MLS Pick ‘Em 2015: Week 8 – Seattle Sounders FC v. Portland Timbers

MLS Pick ‘Em 2015: Week  8 – Seattle Sounders FC v. Portland Timbers

Last week we saw a big shakeup in the standings. Russ jumped back out in front of Jeff, and Alec removed himself from the bottom of the pile. John finally got a point. Here’s the updated standings:

This week we are looking at the creme de la creme of the Cascadia rivalries, Seattle versus Portalnd. They both have a lot in common so far this year. Both can be dynamic attacking teams, but are having some defensive growing pains. In spite of the positional gulf that exists between the two in the standings, they are only separated by a single point. The 6-point swing could be a big boost for either team, but the result will be anyone’s guess. Let see what the experts say.

Expert	Pick	Comments
Joseph GoldsteinAnalyst@LastWord_JG	POR (1-0)	Despite playing at home, Seattle just aren’t clicking yet. Portland’s quick tempo game will give them trouble on the backline. Seattle controls, but ultimately fails to capitalize and is punished on the counter.
Eric WalcottStaff Writer@ericwalcott	Draw (2-2)	Portland is playing ugly this year, but their directness might work against Seattle’s back line. Seattle attack is too much for anybody to stop when it’s clicking.
Alec RiveraDepartment Head@LWOSAlec	SEA (4-2)	Because Cascadia. But really because Portland this season, despite last weekend’s performance, is a shadow of itself. Something’s gotta give.
Jeff KrauseEditor@DFBJeff	SEA (2-0)	CLink is seldom kind to Portland, and Oba Martins is on a different level right now.
Russ McKenzieDepartment Head@Russ_McKenzie	SEA (2-1)	Portland will try to sit back and weather the Sounders attack, but Seattle is not NYCFC. Oba will continue making FIFA quality moves, and drive the Sounders to victory.
John RichanStaff Writer@John_Richan	SEA (2-1)	Martins is rolling along right now. He is showing flashes of some of his better moments with Newcastle United almost 10 years ago. Portland won’t bring enough this weekend.
Michael NortonEditor@MichaelNorton95	SEA (3-2)	Fanendo Adi could run wild with Chad Marshall suspended for the Sounders, but I feel Lamar Neagle has another goal in him, and one of the Dempsey/Martins duo will rise to the occasion.
Ned JoyceContributor@nedjoyce	Draw 2-2	Seattle is in trouble without Marshall, but MLS parity holds true as Portland hangs on to tie. Goals from Adi, Asprilla, Dempsey and Oba.

Main Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)