MLS: Week 8 Predictions – Nathan vs. The Field

Another full 11-match slate as we enter Week 8 with Sporting KC and NYCFC beginning to create distance at the top of their respective conferences. Here are our MLS predictions.

Week 7 proved to be the week that NYCFC solidified their place as the 2018 leaders. A dominating midweek win over Real Salt Lake 4-0, and then being able to travel to Atlanta on just a few days rest and get a hard fought draw. To top it off, fans were treated to renderings of a potential new stadium in Harlem this week.

Their rivals, the Red Bulls, continued their strong home form, while Pacific Northwest duo Seattle and Portland finally seem to be coming alive. The Timbers topped Minnesota in their home opener, while Seattle earned their first point of 2018 – on the road and without Dempsey nonetheless.

Related Story: USMNT and USWNT abroad: Goals galore in entertaining week

Week 7 Results

Chris Dodson joined the series last week and came close to getting a second weekly win for the field, as well as setting a new points total record. (That remains with Liam Pettit at 90 points from week two) In total Chris went an impressive 7 for 12 correct, but my exact scoreline of the Orlando / Philadelphia game put me ahead for the week.

• The Field (Gareth Wolff): 7 correct results = 70 points
• Nathan: 5 correct results, including one exact score = 80 points.

Season Total

• The Field: 290 points
• Nathan: 330 points

Week 8 Predictions

Representing the field for Week 7 is Dan Shulman, the New England Revolution contributor here at MLS Multiplex. You can catch him on twitter at @DanielRShulman. He starts this week with a 40 point deficit to make up for the field.

• Vancouver Whitecaps at Sporting Kansas City
  • Nathan: Sporting KC 2-0. On the road and without Kei Kamara, the Whitecaps struggle to create chances and fall to the early leaders in the West.
  • Dan Shulman: Sporting KC 3-1. Sporting is tough at home and Vancouver has come down to earth with just one win in its last five matches. Sporting stays atop the West standings with a routine win.
• Los Angeles FC at Montreal Impact
  • Nathan: LAFC 2-1. Another long road trip may trip up the expansion side but should have enough talent to bring home another three points. But the LAFC defense is giving up an average of two goals a game.
  • Dan Shulman: LAFC 2-0. Montreal’s defense hasn’t been good this season, conceding the second-most goals in the league. While the rest of LA goes gaga over Zlatan, they should be giving attention to Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi. LAFC’s dynamic duo will be too tough for Montreal to handle, even at home.

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• Toronto FC at Houston Dynamo
  • Nathan: Houston 2-0. With leg two of the CCL looming days after this match, expect the backups and some USL players from Toronto FC 2. Add in that it’s away and in Houston, should be a straightforward victory.
  • Dan Shulman: Houston 2-1. A well-rested Dynamo snaps out of their rut against a fatigued Toronto FC at home. It’s time for Alberth Elis to go into takeover mode, but it won’t come easy against a tough Toronto side.
• Chicago Fire at New York Red Bulls
  • Nathan: Red Bulls 3-0. What happened to the Fire? Suddenly their interest in Fernando Torres seems warranted. Red Bulls are perfect at home with a 10-1 goal record.
  • Dan Shulman: Red Bulls 2-0. The Red Bulls are scoring at will at home, with 10 goals in three home wins this season. Chicago has struggled out of the gate and lost in its only road game at Minnesota.
• New England Revolution at Columbus Crew
  • Nathan: 2-2 Draw. After a hot start in Columbus, they’ve lost three in a row. The Revolution actually sit ahead of them in the table on goal difference. Now if New England could only bring in something of value and deal Nguyen away.
  • Dan Shulman: 1-1 Draw. New England is much improved and amazingly already has one road win this season. The match in Columbus is a true test of how far they’ve come under Brad Friedel. Columbus has been shaky at home this year and escapes with a draw due to some complacency from New England.
• San Jose Earthquakes at Orlando City
  • Nathan: Orlando 2-1. Winners of three straight, OCSC loves playing at home. Look for Dwyer to lead the way once again (cue Merritt Paulson angry tweets).
  • Dan Shulman: Orlando 1-0. It hasn’t been easy for Orlando City at home this season but they’ve gotten the job done. With very little firepower, San Jose will struggle to put the ball in the net at one of MLS’ toughest venues.
• Philadelphia Union at FC Dallas
  • Nathan: FC Dallas 2-0. Dallas remains undefeated and should cruise to an easy home win against a Union side that is winless in four and has only managed one goal over that stretch.
  • Dan Shulman: FC Dallas 2-0. Looks like FC Dallas will remain undefeated for another week. Philadelphia was routed in its only road match, and with FC Dallas’ attacking speed, Philly is headed for defeat again. No Doop for Union.
• Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake
  • Nathan: Rapids 2-1. Much like the Revs, the Rapids have quietly moved up the Western Conference table. Now undefeated in four straight, they will be feeling confident to steal points in their derby matchup.
  • Dan Shulman: 1-1 Draw. Salt Lake has been marred by inconsistent play and lopsided losses this season. Colorado has been stingy on the road, losing at New England in dramatic style while rescuing a point with a late goal at FC Dallas. The first Rocky Mountain Cup match of the year ends in a tie, but it should be a fun summer between these two rivals.
• Atlanta United at LA Galaxy
  • Nathan: Galaxy 2-1. Why are you not on national TV and hidden away from east coast viewers at 10:30 pm (ET)? In Atlanta I’d give them the points. But in what should be a great home crowd and the Zlatan effect, LA remains in contention fo the lead in the West.
  • Dan Shulman: 2-2 Draw. Ah, the league’s two favorite teams meet, but who will get all the calls? Just like the points, they will probably actually be even. A rarity in MLS. Now that Zlatan fever has taken over LA, the Galaxy will be difficult to beat. But, so is Atlanta. Both teams get a point in this potential December preview.
• Minnesota United at Seattle Sounders
  • Nathan: Seattle 2-1. Last week the Sounders achieved three goals. A first goal. A first point. And not having a man sent off for the first time this season. Back at home and with the return of Dempsey, Seattle finally get a win and jump start theri 2018.
  • Dan Shulman: Seattle 2-0. The Sounders got a pretty good result last weekend and finally broke their scoring duck. The Loons are losers of three straight and making a trip to the Pacific Northwest for the second week in a row. Seattle is due, and it’s time for them to start winning.
• New York City FC at Portland Timbers
  • Nathan: NYCFC 3-1. Portland will score at home, but chase the match for most of the 90. NYCFC is simply the best team in the league at the moment, home or away.
  • Dan Shulman: NYCFC 2-1. Even reigning MVP Diego Valeri can’t slow down the red-hot NYCFC. The East leaders have too many attacking weapons, with playmaking wiz Maxi Moralez in the middle. Portland is struggling to find an identity under Gio Savarese and an important game against NYCFC couldn’t come at a worse time.

Next: MLS: Week 7 Power Rankings — Battle of the best

Only two differences this week in regards to our prediction for the MLS results. So the difference maker once again will be landed those elusive perfect scoreline predictions.