Everybody loves a good old-fashioned contest, and we here on the “Avoiding the Drop” staff are no different. So in honor of the MLS starting up tonight, we’re proud to announce that, for the remainder of the season, we’ll be doing a “Pick’em” of sorts for the MLS games. The rules are simple: for every game, each member of the staff will pick an outcome; the right outcome gets you a point. At the end of the season, the person with the most points wins…I don’t know, massive respect from his peers. Or something.
Here are this weeks picks from your illustrious staff. Feel free to play along in the comments, if you’d like; note that, while some of us gave scores, you don’t need to get the score right. Just guessing the winner is hard enough, after all.
TwoYellowsEqualRed
New York Red Bulls at Seattle Sounders FC - New York 2 – 1 Seattle
Columbus Crew at Houston Dynamo - Columbus 2 – 1 Houston
Chicago Fire at FC Dallas - Chicago 3 – 2 Dallas
Toronto FC at Kansas City Wizards – Toronto 2 – 2 Kansas City
Colorado Rapids at Chivas USA - Colorado 0 – 2 Chivas
New England Revolution at San Jose Earthquakes - New England 1 – 1 San Jose
D.C. United at Los Angeles Galaxy – DC 1 -3 LA
Magnakai Haaskivi
New York Red Bulls at Seattle Sounders FC - NEW YORK
Columbus Crew at Houston Dynamo - DRAW
Chicago Fire at FC Dallas - CHICAGO
Toronto FC at Kansas City Wizards – TORONTO
Colorado Rapids at Chivas USA - COLORADO
New England Revolution at San Jose Earthquakes - NEW ENGLAND
D.C. United at Los Angeles Galaxy – DC
I like the Red Bulls to thrash Seattle, the Zigi-less Crew and DeRosario-less Dynamo to draw, and the Fire to beat a struggling Dallas side. Toronto/KC could equally be a draw, but I like Abdus “Fuad” Ibrahim and am giving the nod to Toronto for him. Colorado/Chivas is screaming Western Conference draw, and while I love me some Billy Beane I don’t think his influence at San Jose is going to do enough to stop New England. Oh, and the Galaxy suck, so DC United should beat them.
thefuseproject
New York Red Bulls at Seattle Sounders FC - SEATTLE 3-1
Columbus Crew at Houston Dynamo - COLUMBUS 2-0
Chicago Fire at FC Dallas - CHICAGO 1-0
Toronto FC at Kansas City Wizards – KANSAS CITy 2-0
Colorado Rapids at Chivas USA - CHIVAS 1-0
New England Revolution at San Jose Earthquakes - NEW ENGLAND 2-1
D.C. United at Los Angeles Galaxy – DC 3-0
In the end the Red Bulls will probably have the better season, but I think the momentum (and home field advantage) the Sounders have been building for months now will probably carry them through this match. I have a feeling this is going to be a great match to open the MLS season.
I have no reason to believe that the Crew won’t be as dominant as they were last year, and until they show me something, a De Rosario-less Houston Dynamo is a weaker side. Also, it is my firm belief that orange is a color for goalkeepers and the Netherlands- sorry, Dundee United et al.
If I weren’t a Revolution supporter I might throw my lot in with the Fire. They always play hard (though, as a Revs fan I might add that they sometimes get a little “chippy”), exhibit some flair, and have a pretty dedicated group of supporters. FC Dallas, on the other hand has Kenny Cooper, who has great ball skills for a giant.
I wish Toronto all the best- they’re doing everything right at the club- but the more I look at the K.C. roster the more I think they may surprise some poeple, including myself. Also, they have one of two Scottish players in MLS, so they’ve got that going for them, which is nice.
Sorry, new stadium or not, great crowds or not, the Rapids just leave me cold. Not that Chivas USA rocks my world either, but at least they have good looking uniforms. Also, I like Preki.
Born in New England. Raised in New England. Educated in New England. Living in New England. Getting the idea? I understand this could be a tough season for my team if they don’t get a few breaks, but for now…
No Beckham (for what it’s worth), Landycakes (who’d probably rather be in Europe), and a defense that would inspire chants of “SIEVE” if it were a hockey team make me think that the Galaxy are going to be bad again this year. Also, I don’t like them.
Adam
New York Red Bulls at Seattle Sounders FC - Seattle
Columbus Crew at Houston Dynamo - Columbus
Chicago Fire at FC Dallas - Chicago
Toronto FC at Kansas City Wizards – Kansas City
Colorado Rapids at Chivas USA - Colorado
New England Revolution at San Jose Earthquakes - Draw
D.C. United at Los Angeles Galaxy – DC United
I think Seattle’s gonna have the first match excitement to push them through, I like the Crew to continue the run they ended last season on. Dallas isn’t strong enough for the Fire, I really Kansas City this year, so they get the nod. I have faith in my Rapids for now, I’m picking them until they give me reason not to. The Rev’s and Quakes look too even for me to call, and the Galaxy have to prove they’re a better team defensively for me to pick them.
So there you have it. Agree? Disagree? Want in on the fun? Let us know below.
Adam had to know I couldn’t pass this up, despite the fact that I do a horrible job of picking the EPL, which I pay way too much attention to, and I don’t pay any attention to the MLS outside of the Dynamo. A surefire recipe for ignorant success…(ie – I’m the secretary who wins the brackets pool at work)
New York Red Bulls at Seattle Sounders FC – Seattle
Columbus Crew at Houston Dynamo – Columbus
Chicago Fire at FC Dallas – Chicago
Toronto FC at Kansas City Wizards – Draw
Colorado Rapids at Chivas USA – Chivas
New England Revolution at San Jose Earthquakes – San Jose
D.C. United at Los Angeles Galaxy – DC United
I’m terrible at calling scores too, but why not? The last MLS match I went to/watched was when Clint still played for the Revs in 2005. Looking at the roster, it’s nice to see some of the same faces are still at Gillette…Twellman, Ralston, Heaps. So with memories of catcalls from The Fort, here we go:
New York Red Bulls at Seattle Sounders FC – Seattle
Columbus Crew at Houston Dynamo – Columbus
Chicago Fire at FC Dallas – Draw
Toronto FC at Kansas City Wizards – Toronto
Colorado Rapids at Chivas USA – Chivas
New England Revolution at San Jose Earthquakes – Revs all the way
D.C. United at Los Angeles Galaxy – DC United
It’s 9:30; when does this game start?
I thought it started at 9- unfortunately it didn’t start until 9:30, and we were forced to listen to another Becks speculation report. Really, who cares anymore?
What a great way to start the season though! Seattle is outplaying New York. If I hadn’t known any better, I would have guessed New York was the new franchise. The atmosphere is pretty awesome at Qwest Stadium- nice job Drew Carey. ;o)
A late goal from New York would have made me look like a genius- or at least an idiot savant.
[...] MLS Pick’em: Week 1 [...]
I really thought the Red Bulls would look better than that. Seattle completely dominated that entire game.
I was waiting for a late goal for you, too, fuse.
Very fun idea guys, wish you the best of luck. Looks like a lot of people agree on a fair share of these games, I myself will be taking Columbus on the road vs the Dynamo to at least get a point. I cant see where the offense is going to come from for the Dynamo, especially without Kamara to start.
Feel free to check out my blog at http://fourfour2.wordpress.com/ I’ve got a couple posts on the NY/Seattle game, and a matchweek 1 preview up. Thanks!
[...] Pick’em: Week 1 Standings Jump to Comments So the first weekend of our MLS Pick’em is in the bag. Let’s see how we all [...]