Guess the Starting XI and Final Score (MLS Match #34 -Portland Timbers)

Welcome to another season of our Vancouver Whitecaps contest “Guess the Starting XI and Final Score”. As is tradition, thanks to former regular Spencer for starting this several years ago. It has grown into a great contest and I am appreciative of him for the original idea. Like last season, we will break the contest up into the three ‘seasons’: first half, second half, and non-MLS. We will continue to have fun monthly ‘bonus’ prediction categories, with some being based on whatever it topical at the time. Last season we had things like “Robbo post-match quotes”, “yellow cards”, “first goal scorer”, and several others. However, to start the season, we will keep March simple. With that out of the way, let’s remind you all how the scoring is done.

Contest Details

• Contest article will be posted 2-3 days prior to game day.
• We will keep track of first half, second half, and monthly winners so that late joiners will have something to play for.
• I will have a separate ‘contest’ for Voyageurs and Champions League.
• As the MLS season is 34 matches, each half of the season will be based on 17 matches, with your worst two match predictions being dropped. This will allow everyone a few misses or bad guesses throughout the season.
• Predictions will be ‘valid’ if posted HERE 1.5 hours prior to kickoff (or half an hour prior to the lineup being officially announced).

How Scoring is Determined

• You receive 1 point for every player you correctly guess to be in the Starting XI. Receive 1 bonus point for correctly predicting 10 starters. Receive 3 bonus points for correctly predicting 11 starters.
• You get 5 points for correctly guessing Win/Lose/Draw.
• You receive 1 point for correctly guessing each team’s final score. Receive 1 bonus point for correctly guessing both teams final score (for a total of 3).

That means, if you correctly predict the Starting XI, Final Score, and Winner, you can earn 22 points!

After each match, I will tally the scores and update the standings, which will be posted with the following match’s prediction article. I will post three sets of standings. First, the results from the previous match. Second, the monthly standings. Third, the first/second half standings (with your worst two match predictions removed).

Match Review (LAFC) and Match Preview (Portland Timbers)

We are heading into the final match of 2018. While the Whitecaps race to the playoffs is done, the 86Forever Race to the 2nd Half Winner is still up for grabs. It was an interesting match, with a lot of ‘8’ scores. No one predicted the Caps getting a draw, although a few predicted a Vancouver victory. With Kamara out of the lineup, the default first goal choice was Davies or Reyna. For tecate, AmandaC, and GreyHouseEffect, the choice of Reyna paid off. Despite all the lineup confusions, tecate seemed to have it figured out, correctly predicting 10/11 (just missed on Shea for Techera). This helped them earn top spot for this match with 15 points. AmandaC was second at 12, followed by GreyHouseEffect, AdamP17, and Arjon.

Isabelt finished in the pack with us at ‘8’ because they did not trust their gut. “Dalrymple hasn’t started Techera or Blondell so I don’t know – I just don’t want to say Hurtado even though it’s probably more likely”. Should have gone with that Hurtado prediction!

In the September/October Standings, GreyHouseEffect was able to use that Reyna goal to stretch out their lead over chuckbiscuits, while AdamP17 moved up to a tie for third with CascadiaCrunchFC. It should be a good finish!

In the Second Half standings, things are MUCH tighter, with FIVE participants still with a realistic chance at winning the title, as five points separate them. Correctly predict a winner, while the other four are incorrect and suddenly you are in the lead! It should be a great finish between CascadiaCrunchFC (191), GreyHouseEffect (191), chuckbiscuits (189), Isabelt (187), and The Squirrel (186).

With no Scouting Report for this match, I am going to do a quick preview here. The Whitecaps head into this match with a lot of questions for the offseason. However, the club will want to put on a good show in their final home match. Combined with facing a rival in Portland, expect a spirited affair. Dalrymple has been consistent with his lineup thus far, but don’t be surprised if there are some big changes. At the same time, don’t be surprised if it is the exact same lineup as LAFC (with Kamara added). Of course, this is Davies last match as a Whitecaps player, so he will obviously be in the lineup. However, it will be the last match for a number of Caps players, possibly including the Captain Kendall Waston.

Can the Caps end the season on a high note, or will they fizzle as has the season? Correctly predicting that could be the difference between being the Second Half victor or an ‘also ran’. Should be fun!

Good luck everyone!