MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER expert Luke Beaumont (@_LukeBeaumont) analyses the action from Week 2 from the new season across the pond.
FC Dallas v LA Galaxy | Saturday 9th March 2019, 20:30
In unusual fashion for a Western Conference clash, FC Dallas host the LA Galaxy at 8:30pm UK time on Saturday night in what should be an entertaining encounter if both sides deliver.
FC Dallas go into this weekend on the back of a 1-1 draw with New England Revolution – a result which would have frustrated the Texan side after they took the lead in the opening quarter of an hour. Dallas controlled the game and dominated the ball but failed to regain the lead after a Carles Gil equaliser in the second half.
On the other hand, the LA Galaxy have their tails up after an opening weekend victory over Chicago Fire. The Galaxy came from behind to claim all three points and of course, Zlatan Ibrahimović was the man to score the match-winning goal.
Dallas are one of the most formidable sides in Major League Soccer when it comes to home form, however that odds on price this weekend doesn’t create a hint of temptation. They lost their last two home outings of last season, conceding five goals, and they didn’t appear to be too impressive against New England last weekend.
LA Galaxy are a new-look team this year under fresh management in Guillermo Barros Schelotto and they are showing signs that they may now be well-drilled when it comes to their previous defensive fragilities.
Winning on the road in Dallas might be a tough ask for the Galaxy, but 13/10 for them to run away with a point at least is a punt worth considering.
Seattle Sounders v Colorado Rapids | Sunday 10th March 2019, 03:30
Seattle Sounders enjoyed a great start to the season last weekend as they cruised to a 4-1 victory over MLS new boys FC Cincinnati. The Sounders went behind early on, but their squad superiority and experience came through in the end as they brushed Major League Soccer’s latest franchise aside.
Colorado Rapids are the next side to visit CenturyLink Field and I think they are in for a rude awakening despite their vast improvement off the field over the winter months. They earned a dramatic point against Portland Timbers last weekend whilst playing in record-breaking low temperatures, but I think they will be well beaten on this occasion.
Jordan Morris scored a brace last weekend on his return to the Seattle starting line-up after spending the entire 2018 campaign on the side-lines with an ACL injury. Star man Raul Ruidiaz also found the back of the net, kicking off what should be a prolific season for the reliable Peruvian.
The Rapids are going to be a much better side than they were last year, but I feel most of the improvements they have made are going forward after the arrivals of Kei Kamara from Vancouver Whitecaps and Diego Rubio from Sporting Kansas City.
They still seem suspect defensively and that was there for all to see last weekend. The Portland Timbers are a great side, don’t get me wrong, but you can’t be scoring three goals at home and coming away with just the solitary point.
I envision a comfortable three of four nil victory for the Rave Green of Seattle in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Best Bets
FC Dallas v LA Galaxy – LA Galaxy double chance (13/10 Bet365)
Seattle Sounders v Colorado Rapids – Seattle Sounders to score 3+ goals (6/5 SkyBet)
