MLS Weekend Predictions: Friday, July 4
By Chase Ruttig
Jun 22, 2014; Manaus, Amazonas, BRAZIL; USA fan holds an American flag in the grandstands prior to the match against Portugal during the 2014 World Cup at Arena Amazonia. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Fourth of July weekend is upon us and along with the World Cup Quarterfinals is a full slate of Major League Soccer fixtures as with the USMNT out of the tournament after a loss to Belgium the attention once again shifts back to the domestic league for North American soccer action.
With the bulk of the matches being on Friday for the Independence Day festivities across MLS as a whopping five Friday night matches highlight the weekend play we bring you predictions for each of the five matches for what should be an exciting Fourth of July weekend filled with entertaining soccer.
Friday
Houston Dynamo (5-10-2, 8th Eastern) vs. New York Red Bulls (4-5-7, 5th Eastern)
Dynamo Form: L/L/W/L/L Red Bulls Form: D/L/W/D/L
Last Match: 4-0 Red Bulls (April 24, 2014)
Friday’s first match on NBC Sports Network’s Fourth of July doubleheader pits the struggling Dynamo against a Red Bulls squad that is looking to benefit from the return of Tim Cahill to the lineup following the World Cup after coming from behind to draw Toronto FC in injury time in their last match.
Meanwhile the Dynamo continued their disappointing first half of 2014 by getting blown out the Impact in Montreal as the high powered attack of Marco Di Vaio and Jack McInerney proved to be too much for a shaky Dynamo backline to control in a 3-0 drubbing. That isn’t a good sign going into a match with the Red Bulls, who looked dangerous on the counter attack during their return to MLS play against TFC. Expect goals in this match and a more inspired effort from the Dynamo in front of their home supporters, but based on their play to date it is hard seeing them turning it around against the Red Bulls.
Prediction: Red Bulls