MLS Picks for Kicks: No Spark for Red Bulls Without Thierry Henry

Marco Di Vaio Paces Montreal Impact Attack

The New York Red Bulls can’t catch a break right now. Heading into their fourth game of the season against the 3-0 Montreal Impact, New York will be without both of its designated players – Tim Cahill (International duty) and Thierry Henry (MCL sprain).

New York was already considering keeping Henry out of this week’s match before he picked up his knee injury last week. Team management was concerned about his Achilles on the Olympic Stadium turf, but this knock takes that decision out of their hands. It also has club supporters wondering where the offence will come from against a Montreal side that looks great moving forward.

The Impact dominated TFC in the first half of last week’s 2-1 win, pushing the ball quickly around the pitch with short passes and clever runs. Di Vaio was busy all day up front and finished a perfect play that stood up as the winner late in the opening half. That said, Montreal was on its heels for much of the second half after Alessandro Nesta left early with an abductor strain. He won’t suit up for at least a couple weeks, so Montreal will need to find some stability at the back.

“We are going to take our time with him because you can’t be too careful with this type of injury,” Impact assistant coach Mauro Biello told the Montreal Gazette. “We have a number of options, including using Hassoun Camara as a centre back, but we will see how training goes and make a decision later this week.”

With a week to prepare and Patrice Bernier playing so well just ahead of the front four, Montreal might very well push its winning streak to four games. The Impact have conceded just two goals so far and are proving to be clinical at the other end. They lead the league in scoring percentage (five goals on 27 shots) and shots on target (18 on 27 attempts).  I think Montreal (+125) gets just enough moving forward and holds strong at the back again this week. Final score: Montreal 1, New York 0.

Colorado Rapids (+390) at LA Galaxy (-167) Draw (+245)

We normally don’t go near chalk like this, but there’s good reason to give the Galaxy a long look this weekend. Los Angeles looked to be cruising to yet another home win at the Home Depot Center over Chiva USA last Sunday until the club gave up an uncharacteristic late goal in the 89th minute. Needless to say, that didn’t sit well with Los Angeles.

“I just think today was a test of character. We definitely failed,” midfielder Mike Magee told reporters. “In the first half, we had all kinds of chances to play better and kind of match their fight, and we didn’t really do it. When we finally get the goal after all that, we have a couple minute to kind of close out the game. … To give one back is very disappointing.”

That won’t happen again. Final score: LA 3, Colorado 0.

Last week’s picks: 1-1

Season picks to date: 4-4