Soccer / Vin Lowe / 25 September 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

Not too many changes in the table and no real surprises on the pitch last weekend, Week 26 of the Major League Soccer season, writes Brian Heard.

With several pivotal matches on tap there was a chance for a real shake-up, but pretty much everyone treaded water with draws, including the huge Columbus-Chicago tilt last Sunday.

With the Fire at home and knocking on the door of first place, reigning league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto tallied twice in the second half - the first with his head in the 55th minute and the second on a very save-able (Chicago keeper Jon Busch certainly would say so) penalty kick in the 78th minute - to pull Columbus out of a 2-0 hole and into a 2-2 draw that kept it three points (43-40) above the Fire with a game in hand.

The goals were Schelotto's 11th and 12th of the season, but his first since June 14, 11 games ago. In fairness, he did miss a couple of those games with an injury. Chicago's goals came in the first half from 23-year-old reserve Peter Lowry, playing in just his seventh-ever MLS game.

The other massive fixture of the weekend was Chivas at Seattle, both currently would be invited to the playoff party, but neither would be an honored guest. They drew 0-0 last Saturday, mainly because of the brilliance of Chivas keeper Zach Thornton who kept a clean sheet despite being down a man for the final 20 minutes.

Seattle (38 points) has not scored in its last four games at home. The scoreless drought actually stretches 404 minutes. Chivas (37 points) still has two games in hand with every team in the postseason hunt except for New England.

There was a pair of contests with playoff implications where the points weren't split. Galaxy (41 points) kept pace, two points behind but a game in hand, with Houston (43 points) for the lead in the West, by dispatching Toronto (34 points), 2-0.

David Beckham had his best game of the season for L.A., opening up the scoring in the ninth minute with a nifty goal (his second) during the run of play inside the box. He closed things out on the Reds in the 83rd, stripping defender Jim Brennan of the ball on the right flank, flying into the corner, then helped set up Edson Buddle's fifth strike of the season.

The loss threw some water on Toronto's already smoldering playoff hopes. The Reds have to travel to the Fire this weekend, but then there is some hope for a fast finish. Their final three games, two of which are at always-rocking BMO Field, are all against teams currently out of the postseason mix, including last-place clubs San Jose and New York.

What L.A. did to Toronto, was similar to what Houston did to Real Salt Lake with a 3-2 win. Simply put, Real (34 points) would not be in the playoffs were they to start today. But like Toronto, RSL's season-closing schedule isn't daunting, including fixtures with Dallas and New York.

Meanwhile, the Dynamo ended a five-game winless streak in all competitions (three were MLS contests) and a four-game winless streak in MLS - doing so on goals by veteran striker Brian Ching (his eighth) and second-year defender Geoff Cameron (his second) in the first five minutes and then a thunderous 22-yard blast from outside the box by stellar midfielder Brad Davis (his fifth) in the 81st minute to snap a 2-2 tie.

Proving their slump is over; the Dynamo went on to pound Panamanian side Aribe Unido, 5-1, on Tuesday in CONCACAF Champions League play.

The week's games

There's still much to play for for 11 of MLS's clubs this week. Pretty much every team is still alive except for suddenly capable Kansas City (a case of too little, too late), Dallas, San Jose and, yes, those fun-loving kids from New York (a case of too little, too often).

Now on to this week's schedule.

Game of the Week

Saturday, Sept. 26

Los Angeles Galaxy (10-5-11) at Columbus Crew (11-4-10)
Not a tough choice. The Crew is inarguably the best team in MLS right now. And arguably, Galaxy is No. 2. They are No. 1 and No. 2 in the league in fewest losses, after all. This could very well be a preview of MLS Cup.

Columbus's goal differential, plus-10 (38-28), is the best in the league and it's lost just once in its last 12 MLS fixtures - eight of those are wins. The Crew did get humbled again in CONCACAF Champions League play, 2-0 by Mexican side Cruz Azul Wednesday.

L.A. got veteran midfielder Eddie Lewis back last week, but for how long? He only played half the game before leaving with a sprained ankle. He's questionable this week. They could get bulldog midfielder Demo Kovalenko (Achilles) back as well this week.

With Houston off, Galaxy could move to top of table in the West with a win. But will have to do so in hostile territory. Crew supporters have always been among MLS's most lively and this week are planning a "Black Out", where they'll all wear black in an effort to intimidate L.A.

The others

Saturday, Sept. 26

Seattle Sounders FC (9-6-11) at New England Revolution (9-8-7)
Sounders had a chance to all but stamp their reservations to the playoffs last week, but couldn't get it done. They need to find out what's going on up front and fast with just five goals in their last 10 games.

Revs (34 points) blew a big chance to put themselves squarely in the picture last week, drawing 1-1 with the Red Bulls. Yes, they still have two games in hand with most contenders, but the results need to come fast. Already without injured stars Chris Albright and Taylor Twellman almost all season, they might have to play without Shalrie Joseph (hip flexor strain) this weekend.

Colorado Rapids (10-8-8) at Kansas City Wizards (8-11-6)
The Rapids (38 points) would love to have Kansas City's good form right now. And K.C. would love to have Colorado's position in the playoff picture, i.e., in, in, in ... for now.

No double-takes. You read it right - Kansas City and good form in the same sentence. There, you just read it again. After a dreadful stretch of eight games without a win (six were losses) spanning the months of July and August, all while scoring just a single, lonely goal, the Wizards have won three of four.

The Rapids have been running in sand lately - 1-1-2 in their last four games. They missed a real chance to make some hay by drawing 1-1 on Saturday and Wednesday with lowly San Jose. Though Conor Casey picked up goals Nos. 14 and 15 to maintain his league lead.

Real Salt Lake (9-10-7) at FC Dallas (7-12-6)
Now or never Lakers. The results have to come now for RSL, or they'll be home early - no playoffs.

Despite sitting near the bottom of the standings, Dallas is dangerous, scoring more often (41 goals) than any team in the league, led by Jeff Cunningham's 13 strikes.

Toronto FC (9-10-7) at Chicago Fire (10-6-10)
See Real Salt Lake and replace them with Toronto (now or never). The Fire probably won't overtake Columbus for first in the East, but a win couldn't hurt.

New York Red Bulls (4-17-5) at Chivas USA (11-9-4)
Lucky, lucky Chivas. At a time when wins and points are as crucial as oxygen, food and water, the Goats get friendly visitors from New York, who have gift-wrapped points for opponents all season long.

Sunday, Sept. 27

San Jose Earthquakes (5-12-7) at D.C. United (8-6-12)'Quakes actually haven't been in bad form (2-1-2 in their last five). But D.C. (36 points) needs a three-point result badly. A loss could put playoff dreams on life support.