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MLS 2012, Week 18 Preview and Fixtures: Real Matches, Get Them While You Can

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CARSON, CA - MAY 19: Jorge Villafana #19 of Chivas USA (L) and Landon Donovan #10 of the Los Angeles Galaxy vie for the ball near midfield in the second half of the MLS match at The Home Depot Center on May 19, 2012 in Carson, California. Chivas USA defeated the Galaxy 1-0. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

There are a lot of friendlies coming up for MLS teams, but this week there will also be real matches!

Who is ready for a bunch of friendlies? Too bad because that is what you are getting. They have already started, with Seattle and Philadelphia playing Premier League teams and by next week seemingly every MLS team will be playing a friendly somewhere. Oh, and there's that MLS All-Star thing, which is the most glorified of boring friendlies ever. If you like real matches, get them while you can.

New York Red Bulls Vs. Philadelphia Union

Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

MLS needs to invent a MLS Coach of the Half-Season so that John Hackworth can be recognized for the brilliant job he's done. The Union somehow look like a legitimate professional soccer team. Nobody thought that was possible just six weeks ago.

Pick: Draw, 2-2.

Columbus Crew vs. D.C. United

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Live

D.C. is no longer tops in the East. Luckily for them, Columbus has struggled of late and are plummeting down the table. Maybe it's back to the top for D.C.

Pick: D.C., 2-1.

Houston Dynamo vs. Montreal Impact

Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Live

The Dynamo are heating up and have jumped up to fourth in the East, just five points from the top. But can they do it without Geoff Cameron? This is basically a whole new team in the post-Cameron era. Then again, the Impact actually are a whole new team this year and not a very good one at that.

Pick: Houston, 2-0.

Sporting Kansas City vs. New England Revolution

Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET, MLS Live

It's a cushy life atop the table, unless you are only one point up and coming off of a loss. That's where Sporting sits right now, but they get to play the Revs this weekend, who are 1-9-1 away from Gillette Stadium.

Pick: Kansas City, 3-1.

FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers

Saturday, 9:00 p.m. ET, MLS Live

Not to bring up the tired promotion/relegation discussion, but can both of these teams find a new league? Semi-pro would be appropriate.

Pick: Nobody.

LA Galaxy vs. Chivas USA

Saturday, 10:00 p.m. ET, Telefutura

We will not refer to this rivalry by its contrived stupid name. We will not refer to this rivalry by its contrived stupid name. We will not refer to this rivalry by its contrived stupid name. The Galaxy own the SuperClasico. Damnit.

Pick: LA, 2-1.

Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids

Saturday, 10:00 p.m. ET, MLS Live

Salt Lake is still in second place despite their recent struggles. There is no positive spin for Colorado.

Pick: Salt Lake, 3-0.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. San Jose Earthquakes

Sunday, 7:00 p.m., MLS Live

Short rest on the road against a solid team that has been sitting at home sounds like the perfect chance for the Quakes to get upset. That means they will probably go down by two goals then come back to earn a draw. San Jose are the troll kings of MLS.

Pick: Draw, 2-2.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

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