MLS Picks - Matchweek: 15
Another weekend of Major League Soccer action is upon us and as usual there’s no shortage of stories and plot lines to draw. The New York Red Bulls face the Philadelphia Union in a clash between two in-form, Eastern teams, with Sporting KC away to Toronto FC. Here are four tips for the weekend.
BMO Field, Friday June 7
These are two teams desperate for a win. Toronto FC have allowed their form to slip recently, with Greg Vanney’s side without a win in their league six MLS matches. Sporting KC’s form hasn’t been much better, claiming just one win over the same timeframe - six games. This could be a case of two struggling teams cancelling each other out.
Sporting KC are undefeated in their last nine matches against Toronto FC. But historical runs don’t always mean much. More telling is that Peter Vermes’ team have failed to win any of their last eight games. TFC have conceded at least twice in five of their last six home matches, with over 2.5 total goals scored in 15 of their last 16 home games.
1u - Back Draw @ +264
San Jose Earthquakes v FC Dallas
Avaya Stadium, Saturday June 8
Things started slowly under new head coach Matias Almeyda, but the San Jose Earthquakes have managed to turn their campaign around. Indeed, the Californian side has won their last four matches at home. More than that, they have been winning at half time and full time in all four of those games at Avaya Stadium.
FC Dallas, on the other hand, have lost four of their last six, conceding at least twice in five of their last six away games. What’s more, the Texans have been losing at half time and full time in their last three games away from Frisco. All the signs point to a home win for the San Jose Earthquakes this weekend.
0.75u - San Jose Earthquakes -0.5 @ -105
Philadelphia Union v New York Red Bulls
Talen Energy Stadium, Saturday June 8
This is a face-off between the two in-form teams in the Eastern Conference right now. The Philadelphia Union have provided one of the storylines of the 2019 MLS season so far, with Jim Curtin’s side among the contenders. While the New York Red Bulls have turned around their campaign, striking together four wins in their last five undefeated games.
The Red Bulls have scored two or more goals in each of their last three MLS games, while the Union are fresh from scoring three away to Minnesota United last weekend. This could potentially be the fixture of the weekend and there could potential be goals at Taken Energy Stadium. Keep your eye on this one.
1u - Back Over 2.5 Total Goals @ -166
Colorado Rapids v Minnesota United
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Saturday June 8
The Colorado Rapids extended their unbeaten run to three matches with a 3-1 win over FC Cincinnati last weekend. Conor Casey has made an instant impact since taking over as interim head coach of the Rapids and this will be a match the former striker will be targeting three points from.
Minnesota United have conceded two or more goals in 20 of their last 23 away matches, while Colorado have scored at least twice in each of their last five matches at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Things have been tough for Adrian Heath and his players of late and they could get even tougher this weekend.
0.5u - Colorado Rapids Half-Time/Full-Time @ +235