MLS: Week 7 Predictions – Nathan vs. The Field

SKC stopped the Zlatan train, while LAFC was demolished in Atlanta. A look at our week 6 prediction results and ahead to a week 7 that starts on Wednesday night!

The Revolution took advantage of a shorthanded Montreal Impact side to pick up a win on Friday night, ahead of another exciting MLS weekend. The goals kept flowing as LAFC got the expansion wake-up call everyone was waiting for, and from last year’s expansion darlings nonetheless. A 5-0 rout will have Bob Bradley looking for defensive changes heading up to Vancouver this weekend.

Sunday kept the momentum going with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory for Orlando in front of their home crowd. Three goals in eight minutes highlighted the entertaining nature of MLS, as well as the amazing support at Orlando City Stadium. In the nightcap, Tim Melia put on a show to halt the Zlatan and Galaxy hype train.

Week 6 Results

Our guest last week, Gareth Wolff, got off to a hot start, predicting the first three games of Week 6 correctly. However, it ended there and, coupled with a perfect scoreline prediction of the 1-1 draw between FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids, I’ve extended the overall season lead over the field.

The Field (Gareth Wolff): 3 correct results = 30 points
Nathan: 2 correct results, including one exact score = 50 points.

Season Total

The Field: 220 points
Nathan: 250 points

Week 7 Predictions

Representing the field for Week 7 is Chris Dodson. You can find plenty of his work on the site covering various MLS clubs, as well as the weekly MLS Power Rankings for MLS Multiplex. You can catch him on twitter at @DoingItDodson. He starts this week with a 30 points deficit to make up for the field.

More from MLS Multiplex

Real Salt Lake at New York City FC
- Nathan: NYCFC 2-1. Top of the East and one of only two undefeated teams left in MLS. Home at Yankee Stadium, they should be able to put away an RSL with a -4 goal differential after five matches.
- Chris: NYCFC 3-0. NYCFC is rested and getting back some game-changing talent. Real Salt Lake is making a cross-country flight on a short week.
Orlando City at Philadelphia Union
- Nathan: Orlando 2-0. The Union is struggling for goals, which isn’t surprising. While OCSC should come in flying after that dramatic comeback against the Timbers this past weekend.
- Chris: Orlando 2-1. Orlando is finding goals as its first team gets healthy. I trust Colman, Dwyer, Meram an, Kljestan to score more than any team relying on Sapong to not miss easy chances.
- Los Angeles FC at Vancouver Whitecaps
  - Nathan: 1-1 Draw. LAFC has been hit hard twice in a row by explosive offensives. In Vancouver, they won’t have the same issue, but defensively Robinson can frustrate the expansion side to keep a point at home.
  - Chris: LAFC 2-1. Bob Bradley counters Carl Robinson’s defensive tactics to get LAFC back on track.
  - Montreal Impact at New York Red Bulls
    - Nathan: NYRB 2-0. It was a disappointing end to a great CCL run for the Red Bulls, who can now refocus on the MLS regular season. With plenty of depth and young talent look for the home side to push clear of the playoff line.
    - Chris: NYRB 2-1. At home, NYRB put up crooked numbers. Even with CCL rotation, the second choice Red Bulls have proved capable. Last week the Impact looked more one dimensional than ever.
    - Toronto FC at Colorado Rapids
      - Nathan: 1-1 Draw. Likely without Jozy Altidore, TFC should continue to rest their key players with such a huge prize on the line in the coming weeks.
      - Chris: 2-1 Rapids. Hudson’s Rapids side looks much improved and TFC will likely play the squad players following the CCL match on Tuesday.
      - LA Galaxy at Chicago Fire
        Nathan: 2-2 Draw. Will we see Zlatan’s first start? The match will be streaming on Twitter Saturday afternoon, what a perfect combination.
        Chris: LA Galaxy 3-1. Ibra as a striker is better than Basti as a sweeper, even if Zlatan only plays 30 minutes. The Galaxy have enough talent to keep the Fire to only one goal.
        Columbus Crew at DC United
        Nathan: Columbus 2-0. DC is the only team in the East without a win and has a ton of off-field news swirling this week. The Crew rebound after two straight loses.
        Chris: #SaveTheCrew 3-2. Olsen is now coaching for his job, and with the new owner talking multiple DP’s, players are fighting for game checks. Still, it will not be enough against a Crew side determined to stop the slide. DC is a great team for such a thing.
        Minnesota United at Portland Timbers
        Nathan: Portland 2-1. The Timbers finally get their home opener and with it their first victory of 2018. A Quintero goal helps give the Loons excitement for the season ahead and playoff possibilities.
        Chris: 2-2 Draw. Darwin Quintero is good for a goal every other game. Both defenses are likely to give up one per game.
        FC Dallas at New England Revolution
        Nathan: New England 2-1. The Revs are undefeated since opening day, playing well at home and face a Dallas side who has yet to travel for league play this year.
        Chris: New England 2-1. Friedel’s team is growing more confident in the system. Pareja is still trying to find ways to fit every on the field.
        Houston Dynamo at San Jose Earthquakes
        Nathan: 1-1 Draw. Both teams have been struggling for form since opening day victories. They continue that search but each takes home a point.
        Chris: San Jose 2-1. San Jose fans will demand a better performance in a game against the Dynamo. Wondo is due for one of his good games
        Seattle Sounders at Sporting Kansas City
        Nathan: SKC 2-1. Panic time in Seattle? No. Just look at the last two seasons as evidence. But even with Dempsey returning, the Sounders are still out of sorts and in need of a new striker.
        Chris: SKC 3-0. Sporting KC has scored the most goals so far this season and is coming off 2 clean sheets. Seattle has yet to score and key players have already checked out.
        New York City FC at Atlanta United
        Nathan: Atlanta 3-2. What a perfect match to wrap up matchday seven. Great offensives, stars on both sides, national TV and the massive crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta takes the edge with NYCFC playing twice in five days and having to travel.
        Chris: 3-3 Draw. I expect a back and forth, defenses stretched type game that everyone but the coaches love. Early season games among top teams tend to be more open. These teams are likely to meet in the playoffs and the chess game between to respected European giants will go all season.
        Next: MLS: Where could Fernando Torres land?
        Eleven matches stretching across five days. Chris and I ended up with six predictions, leaving plenty of room for a swing in the points one way or another. Now let’s hear your predictions for week 7 in MLS play. Send us your thoughts on Twitter @NateByNorthwest, @DoingItDodson. and @MLSMultiplex.