Previews and Predictions: MLS Week 14

Week 14 kicks-off on Wednesday night with Eastern Conference leaders facing Chicago Fire, while Vancouver Whitecaps can go level on points with Seattle Sounders at the top of the Western Conference with victory at Montreal.

Defender Larentowicz is Chicago Fire's top scorer in 2015

Here are our midweek previews and predictions...

DC United v Chicago Fire – RFK Stadium

Both sides ended extended winless runs last time out but we can only see one winner here. DC are four points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference and despite having only won one of the last seven meetings between the sides, they should be too strong for Fire, especially with home advantage. Chicago scored three at the weekend but have struggled for goals this season – centre back Jeff Larentowicz is their top scorer with four goals.

Verdict: 2-0

Philadelphia Union v Columbus Crew – PPL Park

Crew have won four, lost four and drawn four so far but we are backing them to pick up all three points in Philadelphia. Top scorer Kei Kamara is enjoying a spectacular return to MLS and became the first man to reach 10 league goals in 2015 last weekend. Union have improved recently, picking up wins at home to DC United and away at New York Red Bulls, but their best shouldn’t be good enough against Columbus.

Verdict: 1-3

Rivero has only scored once in his last eight appearances

Montreal Impact v Vancouver Whitecaps – Stade Saputo

Montreal’s two-game winning run ended in an emphatic 3-0 loss at the weekend, but Frank Klopas will be pleased his side have started replicating the form that brought them so close to Champions League glory. However, Vancouver haven’t lost to Montreal in MLS and following an impressive start to the season, they sit second in the Western Conference. Even so, with Octavio Rivero struggling for goals, we are going for a draw in this all-Canadian affair.

Verdict: 1-1

Images courtesy of Jonathan Daniel and Rich Lam, with thanks.