Preview of Game 8 - DC United at Los Angeles

Three wins in a row for DC United and undefeated in their last four, 3-1-0 (W-D-L), including last week's 2-1 victory over Houston. DC is 1-0-2 at home this season with a -1 goal differential. DC United is in 5th place in the Eastern Conference, 7 points behind New England and New York with 2 games in hand on New England and 1 in hand on New York. They are in 8th place in the Supporter's Shield race, also lead by New England and New York.

Los Angeles enters the game with an 1-0-2 record on the road and an even goal differential. The Galaxy are winless in their last three league games including a 1-0 shutout at Colorado last weekend. LA is in 5th place in the Western Conference, 11 behind FC Dallas and in 12th place in the Supporter's Shield race.

This game matches the two teams who have played the least amount of MLS games in 2007. United because of a scheduling gap in case they made it to the finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup and Galaxy due to a backend heavy schedule due to Becks' arrival in midsummer. United looks to extend their season best results streak to five games and four wins in a row against a very average LA team. I expect the starting eleven to be Moreno, Emilio, Gomez, Fred, Olsen, Carroll the Elder, Erpen, Boswell, Gros, Namoff, and Perkins in the same 4-4-2 formation. Kpene and Simms should get in during the second half. Look for United to run the offense through Fred and be very physical with Landon Donovan. Boswell should never be more than 5 yards from him when he is over midfield.

Prediction:

DC United 1:1 LA Galaxy