MLS Pick ‘Em 2015: Week 28 – Columbus Crew v. FC Dallas

Last weeks super sized affair led to a change at the top of the table as Russ regained the lead thanks to a perfect score in Portland. Most of the writers picked 2 games correctly, but only one picked San Jose to win at home against LA. Here are the updated standings:

Player	Points	Correct Outcome	Correct Score	Bonus	Incorrect	Percentage
Russ McKenzie	28	18	5	0	14	56.25%
Joseph Goldstein	27	16	4	1	16	50.00%
Jeff Krause	25	19	3	0	13	59.38%
Alec Rivera	18	12	3	0	20	37.50%
Eric Walcott	17	17	0	0	15	53.13%
Ned Joyce	11	9	1	0	23	28.13%
John Richan	9	9	0	0	23	28.13%
Michael Norton	9	9	0	0	23	28.13%

This week, while most of the teams are off, Columbus takes on FC Dallas at Mapfre Stadium. While Columbus has been very good at home this year, the international call-ups have decimated both squads. A combined 14 players will be missing from both teams. For Dallas, it is Tesho Akindele, Fabian Castillo, Moises Hernandez, Blas Perez and Je-Vaughn Watson. Columbus is missing nine including Golden Boot leader Kei Kamara as well as Harrison Afful, Sergio Campbell, Waylon Francis, Kevan George, Cederick Mabwati, Justin Meram, Ben Swanson and Wil Trapp. With both squads light, this one looks to be a tight affair. Let’s see what the experts think.

Expert	Pick	Comments
Joseph Goldstein Analyst @LastWord_JG	DRAW (0-0)	Abscences take their toll on this game. If I had to lean one way I’d give it to Columbus at home, but I still see this one ending in a draw.
Eric Walcott Staff Writer @ericwalcott	CLB (2-1)	MLS puts its refusal to acknowledge international breaks on full display as both teams are decimated by international call-ups forcing them to battle for playoff berths without some of their most important players.
Alec Rivera Do Not Sell My Info Privacy Settings Department Head @LWOSAlec	FCD (2-0)	What Eric said, but Crew loses more key players and pays the price.
Jeff Krause Editor @DFBJeff	DRAW (1-1)	It’s a battle of two teams nearly identical in the Supporters Shield race, who are both missing key players to international fixtures. How else could this possibly end?
Russ McKenzie Department Head @Russ_McKenzie	FCD (1-0)	Berhalter has been scrambling to fix the Crew’s defensive issues, and might be able to hold off FCD for the most part, but Dallas is Dallas and is able to squeak a tough road result.
John Richan Staff Writer @John_Richan	DRAW (2-2)	Lots of faces missing from both lineups. This could generate a few goals but at the end of the day this one will finish in a stalemate.
Michael Norton Editor @MichaelNorton95	FCD (2-0)	No Trapp, Meram, OR Kamara for the Crew?!?? Even without Mauro Diaz, look for the Hoops to be on the front foot for the bulk of the match as they try to keep pace in the Shield race.