MLS Cup 2018

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The 2018 renewal of the MLS Cup kicks off this weekend; below are the first round of match prices

Outright

It's of no surprise to see Toronto and Atlanta head the market for MLS Cup glory as those sides come out 1 and 2 on my ratings, the former however may be worth opposing in the early weeks as they are in the last 8 of the CONCACAF Champions League.

A couple of teams catch my eye for different reasons;

Firstly, Real Salt Lake. RSL ended last season as the 3rd best side in the Western Conference on my ratings, they started slow but after finishing fast they just missed out on the play offs, I'm hoping they can pick up where they left off and outperform their odds of a best priced 50/1.

The second side I'm interested in is Orlando City. I'm going against my ratings here as they finished joint-bottom of the Eastern Conference along with DC United. I'm taking a punt on the Florida side on the back of some impressive transfer business in the close season; they've improved practically every area - defender Lamine Sane comes in who has started 11 matches in the Bundesliga this season, Sacha Kljestan comes in from NYRB as one of the best central midfielders in the MLS, he's joined by fellow midfielders Justin Meram (Columbus) and Oriol Russell (12 starts for Sporting Lisbon this season and a fomer MLS Cup Champion in 2013) as well as 3 of the best college prospects. Again I'm hoping they can outperform their odds of a best priced 50/1.

Bet

Real Salt Lake to win the MLS Cup @ 50/1 Skybet

Orlando City to win the MLS Cup @ 50/1 Betway

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For anybody who's interested below are my end ratings from last season;

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Toronto lost their first match of the season 2-0 at home to Colombus yesterday - Betvictor have gone back up with 6/1 about them for the MLS Cup; this is the wrong price, they are the best team in MLS history and if anything got stronger over the offseason. The CONCACAF Champions League may prove a distraction early doors but they'll be there or thereabouts come play-off time

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Week Two Prices

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I've tweaked may ratings slightly; previous my ratings were measured over 365 and 56 days. I now have 4 sets of ratings taken over 8, 16, 24 and 32 matches. As every new match is played the last oldest match in teh sequence will drop off.

Updated MLS Ratings

*Los Angeles FC will be omitted from my rating until they have completed 8 matches

[Xcout]

New York City FC vs Los Angeles Galaxy
2018, March 11, 22:00 hrs (CET Time)

USA MLS

New York City FC
Got an away victory in the season opener against Sporting Kansas City, where new arrival Jesus Manuel Medina scored for the team, still the main star there is David Villa, who scored 24 goals in 33 matches, and is the main weapon from New York City in the attack.  From the last ten matches in home, the team has won six, of those only two was by more than one goal, with three draws and only one defeat, against Portland Timbers. The team will look to obtained a good season opener of their stadium, and confirm as one of the options for the MLS Cup.

Los Angeles Galaxy
Won on the opener against Portland Timbers, with a great performance from Ola Kamara, that continue with his good performance from Columbus Crew, that see him score 19 goals in 39 matches. Last season the team missed playoffs, and was almost at the bottom of the Supporters Shield general table, something they will be eager to change for this season as return to playoffs, the opener is a good start, but they also need to improve their away performance.  Last season the team defense was lacking, as in away most of the times they lost by more than one goal, five times out of the last ten away matches.

Prediction
The las two encounters have been victories for NY City FC, 1-0 at home and last one 0-2 in Los Angeles, still the first match of the series was won by LA Galaxy back in 2015. Played a friendly at the start of the year, that LA Galaxy won 0-3, still it is very different a competitive match. Expect New York to dominate the actions of the match, but I senes Los Angeles Galaxy will put a fierce stand and will look composite in defense. For this match I sense that the asian handicap provided is huge, and   I expect that the improvement LA Galaxy are showing in this start of season is reflected on away also and they obtained a good result.

Los Angeles Galaxy +1 AH with 6 units @ 1.92 at SBOBET

 

[Xcout]

Result:

New York City FC 2 - 1 LA Galaxy

0 units

[Xcout]

Colorado Rapids vs Sporting Kansas City

2028, March 25, 03:00 hrs (CET Time)

MLS

Colorado Rapids
After their participation in CONCACAF Champion League elimination round against Toronto FC, where they concede a 0-2 home defeat, the team has just play once against New England Revolution, losing 2-1 in Gillete Stadium.
This will be their home opener match and the team is eager to bounce back from the Champions League elimination to the winning path, for this they have in their favour their good form at home, four matches unbeaten, 2 win 2 draw. Last season the team was regular at home winning short of 50% of games there. The issue was at away, with only 1 victory in 17 matches.
Colorado Rapids have a good performance in this matchup when they play at home, in last five have won four time and just lost once. Considering last five between them,  four victories and one defeat in Kansas City.
For this international callup the team negotiated with the New Zealand National Team and it was decided their trio, Kip Colvey, Tommy Smith and Deklan Wynne remain with the team. In addition to that new sign Yannick Boli and Joe Mason could debut for the team.

Sporting Kansas City
After the home opener defeat against NY City FC, the team has two consecutive matches winning, both high scoring encounters, both times the team was on the lead, and although winning the matches they allowed a lot of goals to the other teams, 3 from Chicago Fire and 2 from San Jose. 
Last season the team barely won matches at away, still was able to draw almost the same as it lost, with only two always wins, the team will be looking to change this, as with only one match at away, they have already 50% of last season performance at away covered.
The team will be without Daniel Salloi, U-21 Hungarian National Team member due to international callup, despite not scoring he has been instrumental, as he is the assist leader of the team. 

Match
An intense match with teams playing offensively, still I sense Colorado will favor defense and look from there to build up their chances, a possible match with plenty not scoring chances for both teams.

Prediction
A match that seems equal, Colorado Rapids good home form versus Kansas City good last two matches. Kansas City offense will face this match without a key player, Daniel Sallio, still that does not render them nonoffensive, in addition their defense is leaking goals. I sense Colorado will take advantage of their home opener and bounce back, whereas Kansas City struggles here, still due to last two matches will take with a medium stake.

Colorado Rapids 0 AH with 8 units @ 2.16 with Asianodds

 

 

[Xcout]

Result:

Colorado Rapids 2 - 2 Sporting Kansas City

0 units

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Updated MLS Ratings with points/ play off projections added (sorted by league order);

Sporting Kansas City are of interest for the MLS Cup Outright at 25/1

Edited April 2, 2018 by jamiedavies02

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Atlanta United vs Los Angeles FC
2018, April 07, 23:00 hrs (CET Time)
MLS

Atlanta United
After losing the first match of the season 4-0 to Houston Dynamo, the team is on a three matches winning streak, beating DC United and Vancounver Whitecaps at home in high scoring matches, and then beat Minnesota United by 0-1 last weekend.

With Ezequiel Barco sidelined, the team have important players as J. Martinez, current team leader scorer this season,and Hector Villalba for an strong offensive power. And with Brad Guzan in the goalkeeper the team provides good defending that was able to collect a clean sheet last match, and only allowed one goal per match in the previous two.

The team return home, where they are showing great scoring power and a good defence that provide backup to that power. Coach Martino leads a team that has good playmaking and great offensive power. Will have important absences, as injured DF Greg Garza and DF Franco Escobar and suspended  MF Leandro Gonzalez will be missed on the defensive side.

Los Angeles FC
The inaugural season of the team started in a great form, winning both their first two matches, both at away, against Seattle Sounders by 0-1 and then 1-5 to Real Salt Lake. Showing consistancy, solid defending and good scoring.

Then went to take on their city rivals LA Galaxy, in what is expected to be a fierce derby, and the first match fullfill that expectation, in a high scoring match where Los Angeles FC was able to take the lead 0-2 before half time, thanks to two goals of Carlos Vela, for the second half they where able to increase the lead to 0-3, but in the last 30 minutes of the match, LA Galaxy was able to revert the score line, getting close with goals of S. Lletget and C. Pontius, then Zlatan Ibrahimovic made an inmediate impact with a long distance goal to tie the match, and in the last minute of the match scored the winning goal with a header. And giving Los Angeles FC their first defeat of their history.

This will be the third away match for the team, with two more afterwards, before their first match in their home stadium Banc of California Stadium.

The team have showed good playmaking and scoring power with Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela the team posses offensive power to confront any team, their defense had been behaving very well, collecting in their opener their first clean sheet, and allowed just one goal to Real Salt Lake, but against strong opposition as LA Galaxy, the defense was not at the level it was supposed to be, it could be awarded to the Zlatan effect, but is yet to see throught time if it was really that, or that their defense will struggle against strong teams.

Prediction

A very intense and attractive match expected, with plenty of scoring chances, and maybe goals, both teams have the offensive power and it all will be left to the defenses capabilities.
Atlante United is strong at home, still Los Angeles FC has build up a team that in the previous two matches had showed that being at away is no problem for them, and meawhile on last match there where showing the same, they allowed a defeat in a match they clearly had on the bag and that arised many questions as how will the fare against level rivals. Los Angeles FC is looking for their place on the league, and I sense they might be able to provide some surprises, and with a huge asian handicap on this match, I would take advantage of that, as I see Los Angeles FC putting a fierce stand and even taking something from this encounter.

Los Angeles FC + 1 AH with 7 units @ 1.97 at AsianOdds
Carlos Vela anytime scorer with 2 units @3.25 at 888sports
Over 3.5 goals with 1 unit @ 2 at 888sports

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LA Galaxy vs Sporting KC
2018, April 09, 03:00 hrs (CET Time)
MLS

Los Angeles Galaxy
The team started winning their opening match against Portland Timbers by 2-1 at Stubhub Center, then went two matches without victory, both of them away at New York and Vanocouver, returning home for the nascent city derby against Los Angeles FC, where Los Angeles FC were able to take the lead 0-2 before half time, thanks to two goals of Carlos Vela, for the second half they increase the lead to 0-3, but in the last 30 minutes of the match, LA Galaxy was able to revert the score line, getting close with goals of S. Lletget and C. Pontius, then Zlatan Ibrahimovic made an inmediate impact with a long distance goal to tie the match, and in the last minute of the match scored the winning goal with a header, providing a vibrant victory and Zlatan proving his level.

And it is precisely that result and Zlatan, together with the return to training of  Romain Alessandrini, Michael Ciani, and Jonathan dos Santos which provides the elements to change the view on this match. LA Galaxy, where showing bad defending, and just fair scoring, and the absences where being missed, but with the return of them, the team is expected to go back to fair defending and good scoring, and have a good opportunity to continue on the winning side at home.

Sporting Kansas City
After the initial 0-2 defeat against New York City FC at Children's Mercy Park, the team have an streak of four matches unbeaten with three victories, two of those at home, and the win in Chicago against the Fire. Three of thouse four matches have been over 3 goals, which speaks of an important scoring power, where new arrival Felipe Gutierrez has been key in the middlefield brining in the goals, together with the assists of Daniel Salloi.

The team is showing solid defending and good score making skill, as it is just not one player where their goals are coming, as five more players have scored goals for the team, from defenders to strikers. And with that kind of performance and recent from the team would be the favorite, in addition to considering LA Galaxy previous performance and their absences, but those elements are gone, plust the arrival of Zlatan, and the match looks level.

Prediction
An interesting match, with plenty of scoring chances expected, everything will be left as how the defenses fare in the moment. Being at home, the LA Galaxy looks a slightly favorite. The return of key players, together with the great performance that Zlatan Ibrahimovic provides to the team, as shown in last match are part of the elements that provide the team with the edge for this match, still Sporting Kansas City will not be simple, as they have shown good scoring and solid defending, therefore I will take the asian handicap to slight cover in case of a draw, but the home side should continue on the winning side.

Los Angeles Galaxy -0.25 AH with 8 units @ 2.06 at AsianOdds
Over 2.5 with 2 units @ 1.76 at 5Dimes

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Results:

Atlanta United 5 - 0 Los Angeles FC

- 7 units

Atlanta United 5 - 0 Los Angeles FC - Carlos Vela No Goal

-2 units

Atlanta United 5 - 0 Los Angeles FC - 5 Goals

+1 unit

Los Angeles Galaxy 0 - 2 Sporting KC

- 8 units

Los Angeles Galaxy 0 - 2 Sporting KC - 2 Goals

- 2 units

Day Result: -18 units

[Xcout]

Atlanta United vs New York  City FC
2018, April 16, 00:00 hrs (CET Time)
MLS

Atlanta United
After losing the first match of the season 4-0 to Houston Dynamo, the team is on a four matches winning streak, beating DC United, Vancounver Whitecaps and Los Angeles FC at home in high scoring matches, and  at away  Minnesota United by 0-1.

Now the team goes against the conference leader New York City FC, looking to close the distance with them,  in which is going to be the toughest match of the season for them. The team is the second best offensive, with the trio of Hector Villalba, Miguel Almiron and Josef Martines, the offensive power is guaranteed for this team, backed up by MF Jeff Larentowicz to provide excellent playmaking style.

On the back, their defense have improved with two matches not allowing goal, remarks overall the match against Los Angeles FC, where they encounter a team with scoring power as Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi, and held both to zero goals.

New York City FC
Leader of Eastern Conference, the team is unbeaten in five matches, with a 2-2 draw at New England as the current lowest point of the season,  besides that only victories, scoring at least two goals in every match. Being the best defense, together with he strongest attack of the league, the team is in a prime moment.

On midweek the team play against Real Salt Lake, in a match where the team had the return to action of David Villa, Alex Ring and Ronald Matarrita. It will be a good competition to watch as Jo Inge Berget and Ebenezer Ofori scored in the match against RSL, making it hard for the return players to jump into the starting XI.  With a great performance of Maxi Moralez, scoring a penalty kick and assisting Ofori in his goal. Their defense claim the third clean sheet for the team this season.

Their defense has been stronger at home than at away, and this match will be another important test for them as they will encounter the second best offensive team of the league, together with one of the top five defenses.

Prediction
An interesting match as the current top teams of the league will clash, it is expected to be a high voltage match, with multiple scoring chances, and it will be up to the defenses to be up to the task, as the offensive power is guaranteed, and both defenses have improved, but the challenge here will be above the previous.

In their only previous encounters, the home side have taken the match by 3-1 scoreline, Atlanta is strong at home, still New York City arrives in a very good form and seems more of a level match. Yet with the offensive power available I sense the value resides on  the over/under market, with the option of Over 3 as the best with the available prices.

Over 3 with 4 units @ 1.80 at 18Bet
Both Teams To Score with 4 units @1.48 at Bwin

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Results:

Atlanta United 2 - 2 New York City FC =  4 Goals

+ 3.2 units

Atlanta United 2 - 2 New York City FC = BTTS YES

+1.92 units

Day Result: + 5.12 units

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Sporting Kansas City vs Vancouver Whitecaps
2018, April 21, 03:00 hrs (CET Time)
MLS

Sporting Kansas City
After the initial 0-2 defeat against New York City FC at Children's Mercy Park, the team have an streak of six matches unbeaten with four victories, two of those at home, and the away victorias in Chicago and Los Angeles Galaxy.  Last match at home the team come from behind to draw 2-2 against Seattle Sounders, this is the third time they have come from behind to draw or win a match, which speaks of good playmaking to make the needed goals, but an urgent improvement in defense as they concede before scoring and if they strikers are not in a good day, that would be a hard situation.

Despite Felipe Gutierrez absences in the previous two matches, Sporting Kansas City has taken four points in those matches, he is listed as questionable and might miss this match.  Daniel Sallio and Johnny Russell  needs to continue performing in his absence.

After high scoring matches, the team improved and their two victories streak was low scoring not allowing the rival to score, and highlights one of those matches was at home, where in the last three in both matches both teams have scored.

Vancouver Whitecaps
 In a streak of two matches without victory, as they team allowed Los Angeles FC to get a victory in their last match home by 0-2, second match the team was unable to score at home. On the positive side, the team has been able to score at least a goal in the three matches they have had at away.

The absence of Kei Kamara was felt on last match and will be missed here and is a big blow to Vancouver attack. The team will also be without Jordon Mutch and Sean Franklin, still Franklin might be on the bench.

The team needs the double Anthony Blondell and Yordy Reyna to reignite the pre-season chemistry and also forcing the team to have more time the ball and buildup the plays more, something that has not been seen in the previous matches. As Brek Shea has been taking the offensive responsibility.

From last four matches away, the team have twice won 1-2 against Dynamo and Crew, with defeats against Atlanta United, which are in another level completely, and 2-1 against Real Salt Lake.

Prediction

Vancouver is not strange to winning away, still the recent from is something to consider and will produce them to play more conservative, meanwhile Sporting Kansas City at home should dominate the actions, but all relays on how their defense perform and if they can control the tempo of the match.
In last four encounters between them, all have gone to Vancouver Whitecaps, both 2017 MLS matches between them and the 2016 CONCACAF Champions League Group C matches, is to highlight that in 2016 both matches at Kansas City where for the Sporting, and a draw at Vancouver.

From 14 matches between them, only 5 times have the difference being more than 1 goal, with 3 draws and 6 times the difference being only 1 goal. That is 9 close score matches. Of the matches played in Kansas City, 1 out of 7 has been being by more than 1 goal difference.

In definitive a close encounter, where the huge asian handicap for the away team is where I see the value for betting, as they have been close encounters and Vancouver will look to return after a two defeat streak that is rarely in them, and in the case of a home minimum victory, the bet is covered.

Vancouver Whitecaps +1 AH with 8 units @ 2.00 at SBOBET

[Xcout]

Result:

Sporting Kansas City 6 - 0 Vancounver Whitecaps

- 8 units

Vancouver match was just a downhill course, started in a great momento where Reyna had a one-on-one against Tim Melia of Sporting, where Tim Melia made a great save and propel the team, that quickly take the lead 2-0, if that was not enought with a long distance shoot that did not give any chance to Vancouver GK Marinovic, Sporting take the lead 3-0 and from there Vancouver should have focus on stopping the bleeding, but things where just going to get worse, when Juarez and Reyna both got sent off following a melee between the teams.  Despite the situation, a ray of hope when Vancounver GK Marinovic stopped a penalty before the halftime.  But in the second half another three goals went in, for an historic result for Sporting Kansas City.

[Xcout]

Seattle Sounders vs Minnesota United
2018, April 22, 22:00 hrs (CET Time)
MLS

Seattle Sounders
The winless Sounders returns home after seeing and improvement in their results as they draw against Sporting KC in a high scoring match that ended 2-2, with the positive result that the team finally scored, as after 3 matches in which they could not get in the scoreline, two of the at home.

Osvaldo Alonso return to the team as the five-time Team MVP took the field in the 68th minute of last match. With an positive work as he completed 24 of 25 passes, he is an influential player on the team.

The return of goals is a positive thing for the team, still is yet to see if they defense can be up to the task as they have allowed at least a goal in all matches of MLS this season. That will be key for how this match will unfold.

Minnesota United
After a losing in the opener against San Jose, the team went to win its next two matches against Orlando City and Chicago Fire, by identical 2-1 scores. And when things appear to be going their way,  the next three matches has been losses, two of them at away against NY Red Bulls and Portland Timbers. But not all has been negative, at home the team was able to hold the goal machine that Atlanta United is to only 1 goal, and last match the new comer Darwin Quintero scored but the defense was not up to the task.

After the season-ending injury of Kevin Molino, the team signed their first Designated Player and brought Darwin Quintero from Liga MX, who had an immediate effect scoring in last match. Quintero has already encountered the Sounders, still that was in international competition when he was part of Santos Laguna first and Club America second, scoring three times in four matches.

With the arrival of Quintero, the offensive power seems restored, and will be up to the defense to be up to the task ahead.

Prediction
It is expected the home team to control the actions and more with the return of Osvaldo Alonso, and with Minnesota United looking to focus on defense and from there counterattack.
The previous two matches have been for Seattle Sounders, still last one the difference was just 1 goal, and with current state of Sounders defense, I sense they are more level than what current form can tell, with the arrival of Quintero I sense that Minnesota United got a key player to put a fierce stand and put things difficult for the Sounders, therefore I sense the value on the asian handicap market for the away team.

Minnesota United + 1.5 AH with 8 units @ 1.89 at SBOBET
Over 3 with 2 units @ 1.99 at Asianodds

[Xcout]

Portland Timbers vs New York City FC
2018, April 23, 00:00 hrs (CET Time)
MLS

Portland Timbers
After five matches without winning, all of them in away, the team went in their home opener match and beat 3-2 Minnesota United, in a match where the team was able to display their offensive playmaking and although they concede goals, even an own goal that got Minnesota close, they where able to get the victory, a little bit suffered but victory in the end. The team at home has the crowd to is side, as it is normal for them to play infront of a  full stadium.

It is their defense that needs a lot of attention as thy have concede in every single match of the season, and only once have they only allow one goal, against FC Dallas, besides that it has been a minimum of two goals per match they have allowed, which is alarming and the team should focus on solving that. And will face an important test against one of the best attacks of the league.

New York City FC
With a seven match unbeaten run, the team has not lost in MLS this season. The NY City FC have a perfect record against Westerns Conference rivals, having taken victories against Sporting KC, Los Angeles Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes. Most of the team matches the team has been without David Villa who recovered from and calf injury and despite that the team performa at a great level, something that has to be credited to Patrick Vieira, which was build up a great team in this time.

David Villa  return and lead the team as he was key in the last match, scoring a penalty kick and assisting A. Ring for the second equalizer goal to get an important draw out of Atlanta. And now will be back on the starting XI to lead the team from the start of the match.

Prediction
I expect the home side to focus on playmaking and with more ease after returning to the winning path, still New York City offensive playmaking will also be in display and both could neutralize each other, I sense a very attractive match will be deliver, and all will be up to the performance of the defenses.
The only three previous encounters have been for the away team, with the only match in Portland finishing 1-2 for New York  City in 2016. In 2017 and 2015, the match was played in New York, and twice Timbers get the win by 0-1. Therefore the away team has fare better than home side in this particular matchup. With the current form of New York City FC, and the ease they are scoring, I sense they have the advantage for this match, and although Timbers got a victory, and will feel more comfortable playing at home, their defense leaves a lot to desire, still they pack some offensive power, therefore I found the value on the asian handicap, as even though they have not been a draw between them, they might neutralize on the middle-field.

New York City FC 0.25 AH with 8 units @ 1.92 at Asianodds
BTTS - YES with 2 units @ 1.50 at 1xBet

[Xcout]

Results:

Seattle Sounders 3 - 1 Minnesota United

- 8 units

Seattle Sounders 3 - 1 Minnesota United =  4 Goals

+ 1.98 units

Portland Timbers 3-0 New York City FC

- 8 units

Portland Timbers 3-0 New York City FC  - BTTS No

- 2 units

Day Result: - 16.02 units

Edited April 28, 2018 by Xcout

[Xcout]

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Real Salt Lake
2018, April 28, 04:30 hrs (CET Time)
MLS

Vancouver Whitecaps
After the disaster of Kansas City, where the team was victim of early goals from Sporting and then two expelled players that see them encounter most of the match 9 vs 11, and allowed another 3 goals, the team is in crisis, in a streak of three consecutive defeats.  Despite the huge scoreline, GK Marinovic stopped a penalty kick, a bright spot in the disaster.

The team returns home, where their last match a hard defeat against Los Angeles FC where the team was unable to score, and the next rival infront already defeat them this season, as 7th of April at Rio Tinto Stadium by 2-1, match where Kei Kamara did not scored, but provide an assistance, Vancouver dominate the actions but was unable to reflect it on the scoreline, is yet to see if this will be done again.  With Kamara sideline, the team has been testing offensive variants and with Y. Reyna the team almost open the scoreline against Sporting KC, but the player lack the needed quality and Sporting KC deliver a good performance to avoid that. In the second half, Vancouver offense was non existent.

The team will be without E. Juarez and Y. Reyna, both expelled last match, from those Y. Reyna would be greatly missed, as some have opinions that Juarez on the lineup affect the playmaking of the team, and this match will be a key evidence in that claim.

The team is looking to bounce back from the crisis the team has gotten into, and with three of the next four matches at home, the team has a good shot at it, and get another home streak going, after Los Angeles broke a 11 match undefeated stretch. Key to this will be Cristian Techera, who has scored in each of the RSL last four visits to BC Place, with 5 goals in total, and with Felipe stating that their mind put on winning whether ugly of pretty but winning.

Real Salt Lake
Up to this point of the season, the team has shined at home, winning four out of five matches at home, and shadows at away, winless in the three matches they have disputed, taking powerhouses as Toronto, New York City FC. And despite the growing list of injures the team remains with good performance at home and dire at away.

Real Salt Lake suffers when playing in artificial surfaces, as turf in this stadium, last year the team only win 1 match and lost the other 4 they disputed in that surface, therefore the antecedents are not  very good for the team here.

The offensive is leaded but  Joao Plata, who has stared the season in great fashion, but has not replicated that performance at away. And with a injured ridden team, four ruled out, five others are questionable and two more probable, the team has a full XI in the infirmary, not the best scenario.

Prediction
At Vancouver, the home side has claim 7 wins, with 1 draw and only 1 victory of RSL on the 9  played between them here. A match with many questions, how will Vancouver bounce back, who will be in charge of offensive, will Blondell scored his first goal for the Whitecaps, how will Real Salt Lake encounter that many injured players. One thing is clear, the home side will try by any way to dominate as they did in the previous match between them.
Despite the disaster in Kansas City, the team is looking to bounce back to victory, meanwhile a injury ridden RSL will look to field and competitive team and try to obtained something positive, but key players are out, and although winning the previous encounter, it is yet to see how the players that get into the starting XI get among themselves.  Therefore the home side should take a good result and bounce back from a negative streak, the team is invested in that, and have the advantage of playing at home against an injury ridden team.

Vancouver Whitecaps with 7 units @ 1.97 at 1xBet

[Xcout]

Result:

Vancouver Whitecaps 2 - 0 Real Salt Lake

+ 6.79 units

[cluelessG]

My pick for this round: Toronto FC - Chicago Fire

Toronto are the last season's champions but they are doing badly this season. Mostly because they have been focusing on the North American version of the Champions league and playing reserves in MLS matches. That gamble almost paid off - they won 2:1 away at Chivas on Wednesday in the second leg of the final. Having lost the first leg 1:2 at home, they had to go to penalties - and the lost.

So Toronto are not in the best mental state after that loss. They are also tired after the trip to Mexico. Plenty of injuries, especially at  the back. They have to play a mix of regular and reserve players.

I found odds of 1.9 for Chicago Fire +1 so I will take it.

Chicago Fire are capable of getting a result on their day. They won at New York RB last week - they were lucky and that was a big surprise.

[Xcout]

Los Angeles FC vs Seattle Sounders
2018, April 30, 03:00 hrs (CET Time)
MLS

Los Angeles FC
This will be their stadium opener, as the Band of California will open its doors for the first time for a home match of Los Angeles FC, the team endure a six consecutive matches at away, with a fair record winning 4 and losing only 2, against city rivals LA Galaxy and Atlanta United.

With Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi, the team has the offensive power, only once have they fail to score, in the defeat against Atlanta United, in every other match they have at least score 1 goal, therefore the offensive should make present in this match. For an average of over 2 goals allowed per match, the team offensive muscle is to consider, together with the great work of Marco Ureña, that with 5 assists is tie for first in that department, greatly surpassing his performance of last year, 3 in 25 matches with San Jose Earthquakes. Vela, with 5 goals, has the same number of goals of all Seattle Sounders.

Their defense has only two clean sheets in their six matches. Still n the rest the team has allowed at least a goal and in three of those four have allowed three goals from their rivals.

Seattle Sounders
Goals where difficult to come at the start of the season, as they accumulated three matches without a single goal, and lost all of them, as their defense is yet to collect a clean sheet, but in the last two the team has recover, scoring twice against Sporting KC for an away draw, and three goals against Minnesota, for this only win this season.

Their defense has concede in every single match the team has disputed at least a goal, with twice allowing two goals. If the attack performs then they claim victories, but if they are unable to score, the defense does not provide the necessary backup for getting points and now on the road things look dire for this match.

The team will be eager to beat Los Angeles FC, as with the season opener defeat, the team was handed their second defeat at home in their last 30 matches since Brian Schmetzer took the coaching job in 2016.

Prediction
This will be the second and final encounter of them this season, with Los Angeles FC winning their debut in MLS precisely against Seattle Sounders by 0-1 at Century Field. I expect a match  where Seattle Sounders would try to keep a clean sheet and counterattack, Los Angeles FC have the quality to control the flow and actions of the match and have showed the offensive power to deliver a great performance together with the moral boost of finally playing at home.
Los Angeles FC have the offensive power and the morale boost to play at home, the team have shown their quality at away and now will be eager to demonstrate that at their home opener, therefore should take a great result here. Seattle Sounders have awaken, and will not make it simple, but at away they are not in the needed form.

Los Angeles Galaxy with 8 points @ 1.95 at Pinnacle
Over 3 with 2 points @ 1.93 at AsianOdds
Diego Rossi 1st Goal Scorer with  1 unit @ 7 at Bet365
Carlos Vela 1st Goal Scorer with 1 unit @ 7 at Bet365

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Results:

Los Angeles FC 1 - 0 Seattle Sounders

+ 7.6 units

Los Angeles FC 1 - 0 Seattle Sounders = 1 Goal

- 2 unit

Los Angeles FC 1 - 0 Seattle Sounders = Lareunt Ciman 1st Goal Scorer

- 1 unit

Los Angeles FC 1 - 0 Seattle Sounders = Lareunt Ciman 1st Goal Scorer

-1 unit

Day Result: + 3.6 units

[Xcout]

On 28/4/2018 at 12:43 PM, cluelessG said:

So Toronto are not in the best mental state after that loss. They are also tired after the trip to Mexico. Plenty of injuries, especially at  the back. They have to play a mix of regular and reserve players.

I found odds of 1.9 for Chicago Fire +1 so I will take it.

Chicago Fire are capable of getting a result on their day. They won at New York RB last week - they were lucky and that was a big surprise.

Toronto FC 2 - 2 Chicago Fire

Excellent analysis, and great comeback for the Fire.

[_Ghost_]

Updated ratings and points projections...

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Toronto FC vs Philadelphia Union
2018, May 5, 02:00 hrs (CET Time)
MLS

Toronto FC
Last match the team return to MLS action after the defeat in the final of the CONCACAF Champions League via penalties, the team was very close and the principal aspect was to see how they will bounce back from that in the mental aspect, they start in great shape taking the lead with two goals, one from Osorio, and other from Victor Vazquez, in the second half the team did not score, and that would not be bad if they have not concede twice, the last in the final minutes of the match, for a draw that see them only claim a point.

Now the team repeats at home, where they carry a two matches, one in MLS and one in CCL, without a victory streak, still the previous three where victories, two against mexican sides (Tigres and America) and one against MLS (Real Salt Lake), therefore the team will be eager to return to the victory path.

The defense is the most important aspect the team needs to work, as they have concede in the last 12 matches, and if they attack helps that could be no problem, as in three of the first six that was enough to claim the victory, but in the last five they have not won, and altought losing the final and counting as a lost match, they won 1-2 in the regular 90 minutes, which is alarming.

FW Giovinco has help with assists, still he has not scored for Toronto in MLS in the 4 matches he has dispute, has help with assists, but I sense a goal from him should come soon, as together with Altidore the team has a powerful offensive force.

Philadelphia Union
Return to the winning path beating 3-2 DC United, in a match where they got the key goal after being tied 2-2, the team showed offensive power which is great after five matches with only one goal scored, still the defense has not improved with four of last five matches allowing at least two goals is the area the team should be more concern, as if the attack perform as last match the team can claim victories, but when not that seems very difficult.

With a negative streak of 14 matches without victory away the team will encounter this match, and this season the team has collect two defeats at away 3-0 against Colorado Rapids and 2-0 against FC Dallas, not precisule the best teams of the league.

The team has mantained the same back line for most matches, with Elliot and Trusty forming the central defense, and this approach could deliver positive results in the long term, still if they do not see improvement, changes are expected, the coach has experiment with the substitutes and if one of the is able to perform, expect him on the starting XI soon.

Prediction
Toronto FC should dominate the actions and enjoy the best scoring chances, still the main thing is how both teams defenses will perform, I see it hard for the away team to improve there when Toronto will not save any player, as they did when inmmerse on the CCL. Philadelphia will look the get the best from laying back and try to use counterattack to their advantage.
Toronto FC focus has return to the MLS and despite the draw against Chicago Fire from a last minute goal, the team bounce back well in the performance after losing the final therefore the team should get a positive streak going soon, with four of their following five matches at home, the team have a good shoot at this, starting with this match.
Together with the fact that in the last five matches in Toronto between both teams, Toronto has taken the victory in four of them, three times by more than one goal. Therefore Toronto -1 AH with medium stake.

Toronto -1 AH with 7 units @ 1.91 at Dafabet

BTTS YES with 3 units @ 1.73 at Betway

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Result:

Toronto 3 -0 Philadelphia Union

+ 6.37 units

Toronto 3 -0 Philadelphia Union = BTTS NO

- 3 units

Day Result: + 3.37 units

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San Jose Earthqueakes vs Portland Timbers
2018, May 6, 04:30 hrs (CET Time)
MLS

San Jose Earthqueakes
After the season opener victory against the Minnesota United at Avaya Stadium, the team has struggle in the next six matches being unable to win, still have claim     two draws in that span, with four of those six matches being at away. On the bright side the team has been able to score in every match they have disputed and with the trio of Eriksson, Hoesen and Vako each one of them scoring at least two goals and two assists.

Despite the negative streak, the team is chosing to see the silver lining, focusing on the amount of possesion, scoring in every match and being aware that many goals against have been mistakes and that being the first thing they need to work out.

Playing againt at home, the team will focus on reverting the negative streak of two matches without victory at home and return to the winning path.

Portland Timbers
Winless at away this season, the team has now two consecutive matches winning, both of them coming at home, where the team was able to get positive results after an streak of five matches without winning, highlights that all of them where at away. And despite the positive streak at home, the negative streak is not going anywhere until a good result at away comes along.

The team have scoring power with the likes of Sebastian Blanco and Diego Valeri with both scoring at least three goals and together with Fanendo Adi the key players on the attack of Portland Timbers, and even though being able to score at away, their defense has been leaving a lot to desire and the main reason they have not won at away.

Is important to highlight that last match was their first clean sheet of the season and that was with first match of goalkeeper J. Attinella who took the position from J. Gleeson, who has been in the starting XI in the previous six matches. A huge change that yield good results for the team and might continue in the starting position for the forseable future.

Prediction
San Jose Earthquakes should try to win this game anyway possible, and stil I sense this match will see plenty of scoring chances, and could even fall many goals as both teams have showed high scoring in their previous match.

San Jose Earthquakes has a good performance against Portland Timbers in the Avaya Stadium, as in the last four played here, the team has been able to claim three victories, scoring at least twice in them. The momentum for Timbers seems better for this away fixture, and even San Jose seems to have lost their way, but I sense that it might be on the home side to provide a better match, as they attack is able to produce and I sense in this match both teams will priorize defense, with better results for the home side.

SJ Earthquakes 0 AH with 6 units @ 1.83 at BetVictor

Over 3 with 2 units @ 1.89 at AsianOdds