MLS Gamethread: Week 17

Saturday

4:00pm
DC United-San Jose Earthquakes
Every week DC United is the worst team in the league, and every week there is (somehow) reason for hope that they might actually win one. This week, they're up against a Earthquakes team traveling across the country without their Golden Boot winner, and I once again feel the warm embrace of temptation. And yet I must attempt to resist, because all signs point to a Quakes victory.
Prediction: San Jose
Ideal: DC United

5:00pm
Columbus Crew-Chicago Fire
For as bad as Chicago has been early this season, they are very much in the playoff picture. Sitting right behind Columbus in the East, a win and a KC loss would put them four points out of a playoff position with a game in hand. Magee and Chicago's other recent changes seem to have made a tangible change in the quality of the squad, perhaps enough to knock off the club who put Montreal down last weekend.
Prediction: Draw
Ideal: Draw

5:30pm
FC Dallas-Sporting KC (Game of the Week)
Show of hands if you're confident on the winner of this one. That's what I thought. FC Dallas is probably the better team right now, but they're coming off of a loss in Portland. Additionally, Kansas City hasn't played for two weeks. They've been preparing for this one for a while now. Their attack now has Graham Zusi back, ready to deliver those deadly USMNT crosses to the heads of Kei Kamara and others in Peter Vermes' potent scheme. Let's see KC on the upset.
Prediction: Kansas City
Ideal: Draw


6:00pm
Houston Dynamo-Toronto FC
This is Houston's first home game since the first two losses in the history of BBVA Compass Stadium. If they're going to hop back on the bike and ride home field advantage to the playoffs, they're going to need to start against Toronto. It seems easy, and it probably is. Houston needs to get out of its own way and take advantage of the talent on hand.
Prediction: Houston
Ideal: Toronto

Sunday

2:00pm
Philadelphia Union-New York Red Bulls-ESPN
Is there a name for this darby? Like, specific to these two, and not including New England or DC? Because outside of Stub Hub Center these are two of the closest teams in the league to each other, and soon both will function as the suburban rivals of NYCFC. I can only predict goals, but due to the location, The Union get the edge. Catch this one on ESPN.
Prediction: Union
Ideal: Draw

4:00pm
Portland Timbers-Colorado Rapids-NBCSN
We're all rooting for Portland to drop some points, but this probably isn't the week for that. Portland at home on national television is a pretty good and sure thing, especially considering their form. Sure, the Rapids will have forwards on the pitch (unlike the Timber's opponents last week) but Colorado securing points at Jeld-Wen would be a massive upset.
Prediction: Portland
Ideal: Colorado

8:00pm
Chivas USA-LA Galaxy-UniMas
Ooh, look everyone. It's the Superclassico. how exciting. What a big game. It's totally worthy of being on national television. Don't bother tuning in. Chivas has about as good a chance of winning as Landon Donovan has of playing in the next round of Hex games.
Prediction: Los Angeles
Ideal: Chivas