MLS Pick ‘Em 2015: Week 26 – Portland Timbers v. Houston Dynamo

MLS Pick ‘Em 2015: Week 26 – Portland Timbers v. Houston Dynamo

Last week’s 3-3 draw between the Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union took everyone by surprise, especially our experts. While three picked a draw, not one of the experts picked more than 3 goals in the game split between the two teams. The draw helped shake up the standings a little bit. After weeks at the bottom, John moves out of last place and Norton falls into the abyss. With just a handful of games left, there is still plenty of fight on each side of the table. I stay in first place, for now. Here are the updated standings.

This week, the Portland Timbers host the Houston Dynamo. Both teams have shown plenty in short bursts this year. The Timbers looked great for a whole month before a string of road games shredded their confidence. The Dynamo have been inconsistent all year, but they may be getting hot at just the right time, which must be in their DNA. Both teams are still fighting for a spot in the playoffs, so the intensity and drama should be plenty high. Will either team’s recently added DP’s find their first goals for their new teams? Let’s see what the experts think:

Expert	Pick	Comments
Joseph Goldstein Analyst @LastWord_JG	POR (1-0)	Portland has been mostly good at home this year. Houston has won twice on the road, and one of those wins was at Toronto. Portland will continue their scoring woes, but their defense will step up and take the points.
Eric Walcott Staff Writer @ericwalcott	Do Not Sell My Info Privacy Settings POR (1-0)	Portland is coming off its third straight shutout and second consecutive 1-0 win. They may not be playing the prettiest, most dominant soccer, but the trend will continue at home against Houston.
Alec Rivera Department Head @LWOSAlec	POR (3-1)	Fernando Adi leads a surging Timbers squad who have been impeccable at home. Houston may have some impressive results sprinkled throughout their résumé, but they clearly have work to do to join the West’s best. Cubo Torres will make the trip and open the scoring, but Portland’s just too good.
Jeff Krause Senior Editor @DFBJeff	Draw (1-1)	Everything revolves around Fanendo Adi for Portland, but Houston have proven to be largely underwhelming this season. Unless Cubo can be a difference maker against a backline of Borchers and Co., this one ends level.
Russ McKenzie Department Head @Russ_McKenzie	Draw (1-1)	Portland has played strong at home, but Houston will grab a late equalizer to dampen the home spirit.
John Richan Staff Writer @John_Richan	POR (2-0)	Adi is the man of the hour and it will pay off for the Timbers this weekend. Clean sheet Portland.
Michael Norton Editor @MichaelNorton95	Draw (1-1)	The Brad Davis-Erick Torres dream combo will find their way against the beards, but the Timbers will still salvage a point at home.
Ned Joyce Contributor @nedjoyce	HOU (3-2)	Houston and Portland has been all over the place this season and Friday games have been snoozers. #becausemls means this will be a barn burner.

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