A terrible week in MLS for the favorites also resulted in a terrible week for our group of competing predictors.
Week 13: Martin 2, Chest 2, AMT 2, Readers 1
Overall: Chest 57, AMT 53, Readers 47, Martin 45
Wednesday June 16, 8:00 PM: New England Revolution vs. Toronto FC
Martin: Tor. Chest: NE. AMT: Tie.
TFC will arguably be without all three first-choice midfielders unless Canada can hold onto a result against Panama tonight (0-0 as I type). Considering the TFC midfield is poor even at full strength, I'll give the edge to Shalrie Joseph...oh, and the Revs. I can't just take Joseph to win the game alone, can I? (Chest)
Saturday June 18, 9:00 PM: Real Salt Lake vs. D.C. United, CSN
Martin: RSL. Chest: RSL. AMT: Tie.
Was that the real D.C. backline that showed up against San Jose on Saturday? Or was that the real backline that shut out the Galaxy the week before? With much of RSL playing elsewhere in the States in the Gold Cup, this might be the week to find out. (Martin)
Martin: Tie. Chest: SJ. AMT: Tie.
Unless Maryland product Graham Zusi can keep scoring miracle goals out of nowhere, most of what the Sporks will have going for them is ALLCAPS Park (don't confuse it with ALLCAPS Field in Portland). That and the tactical nous to appropriately deal with a withdrawn striker will be enough to get them a draw against a streaking San Jose side. (AMT)
Saturday June 18, 7:00 PM: Toronto FC vs. Seattle Sounders
Martin: Tie. Chest: Tie. AMT: Tie.
I have no idea how the Reds managed to tie the Galaxy last week, but I imagine it probably could have involved a hidden ball trick, and Alan Gordon pulling Joao Plata out of his sock. (Martin)
Saturday June 18, 7:30 PM: New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire
Martin: Chi. Chest: Tie. AMT: Chi.
Soccer haters everywhere will be given ammo that even diehard soccer fans can't argue with here. Really, everyone would be better if these two teams just agreed to not play this game. (Chest)
Saturday June 18, 8:30 PM: Houston Dynamo vs. Columbus Crew
Martin: Tie. Chest: Tie. AMT: Hou.
Here's hoping Andres Mendoza keeps coming up with zany new ways to keep Jeff Cunningham off the scoresheet. This week: Suiting up for the Dynamo at center back! (Chest)
Saturday June 18, 9:00 PM: Colorado Rapids vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
Martin: Clr. Chest: Tie. AMT: Tie.
The defending champs finally remembered how to take all three points, becoming only the second team to beat the Timbers at JELD-WEN-THE-ORIGINAL-ALLCAPS Field. (Remind me again, who were the first?) Unfortunately, the Gals are constitutionally prohibited from losing while Donovan Rickets and Landon Donovan are off on international duty. The story line would just be too easy, otherwise. This way, when LA starts dropping games after the Gold Cup, it'll be due to fatigue and schedule congestion, not their missing superstar. Unless Becks goes down hurt, then we'll get to hear all of the story lines. (AMT)
Saturday June 18, 10:00 PM: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Philadelphia Union
Martin: Tie. Chest: Phi. AMT: Phi.
The Whitecaps will struggle this week without Eric Hassli, who will have to sit out after getting suspended for a red card for the infraction of Scoring A Goal Too Awesome For MLS. (Martin)
Saturday June 18, 10:30 PM: Chivas USA vs. FC Dallas
Martin: Dal. Chest: Chv. AMT: Tie
Stripes, stripes everywhere, and not a... something something. Brek Shea's not-an-audition-for-Europe (remember that big presser FCD called to announce they've locked him down for the foreseeable future?) keeps on trucking, but I think the improving Rojiblancos manage to sneak a goal or two past Kevin Hartman, whose own Superman impression was definitely not in action last weekend. (AMT)
Sunday June 18, 10:00 PM: Portland Timbers vs. New York Red Bulls
Martin: NY. Chest: Por. AMT: Tie.
NYRB is still playing without 5 starters, and more importantly will start Mehdi Ballouchy against a Portland team that punishes a lack of fight. I see lots of goals in this one, but ultimately I can't pick the NY reserves to win at JELLO-WINDMILL. (Chest)