Previews and Predictions: MLS Week 11

As we reach a third of the way through the regular MLS season, the conference tables and Supporters’ Shield standings are beginning to take shape.

Ahead of another bumper weekend of action, here are our predictions for who will come out on top in week 11.

Accam scored the winner when the sides last met

New York City FC vs Chicago Fire – Yankee Stadium 

City are now winless in eight games after losing their first ever derby with New York Red Bulls last Sunday – their fourth straight defeat.

Fire lost to Real Salt Lake last time out but remain in a play-off position, three points ahead of this weekend’s opponents having played two games fewer.

The sides three weeks ago with David Accam’s winner securing victory for Chicago, but we think City will end their two-month wait for a second win of the season. 

Verdict: 2-1

FC Dallas vs New York Red Bulls – Toyota Stadium

It’s four games unbeaten now for Dallas and they sit joint top of the Western Conference, with Argentine DP Mauro Diaz’s form key in that run.

Bradley Wright-Phillips’ was the hero for Red Bulls as his brace fired them to their first win in four games in the ‘Gotham Derby’ against NYC.

Both teams are challenging near the top of their respective conferences but MLS top scorers’ form and home advantage suggests a win for the Texans.

Verdict: 3-1

Montreal Impact vs Real Salt Lake – Stade Saputo (Live on Sky Sports 5 – Saturday 9pm)

Impact lost what was their first league game in a month to Portland Timbers on Saturday to make it five MLS losses out of five.

Real won for the first time in five matches as Alvaro Saborio ended their 509 minute drought by opening the scoring in the 2-1 win at Chicago Fire.

Saborio ended RSL's goal drought

In the three meetings between these sides the home side has always won, and Montreal will keep that run going by ending their wait for MLS points here.

Verdict: 1-0

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders – BC Place

Last weekend’s 3-0 win over Philadelphia Union sees Vancouver top the overall MLS table on goal difference, but they were held by NASL side Edmonton in midweek.

Seattle went down 3-2 at Columbus Crew despite Clint Dempsey’s two goals – the American has a goal and/or an assist in each of his seven games this season.

Dempsey and Obafemi Martins have scored 13 of Sounders’ 15 goals this season, and the lethal partnership could end Whitecaps’ five-game unbeaten streak against Seattle.

Verdict: 2-3

New England Revolution vs Toronto FC – Gillette Stadium

Revolution are on their longest unbeaten run in a decade after going eight matches without defeat – in-form striker Charlie Davies has netted in each of his last four.

Toronto’s grand reopening of BMO Field was spoilt by a 1-2 Houston Dynamo victory last weekend, before they crashed out of the Canadian Championship on away goals.

Reds’ stars Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore both scored in midweek but the Canadians haven’t won at Revolution since 2010 and we don’t see that changing.

Verdict: 3-0

Houston Dynamo vs Portland Timbers – BBVA Compass Stadium

Dynamo won for the first time in a month with victory in Toronto and in Giles Barnes they have a man who’s scored five times already this season.

Barnes has netted five times already this season

Portland beat Montreal Impact 2-1 on Saturday afternoon but have only ever defeated Houston once in the sides’ five meetings.

Houston have the worst defensive record in the Western Conference and with both franchises struggling for form this will be decided by a single goal.

Verdict: 1-0

Sporting Kansas City vs Colorado Rapids – Sporting Park

Sporting made it a third game without defeat with a 1-1 draw at D.C. United and midfielder Benny Feilhaber’s five assists is the joint-best in MLS.

Rapids drew for the fourth game in a row and for the seventh time this season last weekend, showing they remain the draw specialists.

Colorado haven’t beaten Sporting since 2009 and haven’t won in Kansas City since 2002, a run we can’t see ending this weekend.

Verdict: 0-0

San Jose Earthquakes vs Columbus Crew SC – Avaya Stadium

Chris Wondolowski netted his fifth goal of the season as Earthquakes emerged unbeaten from a tough three-match away trip with a 1-1 draw at Colorado Rapids.

Kei Kamara is tied with Clint Dempsey as MLS leading scorer with seven goals after his double propelled Crew to a third consecutive win over Dempsey’s Seattle.

Both of these sides sit fourth in their respective conference with 14 points, but Columbus have not beaten San Jose away since 2009.

Verdict: 3-2

The LA captain misses out through injury

Orlando City SC vs LA Galaxy – Citrus Bowl (Live on Sky Sports 5 – Sunday 10pm)

Orlando’ midweek defeat leaves them with just two wins in 10 MLS games, although young Canadian striker Cyle Larin has scored in back-to-back matches.

MLS giants Galaxy have not won in a month and Robbie Keane is expected to miss out again though injury, but Jose Villarreal is back in full training.

Galaxy are 10 league games without a win on their travels, but against a City side without a home win, we’re expecting them to prevail.

Verdict: 0-2

Philadelphia Union vs D.C. United      

Phily have the worst win ratio in MLS with one victory in 11 games and their 3-0 reverse to Vancouver Whitecaps was their fourth consecutive defeat.

United remain in superb form and have not lost since their first defeat of 2015 on March 22, stretching their unbeaten run to eight matches.

DC lead the Eastern Conference by three points, while Phily are ahead of only Montreal albeit having played six games more – their miserable run will continue.

Verdict: 1-4

Images courtesy of Jonathan Daniel, Peter G. Aiken, Bob Levey and Victor Decolongon, with thanks