MLS: Nathan vs. The Field – Week 3 Predictions

Week 2 saw a flurry of goals and a big week for ‘The Field’. A look at last week’s results and predicting each of the scorelines for MLS matchday three.

38. Thiry-Eight! That’s how many goals were scored across the nine MLS matches during matchday two. That’s an average of over four goals a match. Trying to correctly pick a scoreline, let alone a result, with that many hitting the back of the net is challenging. Although, as we will see, not an impossible task.

There was a bit of everything in week two. Zardes scored another two as Columbus remains perfect. LAFC rolled past Real Salt Lake 5-1 – at Rio Tinto Stadium. Houston lost at home. Sporting Kansas City and the Chicago Fire waged war in a back-and-forth 4-3 affair. Portland continues to struggle, losing again and by four goals in New York. And the real Atlanta United emerged in front of a massive 72,000+ crowd.

Week 2 Results

It’s a good thing (for me) that guests can only make selections once a season. Sitting 60 points back, Liam Pettit ran away with the week two results, and in doing so took the lead for the field. Correct results earn 10 points while the exact scoreline picks up 40 points.

The big swings came with Liam seeing into his crystal ball that the Houston Dynamo would drop a home match, plus the late DC United goal away at Atlanta United gave Mr. Pettit two perfect scoreline predictions.

The Field (Liam): 3 correct result, including 2 exact scoreline = 80 points
Nathan: 2 correct results = 20 points.

Season Total

The Field: 100 points
Nathan: 90 points.

Week 3 Predictions

This week we welcome in Tyler Hanson, Mr. Minnesota United here at MLS Multiplex. You can find him on Twitter @T_hanson1. Tyler starts the week with a 10 point lead (thanks to Liam). Let’s get to the picks.

Houston Dynamo at DC United
- Nathan: Houston 1-0. This game could feel very flat, playing in a one-off location, as DC area fans fail to show up.
- Tyler: Houston 2-1. Houston continues their early season form as they edge out DC.
Columbus Crew at Philadelphia Union
- Nathan: Columbus 2-1. The Black and Gold have picked up right where they ended 2017 offensively, but the backline still appears to be in preseason mode.
- Tyler: Columbus 3-0. The Crew win in Philly to extend their surprising early season dominance.
- Chicago Fire at Minnesota United
  - Nathan: Chicago 3-0. The Fire looks explosive, when they push for it, after that tough defeat to SKC look for a strong response.
  - Tyler: Chicago 2-1. Chicago spoils Minnesota’s home opener, as the Loons struggle without a true #10.
  - Toronto FC at Montreal Impact
    - Nathan: Toronto 2-1. On the back of their historic CCL advancement, TFC picks up all three points against their Canadian rivals.
    - Tyler: 2-2 Draw. In one of the league’s best rivalries, Toronto and Montreal play out an exciting to 2-2 at Olympic Stadium.