MLS Week 4 2013: Schedule, TV/streaming, predictions

After a pretty great Week 1 for your humble editorial staff's predictions, we've kind of lost the plot. Week 2 did us no favors, and Week 3 wasn't much kinder. (Ben didn't get shut out this time, at least. So there's that.) Apparently the old cliche is true: when rivals play, you just throw out the records, along with any sense of logic or propriety. Here's how we did during Rivalry Week and where things stand in the predictions league through three weeks.

Week 3 Scores (possible 9): Adam: 3 points | Chest: 2 pts | Benuski: 1 pt | Stephen: 2 pts

Total Scores (possible 26): Adam: 9 pts | Chest: 10 pts | Benuski: 5 pts | Stephen: 10 pts

Week 4 sees the first international absences of the new season, as MLS steadfastly insists on scheduling meaningful matches during FIFA fixture dates, during which teams are required to release players for national team duty. Because it's a good thing to watch teams missing their best players. Anyway, here's the match schedule for the week, along with TV information and our picks.

Sat. Mar. 23, 3:30 pm: D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew - NBC Sports Network
Adam: DCU. Chest: DCU. Benuski: DCU. Stephen: DCU.

While we can be nervous about playing without Dejan Jakovic, it's worth pointing out that Columbus will be without striker Jairo Arrieta (called up for Costa Rica). The good news? No one called up the Crew's extremely vulnerable fullbacks. -Chest

Sat. Mar. 23, 4 pm: New England Revolution vs. Sporting Kansas City - MLS Live
Adam: NE. Chest: Draw. Benuski: Draw. Stephen: Draw.

If the Sporks don't find a win against New England, even while shorthanded, get ready to start seeing "What's wrong in KC" stories. (The answer: no Espinoza, like we've been saying around here all offseason.) -Adam

The Red Bulls will be the most desperate team in MLS this weekend as they seek to avoid a 2-points-in-4-games start, but it won't be enough to crack the well-organized Impact. -Stephen

Sat. Mar. 23, 8:30 pm: Houston Dynamo vs. Vancouver Whitecaps - MLS Live
Adam: HOU. Chest: HOU. Benuski: HOU. Stephen: HOU.

Will Bruin has to get going at some point... -Benuski

Sat. Mar. 23, 8:30 pm: FC Dallas vs. Real Salt Lake - MLS Live/Univision Deportes
Adam: Draw. Chest: Draw. Benuski: RSL. Stephen: RSL.

Yes, I realize about half the RSL squad is away on international duty, but I'm going with a hunch on this one. Both teams will be without their starting GK and the striker they most rely on for consistent goalscoring, and in MLS parity usually takes control when you take away enough important players. -Chest

Sat. Mar. 23, 10:30 pm: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders - MLS Live
Adam: SJ. Chest: Draw. Benuski: Draw. Stephen: Draw.

Unless Obafemi Marin can single-handedly carry the Sounders scoring burden, I don't see them finding the net, even against a depleted Quakes back line. -Adam

Sat. Mar. 23, 10:30 pm: LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids - MLS Live
Adam: LA. Chest: LA. Benuski: LA. Stephen: LA.

The Galaxy will be without Robbie Keane and Omar Gonzalez, but the schedule maker really bailed them out by sending an injury-riddled Colorado to Stub Depot Center Place Stadium Hub. -Chest

Sun. Mar. 24, 5 pm: Chicago Fire vs. Chivas USA - UniMas
Adam: CHI. Chest: Draw. Benuski: Draw. Stephen: Draw.

Hey, Fire! Get a couple surprising results and you could be the Chivas USA of early April! -Stephen

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Did your picks fare as badly as ours last week? Let us know and make your guesses for this week in the comments.