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MLS Predictions: Nathan vs. The Field – Week 2

By Nathan Reynolds

CARSON, CA - MARCH 4: Sebastian Lletget
CARSON, CA - MARCH 4: Sebastian Lletget /
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A number of big upsets in Week 1 made for an exciting opening weekend. Now it’s time to see if matchday two MLS predictions can run a little smoother.

The business of making predictions is always enjoyable, but not always easy. MLS continually makes that challenge slightly harder, given the balance of the league and CONCACAF Champions League action. As you’ll see, week one of this new MLS predictions series didn’t produce high numbers, but there was a clear winner.

Toronto lost at home. Seattle lost at home. Atlanta got destroyed by Houston by halftime. Those three alone went from favored victories to lost points. Now, with a full week of results to study, an idea of starting XIs, another week of CONCACAF action, and our first glimpse of new players, let’s see how we can fare during week two, along with our new guest predictor.

Related Story: New York Red Bulls: Predicted starting XI Vs Portland Timbers

Week 1 Results

As a reminder, correctly picking the result earns 10 points, while predicting the exact scoreline earns 40 points. With all of those upsets, it was a rough week for any predictions. Jordan had a rough go earning only 10 points. Meanwhile, my 2-1 victory pick for the LA Galaxy over the Timbers leaves me with a comfortable cushion heading into week two.

  • The Field (Jordan): 1 correct result = 10 points
  • Nathan: 4 correct results, including 1 exact scoreline = 70 points.

Week 2 Predictions

This week we welcome in Liam Pettit, the resident New York Red Bulls expert here at MLS Multiplex. You can find him on Twitter @PettitMLS as well as co-hosting the New York Soccer Show podcast. Liam has plenty of ground to make up for the field in week two. Now for the picks.

  • Montreal Impact at Columbus Crew
    • Nathan: Columbus 2-0. The home opener will be interesting giving the off-field #SaveTheCrew movement, and how that plays into the teams’ performance. But Zardes looks revived, while the Impact will struggle to continue the Crew attack.
    • Liam: Columbus 2-0. The Crew continues to build on their impressive week one performance as Montreal begins their fall in the standings.
  • Colorado Rapids at New England Revolution
    • Nathan: Colorado 1-0. This could easily be a 0-0 draw, but with the Revolution missing two CBs and the distractions around Nguyen, Colorado has the edge.
    • Liam: Colorado 1-0. Anthony Hudson gets his first win as Rapids manager.
  • LAFC at Real Salt Lake
    • Nathan: RSL 2-1. Week 1 LAFC was running on the excitement of their first game. Now they travel up into Rio Tinto where the creative attack of RSL should give them the league welcome people expected last Sunday.
    • Liam: RSL 3-0. The euphoria of LAFC’s first ever win ends as RSL exposes their weaknesses.
  • Vancouver Whitecaps at Houston Dynamo
    • Nathan: Houston 2-0. The Whitecaps picked up an opening day win, and Davies looked impressive. But the Dynamo are great at home and feeling confident after that huge 4-0 victory over Atlanta.
    • Liam: Vancouver 2-1. Both teams got off to a great week one start, but this week Kei Kamara steals the show as Vancouver improves to 2-0 on the season.
  • Sporting Kansas City at Chicago Fire
    • Nathan: Chicago Fire 1-0. The Fire is rested having week one off, while SKC might need more time to figure out their new attacking pieces.
    • Liam: 2-2 Draw. Could be the game of the week right here.
  • Portland Timbers at New York Red Bulls
    • Nathan: 1-1 Draw. Red Bulls are hot are their away win in the CCL, but will likely rest several key players for leg two next week. Meanwhile, the Timbers should come out hot after a disappointing opening day defeat.
    • Liam: Portland 2-1. Gio Savarase’s team gets their first win of the season against a weaker Red Bulls side who are prepping for CCL play.
  • Minnesota United at Orlando City
    • Nathan: Orlando 2-0. What a tremendous performance for OCSC after going down a man. Even without their full lineup, Orlando’s attack looks to be too much for a Minnesota side that still needs several signings.
    • Liam: Orlando 3-1. Minnesota is going to have a rough 2018.
  • DC United at Atlanta United
    • Nathan: Atlanta United 2-0. Who was that last week and where is Atlanta United? Back home in front of their massive crowd, the Five Stripes should put on a display that everyone was expecting.
    • Liam: Atlanta 3-1. Atlanta gets back on track and dismantles a DC United team who will rue their missed chances in week one and two.
  • LA Galaxy at New York City FC
    • Nathan: 2-2 Draw. This has the making of a very entertaining match for the neutrals. Both teams looked great on matchday one, can LA replicate that on the road and in the tight confines of Yankee Stadium?
    • Liam: 2-2 Draw. The Galaxy have another impressive outing as they hold NYCFC to a tie.

Next: Toronto FC Vs Tigres: 5 things we learned

The week two MLS predictions are in. Send us your thoughts on Twitter @natebynorthwest & @PettitMLS.

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