The Week That Was - August 6th

Here are the updated standings:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3qPRqJFXHoRelZEU3hldUtVb0U/edit

Toronto FC

Wiedeman got the start like I hoped and provided high amounts of pressure when necessary and we got a midfielder forward to score the only goal of the game, weird thing though it was Matias Laba.  Yes, our defensive midfielder, a player who has never scored a goal in his professional career.  He charged forward like he’d done it many times before, had a beautiful cut back into the middle of the field to avoid a defender, slotted it home but a defender was lucky to block it, but he followed up and put it in the back of the net.  Oh yeah this happened in the 2^nd minute.  From then on, TFC seemed likely to give up a goal with all the pressure they were allowing but Joe Bendik, Ashtone Morgan, and Richard Eckersley were up for the test all making key saves.  We got lucky with the two clearances of the lines by defenders but you can feel a change in the defending ability of TFC with the addition of Steven Caldwell and return of Richard Eckersley.

This week, TFC will have a big test in Seattle, especially after their recent addition of USMNT player and former Tottenham player Clint Dempsey to the team.  But for some reason I actually believe TFC can win, it might be blind hope but is that what being a supporter is all about.

Movers of the Week

In the Western Conference no team had a greater than 1 point gain closer to clinching a playoff spot, but both FC Dallas and Chivas USA dropped 4 points closer to being eliminated after both losing their game in combination with Vancouver’s draw.  In the Eastern Conference it was a totally different story, all current playoff bound teams got 5 points closer to clinching a playoff spot after Houston Dynamo moved up into a playoff spot lower the highest max points in the bottom 5.  New York was the only playoff team to build upon these 5 points after their win versus Kansas City moving them a total of 8 points closer to clinching the playoffs.  While in the bottom half Columbus was the biggest loser, getting 6 points closer to elimination after a loss to Houston and the 5^th points total moving up 3.  Additionally, DC United was the first team to drop below 20 points to elimination.

Predictions

Last Week

New York Red Bulls @ Sporting Kansas City	SKC Win	Wrong NY win 3-2
Montreal Impact @ DC United	MTL Win	Wrong DC win 3-1
Chicago Fire @ Philadelphia Union	Draw	Wrong CHI win 2-1
Real Salt Lake @ Colorado Rapids	RSL Win	Wrong Draw 2-2
Columbus Crew @ Houston Dynamo	HOU Win	Correct HOU win 3-1
Chivas USA @ San Jose Earthquakes	SJ Win	Correct SJ win 2-0
FC Dallas @ Seattle Sounders	SEA Win	Correct SEA win 3-0
Vancouver Whitecaps @ Portland Timbers	POR Win	Wrong Draw 1-1
Toronto FC @ New England Revolution	TFC Win	Correct TFC win 1-0

Last Week’s Prediction Record	4-5
All Time Record	8-10

This Week

Seattle Sounders @ Toronto FC	TFC Win
New York Red Bulls @ Columbus Crew	NY Win
San Jose Earthquakes @ Vancouver Whitecaps	Draw
DC United @ Philadelphia Union	PHI Win
New England Revolution @ Sporting Kansas City	SKC Win
Montreal Impact @ Chicago Fire	CHI WIn
Houston Dynamo @ Real Salt Lake	RSL Win
LA Galaxy @ FC Dallas	LA Win
Colorado Rapids @ Chivas USA	COL Win