Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Last Word SC MLS Pick ‘Em: Week 24

11 MLS matches await our writers panel in week 24, starting Wednesday with a suddenly hot Montreal team welcoming the Chicago Fire to town.

What a fantastic finish to the slate of games our writers panel picked previously! In a match that will live in U.S. Open Cup lore, the New York Red Bulls erased a 2-0 FC Cincinnati lead in regulation. They then found a game-winner in extra time to win 3-2 and advance to the final where they’ll play Sporting KC on September 20th. A historic run comes to an end for Cincy, but they captivated the hearts of many a soccer fan all over the country.

A day later, it’s back to MLS action. One midweek game is on tap as a Montreal Impact side in red-hot form hosts the Chicago Fire, coming off a rather decisive defeat in Columbus on Saturday. Montreal trails Crew SC and Atlanta United by five points in the standings, but have three games in hand on Columbus. With their next four at home, it’s certainly possible the Impact can get themselves above the red line during the stretch run of the season.

Those aforementioned Red Bulls won’t have a lot of time to enjoy their U.S. Open Cup triumph. They face the Portland Timbers at Providence Park on Friday night, with the Timbers wanting to right the ship after getting routed 4-1 at Toronto last week. With plenty of regular starters going 120 minutes in Cincinnati on Tuesday, the road side will undoubtedly be dealing with tired legs.

Saturday’s marquee matchup takes place at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, IL as the Chicago Fire welcome Toronto FC to town. Chicago have just one win in their last five and find themselves six points behind TFC in the Supporters’ Shield standings. Defending home turf would do wonders to restore confidence. But in order to return to second in the East, they’ll have to hope NYCFC can’t get a result at Yankee Stadium against New England on Sunday.

John took his ninth weekly title after going 8-4 and has increased his lead to seven overall. But he has someone new chasing him for the title as Dan made seven correct picks to move past Robert for second place. It’s an oft-stated cliché at this point but plenty to play for!