This Weekend on The Offside: Match Predictions for MLS and Gold Cup

By: Laurie | July 11th, 2009

There’s a lot happening on weekends at The Offside and World Cup Blog. Starting this week I’ll be doing a weekly post highlighting some of the matches, with links to our team blogs. Be sure to click on the links for more in-depth coverage.

MLS is in midseason, and this weekend all of the games are on Saturday. My predictions are in bold. I’d like to see yours also. Leave them in the comments, and I’ll score the lot of us next week.

Seattle vs. Houston, 1:00 p.m. Pacific (that’s 4:00 Eastern)
Steve will be liveblogging this one over on Seattle Offside. Be sure to stop by to keep him company.
My prediction: 3-2
(Seattle fan hopes this is not wishful thinking.)

New England vs. KC, 4:00p.m Eastern
My prediction: 1-2 KC
KC is mightily pissed off about their ouster from the US Open Cup. I think this will translate to a win, but it will not be pretty.

Chicago vs. Columbus, 7:00 p.m. Central (8:00 Eastern)
My prediction: 1-1
Chicago would like to take advantage of the absence of guys like Robbie Rogers to put some distance between themselves and Columbus in the standings, but I don’t think it will happen here. I predict a draw.

Colorado vs. Dallas, 7:30 p.m. Mountain (9:30 Eastern)
My prediction: 1-0
Sorry, Dallas. I think that last win (against the miserable Red Bulls) was a fluke. And you’re playing mile-high.

San Jose vs. Toronto 7:30 Pacific (10:30 Eastern)
My prediction: 1-1
San Jose can’t keep on losing. The odds are against it. Right?

Chivas vs. LA Galaxy 8:00 (11:00 Eastern)
Surging Galaxy meet slumping Chivas in the SuperClasico.
My prediction: 3-2 Galaxy, and at least one red card.

Also be sure to check out the the final matches of the Group Stage in Gold Cup, being covered on World Cup Blog.

Saturday, July 11 – Boston (Gillette Stadium)
USA vs. Haiti, 7 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
My prediction: 1-1.
USA will probably take the opportunity provided by their six points in the first two matches to rest some starters and try out some newcomers. Haiti still needs to cement a spot in the final eight and will be fighting hard. I see a draw.

Honduras vs. Grenada, 9 p.m. (9 p.m. EDT)
My prediction: Honduras 3-1 Grenada
Tiny Grenada did well to get here at all. They won’t go further, but the soft spot in my heart wants to see them get a goal. Honduras, on the other hand, will want to make up for their 2-0 loss to the US.

Sunday, July 12 – Phoenix (University of Phoenix Stadium)

Panama vs. Nicaragua, 2 p.m. (5 p.m. EDT)
My prediction: Panama 1-0
The bottom dwellers of Group C face off. Either team can qualify, but the road is a lot tougher for Nicaragua, who need to win by at least three goals. I think Panama will do their best to make up for getting only 1 point in their first two matches.

Mexico vs. Guadeloupe, 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EDT)
My prediction: 2-2
Both teams are through to the knockouts, so I’ll be curious to see if they alter their strategy to rest up. I’d guess not, since winner takes the group and gets an easier matchup in the next round.

What about you? Who do you think will win these matches?

(No Weekend Quiz this weekend. Be sure to check back next week, though!)