MLSsoccer.com's editors have been expertly picking matches all year (Armchair Analyst Matthew Doyle led the pack) and we're not about to stop during the MLS Cup Playoffs, which continue on Saturday night with the Western Conference Semifinal first leg between Seattle and Portland (10 pm ET, NBCSN). Editors were nine for nine in picking Houston on Thursday night, but can they keep it up?
Disagree with the picks? Make your voice heard in the comment section below!
<strong>Editor</strong> |
<strong>Score</strong> |
<strong>Comments</strong> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/GregLalas_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Greg Lalas</strong><br><em>Editor-In-Chief</em></p> |
<br><p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/seattle_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>2-1</strong></p> |
The Sounders found a way to win again, which will do wonders for their confidence. And their scoring touch. But don't worry, Timbers fans, it's just the first leg. |
<br><p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/freedman_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Jonah Freedman</strong><br><em>Managing Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 39px;"><br><strong>1-2</strong></p> |
<p>I still don't buy it. Yes, the Sounders looked terrific against the Rapids, but that was against a shattered backline and a team with a less-than-fit offensive fulcrum. This is the Timbers' biggest game of the season and they will be hyped.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Borg_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Simon Borg</strong><br><em>Senior Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato, sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 39px;"><br><strong>0-2</strong></p> |
<p>A third match on turf in six days is just too much to ask of the Sounders, even with a full house at CenturyLink. And the Timbers will do what the Rapids failed to Wednesday: Execute at full-speed on the counter. </p> |
<em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/valencia_1.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Kristel Valencia</strong><br><em><span style="font-size: 12px;">Editor FutbolMLS.com</span></em></p> |
<strong>DRAW<br>
1-1</strong> |
We know these encounters are tough, but Portland's momentum and balance will kill Seattle's energetic home-field pressurizing. |
<p class="rtecenter"><em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Doyle_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><br><strong>Matt Doyle</strong><br><em>Armchair Analyst</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>DRAW</strong><br><strong>1-1</strong></p> |
<p>The Sounders look like they know what they're about (finally), but Portland have been so, so good at shutting teams down all season. This will be a scrap.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/AndrewWiebe_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Andrew Wiebe</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>DRAW</strong><br><strong>1-1</strong></p> |
Cascadia stalemate. As much as I'd like to see both teams open it up, they're just too evenly matched in midfield. Inspiration for both comes down to Diego Valeri and Clint Dempsey, who'll each score or create a goal to send it back to JELD-WEN knotted at 1-1. |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/JasonSaghini_1.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Jason Saghini</strong><br><em>Director of Video</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><strong>DRAW</strong><br><strong>2-2</strong></p> |
OK, throw out my last thought. Here's hoping an early goal opens this one up a bit. There is so much attacking talent on each of these teams it would be a waste to see a tight "playoff-style" game. … Let 'em play! |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Rosano_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Nick Rosano</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/seattle_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 40px;"><br><strong>1-0</strong></p> |
<p>Seattle to draw first blood in this mouthwatering Cascadia matchup. It probably won't be enough when the dust settles at JELD-WEN Field on Wednesday, though.</p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/DiegoPinzon_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Diego Pinzon</strong><br><em>FutbolMLS.com Assoc. Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/portland_150.png" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: medium none; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Lato,sans-serif; line-height: 22.5px; width: 40px; height: 39px;"><br><strong>1-2</strong></p> |
<p>Upset? I don't think so anymore. This rivalry got even <em>bigger</em> this season, and Caleb Porter has everything covered, specially after witnessing from the stands the mistakes Colorado made. Heck, he even made his players train on Friday with American football lines.</p> |
