The World Cup Finals is finally over, but there is still plenty of great soccer to watch. The Major League Soccer season is in its latter stages and action is heating up as teams jockey for position in their bid to qualify for the playoffs.
Four games are on the agenda on July 16 but the big one is between Canadian rivals Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC as the two work to solidify their playoff positioning. Read on for everything you need to know about this upcoming showdown in the MLS and create a betting account to get into the action now and through the rest of the season.
[sc:Soccer ]Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC, Major League Soccer, Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
When: July 16, 8:00 PM ET
Betting on Vancouver Whitecaps FC
The Whitecaps are coming off a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Chivas USA last week that blew the Western Conference playoff race wide open. The defeat meant that Vancouver’s advantage for the fifth and final spot in the Western Conference standings was whittled down to a solitary point with the LA Galaxy posting 24 points with two games in hand while Chivas is now trailing by just two points.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Whitecaps were left to rue their missed opportunities against Chivas where they squandered a 1-0 advantage at halftime and went on to lose, 3-1. Even though they were down to 10 men early on in the second half, they still created several chances but were just unable to hit the back of the net.
It won’t get any easier for the Whitecaps as they travel cross-country to face Toronto FC. The two teams have split their last four meetings.
Leading the way for the Whitecaps this season is Pedro Morales. The 29-year-old Chilean has been splendid for Vancouver, leading the club with six goals. The problem lately for Vancouver however is their leaky defense. They have allowed nine goals in their last five games and will have to do better if they are to stop Toronto FC.
The Whitecaps have just won twice in their last six games and haven’t won on the road since their 4-3 conquest of Portland last June 1.
Betting on Toronto FC
After a string of bad results, Toronto FC finally produced a performance worthy of its position in the Eastern Conference standings as they outclassed Houston 4-2 last week to solidify their hold on the third spot in the East.
Jermaine Defoe has been the catalyst for Toronto’s resurgence this year and he was once again the key in their come from behind win against Houston. Trailing 2-0, Defoe showed the class that once made him one of the top stars in the English Premier League, creating two goals just before the break before scoring twice himself in the second half to boost his goal tally to 10 and also improve the chances of Toronto qualifying for the MLS playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Toronto FC has missed the playoffs the past seven years but is in good position to break that streak with the Canadian club currently in third with 24 points, four clear of sixth-place Columbus Crew with three games in hand.
They can add to that total with a win against Vancouver and they will be confident they can pull it off with the form they are currently in. Toronto FC has won four of their last five home games scoring 11 goals in the process. Their current form is also steady as they have won thrice in their past six games.
Toronto also won their last meeting with Vancouver this year, beating them in the Canadian Championship to advance to the finals. The two-leg semis ended 3-3 on aggregate but Toronto pulled it off in the end, winning 5-3 on penalties.
Writer’s Prediction
Toronto FC will continue their stellar home form and beat Vancouver 2-0 to fortify their grip on third place and a possible playoff spot. Create a betting account now and see if you can predict who will win this highly-anticipated Canadian matchup in the MLS.
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