6 Bold Predictions for MLS Matches from October 17-19

There are only two weeks left in the Major League Soccer regular season, and much to our chagrin, there is less chaos in regard to the playoff races than there was entering last week. 

With a few teams looking to close out their respective home slates with a bang, we decided to make some bold predictions about the matches some would label as meaningless in Week 32. 

On top of that, we are also banking on two key players to have big days for two completely different reasons.

Throw in an outlandish prediction about what is supposed to be the best match in the league this season, and you have the six bold predictions for MLS Week 32. 

Diego Valeri Will Net a Hat Trick for Portland

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We all know that Diego Valeri is quite the exceptional player. 

With Portland on the cusp of playoff elimination, Valeri will need to star for the Timbers against Real Salt Lake Friday night.

Since he is going up against an explosive RSL attack, Valeri will have to find the back of the net on more than one occasion. 

With that in mind, we are calling for Valeri to electrify the home crowd at Providence Park with a hat trick against one of the league's best defenses. 

A win will not put Portland into the playoffs, but it will give it a big boost in the battle for fifth in the Western Conference with Vancouver. 

Colorado Will Finally Win a Game

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If you read our bold predictions each week, you are aware of the numerous times during Colorado's 12-game winless streak in which we have called for the run of bad form to end. 

Since it hasn't worked yet, we are trying it one more time before the season reaches its conclusion. 

Saturday presents a perfect scenario for the Rapids, as they face a FC Dallas side fresh off an emotional playoff-clinching win over the Galaxy. 

Former Colorado boss Oscar Pareja will be aware of the daunting task at altitude off a big win, which is why FC Dallas will keep the game close, but will lose in the end. 

The match at Dick's Sporting Goods Park is the final one of the season for the Rapids, and if they want to give their fans hope heading into the offseason, they must deliver an inspired performance. 

Philadelphia's Surprising Form Against Sporting Kansas City Will Continue

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For some odd reason, Philadelphia always plays Sporting Kansas City tough. 

In two matches this season, the Union have earned four points on the home turf of the defending MLS Cup champion, which is a stat Sporting fans will grow tired of in the buildup to the match. 

Philadelphia is left with nothing to play for, except pride, which means the team could deliver a terrific performance in its final home game or concede five goals in embarrassing fashion.

We're expecting to see the former out of the Union Saturday night, as some players will be fighting for their spots on the roster next season. 

Add in the confidence gained from beating Sporting KC twice this season, and you have Week 32's perfect recipe for an upset. 

Michael Bradley Will Own the MLS Weekend

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In case you've been living under a rock, MLS commissioner Don Garber and United States boss Jurgen Klinsmann were involved in a bit of a kerfuffle this week. 

The back-and-forth between the two key figures in American soccer began after Klinsmann made comments about Michael Bradley's move to Toronto FC.  

With everyone talking about him for all the wrong reasons, Bradley will do all the talking on the pitch with his best game of the season for the Reds against Montreal. 

Toronto still has an outside chance of qualifying for the playoffs, which means Bradley will have some extra motivation, not like he needed any more, to shine for the sixth-place side in the Eastern Conference. 

San Jose Will Close out Buck Shaw Stadium in Style

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The new era of the San Jose Earthquakes is right around the corner, but before Dominic Kinnear leads the team into the future, which includes a new stadium, they have to play the final game in their old stadium.

San Jose will play its final game at Buck Shaw Stadium Saturday night against Vancouver in a match that carries a ton of playoff implications for the visitors. 

If Portland wins Friday night, Vancouver will be forced to press for a win to stay a point ahead in the race for fifth in the West. 

Regardless of the pressure felt by Vancouver, Saturday's match will be defined by the passion of the Earthquakes, especially Chris Wondolowski. 

Wondolowski, along with Jon Busch, represents the heart and soul of the team, and there is no way the Earthquakes will go down without a fight at a stadium in which they made so many memories. 

It would be fitting if the Earthquakes win in second-half stoppage time, but something tells us they will have the match sealed up by then. 

Nothing Will Be Determined in the Supporters' Shield Race

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No one outside of Seattle and Los Angeles wants next weekend's star-studded finale to mean nothing, which makes predicting a draw quite easy. 

If Seattle goes down to StubHub Center and pulls out a victory, it will earn the Supporters' Shield on the wins tiebreaker. 

If the Galaxy earn three points at home, they will take a three-point lead into CenturyLink Field before the final match of the season between these teams is played. 

With neither team wanting to blow the opportunity to win silverware this weekend, expect a tighter affair than expected in the clash between the league's two best teams. 

Neither team wants to lose the trophy this weekend, which is why we could see more of a defensive battle than we expect from these exceptional attacking sides. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.