The 2017 MLS season is now on its third week. Only four teams are left with a 100 percent record through two games, and two of them will meet this Saturday when the Portland Timbers meet the Houston Dynamo. And for Sunday’s marquee showcase, the defending champion Seattle Sounders face off with the dangerous New York Red Bulls. For picks and predictions for those big games, as well as the nine other matchups, just read on below.
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Saturday, March 18
New York City FC vs. Montreal Impact (2:00 PM ET)
After suffering a 1-0 loss to Orlando City in their first game of the season, New York City FC got their first win of the season in style with a 4-0 demolition of DC United at home. Reigning MLS MVP David Villa got two goals and an assist for NYCFC, who have now won eight of their last 10 home games dating back to last season.
Villa and co. should have too much at home against a Montreal Impact team that’s failed to win its first two games of the season.
Writer’s Prediction: NYCFC make it two wins in a row with 3-1 home win over Montreal.
Atlanta United FC vs. Chicago Fire (4:00 PM ET)
After falling 2-1 to New York Red Bulls in their first game in franchise history, Atlanta United got their first-ever win with a 6-1 thumping of fellow expansion side Minnesota United. Josef Martinez came through with a hat-trick, while Miguel Almiron added two more.
However, they’ll face a tough third matchup against the Chicago Fire, who have won and drawn their first two games of the season. Their new midfield partnership of Dax McCarty and Juninho has made an immediate impact, and will be a force in the middle of the park.
Writer’s Prediction: Atlanta and Chicago cancel one another out in a 1-1 draw.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Toronto FC (4:00 PM ET)
The Caps are still looking for their first win of the season after starting out with a home draw and an away loss. But their hopes of collecting that first victory will be tough with first-choice keeper David Ousted suspended after getting sent off in their last game against San Jose.
Toronto FC is similarly winless after back-to-back draws, and former MVP Sebastian Giovinco is set to miss this game due to a leg injury. However, the defending Eastern Conference champs still have Jozy Altidore up front, and should have enough to bring down their fellow Canadian club.
Writer’s Prediction: Toronto tops Vancouver, 2-1.
DC United vs. Columbus Crew (7:00 PM ET)
DC United are one of just two teams in the entire league still yet to score a goal through two games. However, their chances of finally breaking that duck against Columbus won’t be as high without injured playmaker Luciano Acosta.
DCU often find a way to pick up three points at home, though. They’ve won 10 of their last 11 at home, while the Crew have lost their last three away.
Writer’s Prediction: DC United bring down the Crew, 1-0.
Orlando City vs. Philadelphia Union (7:30 PM ET)
Orlando City’s still without star playmaker Kaka, but with two weeks off after their 1-0 win over NYCFC, they should be fresh and ready to take on a struggling Philadelphia Union side. The Union have drawn their first two games, and are now without a league win in their last 10 games dating back to last season.
Writer’s Prediction: Orlando City condemns Philly to another defeat, 2-0.
FC Dallas vs. New England Revolution (8:00 PM ET)
FC Dallas finally get to play in front of their home fans after picking up a win and a draw in back-to-back away games to start the season. Dallas would obviously like to pick up a win in their home opener, and they have the perfect opponent to do so against in the New England Revolution. The Toros have won their last six meetings against the Revs in all competitions.
Writer’s Prediction: FC Dallas makes it seven in a row against the Revs with a 3-1 home win.
Sporting Kansas City vs. San Jose Earthquakes (8:30 PM ET)
The San Jose Earthquakes have started the season strong with back-to-back home wins over Montreal and Vancouver. They’ve enjoyed the most possession in the league thus far, and have also attempted the most shots (39) by a wide margin.
They’ll face a Sporting KC team that has had no goals scored or conceded in its first two games of the season. Sporting are also a strong possession team, which could just lead to them and the Quakes cancelling each other out.
Writer’s Prediction: Kansas City and San Jose share the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Colorado Rapids vs. Minnesota United FC (9:00 PM ET)
Through two games this season, the Colorado Rapids look like the same strong defensive unit that conceded the fewest goals in the league last year. They also went undefeated (11-6-0) at home last year, and won their first home assignment of this season 1-0 against the Revs.
You’d figure that unbeaten streak should be fairly safe as they host the expansion Minnesota United team that’s been demolished 5-1 and 6-1 in their first two games in existence.
Writer’s Prediction: The Rapids score another comfortable home win, 2-0.
Real Salt Lake vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (9:30 PM ET)
Real Salt Lake are still winless in two games this season, but they will have the good fortune of catching the Los Angeles Galaxy at a very good time. The Galaxy have lost their opening two games (both at home), and must do without a host of key players due to injury (Giovani dos Santos, Gyasi Zardes, Ashley Cole and Robbie Rogers) and suspension (Jelle Van Damme). With the Galaxy in such disarray, RSL should be able to capitalize and pick up all three points.
Writer’s Prediction: Real Salt Lake deal the Galaxy a third-straight defeat, 2-0.
Portland Timbers vs. Houston Dynamo (10:30 PM ET)
This matchup between the Timbers and Dynamo will be an early top-of-the-table clash between two of the four remaining teams with a 100 percent record through two games. The Dynamo, though, have won their first two games at home, and will have quite a tough first away assignment.
The Timbers have won their last six home games in a row, but the Dynamo are unbeaten in their last five away from home. This is shaping up to be a closely-contested battle between two of the better sides in the league.
Writer’s Prediction: The Timbers and Dynamo play out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
Sunday, March 19
Seattle Sounders FC vs. New York Red Bulls (7:00 PM ET)
The Sounders’ title defense hasn’t gone off to a great start, as they’ve lost and drawn their first two games – both away from home. They’re assignment on their home debut will be another tough game, though, as they host the reigning Supporters’ Shield winner Red Bulls, who have won their first two games. The Sounders will be without Brad Evans at the back, an absence which the Red Bulls should be able to eventually exploit.
Writer’s Prediction: The Red Bulls inflict a rare home defeat on the Sounders, 2-1.
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