Who is ready for a bunch of friendlies? Too bad because that is what you are getting. They have already started, with Seattle and Philadelphia playing Premier League teams and by next week seemingly every MLS team will be playing a friendly somewhere. Oh, and there’s that MLS All-Star thing, which is the most glorified of boring friendlies ever. If you like real matches, get them while you can.
MLS 2012, Week 18 Preview and Fixtures: Real Matches, Get Them While You Can
There are a lot of friendlies coming up for MLS teams, but this week there will also be real matches!
Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
MLS needs to invent a MLS Coach of the Half-Season so that John Hackworth can be recognized for the brilliant job he's done. The Union somehow look like a legitimate professional soccer team. Nobody thought that was possible just six weeks ago.
Pick: Draw, 2-2.
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Live
D.C. is no longer tops in the East. Luckily for them, Columbus has struggled of late and are plummeting down the table. Maybe it’s back to the top for D.C.
Pick: D.C., 2-1.
Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Live
The Dynamo are heating up and have jumped up to fourth in the East, just five points from the top. But can they do it without Geoff Cameron? This is basically a whole new team in the post-Cameron era. Then again, the Impact actually are a whole new team this year and not a very good one at that.
Pick: Houston, 2-0.
Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Live
It’s a cushy life atop the table, unless you are only one point up and coming off of a loss. That’s where Sporting sits right now, but they get to play the Revs this weekend, who are 1-9-1 away from Gillette Stadium.
Pick: Kansas City, 3-1.
Saturday, 9:00 p.m. ET, MLS Live
Not to bring up the tired promotion/relegation discussion, but can both of these teams find a new league? Semi-pro would be appropriate.
Pick: Nobody.
LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA
Saturday, 10:00 p.m. ET, Telefutura
We will not refer to this rivalry by its contrived stupid name. We will not refer to this rivalry by its contrived stupid name. We will not refer to this rivalry by its contrived stupid name. The Galaxy own the SuperClasico. Damnit.
Pick: LA, 2-1.
Saturday, 10:00 p.m. ET, MLS Live
Salt Lake is still in second place despite their recent struggles. There is no positive spin for Colorado.
Pick: Salt Lake, 3-0.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Sunday, 7:00 p.m., MLS Live
Short rest on the road against a solid team that has been sitting at home sounds like the perfect chance for the Quakes to get upset. That means they will probably go down by two goals then come back to earn a draw. San Jose are the troll kings of MLS.
Pick: Draw, 2-2.
See More:
