Well, last week’s pick ’em went well for all writers. Not one got the winner OR the scoreline correct. This week’s match up is between Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids. Let’s see what our experts say!
Real Salt Lake vs Colorado Rapids Predictions
Michael Norton (@MichaelNorton95) –MLS Editor
RSL is almost a third of the way into their season and have yet to lose. Even with Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando away with the USMNT, the Claret and Cobalt should make out just fine with Jeff Attinella and Luke Mulholland filling in. The World Cup has left Colorado’s roster unscathed, but even so this side lacks Salt Lake’s all-around quality, especially up top.
Think pre-Dom Dwyer hot streak Sporting KC, just not as good. Salt Lake managed a draw with that side on the road off a spectacular eight save effort from Attinella. Joao Plata has made the almighty Alvaro Saborio yesterday’s and will continue to do so with at least one goal. If he doesn’t score a second one, look to Mulholland or MVP candidate (and last week’s hat trick hero) Javier Morales to grab it.
RSL 2 – COL 0
——————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Roger Cleaves (@TheCleavesiest) – Seattle Sounders Correspondent
Oh Colorado, how do you lose to Chivas USA? They’re so bad! Don’t worry guys, shrug it off, because this week you’re only playing one of the best teams in the league. Of course they’ll be without Nick Rimando and Kyle “Don’t Dred On Me” Beckerman with the US National Team and Alvaro Saborio away with Costa Rica, so maybe it’ll be a little easier? And Robbie Findley is still out hurt! Things are looking up Rapids fans! Can Edson Buddle find the back of the net? Probably not. The World Cup call-ups haven’t come as a surprise to Salt Lake so I’m sure they’ve got some depth in the roster to deal with the absences. Sorry Colorado, you’re rough patch is going to continue on, at least for another week.
RSL 2 – COL 1
——————————————————————————————————————————————————
Alec Rivera (@LWOSAlec) – DC United Correspondent
Were it not for the absence of Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando to national team camps, I’d have to give this one to Real Salt Lake. The fact of the matter is that Rimando has saved RSL on more than one occasion and without Beckerman, the midfield is missing one of its most vital components. This is a great opportunity for Colorado to take three points at home at the expense of Western conference rivals. Can they do it? That depends more on which Colorado team shows up than anything RSL does. If it’s the Colorado that played Chivas USA last week, this could be a wasted opportunity. If it’s Colorado at their best we’re in for some marvelous soccer. Usually the reality is somewhere in between.
RSL 2 – COL 2
Thank you for reading. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page. Follow MLS Dispatch on Twitter – @MLSFollowback
Feel free to discuss this and other footy related articles with thousands of fans at r/football.
For the latest sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
