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Friday, April 7
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Montreal Impact (10:30 PM ET)
The Galaxy’s rough start to the season continues. LA got drilled 4-2 by the Vancouver Whitecaps last week, their third loss in four games this season. However, there’s no reason to panic just yet. The Galaxy just got their trio of stars in Giovani dos Santos, Gyasi Zardes, and Ashley Cole back in that match, and will take some time to get back up to speed. Meanwhile, Romain Alessandrini got a couple of goals against the Caps, which should be encouraging.
As for Montreal, they are also in the midst of a slow start after drawing three and losing one of their first four games. This will already be the Impact’s fourth away game in five this season. They have a habit of drawing games away from home. They already have two this season, and have nine in their last 17 away games, with just three wins and five losses.
Writer’s Prediction: The Galaxy (-177) beat the Impact, 2-0.
Saturday, April 8
Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew (2:00 PM ET)
Bastian Schweinsteiger’s Chicago Fire debut was almost perfect. The German great got a debut goal to give the Fire the lead, but they gave up a late equalizer and had to settle for a 2-2 draw at home against the Impact. Schweini and co. will remain at home, where they are still undefeated in two games this season, to host the high-flying Columbus Crew.
The Crew went top of the Eastern Conference after they took care of Orlando City, 2-0. That was their third straight win after starting the season with a draw and a loss. Justin Meram (3 goals, 2 assists) is playing spectacularly for the Crew, who have one of the more impressive attacking forces in the league at the moment. Columbus is unbeaten (two wins, three draws) in their last five MLS meetings with the Fire.
Writer’s Prediction: The Fire (+113) cool off the Crew and get a 2-1 home win.
New England Revolution vs. Houston Dynamo (2:00 PM ET)
After starting the season with back-to-back losses, the Revs have picked up two straight positive results. They thrashed Minnesota United 5-2, and held the West-leading Portland Timbers to a 1-1 draw last week. Star midfielder Lee Nguyen got on the scoresheet for the third game running, and will continue to pull the strings for a very talented Revs frontline. New England has lost only twice in 11 regular season home games against Houston (4-2-5).
As for the Dynamo, they’re still right on the heels of the Timbers atop the West as they beat the New York Red Bulls, 4-1, at home. The Dynamo have now won three of their last four games. After his hat-trick against the Red Bulls, Erick Torres is now the league’s leading scorer with six goals this season. Houston will be looking to get their first win of the season away from home. They lost their lone away game to date, 4-2, to the Timbers.
Writer’s Prediction: The Revs and Dynamo play out an entertaining 2-2 draw (+250).
DC United vs. New York City FC (4:00 PM ET)
DC United finally got off the schneid as they scored their first two goals of the season in a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union. DCU broke their three-game scoreless run despite missing top striker Patrick Mullins, who’s still nursing a hamstring injury. Mullins is likely to miss out once again this weekend against New York.
NYCFC picked up their second win in three home games this season with a 2-1 triumph over San Jose. Their first win, of course, came against DC, who they smacked 4-0 in the second week of the season. Reigning MVP David Villa picked up two goals and an assist, and will be eager to terrorize the DC defense once again.
Writer’s Prediction: NYCFC (+210) makes it two wins out of two against DC.
Philadelphia Union vs. Portland Timbers (7:00 PM ET)
Philly is still searching for its first win of the season after starting the season with two draws and two losses. CJ Sapong scored for the third time in three games in last week’s 2-1 loss to DC United. Sapong has been virtually the team’s entire offense to start the season, while their defense has been shaky.
That’s not a great combination to have against a free-scoring Timbers team that already has 13 goals in five games. Portland has failed to win in back-to-back games after coming out of the games with three straight wins, but this is definitely a great opportunity for them to get back on track. Portland has lost just once in seven all-time meetings against the Union (3-1-3).
Writer’s Prediction: The Timbers (+192) take down the Union, 3-1.
Toronto FC vs. Atlanta United FC (7:30 PM ET)
East champions Toronto FC have had a sluggish start to their season. They’re still undefeated – the lone remaining East team yet to take an L – but they have just one win and three draws, and only four goals scored. They were held to a goalless draw last weekend in their home opener against Sporting Kansas City.
Sebastian Giovinco and co. will have to rediscover their shooting boots for the visit of Atlanta United. The expansion side’s exciting attack might not be quite the same without injured top scorer Josef Martinez, but Atlanta showed how well-rounded they actually are as they impressively held the defending champion Seattle Sounders to a 0-0 draw away from home.
Writer’s Prediction: Atlanta holds Toronto to another draw (+280), 1-1.
FC Dallas vs. Minnesota United FC (8:00 PM ET)
FC Dallas have to put their shock CONCACAF Champions League exit behind them for the visit of Minnesota United. Dallas has won two of its first three games this season, including its lone home game against New England, 2-1. However, the Toros will be out a couple of starters in Maxi Urruti, who was injured in their loss to Pachuca, and suspended defender Maynor Figueroa.
As for Minnesota, they finally got their first-ever franchise win, 4-2, over Real Salt Lake. That snapped a disastrous run of three defeats in their last four, with 18 goals conceded. Their defense could see some marked improvement with the help of their new acquisitions, defensive midfielder Sam Cronin and fullback Marc Burch.
Writer’s Prediction: FC Dallas (-267) take out their frustrations on Minnesota and come away 3-1 winners.
Real Salt Lake vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (9:30 PM ET)
Real Salt Lake took on the mantle of worst team in the league after their humiliating defeat to Minnesota last week. RSL have scored just three goals in their first five games, while their injury crisis in defense deepens. Chris Schuler should be back to provide some competence in the middle of their defense for the visit of Vancouver. Designated players Joao Plata and Yura Movsisyan, who has scored in back-to-back games, should also be available to lead the attack.
Meanwhile, Vancouver might have turned a corner recently. After starting the season with a draw and two losses, the Caps got a big 4-2 home win over the Galaxy last weekend. Former Seattle star Fredy Montero finally got going with a goal and an assist against L.A. The Caps have dominated their matchup win Real Salt Lake, winning five of their last six meetings.
Writer’s Prediction: Vancouver makes Real Salt Lake wait for its first win as the Caps (+250) claim a 2-1 win.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Seattle Sounders (10:30 PM ET)
San Jose’s strong start is becoming a distant memory after back-to-back away defeats. Perhaps a return home, where they got those first two wins, might do the trick. The Quakes have just three losses in their last 24 home games (11-3-10), and just one loss in nine all-time home games against Seattle (5-1-3). Veteran striker Chris Wondolowski loves playing Seattle. He has 10 goals against the Sounders, the most by any Seattle opponent in MLS.
As for the Sounders, they hope a full week will be enough time for the likes of Clint Dempsey and Nicolas Lodeiro to shake off their international duty-induced malaise against Atlanta. The Sounders have yet to win in two away games this season, which is a continuation of their road struggles. They are just 3-7-4 in their last 13 regular season away games, and have not kept a single clean sheet during that time.
Writer’s Prediction: The Quakes hold Seattle to a 1-1 draw (+214).
Sunday, April 9
Orlando City SC vs. New York Red Bulls (4:00 PM ET)
Both Orlando City and New York will be looking to bounce back from embarrassing defeats last week. The Lions went down 2-0 to Columbus, while the Red Bulls were rocked 4-1 by Houston.
With Kaka out injured, Cyle Larin has basically been the entire offense for Orlando this season, and has all three of the team’s goals. Both of Orlando’s wins this season have come at home. The Red Bulls’ outstanding attack, on the other hand, has yet to fire on all cylinders after just five goals in five games. Both of New York’s losses have come away from home.
Writer’s Prediction: Orlando (+127) remain perfect at home as they get a 2-1 win.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Colorado Rapids (7:00 PM ET)
Goals might be at a premium when Sporting Kansas City takes on the Colorado Rapids. The seven total games the two teams have played this season have seen a grand total of just nine goals combined. Sporting KC have scored just two goals and conceded one in their first four games (one win, three draws). Meanwhile, the Rapids have scored three and conceded three in their first three games (1-1-1).
The overwhelming edge in head-to-head belongs to the Rapids, though. Colorado has won its last five meetings with SKC (three at home, two away).
Writer’s Prediction: This game likely ends in a low- (or no-) scoring draw. Take the total to go UNDER 2.5 goals.
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