While we were busy watching madness that’s been cups and tables in Europe, back here in the United States, we’re already at week 11 in the MLS. I mean, there’s already been a coach fired (sorry Brad Friedel, but consecutive 5-1 and 6-0 losses isn’t good for coaching longevity.) Almost a third of the way through the season and we can see some trends:
- The LA teams are gonna stick around the top of the table.
- Zlatan and Carlos Vela will take the race for the scoring title down to the final week.
- The East is going to be tight all season, and that’s even before Atlanta regained it’s form. (They have, haven’t they?)
This weekend, we’ll see most of the top teams havening real fights on their hands, from the Galaxy hoping for a better result against the other NYC team, a not-as-confident LAFC heading to Columbus, and, if the first match was any preview, maybe an actual fight between Toronto and Philadelphia. Here are some of the top games and some betting thoughts.
Toronto FC- Philadelphia Union
While their NBA counterparts will battle in Game 7 for the right to go to the Eastern Conference Finals, Toronto FC and the Union will have their own skirmish Saturday afternoon. These two have already faced off once this season, a 3-1 away win for TFC in what ended up being a chippy affair, especially between US-Mexico rivals Michael Bradly and MLS newbie Marco Fabien, who had some words (and a shove or two) in the first match.
TFC hopes to have Jozy Altidore (5 goals in 5 games) back after a 3 game absence, while Philly is hoping Fabien returns as well after missing the last month. Unfortunately, the Union are forced to use their 3rdstring keeper as Andre Blake and Matt Freese are both sidelined.
It should be a great match, with Philadelphia hoping to prove they’re not a fluke. Oddsmakers like Toronto (-105) over Philly (+245) with a +265 line for a draw. Philly has been in great form, but the 3rdstring GK causes some concern. With that in mind, take a look at the Goals Scored bet.
LA Galaxy- New York City FC
The Galaxy are happy to be coming back home after a pair of away games put a dent into their otherwise fantastic start to the season. After giving up only 8 goals to start the season, the Galaxy let 6 across the line in their losses at Columbus and NYRB. For once, Zlatan wasn’t able to pull them back in it, but he’ll look to continue his scoring spree (9 in 9) against a hot NYCFC team that hasn’t lost in their last 6 matches.
Coming in on different streaks, oddsmakers aren’t sure what to make of this match, making this is a good game to place a wager on, as LA comes in at +110 while NYCFC stands at +230.
Columbus Crew SC- LAFC
Can Columbus repeat the success they had against the Galaxy with the other team from LA? Columbus came into that match looking like underdogs, but something clicked, and perhaps inspired by the arrival of their coach’s former team, they snapped their 5 game losing streak with a decisive 3-1 win over Zlatan & company.
For LAFC, coach Bob Bradley is just hoping his team remember how to score as well as they play D. After starting the season scoring in bunches, they’re coming of a pair of sluggish games where teams clamped down on Vela and Rossi, who have combined to hit the back of the net for 17 of the team’s 26 goals.
The line sees LAFC as slight favorites at +255 against the Crew’s +260, with a tie at +255.While the last game seemed like a step forward for Columbus, we have a sneaky feeling that LAFC’s D will stay strong while Vela is due to get back on a scoring streak.
There are other great match-ups, including a resurgent Houston (+330) heading to Seattle (-137) to take on the Sounders, and New England (-106) trying to usher in a new era against San Jose (+235). Enjoy the games and good luck!