Every once and a while, it is good for a team to take a loss against an underdog. Last week, Columbus experienced this feeling with a 2-1 defeat on the road against a struggling (to put it kindly) FC Dallas squad.
The reason it can be a good thing is that it can serve as a wake-up call -- of couse, the flip side of that argument is that the bad loss is just a harbinger of things to come.
This week, the Crew host the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. Columbus, which started wihtout a win in its first eight matches, has recently found its form to the tune of a 3-1-1 mark in its last five league affairs.
Billed as the "Night of Champions" by the Crew, the home fans will be fired up to see their team in an MLS Cup rematch against New York. How could you not get excited for a ceremonial coin toss with Buster Douglas, the Crew's championship ring ceremony and the chance to see Juan Carlos Osario publicly fired after his team loses for what could be the the 11th time in 17 games?
Oh yeah, and no Mike Petke this week for New York -- now the Red Bulls are definitely sunk.
Coach Robet Warzycha took the blame for last week's defeat against Dallas, but he should take some of the credit when the Crew win on Satuday to extend their unbeaten home run to seven matches (3-0-3). Top Choice: Columbus Crew (Season Top Choice record: 3-6)
Houston enters Sunday's match against the Galaxy tied for the league lead with 8 wins on the campaign. Conversely, Los Angeles is tied with New York for a league low two wins thus far this season. (And, yes, we're sorry for even thinking that the Galaxy were headed for winning ways. Let's call it a moment of temporary insanity on our part.) It took the Dynamo five matches to earn thei first victory, but since that time, the club has been unbeaten in 10 consecutive games. L.A. will be without Landon Donovan yet again (Bruce Arena must have loved USA's miraculous un to the Confed Cup semi-finals) and that offense is not going to crack Bobby Boswell, Pat Onstad and the rest of the Dynamo defense. Best Bet: Houston Dynamo (Season Best Bet record: 3-6)
Your pick for CLB v. NY is due Friday. Your pick for HOU v. LAG is due Saturday.