Previews and tips for week 17
After a busy round of games during the week, Major League Soccer is preparing to give it another try this weekend. Our MLS predictions for Week 17 2023 cover the biggest and most compelling matches in US soccer’s top division.
MLS Predictions for Week 17 2023
Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers
Saturday 3 June at 21:30 BST
MLS week 17 2023 predictions must be included! The Cascadia Cup rivalry between the Pacific Northwest teams has its own significance. After all, football heritage in this region predates Major League Soccer, with the first meeting between the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers being in the old North American Soccer League in 1975.
Brian Schmetzer rotated his Seattle team a bit midweek and paid the price when the San Jose Earthquakes left Lumen Field with all three points. Regardless of that result, the team still heads into the season as the Western Conference leader with 26 points.
In comparison, the Portland Timbers are having a bleak time in 2023. Four wins in the first 15 games is considered madness by the fans of this super club. The back-to-back losses leading up to this game show just how weak they were, losing 4-1 to Sporting Kansas City and 1-0 to Minnesota United, two franchises that have also struggled so far.
forecast: Schmetzer definitely has to deliver his best starting XI. His second string is not good enough. But if he tries, the Seattle Sounders should easily win this game.
Minnesota United vs. Toronto FC
Sunday 4 June 01:30 BST
The Loons need to shake off midweek disappointment quickly. Austin FC was the second best player in bulk against Minnesota United but still managed to win the game and send the visitors home empty-handed. Adrian Heath’s side were creative but imprecise and were ruled offside on a number of occasions. It obviously needs some fine-tuning to get Bongokuhle Hlongwane back up to speed.
One could write essays on why Toronto FC should be among the best MLS teams this season. However, the reality is that even with Lorenzo Insigne, Federico Bernardeschi and Bob Bradley at the helm, the team is not at the required level. In the 0-0 draw with the Chicago Fire, at least defensive performance was assured (it’s a shame they spent so much money on attacking players).
Any MLS predictions for Week 17 in 2023 should take into account the great excitement that these two will clash. From the previous three competitive games there were two 4:3 results and one 3:2. In the last game, the Canadians won 4-3 and in Minnesota two players were dismissed from the game. Can I have some more, please!
forecast: Minnesota is struggling in front of its own fans at Allianz Field with just a single win this season. Still, Toronto hasn’t won a single league game away from home at all. This could be a muted draw.
FC Dallas vs. Nashville SC
Sunday 4 June 01:30 BST
Hany Mukhtar is on fire…okay, maybe that hasn’t caught on at Geodis Park yet. However, the German playmaker and goalscorer is causing excitement in our Week 17 MLS Preview. The question is, can he make it at Toyota Stadium? Well, nothing is too much to ask for the reigning MLS MVP, who scored twice and provided an assist in the last game against FC Dallas.
FC Dallas’ unbeaten streak came to an abrupt end midweek when the team lost 2-1 to Sporting Kansas City. The team still ranks highly in the Western Conference, sitting fourth overall. For all their attacking prowess with USMNT forward Jesus Ferreira, the team rarely remain clean sheets. No stats to leave behind when Mukhtar comes to town.
forecast: Nashville will come to Dallas and likely leave with all three points. Mukhtar and Ferreira are both likely to score, but the German should have more success against an inconsistent Dallas defense.
St.Louis City vs. Houston Dynamo
Sunday 4 June 01:30 BST
St. Louis City is one of the few teams that didn’t play a game during the week. lucky for her! Bradley Carnell’s team appears to be one of the best MLS players currently in Western Conference terms and went into the weekend in second place with three games left, ahead of the Seattle Sounders.
Houston Dynamo comes into play having just played in one of the games of the season so far. Unfortunately, they went the wrong way and lost 6-2 to the Vancouver Whitecaps. However, the Texans weren’t bad on offense as they had good shooting accuracy, only the Canadians were able to parry all of their shots.
St. Louis defender Tim Parker will no doubt have mixed feelings as he played for the Houston Dynamo for two seasons and occasionally served as the club’s captain. Could his past experience with Team Dynamo prove fatal in this game?
forecast: CITYPARK could be a step too far for the Houston Dynamo as the team just doesn’t win away and St. Louis City doesn’t give up too much on their turf. An easy victory for St. Louis.
