With seven midweek matches including some of the league’s heavyweights and a bitter local derby to get stuck into before the weekend games begin on Friday, here are our midweek predictions.
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| Seattle are struggling without their star duo |
Union must recover from a 5-1 thrashing at LA Galaxy at the weekend, a result which matched the heaviest defeat in their history and cemented their status as the worst defence in MLS in 2015.
In contrast, Sounders’ defence and attack are both the joint-best in the league, although the side suffered their first home MLS defeat since March 14 against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Union have never lost to Seattle at PPL Park and with Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey missing, this record could be preserved against the Western Conference leaders.
Prediction: 1-1
New York Red Bulls vs Real Salt Lake – Red Bull Arena
Red Bulls have lost four consecutive games for the first time in five years after a catastrophic 2-1 defeat to Vancouver Whitecap, where top scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips missed two penalties.
RSL won for the first time in four games with a 2-1 victory against Sporting KC at the weekend but MLS’ second-lowest scorers have just five goals from eight away games in 2015.
The Red Bulls have nosedived after going the first seven unbeaten, but despite the absences of Sacha Kljestan and Lloyd Sam we think they will stop the rot here.
Verdict: 2-0
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| Kamara could be the difference for Crew |
Crew are without a league win in six games after drawing 1-1 with LA Galaxy on June 13, but they have hit 17 of their 21 goals this year at home.
Revolution remain second in Eastern Conference despite losing 2-1 at D.C. United on Sunday, a result which leaves them with just a single victory in their last nine matches.
Though these sides drew 0-0 at Gillette Stadium in April, the combined 32 games played by these sides in 2015 have seen 88 goals – we could be in for a classic here.
Verdict: 3-2
Orlando City vs Colorado Rapids – Citrus Bowl
Despite their first defeat in seven games at MontrĂ©al on Saturday, the MLS debutants’ recent good form sees them occupy third place in Eastern Conference.
Colorado are in miserable form with just one win from their last 10 in the league and are comfortably the league’s lowest scorers with a mere 12 goals.
However, the Western Conference bottom side have incredibly conceded just 13 times, only tasting defeat on four occasions, and their miserly resilience could be enough for a point in Orlando.
Verdict: 0-0
Toronto FC vs Montreal Impact – BMO Field
These bitter rivals exchanged victories in the two-legged Canadian Championship semi-final last month, with Impact progressing on away goals.
Toronto failed to score in MLS for the first time since March 14 and saw their club record three-match winning streak ended by David Villa and Co. last time out.
Impact have won five of their last seven in the league but have never beaten Toronto at BMO in eight meetings since joining MLS – we’re predicting sparks to fly and the points to be shared.
Verdict: 2-2
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| Maloney is out of action for Chicago |
Chicago Fire vs DC United – Toyota Park
It’s bottom against top in this Eastern Conference clash as these franchises meet for the second time this season. DC won 3-1 when these teams met at RFK Stadium just three weeks ago.
Fire have lost their last three and DP Shaun Maloney is likely to miss at least a fortnight with a back injury.
They will take heart from the fact DC have only scored four times in seven away games this year but United should prove too good for Chicago.
Verdict: 0-2
LA Galaxy vs Portland Timbers – StubHub Center
Galaxy have scored 11 goals in their last two competitive matches after a 5-1 win against Philadelphia Union on Saturday and a 6-1 thrashing of amateur side PSA Elite in the U.S. Open Cup.
With their 2-0 win against Houston Dynamo, Timbers set a franchise record of four MLS wins in a row, and they have also recorded three clean sheets in that time.
These sides are level on 25 points and shared a 2-2 draw at Providence Park in March, but with Galaxy almost invincible at home there can surely be only one winner this time.
Verdict: 4-1
Images courtesy of Otto Greule Jr, Jamie Sabau and Thearon W Henderson, with thanks.
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