This week, all-world striker Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid get set to tackle Toronto FC at BMO Field. On paper, this looks like a mismatch -- and it will be. That's why the Top Choice for the week is Los Galaticos.
Oh, wait -- that's just an exhibition, so it would not be fair to make that a Survivor Pro pick of the week. (For the record, we're also taking Real Madrid to beat D.C. United on Saturday.)
Let's get back to the task at hand and figure out which two teams in MLS-only matches have the best chance at winning so that you can build on your Survivor Pro streak. This task is made only slightly more difficult by the fact that the New York Red Bulls, who have 10 points on the season and stand seven points back of the San Jose Earthquakes as the worst team in the league this season, have a bye week.
(By the way, how is it that Curt Onalfo loses his managerial job before either Juan Carlos Osario or Jeff Agoos gets canned by the Red Bull organization. Granted, a 6-0 thrashing against a middling rival that you need to beat will send any ownership group into the search for new leadership on the sidelines, but the Red Bulls have TWO measly wins all season. Could Goose's recent Hall of Fame induction be the only thing that’s keeping him from searching the classifieds for work? But I digress ...)
Remember at the start of the season when Columbus looked like they were still suffering from the effects of an MLS Cup championship hangover? Yep, those days are gone. This team has not lost since a surprising 2-1 defeat at the hands of FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park on June 20. Since that time, Columbus has gone 4-0-2 and re-gained their spot atop the Eastern Conference standings, trailing only Houston Dynamo for the most points in the league, 33 to 35.
On Saturday, the Crew travel to California to take on the San Jose Earthquakes. There is a chance that Columbus could be without veteran leaders Frankie Hejduk and Guillermo Barros Schelotto, who both missed last week's 1-0 road win against the Colorado Rapids due to injury. But that does not take away from the fact that this self-proclaimed Hardest Working Team in MLS has a solid lineup from the starters to the bench and head coach Robert Warzycha has this team in prime position to defend their title.
The Quakes, who shocked Seattle Sounders FC with a resounding 4-0 win on Saturday, have yet to build any momentum in a positive direction this season. Over the last two months, San Jose has gone 2-3-3. There are obviously some solid pieces in place with the likes of Darren Huckerby, Bobby Convey and Joe Cannon in the starting XI, but head coach Frank Yallop has yet to find the consistently winning formula. The Earthquakes are currently in last place in the Western Conference with 17 points (4-10-5) and would need to start winning matches now if they have any hope of reaching the postseason.
Keep an eye on the injury report to see if Hejduk and Schelotto will be back, but we think that you're still safe with taking the visitors. Top Choice: Columbus Crew (Season Top Choice record: 4-6)
Let's act like David Beckham is not trying to force his way out of MLS by getting into verbal arguments with local supporters week after week and take a look at the Los Angeles Galaxy's recent resurgence. The Galaxy are unbeaten in their last five league matches to put them within striking distance of table-leading Houston with 28 points (6-3-10).
The surprising part about their run is that while head coach Bruce Arena must love having bickering buddies Landon Donovan and Beckham at his disposal, it really has been the defense that has held its own since May and brought this team back to respectability. Since May 6, L.A. has surrendered two goals only three times in 13 league matches and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is squarely in contention for both 'Keeper of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.
(Just as a point of fact, you're going to tell us that Becks is hearing it worse now than he ever did while playing for Manchester United? How about when he came back to England after getting a red card in the '98 World Cup match against Argentina that eliminated the Brits? Don't think so.)
On Saturday, the Galaxy travel east to face the New England Revolution, who will be without head coach Steve Nicol. The Revs manager is serving a suspension after being banished in the team's last match against Toronto. These two teams played on July 4th with the Galaxy taking a 1-0 win in L.A. on Alecko Eskandarian's 8th-minute goal in his first game with the Galaxy. Assuming that the All-Star break and exhibition against FC Barcelona has not derailed the Galaxy, expect a similar result this week. Best Bet: Los Angeles Galaxy (Season Best Bet record: 3-7)
Your pick for both matches is due on Friday.