MLS Gamethread: Week 12 (Cascadia Week)

Teams will be playing for trophies this week, but not the ones you are probably thinking of.

5/18
2:00pm
Toronto FC-Columbus Crew
Before the match that most of this group will be interested in, we've got a Trillium Cup match. If I understand correctly, it's this competition that still claims the largest visitors section in the history of MLS. Neither of the clubs are exactly lighting the world on fire, but we know that when it comes to rivalry matches anything can happen. Columbus currently holds a 3-1 edge in the Cup, and we can expect them to get a stranglehold on this year's competition.
Prediction: Columbus
Result: Columbus

4:00pm
Vancouver Whitecaps-Portland Timbers (GAME OF THE WEEK)
The second Cascadia match of the year sees Vancouver hosting Portland for the first time of two this year. They will go for their first victory in the competition since joining MLS. By which I mean that Vancouver has yet to win a SINGLE match. However, the 'Caps are undefeated at home this season, most recently upsetting and demolishing the Galaxy. I didn't listen to my heart in predicting that game, instead giving my head the keys. That licence has been revoked.
Prediction: Vancouver
Result: Draw(so close)

4:30pm
Philadelphia Union-Chicago Fire
The Windy City blows into The Quaker City. But with no Sebastian LeToux or Alvaro Fernandez, where is the interest for this match? Gabriel Farfan is out in Chivas now, but don't expect that to slow the Union down.
Prediction: Philadelphia
Wait a minute... this seems... familiar... Yeah, read what I wrote last week, and we're good.
Result: Philadelphia

5:30pm
Houston Dynamo-New England Revolution
Houston's home streak is over, but that just means the today is the day to start a new run of undefeated play. Juan Agudelo is a nice pickup for the Revolution, but just because the Dynamo lost to one of the best teams in the league, it isn't like BBVA Compass Stadium turned into... Buck Shaw Stadium. (insert guttural laugh here). It's funny because it isn't a fortress. It's barely a stadium at all! Am I right Dynamo fans?
Prediction: Dynamo
Result: Revolution

7:30pm
San Jose Earthquakes-Colorado Rapids
Did I say Buck Shaw? I meant... Red Bull Arena! No one cares about those guys, right? The Quakes are better than the 4-0 shellacking they took last weekend, but the Rapids are coming into their own (currently owning the last playoff spot in the west). But Edson Buddle isn't playing due to a weird referee decision. But Lenhart probably isn't playing either so there will be fewer weird referee decisions in the future. Whatever. Eff it. Tie.
Prediction: Draw
Result: Draw

5/19
10:00am
NY Red Bulls LA Galaxy (ESPN2)
Crap...
If money could fight, it would be Red Bulls versus Galaxy. Thing is, one of these teams is healthy and rested, the other is limping and just flew across the country for a midweek game. The Galaxy had a great match in Philadelphia, but it's an old team fighting tired legs. LA has an edge in the history of the two clubs, but look for New York to pull it out in their wonderful arena.
Prediction: New York
Result: New York

2:00pm
DC United-Sporting KC (Univision Deportes)
It wasn't that long ago that the Sounders were in the same position as DC United. But while the Sounders finally found their way, United is still wandering the East in search of their stolen talent (ala Space Jam). They have the ability to win, I believe, but it appears to be lost in a maze of youth and lacking confidence. If they can turn it around this week, that's great. But I don't see it happening.
Prediction: Kansas City

7:30pm
Chivas USA-Real Salt Lake
Amidst talks that Chivas is about to be sold, the club hosts Real Salt Lake with the intent to hop out of last place in the west. But with the distraction surrounding their organization, how would a last place team get around to turning things around? They don't.
Prediction: Salt Lake