MLS Week 13 kicks off on Wednesday, May 14 with almost all teams playing with 26 playing in 13 games so there’s lot to choose from for our MLS predictions. But this is also the first midweek slate. These middle of the week rounds often see some squad rotation, so it may not be the best idea to go too hard in the bets before checking some game-day lineups.
MLS Picks & Parlays #1
Philadelphia vs LA Prediction
The winless streak continues for LA who now own the record for the worst-ever start to season being winless in 13. They gave up a TD to the Red Bulls this weekend in a 7-0 loss.
LA was extra short-handed with both Pec and Paintsil sidelined and they’re likely out again.
Philly were moments away from a 2-1 win over Columbus before a late tying goals made it 22-. The Union haven’t lost in 5 though, with 3 wins, a PK win in the USOC and then the weekend draw.
They’ve been out top keeper Blake for 2 games and he could miss out again.
It’s been 2 years since they last played but LA has won 3 straight and are undefeated vs the Union in 8 meetings going back to 2012. So it’s been a long time since Philly came out on top, although not many games.
This “should” be an easy Philly win. You just have to expect some sorta response from LA. I’ve seen it so many times in multiple sports when a team is god awful (7-0) one game, they reply in some way. But then they have a bigger game against rivals LAFC this weekend as well to consider.
Philly’s Tai Barino leads the league with 8 goals. This should be a prime game for him to add to that. Speaking of players being rested, he hasn’t played more than 73 minutes in any of the last 4 games. He has gone 3/1 and 4/1 in shots/on target in his last 2 games and scored on the weekend.
- MLS Predictions: Philadelphia double chance + Tai Baribo 1+ shot on target
Montreal vs Columbus Prediction
The Crew already beat Montreal once this season, 2-1 in Columbus in April. Last year it was 0-0 and 3-1 Crew. Columbus is now 4–2-0 vs Montreal in 6.
If only Montreal could only play NYCFC. They got their first win on the weekend in New York, winning 1-0. Before that, they’d not won since last year’s Decision Day, also over NYCFC.
Montreal may be 1-3-8, but they don’t often get blown out. They’re 8-4 to Under 2.5, allowing 16 goals in 12 games, while only scoring 6. Those 6 scored are easily the worst in MLS and won’t be enough to get many more wins, especially vs top teams like Columbus.
The Crew were moments away from a loss in Philly but scored in the 94’ minute to end level at 2s.
They’ve scored 20 goals while allowing 12, have scored 8 goals in their past 3 games, multiple goals in 6/7, have only 2 losses in all competitions this season and just 1 loss in their past 11 (1-0 to Miami, a game they dominated). They’re not as tight defensively as in the past having given up a goal or more in 7 straight and 9/10.
The Crew should win. They certainly shouldn’t lose unless we see a ton of rotation.
- MLS Predictions: Columbus to score
Orlando vs Charlotte Prediction
The crazy 6-game shutout streak is over for Orlando. But the undefeated streak is not. They drew New England 3-3 on the weekend. That makes them 4-6-0 in their past 10. While they’ve not scored in 4/7, in their past 4 games, they have a 3-0 win, 0-0 draw, 5-0 win (USOC) and then a 3-3 draw. So they’ve started to regain their scoring boots. Last weekend it was the Martin Ojeda show, as the Argentine scored a hat-trick.
Charlotte’s road woes continued on Saturday as they lost 2-1 away to Nashville. They’re 1-1-4 and outscored 11-6 on their travels, only shutting out a 1-win Montreal team.
Go further back and in MLS, the Crown have 2 road wins in 14 (Montreal and DC).
Look at all current matches and they’ve lost 3/4, only beating North Carolina in the USOC, but needing extra-time to do so.
With Pep Biel and several others injured, they could be somewhat short-handed.
They’ve also given up the 2nd-most shots on target against. You’d have to like Orlando to win or at least score to improve the parlay slightly.
- MLS Predictions: Orlando to score
- Parlay Picks: Philly double chance + Tai Baribo 1+ shot on target / Columbus to score / Orlando to score (+109)
MLS Picks & Parlays #2
Into the night slate for these MLS predictions.
San Jose vs Miami Prediction
In the game where I expected the most goals this weekend, between Colorado and San Jose, there were only 2. And both from the Quakes in a 2-0 win. Meaning San Jose did something they’d not done since Week 1, a run of 11 overall games … keep a clean sheet.
They’ve scored 8 goals in their past 3 games now, all wins, an the BTTS and Over 2.5 is 6-1.
Miami could be losing some of that invisibility factor. They lost 4-1 in Minnesota on the weekend and have just 1 win in their last 5 games across all matches. The defense has been ripped apart with scores of 2-0 (loss), 4-3 (loss), 3-1 (loss), 4-1 (win) and 4-1 (loss). That’s 14 goals conceded in 5 games.
I’m not ready to jump off the goals, goals, goals train that has been SJ quite yet. Shutting out Colorado is different than shutting out Miami. But San Jose has the league’s top offense and Miami hasn’t been shutting out anyone lately. The Herons were missing Saurez this weekend but still have plenty of players who can score if he’s out again.
The Quakes are out an attacker too in Josef Martinez. Which means more touches for Arango. And likely more shots. Nobody has taken more shots than Arango (44) of which he has 16 on target and 8 goals.
The BTTS & Over 2.5 comes in at -143 at Caesars.
This will anchor my late-night parlay with 2 other games.
- MLS Predictions: BTTS and Over 2.5
RSL vs Portland Prediction
RSL drew Dallas 1-1 on the weekend, their first draw of the season. It was another game without a win, something they have only 1 of in 5 and just 2 of in 8. Only a 2-0 home shutout of the still winless LA Galaxy is their only clean sheet in 10 games.
With that said, you’d have to think Portland can score. RSL are also without several starting defenders.
They’ve also scored in all but 2 games this season and have 22 total goals, tied for the 4th-most in MLS. They could only manage 1 on the weekend in defeating SKC 1-0 but have scored 22 goals in their past 9 games and 3 or more in 4/6. It’s just 1 loss in 10.
Last year Portland won 3–0 in Oregon and it was 3-3 in Salt Lake. The Timbers haven’t lost in the last 4 meetings. There’s been 3+ goals in 5/6 meetings too.
- MLS Predictions: Portland to score
San Diego vs Colorado Prediction
It’s already the second meeting between them with Colorado winning 3-2 recently on April 3-2 in Colorado. That one was 1-1 at half, before the Rapids took as 3-1 lead and San Diego scored a second late in the 89’.
The Rapids got shut out to Sam Jose 2-0 this weekend and haven’t won in 4 games, not since beating San Diego. They’ve also given up 2+ goals now in 5 of their past 6.
Which won’t be good news vs a San Diego attack that has the league’s 2nd-best offense that has seen 12 different players score, led by Anders Dreyer with 5 and Chucky Lozano with 4.
San Diego had lost 3 straight (3-2, 3-0 and 3-1), but then won 5-0 lat weekend and then in St. Louis this weekend 2-1.
Their games see the 4th-highest GPG at 3.3. They’ve scored in 11/12, conceded in 8/12 and the Over 2.5 is 9-3.
For players props, Lozano has 4 goals has a shot on target in 3/4 but not last game despite piling up 5 shot attempts. Shot attempt props may be the way to go with him. He has 19 attempts in his last 4 games, but only 3 on target.
Anders Dreyer has 5 goals, a goal in back-to-back games, 8 attempts/4 on tasrget in his last 3 and at least 1 shot on target in 5/6.
I do like San Diego to win, to score 2+ or the BTTS as better-paying options. I certainly see 2+ goals in this parlay.
- MLS Predictions: Over 1.5
- Parlay Picks: Sam Jose vs Miami btts & over 2.5 / Portland to score / San Diego vs Colorado over 1.5 (+160)
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Ryan Métivier is a seasoned editor, writer and communications professional with years of experience in all fields. When it comes to covering sports, he’s written for numerous outlets and organizations including the OHL, CHL, SportsXpress, Sports Betting Dime, Cleveland.com, MassLive, FanSided and others.
While he’ll always cheer for his hometown Toronto teams, when it comes to betting, his only allegiance is his bankroll. Ryan specializes in global soccer, the NFL and the NHL, but if there is a bet to be made, he’ll make it. As the founder of Shred The Spread, Ryan focuses on combining storylines, trends, analytics and good bankroll management to creating simple bets that make sense.
When not making a case for why both teams will score in an MLS soccer match, he can be found focusing his efforts on fitness, attempting to learn Spanish, cooking or planning his travel adventure.
