A trio of juicy matches dot the slate of 7 midweek Major League Soccer fixtures, and many eyes will be focused north of the border.
[ REPORT: Liverpool lands Firmino, after Bacca & Rondon ]
Here are the three which have us most excited, and some predictions to boot.
Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact, 8pm ET
When was the last time these two squads were going this well? Has it ever happened? Toronto may’ve lost to red-hot NYC this weekend, but Michael Bradley’s crew has won three of four, while the same can be said for Frank Klopas’ bunch in Montreal.
They’ve played the least (MTL) and second-least (TFC) games in MLS, and it may surprise some that, based on points-per-match, Toronto is second-best in the East, with Montreal nipping at its heels.
Montreal is still looking for its first MLS win at BMO Field. Will it come Wednesday? We wouldn’t bet on it.
Prediction: Toronto 3-1.
Columbus Crew vs. New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m. ET
Two long-standing teams saw their dormant rivalry ramped up by a two-legged playoff last season, and the Revs more or less cruised into the next round.
It’s different now, especially with Jermaine Jones out and both teams struggling. The Revs have won just one match in their last eight, while Columbus has to go back seven matches to that exciting 3-2 win over Seattle that some saw as a signal of arrival.
Only one team can come out of this one with a win. We have a feeling neither will.
Prediction: 2-2 draw.
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers, 10 p.m. ET
Do you believe in the red-hot Timbers, or are you asking yourself just who they’ve beaten on their four-match win streak? The DC win to kick things off was nice, but United was in the middle of a jam-packed week. Colorado, Houston and New England are all playing fairly substandard right now.
Enter L.A., and a win that could build a believer base. The Galaxy’s only loss in six came against a good Vancouver team, and Bruce Arena’s league-best plus-9 goal differential at home is not a smoke screen.
Prediction: L.A. 2-1
Also
Philadelphia vs. Seattle, 7 pm ET — No Oba, Clint make this doable for Union.
New York Red Bulls vs. Real Salt Lake, 7:30 pm ET — A win would boost either into Top Six
Orlando City vs. Colorado, 7:30 pm ET — Hosts have gone well, but lost on the weekend
Chicago vs. DC United, 8:30 pm ET — Fire have lost three, but to good competition
