Do you feel like youโre starting to get a feel for the 2014 edition of your favorite MLS team? Good for you, because frankly Iโm having a whale of a time figuring out whoย might be for real, let alone whoโs going to make a run at things.
There are several teams Iโm very comfortable saying will be making playoff appearances provided World Cup rosters donโt sap their strength: Toronto and Real Salt Lake. Then thereโs a muddled middle of teams that have looked great and defied expectations (Dallas and Columbus) or left us scratching our heads at their slow starts (Portland and New York).
So where are we? Besides Tiesville, where winners and losers are ostracized. Seriously,ย there have been 3-4 deadlocks in every weekend excepting opening weekend.
As for the picks, Iโm not allowing myself to pick ties. If they tie, I tie.
All records W-L-T
Real Salt Lake (2-0-3) at Philadelphia Union (1-1-3), 4pm ET Saturday
Series: RSL, 2-0-4
Record at Philadelphia: 0-0-3
Outlook: Tough matchup for a Union team trying to learn their game without Philly mainstay Jack McInerney. Long trip out East, but RSL is up for it. RSL, 2-1.
Colorado (2-1-1) at Toronto FC (3-1-0), 4pm ET Saturday
Series: Toronto, 7-4-1
Record at Toronto: Toronto, 6-0-0
Outlook: For a club that hasnโt been a power, how about that unblemished mark against the Rapids in Toronto? Colorado has won an MLS Cup in the building, though. I like the Reds to build off the Columbus win and move to 4-1 with a 2-0 win.
Chicago (0-1-4) at Montreal (0-3-2), 4pm ET Saturday
Series: Chicago, 2-2-1
Record at Montreal: Montreal, 1-0-1
Outlook: Since weโre not picking ties, someoneโs gotta get their first win this weekend. I like the McInerney/Di Vaio combination to find some instant chemistry, but can the Impact defend? Quincy Amarikwa has been a revelation for Chicago, but will he โ or a jacked-up new-contracted Mike Magee โ be enough for a W? Montreal, 3-2.
Houston (2-2-0) at New England (1-3-1), 5pm ET Saturday
Series: New England, 7-4-6
Record at NE: New England, 2-2-5
Outlook:ย Forecast calls for a chance of rainย and 68 in New England, and itโll take inclement weather and bad travel for Houston to be slowed by the Revs. Both teams are coming off bad losses against longtime rivals. I like Houstonโs chances to rebound on the road, 2-0, on Will Bruinโs boots.
New York Red Bulls (0-1-4) at DC United (1-2-1), 7pm ET Saturday
Series: DC, 31-22-9
Record at DC: DC, 18-10-4
Outlook: Surely this rivalry match is where New York gets off the mat after a miserable, miserable start, correct? The only thing that could work for DC United is some more good vibes from Chris Rolfe and NYโs impending Wednesday date with the Union. NYRB, 3-1.
Seattle (2-2-1) at Dallas (4-0-1), 8:30pm ET Saturday
Series: Seattle, 6-2-4
Record at Dallas: Seattle, 2-1-3
Outlook: Which Sounders team will we get? That inconsistency alone is enough to pick a Dallas squad that is humming under Oscar Pareja, who has picked up big wins over Houston and Portland in recent weeks. Can it continue? I think so, though hereโs where Iโd call a 2-2 tie if allowed (thatโs called โhedgingโ).ย Dallas, 2-1.
Chivas USA (1-2-2) at Portland (0-2-3), 10:30pm ET Saturday
Series: Chivas USA, 4-3-1
Record at Portland: 2-2
Outlook: I felt like the Timbers were a little over-appreciated coming into the season, but this is a spot that screams Portland. Wilmer Cabrera was frustrated by his clubโs attitude in a 3-0 loss to L.A. last week, and Iโm not sure they build up quick enough to perform well here.ย Portland, 4-1.
Vancouver (2-1-2) at Los Angeles (1-1-1), 10:30pm ET Saturday
Series: Galaxy, 5-2-1
Record at LA: Galaxy, 4-0
Outlook: Carl Robinson brings the Caps on the road to try and do something theyโve done at LAโฆ win. The Galaxy looked dangerous against Chivas USA last week for nearly 90 minutes and form saysโฆย L.A. 2-1.
Columbus (3-1-0) at San Jose (0-2-1), 3pm ET Sunday
Series leader: Crew, 18-13-7
Record at SJ: Quakes, 10-6-3
Outlook: Is it an upset special given Columbus is coming off a loss, wasnโt expected to be a stronger team than San Jose and the Quakes are weeks free from CONCACAF Champions League schedule congestion? Chris Wondolowski keeps his US form rolling.ย SJ, 2-1.
