MLS predictions had a tough day but found some footing with Colorado and Portland
The Fipster model faced a challenging slate on August 20, nailing just two out of eight matches. While it stumbled on several outcomes and exact scores, it did manage to call the right winners in Colorado Rapids' narrow victory over LAFC and Portland Timbers' solid home win against San Diego. Confidence was high but often misplaced, leading to a day of mixed fortunes.
August 20th was one of those days where the Fipster model might have wished for a do-over. Out of eight Major League Soccer fixtures, it scored two TICKs and six MISSes — no STAR performances today, sadly.
The bright spots? Colorado Rapids pulling off a 1-0 win over Los Angeles FC, where the model got the outcome, BTTS, over/under, and halftime prediction all spot on. It missed the exact score but hey, you can’t have everything.
Portland Timbers also delivered a TICK with their 3-1 victory against San Diego. The model correctly predicted the outcome and BTTS again, plus nailed the over/under line — though halftime accuracy slipped away.
On the flip side, some results caught the model cold. Sporting Kansas City and St. Louis City drew 1-1 despite a prediction favouring St. Louis by two goals — outcome and exact score both missed, though at least BTTS was right.
Minnesota United FC’s 1-2 loss to Atlanta United FC was another overconfident miss: predicted as a home win with no goals for Atlanta, but reality had other plans.
Seattle Sounders’ 1-2 defeat by Austin also defied expectations; the model called a Seattle win but at least got BTTS and over/under right this time.
Real Salt Lake vs FC Dallas turned into a goal fest (3-4), which the model underestimated in outcome and exact score despite predicting goals from both sides correctly.
Los Angeles Galaxy’s narrow 1-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes was another surprise miss; predicted as a high-scoring affair favouring San Jose heavily.
Vancouver Whitecaps losing 0-1 to Houston Dynamo rounded out the day’s misses — an overconfident call for a Vancouver win that didn’t materialise.
'Confidence' was sometimes more like bravado today; several fixtures flagged as "overconfident" in their accuracy breakdowns. The model nailed BTTS more often than not but struggled with outcomes and exact scores overall.
'Day grade: C+' ,
