MLS Weekend Predictions: July 19

Jul 16, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles (31) makes a save against the Philadelphia Union during the second half at PPL Park. The Union defeated the Red Bull, 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

New York Red Bulls (5-6-8, 5th Eastern) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (4-8-4, 9th Western) 

After getting throttled in Philly by the Union, New York will return to Red Bulls Arena on Saturday in search of better form out of their woeful back line as the defending of the NYRB has been their downfall all season as one of the league’s worst defenses. Conceding far too many early goals that force their high powered attack into chasing the game, New York conceded in the 9th minute against the Union before conceding six minutes into the second half as early concentration was the turning point on Wednesday.

Meanwhile the Quakes had no midweek action, but are in a far worse spot coming into Saturday as San Jose are currently last in the Western Conference and are seven points behind the surging Chivas and are tied with the equally poor Montreal Impact as the most doomed club in the league currently. With one win and four losses in their last five matches, the only hope left for San Jose this season is to go on a run in the coming weeks or they will be focusing on rebuilding for 2015 as early as August.

Expect the Red Bulls to take advantage of a match that New York needs to get three points out of as despite playing Henry midweek in addition to Tim Cahill the tired legs of the hosts shouldn’t be a factor as they are simply too good to lose to this poor Earthquakes side that has been an utter disappointment to say the least.

Prediction: Red Bulls