MLS All Stars put in their place by Manchester United
It has been a quieter week in the MLS, notably because of the much hyped MLS All-Star game against Manchester United. That didn’t quite to plan for the MLS All Star team, as Manchester United became the first Premier League team to beat them. They actually did more than beat them, Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils completely trounced them in a 5-1 victory, including a goal from new signing Javier Hernandez. Manchester United’s Frederico Macheda, Dimitar Berbatov’s replacement in the starting eleven, hit the opener after just 24 seconds, and United never looked back from there. It was a bit a of a non-contest in the end really, with the MLS All Stars only hitting their second goal in the 90th minute. It was all well done and dusted by then, but it is back to domestic action for the players this weekend, amid rumours that the LA Galaxy’s David Beckham is considering an unlikely move to West Ham next year, and a flurry of activity during the MLS Transfer window. There have been rumours about USA star player Landon Donovan moving to the Premier League, with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini keen on the influential midfielder. The hammering that Manchester United dishes out, will again make a point that the MLS is still in a developmental stage, with only the odd genuine world star emerging like Donovan and that will make him valuable.
MLS Game of the Week – Chivas USA v Columbus Crew
We’re taking a look at a top v bottom match this week, as the Columbus Crew take on Chivas USA over in California. Columbus are the leaders in the Eastern Conference, while Chivas USA are bottom of the Western conference, and last year’s league Supporters’ Shield winners, The Crew, will very much fancy their chances. Some of the success that Columbus , already one of the strongest teams in the MLS, can be put down to the fact that they have had a long stint of home matches. Out of their last nine games, this will be only the second time they have hit the road, and during that time they have managed to open up and eight point lead over second placed team in the conference, the New York Red Bulls. In their last two games, Columbus have hit five unanswered goals in their two matches against the New York Red Bulls and Houston. The Columbus Crew look a sure bet to win the Eastern Conference again, and with Thierry Henry’s Red Bulls not playing on Saturday, the Ohio side could open up something of an insurmountable 11 point lead just over half way through the season.
What of Chivas USA? This is the expansion side of the Mexican side Chivas Guadalajara, from where United’s new signing Javier Hernandez came from. The Chivas, despite sitting four points adrift at the bottom of the Western Confidence, have found a little bit of form in recent times and actually have a decent record against the high flying Crew. Chivas USA are on a two game unbeaten streak, and “The Goats” and are hungry for more points to starting climbing the standings. It’s not as if Chivas USA are not getting in match practice, they are, they have been one of the busiest teams in the league having played eight games in just under a month. This fatigue will probably start to catch up on them at some point no doubt, and they certainly won’t want it to happen against The Crew, who could run riot. But Chivas USA have drafted in some new blood, and their few new signings could make an impact to prop up things which could compensate for that. But with new players comes the problem of gelling with their new team mates, so there are things like that to consider as well ahead of betting. But as mentioned before, Chivas USA have a decent record against Columbus at home, having only lost just once since joining the league, and that was during their first season.
While this looks like another comfortable victory for The Crew, they should be made to work hard. The problem for Chivas, who are looking to gel up front, is that they will have to find a way past one of the best defences in the league. Expecting a closer game than may be anticipated, and after a fantastic away draw at Real Salt Lake last week, there are definite signs that Chivas USA are starting to pick up the pace.
Chivas USA to win: 6/4 at Bet365
Draw: 11/4 at William Hill
Columbus Crew: 13/8 at Stan James
Winning margin
Columbus Crew to win by 1 goal: 15/4 at Bet365
Eastern Conference MLS Standings
| P | W | D | L | Pts | |
| Columbus Crew | 17 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 34 |
| New York Red bulls | 16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 26 |
| Toronto FC | 16 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 23 |
| Chicago Fire | 14 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 17 |
| Kansas City Wizards | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 16 |
| Philadelphia Union | 14 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 14 |
| New England Revolutions | 15 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 14 |
| DC United | 17 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 12 |
Western Conference MLS Standings
| P | W | D | L | Pts | |
| LA Galaxy | 18 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 40 |
| Real Salt Lake | 17 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 31 |
| FC Dallas | 16 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 26 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 23 |
| Colorado Rapids | 16 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 23 |
| Seattle Sounders | 18 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 22 |
| Houston Dynamo | 17 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 19 |
| Chivas USA | 16 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 15 |
