Preview and Predictions: MLS Week Four

It’s a testing time for all 20 MLS sides with star names away on international duty and domestic action in full flow.

We've taken out our crystal ball and here are our predictions for Game Week Four.

New England Revolution vs San Jose Earthquakes – Gillette Stadium

Revolution are only 58 minutes way from breaking the MLS record for the longest run without scoring at the start of a season, having failed to find the back of the net in their three games.

Earthquakes christened their Avaya Stadium with a 2-1 win against Chicago Fire last time out, their second consecutive victory after a 16-game winless streak.

However, after Revolution secured their first point against Montréal Impact on Saturday, they should get another positive result here.

Montreal's goal drought should end at the Olympic Stadium

Verdict: 1-1

Montreal Impact vs Orlando City – Olympic Stadium

Impact are also yet to find the net in the MLS, but five goals in three CONCACAF Champions League matches in 2015 shows their attacking threat.

Orlando suffered injury-time defeat to Vancouver last weekend and are missing seven players through international involvement alone.

These forced changes could unsettle the away team and it’s a great chance for Montreal to secure their first league win.

Verdict: 2-1

D.C. United vs LA Galaxy – RFK Stadium (Live on Sky Sports 5 – Saturday 11pm)

United suffered their first defeat of the season against New York Red Bulls last time out and haven’t beaten Galaxy in 10 meetings.

LA remain undefeated despite failing to win since the opening day, but captain and star man Robbie Keane will be a huge loss.

But with the likes of Jose Villarreal, who has a goal and two assists from three games, the away side should still have enough quality.

Verdict: 2-2

New York City vs Sporting Kansas City – Yankee Stadium

NYCFC’s three-game unbeaten start to their MLS history matches the longest undefeated run by any expansion team and they have also recorded back-to-back clean sheets.

Captain David Villa has hit the ground running with a goal and assist already and his current international absence will serve as a big boost for his club.

Sporting KC are winless in their last five league matches since the end of last season and it’s difficult to predict anything other than a home victory.

Verdict: 3-0

  

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Portland Timbers – BC Place

Vancouver will hope to call on new signing Rob Earnshaw 

Vancouver may have brought in veteran striker Robert Earnshaw, but it’s 23-year-old Uruguayan Octavio Rivero stealing the headlines with all three of his side’s goals this campaign.

The Timbers have drawn their three matches and are winless in March during coach Caleb Porter’s three year reign.

Whitecaps have won just once in 11 MLS meetings with Portland but their Rivero-led firepower probably makes them slight favourites.

Verdict: 1-0

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls – MAPFRE Stadium

With these two sides having played just two games apiece, it’s difficult to assess their respective starts to the season.

The Crew have a win and a loss so far, while Red Bulls secured their first win under new boss Jesse Marsch last weekend.

And Marsch will be hoping the flourishing partnership between Lloyd Sam and this week’s MVP Bradley Wright-Phillips can propel his side to victory.

Verdict: 1-3

Houston Dynamo vs Colorado Rapids – BBVA Compass Stadium

Dynamo have made an inconsistent start with a win, a draw and a loss so far and will be without four players including ex-Derby forward Giles Barnes.

Colorado could do with Kevin Doyle arriving sooner rather than later – although undefeated, the side are struggling in front of goal.

But Dynamo haven’t beaten Rapids in the MLS since 2009 so we’re predicting the sides will share the points in a tight encounter.

Verdict: 0-0

FC Dallas vs Seattle Sounders – Toyota Stadium

We're predicting defeat for the Supporters Shield holders

Dallas are the only MLS side with maximum points but will be missing six players because of international commitments.

Sounders have relied heavily on the partnership between Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins, but the US international is currently sidelined through injury.

The two sides met five times last season, Sounders winning two out of three league games and progressing in the Western Conference semi-final tie on away goals.

Verdict: 3-2

Chicago Fire vs Philadelphia Union – Toyota Park (Live on Sky Sports 1 – Sunday 10pm)

Fire are rock bottom of the overall MLS table and they will have to make do without Scottish call-up and Throwback Thursday star Shaun Maloney.

Union have also failed to win but only fell to their first defeat of 2015 against table-topping Dallas last Saturday.

The teams drew all three matches against each other last year and Fire haven’t beaten their opponents at home since 2012 – something we can’t see changing.

Verdict: 0-2

Real Salt Lake vs Toronto FC – Rio Tinto Stadium

Both teams last played a fortnight ago, RSL drawing a 3-3 thriller with Philadelphia Union and Toronto losing the second of their seven-game run of away matches 2-0 in Columbus.

RSL have also won the last three against Toronto, as well as every meeting at Rio Tinto Stadium.

So the pressure is on MLS top-earner Sebastian Giovinco if the the Canadian side are to have any hope in Utah.

Verdict: 3-1

Images courtesy of Mila Araujo, Jon Candy and al'sview, with thanks.