MLS Preview: Red Bulls look to end slide, Crew hope to rebound

Posted Jun 2, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jun 2, 2010 at 11:57 AM

New York tries to snap a four-game slide, while Columbus tries to bounce back from its first loss of the season out west in Wednesday’s MLS action.

HOUSTON (5-5-1) AT NEW YORK (5-5-0): One month ago, the Red Bulls were flying high. Coming off a 2-0 victory against D.C. United, New York had opened up a lead on top of the Eastern Conference, and had already equaled their win total from 2009.

Now they are desperate to end a four-game losing streak that has seen the side slip to third in the East while having conceded 11 goals in that span. They’ll try to find that victory against a Dynamo squad that has struggled for consistency this season, losing 3-2 to Philadelphia after holding a second-half lead at home on Saturday.

If that inconsistency has taught us anything, though, it’s that Houston will rebound tonight, and continue the Red Bulls disappointment. The Dynamo have not won or lost two games in a row all season.

COLUMBUS (6-1-2) AT SAN JOSE (5-3-1): The Crew will try to shake off their first loss of the season on Saturday when they travel to Buck Shaw Stadium, and according to the San Jose Mercury News if they want to do so winning the coin toss could be a good step.

With the layout of Buck Shaw Stadium, the setting sun could have an effect on tonight’s game, as it did when Toronto defeated San Jose 3-1 on Saturday.

What would have a bigger effect for the Crew, though, is finishing their chances. Columbus outshot Los Angeles 21-3 on the weekend, but ended up falling 2-0. They’ll need that additional sharpness against an improved San Jose squad.