Match- LAFC host LA Galaxy
Pick- LA Galaxy Win or Draw +105
The LA Galaxy sit atop the Western Conference standings at 3-3-0. While I am sure they are happy with their rankings this season, the truth is they gave up 2 of those draws late while being down to 10 men. This Galaxy team COULD have easily started the season 5-1-0 and really positioned themselves for season-long success.
LAFC, on the other hand, starts 2-1-3 after losing 3-2 last week in Colorado. While Chris Armas’s side has improved this offseason, LAFC needs to beat that team if they want to be taken seriously in the west.
This rivalry match has one team with a full head of steam visiting a team looking to straighten out their season. I will take the team that is in better form, the LA Galaxy, and add the safety of a draw for +105 odds.
Match- Vancouver Whitecaps host Toronto FC
Pick- Vancouver Whitecaps -163
Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC are an even 9-5-9 in MLS competition when facing each other. This week, I think the Whitecaps have a massive advantage, and I will pay up at -163 to get action on this match.
Toronto has looked good this season, but have lost 2 of their last 3 matches. The team is trying not to fall apart and revert to last season’s losing ways, but will be battling uphill this week.
Not only do I think the Whitecaps are the real deal and have a chance at winning the west, but they will be facing off against Toronto FC who will be without Lorenzo Insigne. Insigne looked like he was going to be paying off for coach John Herman with Insigne’s early signs of life this season, and all of Toronto will be disappointed that Lorenzo will be benched for “several weeks” with a hamstring injury.
Vancouver had a statement win at home against the Portland Timbers last week, and I think they pressed the gas to the floor to take out Toronto FC handily in a home victory.
Match- Nashville SC hosts Philadelphia Union
Pick- Philly win +180, Philly Team Total over 1.5 Goals +150
After starting their first 5 matches (including US Open Cup) allowing only 3 total goals, Nashville has been on a defensive slide through the month of March. They have allowed 10 goals in their last 4 games, giving them 11 goals against, tied for 4th worst in the Eastern Conference. A lot of this has lined up with two big defenders in Shaq Moore and Walker Zimerman missing time.
On Philadelphia’s end, they are scoring in bunches. In fact, their +4 goal differential is tied for 5th in Major League Soccer. Gazdag and Carranza already have 3 goals each, with Uhre standing in at 2 goals and 1 assist. Because of missed time, none of those players has over 360 minutes this season. They are going to come out this week like the well-oiled machine that they are. I love the odds for the Philadelphia win at +180 and their team total over 1.5 goals at +150.
Match- St. Louis City hosts FC Dallas
Pick- St. Louis City -125
St. Louis City have been great at home since their entrance in MLS just a year ago, and I think they beat Dallas at home this week. The odds are -125 so a lot of people agree.
Is St. Louis City a better team than Dallas this season? Maybe. But this week we don’t even get a full Dallas squad. FC went into last weekend’s matchup without Jesus Ferriera, Asier Illarramendi, Geovane Jesus, Paxton Pomykal, and Alan Velasco. As of Thursday, April 4 writing this article, I have no update on the Dallas injury situation, but we know it doesn’t look good.
St. Louis City have had a difficult start to the 2024 season, going 1-4-1 to start the year. However, here they get a nice span where they have 4 of 6 matches at home. They need to settle in and take the next to matches against Dallas and Austing, which I think is the likeliest possibility. Look for St. Louis to get hot in April and start completing some of these results.
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