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Unfortunately, I'm not sure if I will have access to the internet this weekend, so I'm posting these plays early just in case. This weekend's WC qualifiers mean that a number of MLS teams are missing their top players so some of the results could be unpredictable, but I capped the games with this in mind and these are what I'm playing.. I also included my biggest play of the year so far, I really like the game and was waiting for the lines, but it's obviously no guarantee..
Record: 14-15-1 (+8.69*)
Picks:
5* Real Salt Lake pk (-105) over FC Dallas
This line may actually shift to our favor in the next 24 hours as on the surface it looks like a gift getting the top team in the West as a pick'em against the expansion goats coming off a 3-0 loss at Chicago and Dallas owning the 3-0 home win over Real in April. But there are a number of reasons why I like Salt Lake in this one, of which I'll include a few.
#1 One of the few systems that I'm confident in for MLS is to play teams after a 3 goal or worse shutout loss. Over the past 2 years, teams in this situation are 10-0-5 (Salt Lake lost last time out 3-0).
#2 The home crowd should be more than twice the size of their average 17-18,000 as the game immediately follows the WC Qualifier between US and Costa Rica.
#3 I don't normally rely on injuries to cap games, but Dallas is missing half of their original starting line-up for this one including all of their offensive punch. Ruiz, the leading goal-scorer in all of MLS is out with injury. Eddie Johnson, who scored 6 goals in his first 4 international caps and has 5 goals in 9 MLS games this year, is out for nat call-up. In addition, Carey Talley, Richard Mulrooney, Greg Vanney, and Ramon Nunez are all out for this one. RSL is missing just one significant contributer and that's Eddie Pope.
3* Chicago -1 (+104) over Chivas
The worst team in MLS on the road playing their 3rd game in 7 days and with their 3rd head coach in 7 days.
2* NE -0.5 (-108) over KC Wizards
NE is without Dempsey and Ralston, but KC is playing without Wolff and Zavagnin. New England is still undefeated on the year and 4-0-1 at home. I think you have to keep riding the hot hand here.
1* Metrostars +0.5 (-108) over LA Galaxy
Galaxy just aren't the same team without Donovan around (1-1-1 with the win against Chivas and only 2 goals in 3 games). Meanwhile, the Metros are one of the best road teams in MLS with a 3-1-0 mark and just 2 goals against.
Record: 14-15-1 (+8.69*)
Picks:
5* Real Salt Lake pk (-105) over FC Dallas
This line may actually shift to our favor in the next 24 hours as on the surface it looks like a gift getting the top team in the West as a pick'em against the expansion goats coming off a 3-0 loss at Chicago and Dallas owning the 3-0 home win over Real in April. But there are a number of reasons why I like Salt Lake in this one, of which I'll include a few.
#1 One of the few systems that I'm confident in for MLS is to play teams after a 3 goal or worse shutout loss. Over the past 2 years, teams in this situation are 10-0-5 (Salt Lake lost last time out 3-0).
#2 The home crowd should be more than twice the size of their average 17-18,000 as the game immediately follows the WC Qualifier between US and Costa Rica.
#3 I don't normally rely on injuries to cap games, but Dallas is missing half of their original starting line-up for this one including all of their offensive punch. Ruiz, the leading goal-scorer in all of MLS is out with injury. Eddie Johnson, who scored 6 goals in his first 4 international caps and has 5 goals in 9 MLS games this year, is out for nat call-up. In addition, Carey Talley, Richard Mulrooney, Greg Vanney, and Ramon Nunez are all out for this one. RSL is missing just one significant contributer and that's Eddie Pope.
3* Chicago -1 (+104) over Chivas
The worst team in MLS on the road playing their 3rd game in 7 days and with their 3rd head coach in 7 days.
2* NE -0.5 (-108) over KC Wizards
NE is without Dempsey and Ralston, but KC is playing without Wolff and Zavagnin. New England is still undefeated on the year and 4-0-1 at home. I think you have to keep riding the hot hand here.
1* Metrostars +0.5 (-108) over LA Galaxy
Galaxy just aren't the same team without Donovan around (1-1-1 with the win against Chivas and only 2 goals in 3 games). Meanwhile, the Metros are one of the best road teams in MLS with a 3-1-0 mark and just 2 goals against.
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