MLS Week 26 Predictions

Friday, September 9th
LA Galaxy - Colorado Rapids: This is one of the weekend's matches to watch. If the Galaxy fails to win and the Sounders manage to win their own match against RSL, their grip on the number one position on the western conference and the league overall will slip even further. And a win for the Galaxy will definitely be well deserved, as the Rapids have proven themselves as true contenders for the MLS Cup. I have a difficult time picking sides in this one, so I'll settle with a tie.

Saturday, September 10th
Seattle Sounders FC - Real Salt Lake: Along with the match-up between LA and Colorado, this is one of the weekend's most important games to watch. The Sounders are looking to continue to make up ground on LA in the race for the Supporter's Shield, and so is RSL. This is a match that the Sounders must win, and seeing their white hot August they're definitely the favorites to win this one. Especially with RSL's recent road woes, with the exception of the win at the Home Depot Center against a struggling and inconsistent Chivas. My vote is with the Sounders.

Sporting Kansas City - Houston Dynamo: Recently Sporting Kansas has had issues when it came to closing out matches, allowing both the Sounders and FC Dallas to make late stoppage time comebacks to win the match. While they have issues closing out matches late, they've also developed a habit of making their own late comebacks as well, the latest and perhaps greatest coming against the league-leading LA Galaxy last Monday. SKC has certainly proven that they have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the league's best, and past those two losses against the Sounders and FC Dallas they are unbeaten at home. I honestly don't believe that Houston will be any real threat, especially with the return of Kei Kamara and Teal Bunbury.

New York Red Bulls - Vancouver Whitecaps: While New York has fallen out of favor in the playoff race lately, they look primed to make or at least attempt one final push with the possible return of Luke Rodgers this weekend. Past that, the Whitecaps are honestly no real threat on the road. Up until this point, the Whitecaps have a 0-10-4 record on the road. That isn't about to change this weekend.

Philadelphia Union - Portland Timbers: The Union has become stuck in somewhat of a rut, having gone winless in the last seven matches. They have certainly shown signs of life, however, in their midweek match against the New England Revolution. Entering the second half the Union was shockingly down 4-1 to the Revolution, but they managed to claw their way back thanks to Freddy Adu's first MLS goal since 2007 and a two goal effort by Sebastian Le Toux. The Timbers have been the third worst this season on the road, and the Union remains at large at home. The Union should be able to get the victory.

New England Revolution - FC Dallas: New England's mediocrity was really put on display on their midweek match against the Union. They were up 4-1 heading into the second half, and due to a mentality of simply defending and holding on for dear life their unsurprisingly choked up the three goal lead. This is an easy prediction in all honesty, FC Dallas has the win without any shred of a doubt.