AN 11/1 midweek MLS treble, what can Will Dyer (@w2Dyer) tip up this weekend in the USA?
DC United v Toronto FC | Sunday 00:00
If you’re still buzzing from the Champions League Final and want to gorge yourself on more footy then MLS has seven Saturday night games for your enjoyment.
International friendlies this weekend have given me a few more reasons to be optimistic on a few sides chances. Toronto FC will be without midfield maestro Michael Bradley and, as regular followers will know, I don’t need much encouragement to back DC United this season.
The Men In Red are unbeaten in nine games at home, winning six and have a remarkable record when conceding first: W4 D3 L1. That stat just proves how good this DC team is when they are in full flow. I mentioned it a few times to people in midweek; I think we might have this season’s MLS Cup winners right here.
How much do DC have to do before the bookmakers make them odds-on at home? Not only will they get Chris Rolfe back from suspension this weekend but Fabian Espindola and Luis Silva might also start.
Espindola completely changed the game when he came on playing a huge role in both of Jairo Arrieta’s goals in United’s second half dismantling of Chicago Fire. That was the first time DC have scored three goals this season and I think confidence is high in the Capital.
Toronto have also recorded back to back wins but I think they were rather fortunate against San Jose who had plenty of chances and possession. They also allowed Portland the majority of the ball the week before and I think a similar approach at RFK on Saturday night will be costly.
Philadelphia Union v New York City | Sunday 00:00 | Sky Sports 1
I mentioned in midweek that Philly have really turned things around and they made a statement with a 3-0 comprehensive victory over rivals Columbus Crew at PPL Park on Wednesday night. A few weeks ago I would have said this fixture would be tough to call but it’s a no brainer for me now.
Union’s front men are firing on all cylinders. C.J Sapong, Sebastian Le Toux and Vincent Noguiera have all scored two goals in their last three games and Union have thus won three of their last four.
NYCFC continue to struggle, especially away from Yankee Stadium. In my opinion Mix Diskerud is their best player and as he’s away on international duty with the USMNT I have to oppose the new franchise. Houston extended NYC’s winless run to 11 games last weekend and it’s now just three games away from an MLS record for a new franchise.
These two have already met twice this season. The MLS schedule is the 8th Wonder of the World, I swear. Anyway, Union won the home fixture 2-1 even though they really weren’t playing well back in April.
Three clean sheet wins in their last four with the only defeat coming at DC United, kings of the comeback and top of the league, hardly a disappointment. From what I’ve seen lately I can’t look past a Philadelphia win live on Sky Sports at midnight.
Sporting Kansas City v Seattle Sounders | Sunday 01:30
These two fought out a surprisingly tepid 0-0 draw at CenturyLink Field just last month but I’m willing to look past that this weekend. Sporting have scored precisely four goals in three of their last six matches and remain unbeaten at home whilst Seattle top the away table and continue to grind out results.
This game sees five players line up that have scored four or more goals so far this season. They are Dom Dwyer, Krisztian Nemeth and Benny Feilhaber for SKC and Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey for Seattle. Nemeth has been one of the signings of the season for my money; signing for Dutch side Roda and scoring six goals in 11 appearances.
The match odds are hard to call here, Sporting look short at 5/4 against one of the best sides in MLS but equally I can’t see them winning. One thing I can see is goals and, at odds against, Over 2.5 is definitely the bet with so much attacking talent on show.
Real Salt Lake v Colorado Rapids | Sunday 22:00 | Sky Sports 1
I’m sure Real would normally be odds-on to win this but with their starting goalkeeper Nick Rimando and star player Kyle Beckerman (the white guy with the dreads) away with the US national team they seem to be in for a tough time.
RSL have only won two of their six home games and both were against Eastern Conference opponents, well regarded as the weaker Conference. Colorado have only lost one of their six away games and that was at CenturyLink Field, home of the Sounders, which is a notoriously tough fixture.
They actually have a +3 away goal difference. Only one other side has a positive away goal difference in the whole league – Seattle.
Rapids hankering for draws makes them a little tough to back, even at 13/5, but I don’t see them losing this with Salt Lake’s poor recent form. The hosts have lost three of their last four and only Dallas have conceded more than their 18 goals in 14 games.
This match takes centre stage on Sky Sport’s coverage and I’ll happily take the 3/4 on Pablo Mastraeoni’s men avoiding defeat at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Best Bets
DC United v Toronto FC – DC United to win (5/4 Betway)
Philadelphia Union v New York City – Philadelphia Union to win (Evens William Hill)
Sporting Kansas City v Seattle Sounders – Over 2.5 Goals (11/10 Paddy Power)
Real Salt Lake v Colorado Rapids – Colorado Rapids Double Chance (3/4 Bet365)
