Who Will Win the 2016 MLS Supporters’ Shield?

It is down to the last game of the season and both FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids can win their first ever MLS Supporters’ Shield.

Gotta love MLS Decision Day! Not only are MLS Cup playoff spots on the line for multiple teams, but the MLS Supporters’ Shield is also up for grabs. Only two teams are in the running for this under-appreciated trophy, FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids. But now the question is, which team is more likely to lift the Shield? Will it be Dallas or Colorado?

Most Likely: FC Dallas

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Currently Dallas has 2 points over the Colorado Rapids, meaning either a win or a draw against the LA Galaxy this weekend would give them the Supporters’ Shield. Dallas has only lost 1 game in the past 7, making them seem the much more likely winners of the Shield. The tricky part is, though, which LA team will show up on Sunday. The Galaxy, much like last year, has fallen down a bit, only picking up 3 wins in their last 13 games. During that time we have seen a solid destruction of Orlando as well as a nasty loss at home to the Sounders.

I predict this game to end on a 1-1 draw. A Mauro Diaz-less FC Dallas will have trouble going forward without their playmaker while the Galaxy do what they do best at home, not lose. This would give Dallas the Supporter’s Shield no matter what the Rapids do in their game.

Least Likely: Colorado Rapids

Though I believe this won’t happen, it is entirely possible for the Galaxy to get the better of FC Dallas. With Diaz out injured, Dallas is going to have an extremely hard time going forward. This season, Dallas is 3-4-2 when Diaz didn’t start and in the past 3 games without him, they have lost without scoring any goals.

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If Dallas loses this game to the Galaxy, the Rapids will need a win to overtake FC Dallas in the Supporters’ Shield standings, which is something to be expected on Sunday. Colorado will be playing hosts to Western Conference basement dwellers the Houston Dynamo. Away from home, Houston have gone 2-9-5. The Rapids, on the other hand, are 11-0-5 at home, an impressive stat to say the least. With they way the Rapids play at home and how Houston play on the road, it seems likely that Colorado will get a win. Everything, though, depends on how Dallas does against the LA Galaxy in Carson City.