekend of MLS regular season play sees Los Angeles and Salt Lake involved in a tight race for the Supporters Shield. Real Salt Lake trial by one point and if they can win at Colorado, the Galaxy will need a victory Sunday night to clinch the trophy.
MLS will say goodbye to some great this weekend as Jaime Moreno, Brian McBride and C.J. Brown all play their last games before retirement. Jonathan Bornstein will also play his last game for Chivas before leaving to play in Mexico.
Edson Buddle and Chris Wondolowski are neck and neck in the race for the MLS Golden Boot, while Jeff Cunningham and Jaime Moreno will both play, and are tied for the all-time scoring record in MLS history.
MLS will say goodbye to some great this weekend as Jaime Moreno, Brian McBride and C.J. Brown all play their last games before retirement. Jonathan Bornstein will also play his last game for Chivas before leaving to play in Mexico.
Edson Buddle and Chris Wondolowski are neck and neck in the race for the MLS Golden Boot, while Jeff Cunningham and Jaime Moreno will both play, and are tied for the all-time scoring record in MLS history.
 | Houston Dynamo vs Seattle Sounders |  |
John O'Quinn Field at Corbin J. Robertson Stadium (Houston, Texas), Saturday October 23rd, 4:00PM EST
Channels: Setanta Sports 1, Telefutura
Houston are eliminated from playoff contention but will be looking for a final home win to give their fans some enjoyment after a difficult season. Seattle are playing for their playoff seeding and a win will give them a shot at the third seed in the Western Conference. Defeat for the Sounders could see them fall into the Eastern Conference wildcard spot, a fate that will include much longer road trips.
Houston have a clean bill of health, and midfielder Brad Davis will be a key figure and could add to his season total of 10 assists. Davis told the Dynamo website that the Sounders will be looking to end the season on a good note with a win over the Sounders.
The Sounders enter the game on a five game winning streak, and also having won the US Open Cup. Winger Steve Zakuani will be looking to add to his season total of six assists.
PREDICTION: Houston Dynamo 1 Seattle Sounders 2. The red hot Sounders enter the playoffs in good form.
Houston have a clean bill of health, and midfielder Brad Davis will be a key figure and could add to his season total of 10 assists. Davis told the Dynamo website that the Sounders will be looking to end the season on a good note with a win over the Sounders.
The Sounders enter the game on a five game winning streak, and also having won the US Open Cup. Winger Steve Zakuani will be looking to add to his season total of six assists.
PREDICTION: Houston Dynamo 1 Seattle Sounders 2. The red hot Sounders enter the playoffs in good form.
 | DC United vs Toronto |  |
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (Washington, District of Columbia), Saturday October 23rd, 7:37PM EST
Channels: GolTV Canada
DC and Toronto are both eliminated from playoff contention and will have only pride on the line here. This will be the final MLS game for legendary goal scorer Jaime Moreno, who is currently tied with Jeff Cunningham for the all-time league scoring record.
Toronto could use this fixture to blood some youth academy products. Youngsters Ashtone Morgan, Doneil Henry and Nicholas Lindsay all featured in the midweek CONCACAF Champions League win.
PREDICTION: DC United 2 Toronto FC 1. DC give the legendary Moreno a winnng send off and beat a young and raw Toronto side.
Toronto could use this fixture to blood some youth academy products. Youngsters Ashtone Morgan, Doneil Henry and Nicholas Lindsay all featured in the midweek CONCACAF Champions League win.
PREDICTION: DC United 2 Toronto FC 1. DC give the legendary Moreno a winnng send off and beat a young and raw Toronto side.
 | Sporting KC vs SJ Earthquakes |  |
CommunityAmerica Ballpark (Kansas City, Kansas), Saturday October 23rd, 8:35PM EST
Channels: Setanta Sports Ireland
Kansas City put in a brave fight but are now eliminated from the playoff spots. They will be looking for a home win here to take some disappointment away for their fans. Central defender Jimmy Conrad and English winger Ryan Smith will both be missing for the Wizards.
The Earthquakes are coming off a midweek victory over Chivas USA that saw Chris Wondolowski net a hat-trick, a feat that sees him now tied with Edson Buddle in the race for the MLS Golden Boot. Wondolowski is a local boy from Chico State College. His rise to MVP candidate is a heart warming story for San Jose fans.
PREDICTION: Kansas City Wizards 1 San Jose Earthquakes 1. The Earthquakes go into the playoffs as a likely Eastern Conference wildcard.
The Earthquakes are coming off a midweek victory over Chivas USA that saw Chris Wondolowski net a hat-trick, a feat that sees him now tied with Edson Buddle in the race for the MLS Golden Boot. Wondolowski is a local boy from Chico State College. His rise to MVP candidate is a heart warming story for San Jose fans.
PREDICTION: Kansas City Wizards 1 San Jose Earthquakes 1. The Earthquakes go into the playoffs as a likely Eastern Conference wildcard.
 | Colorado Rapids vs Real Salt Lake |  |
Dick's Sporting Goods Park (Denver, Colorado), Saturday October 23rd, 9:05PM EST
These bitter Rocky Mountain rivals clash with both clubs having something to play for. The hometown Rapids are hoping to improve their playoff seed, while Real Salt Lake still have a shot at winning their first Supporters Shield. Not to mention, the winner of this game will be awarded the Rocky Mountain Cup.
Striker Omar Cummings is in good form for the Rapids and enters this game with 13 goals, tied for second place in the Golden Boot standings.
Javier Morales is an MVP candidate and will hope to lead Salt Lake to the Supporters Shield here. A win in Colorado, and a slip by the Los Angeles Galaxy will see RSL crowned regular season Champions.
PREDICTION: Colorado 1 Real Salt Lake 2. The Rocky Mountain Cup is shared and both teams embark on their playoff campaign.
Striker Omar Cummings is in good form for the Rapids and enters this game with 13 goals, tied for second place in the Golden Boot standings.
Javier Morales is an MVP candidate and will hope to lead Salt Lake to the Supporters Shield here. A win in Colorado, and a slip by the Los Angeles Galaxy will see RSL crowned regular season Champions.
PREDICTION: Colorado 1 Real Salt Lake 2. The Rocky Mountain Cup is shared and both teams embark on their playoff campaign.
 | Chivas USA vs Chicago Fire |  |
The Home Depot Center (Carson, California), Saturday October 23rd, 11:00PM EST
Channels: FSC
Chivas were beaten 3-0 in midweek by San Jose and have lost five of their last six games. They will hope to win here to give a good send off to long serving defender Jonathan Bornstein, who will be leaving MLS to play in Mexico.
Chicago will be saying some goodbyes of their own, with club legends Brian McBride and C.J. Brown playing their last game before retirement. Patrick Nyarko has 10 assists on the season, and will be a key attacking figure for the Fire.
PREDICTION: Chivas USA 0 Chicago Fire 1. A struggling Chivas close a poor season with another defeat. Legendary goal scorer McBride signs off with a game winner.
Chicago will be saying some goodbyes of their own, with club legends Brian McBride and C.J. Brown playing their last game before retirement. Patrick Nyarko has 10 assists on the season, and will be a key attacking figure for the Fire.
PREDICTION: Chivas USA 0 Chicago Fire 1. A struggling Chivas close a poor season with another defeat. Legendary goal scorer McBride signs off with a game winner.
 | Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union |  |
Columbus Crew Stadium (Columbus, Ohio), Sunday October 24th, 4:00PM EST
Columbus have surrendered top spot in the Eastern Conference, a six game winless streak allowed New York to wrap up top spot with a victory over New England on Thursday night.
The Crew produced a dramatic fight back last week, a 2-2 tie at Toronto came courtesy of a late equalizer by goalkeeper Will Hesmer. The Crew will be looking to end their winless streak here and go into the playoffs on a winning note.
Philadelphia have had a respectable inaugural season, and French forward Sebastian Le Toux will be looking to help them to a ninth victory. Le Toux has had 13 goals and 11 assists in an impressive season so far.
PREDICTION: Columbus Crew 1 Philadelphia Union 1. The Crew’s winless streak goes on as they enter the playoffs as the second seed in the East.
The Crew produced a dramatic fight back last week, a 2-2 tie at Toronto came courtesy of a late equalizer by goalkeeper Will Hesmer. The Crew will be looking to end their winless streak here and go into the playoffs on a winning note.
Philadelphia have had a respectable inaugural season, and French forward Sebastian Le Toux will be looking to help them to a ninth victory. Le Toux has had 13 goals and 11 assists in an impressive season so far.
PREDICTION: Columbus Crew 1 Philadelphia Union 1. The Crew’s winless streak goes on as they enter the playoffs as the second seed in the East.
 | LA Galaxy vs Dallas |  |
The Home Depot Center (Carson, California), Sunday October 24th, 8:00PM EST
Channels: ESPN UK / HD, ESPN UK / HD
Los Angeles enter this game knowing that victory will see them awarded the Supporters Shield, and clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Galaxy forward Edson Buddle enters the game tied with Chris Wondolowski in the race for the MLS Golden Boot. “I’ve never won it before. It’s something I’d like to accomplish,” Buddle told the LA Galaxy website.
Victory for Dallas will see them tie up third seed in the conference and possibly lead to an immediate rematch with the Galaxy. Forward Jeff Cunningham will be motivated, knowing he can take the outright lead as the al-time leading goal scorer in MLS.
PREDICTION: Los Angeles Galaxy 1 FC Dallas 0. The Galaxy clinch the Supporters Shield and Buddle wraps up the Golden Boot.
Galaxy forward Edson Buddle enters the game tied with Chris Wondolowski in the race for the MLS Golden Boot. “I’ve never won it before. It’s something I’d like to accomplish,” Buddle told the LA Galaxy website.
Victory for Dallas will see them tie up third seed in the conference and possibly lead to an immediate rematch with the Galaxy. Forward Jeff Cunningham will be motivated, knowing he can take the outright lead as the al-time leading goal scorer in MLS.
PREDICTION: Los Angeles Galaxy 1 FC Dallas 0. The Galaxy clinch the Supporters Shield and Buddle wraps up the Golden Boot.
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