As is routine for every match, we have our regular Vancouver Whitecaps Guess the Starting XI and Final Score contest. Let’s see how good you are at getting into the manager’s head and predicting how the game will turn out. In addition, we will have monthly, fun, bonus prediction categories, such as yellow cards, substitutions, goal scorers, etc.

How Scoring is Determined

• Predictions will be ‘valid’ if posted HERE half-an-hour prior to the lineup being officially announced, which means 1.5 hours before kickoff.
• 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 typically 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 (Portland Timbers) and Preview (LA Galaxy)

We have made it to the end of this strange 2020 MLS season. The Vancouver Whitecaps are where they have been of late, out of the playoffs and looking a mess. It is quite possible that they are more of a mess today than they were two to three years ago. Didn’t think that was possible but arguments could be made. The Caps going into their final match with little but pride to play for. A similar situation has arisen in our little contest, but more on that later.

First to the Portland Timbers match. MDS had a very predictable lineup which meant that everyone scored at least 10/11 on their lineup prediction. That meant it came down to predicting the winner. Some of us were our optimistic self while others (like myself) were trying to go against the leaders and predict a Caps victory. Needless to say, it didn’t work out! There was a four-way tie for first this match between chuckbiscuits, Isabelt, IslandLife, and Westsider13. Each had 19 points. Congrats!

I had said that I wouldn’t reveal the Overall Standings until the end, so as to keep suspense and make sure people didn’t hedge on their predictions. Sadly, like the Vancouver Whitecaps we don’t have much to play for but pride in this season’s contest. IslandLife has a 15 point lead over AshMan77 and Isabelt. That means if IslandLife DOESN’T input a score and AshMan77 and Isabelt (or maybe Westsider13) score big we could see a different champion, but most likely IslandLife is going to win this thing. Where the most interesting standings are is for 4th through8th. There is a very tight race there which could see some people move around. At least some of us have something to play for.

It would be nice to see the Caps finish strong. In all honesty, this game could go either way. Both teams are not very good and both can be streaky. The Caps could trot out the same lineup as before but you could also see some guys get minutes to close out the season (looking at you Baldi). It will also be the last match for some Caps players. These could include some of their top threats this season in Adnan and Montero. I am not sure if the match will be exciting but it should be interesting.

Good luck in your predictions and barring a major collapse, congrats to IslandLife. At least someone has something positive to look back on for 2020!