MLS Gamethread: Week 13

Saturday
4:00pm
DC United-Portland Timbers (Univision Deportes)(Root Sports)
Portland has improved their road performance, of that there is no doubt. But they have not traveled all the way across the country for a win this season (or in their history?). DC United doesn't have a great record, but they just (somewhat controversially) eked out a draw with the Sporks. Nick DeLeon and Chris Pontius are getting healthy, and Black and Red United believes that Dwayne De Rosario may be rounding into form. Look for them to give Portland a run for their money this week, especially if both teams wear red kits.
Prediction: Draw
Result: Timbers

4:00pm
Montreal Impact-Philadelphia Union (FREE STREAM on MLS Live)
These two clubs currently occupy the last two playoff spots in the East. dropping points isn't an option. So if nothing else, a chippy match should be expected. The Union's depth at centerback is a little more shallow now that Bakary Somare is off to Chicago, so Philly will need their two starters to keep close tabs on the Axe Murderer Marco Di Vaio, perhaps the most dangerous striker in the league today.
Prediction: Impact
Result: Impact

4:30pm
New England Revolution-Toronto FC
If there was such a thing as "Bizarro World Game of the Week", this would probably be it. Toronto is still bad, and the Revolution are just uninteresting. The less said the better, and that's not just because I'm too lazy to write about uninteresting matchups.
Prediction: Revolution
Result: Revolution

5:30pm
FC Dallas-San Jose Earthquakes (Game of the Week)
These two clubs have a little something in common this week. Like the friends who got one night stands when they expected a long term commitment (I miss you Jessica!) these two teams were picked up and dropped by Seattle each of the last two weekends to the tune of eight goals. This match is the ensuing catfight between two clubs seeking some sort of redemption of their pride. And we all know that no one does "jilted lover" like Texas.
Prediction: Dallas
Result: Dallas

6:00pm
Colorado Rapids-Chivas USA
The Rapids only managed a tie in last week's 1-1 draw with the 'Quakes, but expect their offense to dominate a flailing Chivas squad. Edson Buddle is expected back. Between him and Nathan Sturgis, Chivas won't know who to stop.
Prediction: Rapids
Result: Rapids

6:00pm
Real Salt Lake-Chicago Fire
The Fire have made some moves this week that could dramatically improve the team, including Soumare and Mike Magee. It's likely that neither will play this week, with Magee not officially joining the team until Sunday and Soumare not properly integrated into the defense. So while the two moves could lend some respectability to the Fire this year, it won't be this week.
Prediction: Real
Result: Draw

Sunday
12:30pm
Sporting Kansas City-Houston Dynamo (NBCSN)
There is a possibility that the Wizards enacted some sort of curse on the Houston Dynamo a few weeks ago, switching their strength at home with the ability to win all their road games. Or perhaps BBVA's luster just wore off. But KC giveth, they may taketh away. If Houston couldn't win this game at home two weeks ago, they aren't likely to change the result on the road.
Prediction: Sporting
Result: Draw

2:00pm
New York Red Bulls-Columbus Crew (UniMas)
It has been a rough week for the NYRB franchise. For four days now, it has been implied that they aren't New York's "real team", more suited to a J in their acronym than a Y. The announcement of NY2 may pull the Red Bulls' attendance down even farther than it was a week or two ago. Tough times may be ahead for "NY1" but they still have Thierry Henry and the top spot in the East.
Prediction: Red Bulls
Result: Draw