The New York Derby highlights the Week 10 MLS action, while on Sunday the red-hot Orlando City SC hosts an RSL side struggling on the road. Here are the predictions for the week that will be.
Just when you think MLS results are beginning to settle into a pattern the league reminds us why it is so balanced and entertaining. Week 9 gave us a Philadelphia side that can score and win, the Revolution topping Sporting Kansas City, and FC Dallas’ first loss.
Nine weeks into the season, we have an idea of the early contenders as well as enough data to see where the issues are. LAFC look real and now have a great home atmosphere to reinforce their strong squad. The Whitecaps have been a rollercoaster, sitting third in the West despite a negative seven goal difference. Orlando and the Revolution appear to be serious challengers for playoff positions while Chicago and Toronto are still waiting to find a consistent form.
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Week 9 Results
Cam did what no one had been able to since week two, take a victory for the Field in matchday nine. He joins Liam Pettit as the only other guest to top the weekly score and has closed nearly half of the season’s deficit.
- The Field (Cameron Albert): 5 correct results, including one exact scoreline = 80 points
- Nathan: 5 correct results = 50 points
Season Total
- The Field: 470 points
- Nathan: 510 points
Week 10 Predictions
Representing the field for Week 10 is John Carroll Jr., one of the two New York Red Bulls contributors here at MLS Multiplex. You can catch him on twitter at @jcarrollsports. It’s a big week on the field for his team, and, heading into Week 10, the field only trails by 40 points. One perfect scoreline can even things up. Now to the picks.
- Philadelphia Union at Toronto FC
- John: Toronto 2-1. The Reds can’t afford to keep splitting points and with no more CCL lingering for them, this is the weekend for them to get back to elite form.
- Nathan: Toronto 2-0. The Union finally found their attacking form last week, but this weekend marks the true start of the 2018 MLS season for the champs.
- New England Revolution at Montreal Impact
- John: New England 3-1. The Revs are hot and have kept it going. Montreal doesn’t look quite ready to beat them right now.
- Nathan: New England 2-0. Montreal has lost four straight, while the Revs continue climbing up the East. Plus they can now push past the Lee Nguyen distraction.
- New York City FC vs. New York Red Bulls
- John: 2-2 Draw. In the biggest game of the year for both clubs in, terms of league play, this match will be a clinic that both teams should be content with a draw.
- Nathan: NYCFC 3-2. This should be the match of the week. Red Bulls have been strong at home, while City is the clear early favorites on the campaign. If Vieira can lock down the Red Bulls attack they would go 11 points clear of their rivals.
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- Vancouver Whitecaps at Minnesota United
- John: Vancouver 2-1. Minnesota adjusted to life without Ethan Finlay just fine but eventually that injury has to haunt the Loons.
- Nathan: 1-1 Draw. Both teams finally ended their losing streaks last week. Two of the West’s worst defenses will look to contain and settle for the point.
- Columbus Crew at Seattle Sounders
- John: Seattle 2-1. Despite their loss last match, Seattle is finally getting back into a groove and the home pitch advantage for them should help them overcome the firepower the Crew has.
- Nathan: 1-1 Draw. Seattle is improving but failed to bring in a replacement for Jordan Morris before the transfer window closed. The Crew’s attack is potent to contain for 90 minutes, now with the addition of Mike Grella.
- FC Dallas at Los Angeles FC
- John: LAFC 3-1. LAFC is home again, but this time the win will be less stressful as they should beat FC Dallas relatively easy.
- Nathan: LAFC 2-0. They stole all three points at the end of their home debut, and in front of a great environment. Look for the Black & Gold to chase the lead in the West with another home victory.
- Atlanta United at Chicago Fire
- John: Atlanta 4-1. Atlanta is just too good right now to be stopped and the Fire is not going to be ready to extinguish them.
- Nathan: Atlanta 3-1. As expected the Atlanta attack is on fire (no pun intended there), scoring 13 over their last three matches. While Chicago got a road win at NYRB last week, they don’t have the defensive strength to slow down Atlanta.
- LA Galaxy at Houston Dynamo
- John: 2-2 Draw. This match will be close and with the Galaxy coming off a heartbreaking home loss, they will do whatever they can to get a point on the road.
- Nathan: 1-1 Draw. The Dynamo are stronger at home, but not to the level we saw in 2017. LA look dangerous but still haven’t found the perfect balance for their assortment of stars.
- Colorado Rapids at Sporting Kansas City
- John: SKC 3-1. Sporting needs to prove they are legit and can stay near the top of the West they will get the home win in this one.
- Nathan: SKC 2-0. Sporting has been flying since their opening day dud. The unfortunate news of Felipe Gutierrez’s injury is a setback, but not enough to cost them the points against the Rapids.
- Portland Timbers at San Jose Earthquakes
- John: 3-3 Draw. San Jose could use some wins but yet another draw for them will have to do for now.
- Nathan: Portland 2-0. Two teams going in opposite directions. The Timbers have finally woken up, while the Quakes are struggling to find any form, sitting on the bottom of the table over the last five matchdays.
- Real Salt Lake at Orlando City
- John: Orlando 3-1. Orlando is playing some of the best soccer in all the land right now and this match might be tough but they will be just fine against a team traveling across the country.
- Nathan: Orlando 2-0. No one is hotter right now than the Lions. Real Salt Lake is winless on the road in 2018 and shipping 2.5 goals a game.
Next: MLS: Week 9 Power Rankings – Atlanta United soar
As we’ve typically seen the majority of the picks fall the same direction, seven of the eleven this week. The biggest differences for week 10 are in the Timbers/Quakes match and the New York Derby. Enjoy the action.
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