We're now two weeks in to our year-long MLS predictions contest, and its beginning to look like a fairly close race. While the readers took a commanding lead after Week 1 and I embarrassingly fell far behind, things are looking a bit more even now. Here are the results:
Week 2: Martin 5. AMT 5. Chest 4. Readers 3.
Overall: Readers 10. Chest 10. AMT 9. Martin 7.
Let's see if you guys can recapture the lead, or knock me further behind once again. The MLS schedule follows below, so cast your votes now through Friday night.
Friday April 1, 7:30 PM: Columbus Crew vs. FC Dallas, FSC
Martin: FCD. Chest: FCD. AMT: FCD.
Dallas hasn't looked as convincing as last season, but Columbus is in shambles. Who ushers in an uglier style of play that is simultaneously less effective? (Chest)
Sunday April 3, 7:00 PM: Colorado Rapids vs. D.C. United, Galavision
Martin: Colorado. Chest: Colorado. AMT: Tie.
I hate to take it here, but of United's three goals conceded this year, every one of them can be traced directly to a very questionable (or utterly indefensible) referee's decision. Is there any chance that clean sheet* can hold up against the defending champs without either first choice centerback to lead the defense? Probably not, but I think United can find the net and steal a road point anyway. (AMT)
Saturday April 2, 1:00 PM: Toronto FC vs. Chivas USA
Martin: TFC. Chest: TFC. AMT: Tie.
If you think about it, there was about an 18 month period there when Chivas weren't an expansion team. That period is over now, and they're the third consecutive expansion team TFC has faced to start the season. (AMT)
Saturday April 2, 7:00 PM: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Sporting Kansas City
Martin: KC. Chest: Tie. AMT: KC.
I'm pretty sure that Chad Ochocinco has no idea what a Whitecap is. I'm also pretty sure that he would start for the Whitecaps if he'd been their little PR project instead of SKC's. (Martin)
Saturday April 2, 7:30 PM: New England Revolution vs. Portland Timbers
Martin: Tie. Chest: NE. AMT: NE.
Look for Steve Nicol to sub Baldomero Toledo in if the Revs struggle on offense. He was New England's most important player last week, after all. (Chest)
Saturday April 2, 7:30 PM: New York Red Bulls vs. Houston Dynamo
Martin: Tie. Chest: NY. AMT: NY.
The soccer fan in me wants to see Hans Backe figure out the best lineup for his loaded attack; they could be something special to watch. The D.C. fan in me wants to see him keep tinkering to the point of totally screwing up the balance. (AMT)
Saturday April 2, 10:30 PM: Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Philadelphia Union
Martin: LA. Chest: LA. AMT: LA.
How weird is it that David Beckham is LA's 4th best midfielder so far this season? Philly will keep this close thanks to Leonardo's "marking" on set pieces, but the Galaxy should have too much firepower. (Chest)
Saturday April 2, 10:30 PM: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders
Martin: Seattle. Chest: SJ. AMT: Tie.
For the first time, all three of the B&RU writers are split in our predictions for a match. Chalk that up to the unpredictable nature of both of these teams. I give the Sounders the win because they'll be wanting it more at this point. (Martin)