MLS Picks - Matchweek: 16
Another weekend of Major League Soccer action is upon us after the Gold Cup break and as usual there’s no shortage of stories and plot lines to draw. Some big name players might still be on international duty, but there are some big clashes across the division. Here are four tips for the weekend.
Nippert Stadium, Saturday, June 22
Things have been a little rough for FC Cincinnati of late. The Major League Soccer newbies seemed to have found their feet rather quickly earlier in the season, but they have now lost nine of their last 10 matches as the reality of the step up in quality they have made starts to sink in. This will be another tough test for them.
The LA Galaxy are in much better shape, although their recent form has been a little difficult to decipher. They have won two of their last four matches, but both of those victories have come on the road, with the two defeats coming in front of their own supporters at Dignity Health Sports Park. A win here would continue the somewhat peculiar pattern.
1u - Back LA Galaxy -1.25 Asian Handicap @ +333
Toyota Stadium, Saturday, June 22
Toronto FC find themselves in something of a slump right now. They have failed to win any of their last seven matches, a run which has seen them fall down the Eastern Conference. Their place in the top six will be in jeopardy if this poor slide in form continues any further. With TFC missing a few of their best players due to the Gold Cup, though, this weekend’s match might be another tough one.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in each of FC Dallas’ last three games. The Texans picked up a highly credible 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders in their last home match so if they can repeat that result their wins column will start to look a lot better. It feels like they are still getting used to life after Oscar Pareja.
1u - Back FC Dallas Win @ -120
Vancouver Whitecaps v Colorado Rapids
BC Place, Saturday, June 22
Just three points separate these two teams in the Western Conference, with the Vancouver Whitecaps only winning one of their last four matches and the Colorado Rapids enjoying a dramatic upturn in form, winning all but one of their last five MLS outings (the one game they didn’t win, they drew).
There has been under 2.5 goals scored in the Rapids’ last three away games. There has also been under 2.5 goals scored in seven of the Vancouver Whitecaps’ last eight matches played at BC Place. This could be a tight affair and it looks unlikely that there will be many goals to divide the two teams.
1.25u - Back Under 2.5 Goals @ +110
Portland Timbers v Houston Dynamo
Providence Park, Saturday, June 22
Having spent the first half of the season on the road while their stadium was redeveloped, the Portland Timbers have a lot of home games to catch up on. It’s for this reason that it has been difficult to judge where Giovani Savarese’s team are right now. Their position at the foot of the Western Conference might well be false.
Nonetheless, these home games are crucial. There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 11 of Portland’s last 13 matches and they come into this game on the back of an impressive win over the LA Galaxy in the US Open during the week. The Houston Dynamo, on the other hand, have lost their last three away matches, losing at both half time and full time in all three.
0.75u - Portland Timbers to Score 2+ Goals @ -153