MLS: Week 9 Predictions – Nathan vs. The Field

Week 9 brings the last remaining undefeated side, FC Dallas, to NYCFC and the Seattle Sounders traveling down for the LAFC home opener. Here are the predictions for those games and all the rest on another exciting slate of MLS action.

Predicting MLS results is difficult enough in a league with such parity. Guessing a scoreline exactly seems near impossible with the way results and goals have been going in so far in 2018. Week 8 didn’t disappoint, starting off with 20 goals in the first three matches — SKC 6-0 over Vancouver; LAFC 5-3 over Montreal; Houston 5-1 over Toronto.

Add on top of that the Chicago Fire picking up a win over the New York Red Bulls and Portland shutting out NYCFC 3-0, and you have yourself a proper MLS weekend. Week 9 offers a national TV tripleheader, including the opening of the new Banc of California stadium for LAFC.

Week 8 Results

Dan Shulman set a new record points total for a guest, with 100 points, last week, including getting the FC Dallas winning scoreline exactly right. However, the Field falls back a few more steps after week eight, after I was able to grab two perfect scorelines during last weekend’s action.

The Field (Dan Shulman): 7 correct results, including one exact scoreline = 100 points
Nathan: 7 correct results, including two exact scorelines = 130 points

Season Total

The Field: 390 points
Nathan: 460 points

Week 9 Predictions

Representing the field for Week 8 is Cameron Albert, the New York City FC contributor here at MLS Multiplex. You can catch him on twitter at @CamIsChillin. Even after Dan’s impressive week eight, Cam heads into the showdown with the Field trailing by 70 points.

Real Salt Lake at Vancouver Whitecaps

Nathan: 1-1 Draw. RSL has struggled on the road in 2018, and the Whitecaps will feel the need for a result at home after that thrashing last Friday night.
Cameron: Real Salt Lake 2-0. After a successful win over Colorado, RSL will have no problem getting a win over the Caps who are coming off of a six-goal loss.
Montreal Impact at Atlanta United
- Nathan: Atlanta 3-0. Three straight losses for the Impact and traveling, against a side five wins in their last six. It’ll be entertaining – except for Montreal fans.
- Cameron: Atlanta 3-0. It would take a lot for Montreal to get points against Tata Martinez’s men, and at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta could have quite the day.
- Nathan: Chicago 1-0. Toronto’s starters will be recovering from the trip to Mexico for the CCL Final, while the Fire are finally starting to find the form that made them so dangerous in early 2017.
- DC United at Philadelphia Union
  - Nathan: 0-0 Draw. Can someone finally step up for the Union at home? The season could get away from them quickly.
  - Cameron: 1-1 Draw. Both sides have struggled through the start of the season, and I can’t see anything particular that would lift one team over the other.
  - San Jose Earthquakes at Columbus Crew
    - Nathan: Columbus 2-0. The Quakes are the only team in the West without a win in the last five. Meanwhile, the Crew’s impressive start has suddenly slid into four without a win. A visit from San Jose should set Columbus back on the winning path.
    - Cameron: Columbus 2-1. The only thing keeping the Quakes off the bottom of the Western Conference table is the Sounders and a trip to Columbus surely won’t help that.
    - Sporting Kansas City at New England Revolution
      - Nathan: SKC 3-2. This could be the underrated match of the weekend. SKC tops the Western Conference and have scored more goals (20) than any other team so far. Week one fears of their attack not working seem long gone. Meanwhile, the Revolution are much improved in 2018 and are tied for second place in the least amount of goals conceded.
      - Cameron: 2-2 Draw. Although the visitors are coming off an impressive win, the Revs have shown quality this season and won’t be bullied at home.
      - Houston Dynamo at Minnesota United
        Nathan: 1-1 Draw. Darwin Quintero has looked the part since signing and will be needed to lead the team even more after the Loons announced Ethan Finlay is out for the year with an ACL injury. However, it’s hard to see the Minnesota defense keeping Houston out of the net.
        Cameron: Houston 2-0. If the Dynamo didn’t play so well against Toronto I’d give the Loons more of a chance but it’s likely the visitors will be leaving with a win
        New York Red Bulls at LA Galaxy
        Nathan: Galaxy 2-1. Zlatan and company close out Saturday night and keep east coast MLS fans up late once again (10:30 pm ET kick). The Red Bulls have dropped all six points on the road so far.
        Cameron: Galaxy 2-0. Both the Galaxy and Red Bulls are coming off losses so I think it comes at a convenient time for LA that they’ll be hosting this one.
        Orlando City at Colorado Rapids
        Nathan: Orlando 2-0. Orlando is playing wonderfully at home and the Rapids once again have poor road form. The Lions crowd and playmakers are the difference on the day though.
        Cameron: Orlando 3-1. The Lions had a great game offensively against the Quakes last week but their defensive lapses will spoil their clean sheet in Colorado.
        FC Dallas at New York City FC
        Nathan: NYCFC 2-0. The final undefeated team rolls in Yankee Stadium to meet Vieira’s side that will be frustrated from last week’s first loss of the year. NYCFC dominated possession and should be more clinical on Sunday at home.
        Cameron: NYCFC 2-0. Although New York is coming off their first loss of the season, a return to the Bronx is needed for Patrick Vieira’s men in order to regain form.
        Seattle Sounders at Los Angeles FC
        Nathan: 2-2 Draw. LAFC open their beautiful new stadium in downtown Los Angeles and should have an amazing atmosphere. The Sounders are slowly improving and getting healthy. Returning the favor from opening day, look for the Sounders to spoil the day.
        Cameron: LAFC 3-1. The Sounder’s 3-1 win over Minnesota isn’t enough to show me they’re entirely out of their rut and LAFC’s impressive comeback in Montreal showed they are a force not to be reckoned with.
        Next: MLS: Week 8 power rankings – New York City FC drops, Atlanta rises
        Can NYCFC hold on the lead atop the East? How will the Sounders handle the explosive LAFC attack in front of a raucous crowd? And will we see Zlatan shine in front of the fans at StubHub once again? Let us know your thoughts.