The weekend MLS action only has 5 games with 2 on Saturday, June 7 and 3 on Sunday June 8. With a ton of international call-ups, be sure to check the lineups before betting. But I’ll cover the key call-ups as I go this this weekend’s shortened schedule and MLS predictions.
DC vs Chicago Prediction
For international call-ups, DC is out a few players in Enow, Herrera, Fletcher, Peltola and Rowles. That’s both central midfielders and both wingbacks who started last game in a win over Cincy.
DC is not good, but they’ve improved with only 1 loss in 6 and 2 in 9. Scoring twice against Cincy is impressive, albeit Cincy’s defense hasn’t been up to par. But then neither has Chicago’s that’s conceded in 5 straight. The Fire have given up the 4th most goals in the East and DC’s the 3rd most.
Chicago has seen the BTTS and O2.5 hit in 5 straight and in every single road game this season.
Chicago are out keeper Brady, U17 Cupps, Glasgow and Oregel Jr. That’s a mid, centerback and keeper from their last game, a win over Orlando.
While DC doesn’t have a ton of offensive weapons, the Fire give up the most xGA in the East and the 4th-most overall.
The good news is neither team lost any more offensive players. DC has alreayd been out Benteke.
It was 2-2 back in March. Last year it was 1-1 and 2-1 DC. DC is 2-3-0 in the pas 5 meetings.
- MLS Picks Today: Both Teams to Score
Colorado vs Austin Prediction
Only 3 players are away for Colorado and 2 for Austin, but only 1 senior player in Uzuni, so this game shouldn’t be missing too many key players.
A big miss though is Rapids keeper Steffen. He was called up to the USA and to make matters worse, suffered a knee injury so backup Hansen should get the nod.
The Rapids won 1-0 in March in their most recent meeting. But that’s 1 of only 6 wins for Colorado this season.
Austin isn’t much better with just 5.
Much of that comes from a lack of scoring. Austin has scored a league-low 11 goals, while Colorado has just 18 (7th-fewest). It’s also the fewest of any current playoff teams in the league.
The Rapids had back-to-back 1-0 wins before losing 2-1 to Portland last game, giving up the winner after taking a red card. The Under 2.5 has gone 4-1 in their recent games and they have only 2 wins in 8.
The Verde have just 1 win 7 themselves, lost 2-0 last week to San Diego and the Under 2.5 is 4-2 in recent games.
Both teams see some of the lowest GPG with Austin the fewest at 1.8 GPG in their matches and the Rapids 2.5. Austin is 13-4 to Under 2.5 and a near-perfect 16-1 to Under 3.5. Colorad is 13-3 to Under 3.5.
- MLS Picks Today: Under 3.5
- Parlay Picks: DC vs Chicago btts / Colorado vs Austin under 3.5 (+112)
Portland vs St. Louis Prediction
Portland is only out 3 players, though 1 is keeper Crepeau, while St. Louis is out youngsters Joyner and Pearce, but neither started or were on the bench last game so both teams should look relatively normal.
The Timbers snapped a 4-game winless streak where they had only scored 1 goal and won 2-1 over the Rapids last week, but it was 1-1 until the Rapids took a red card. After wild games to start the year, the Under 2.5 is recently 5-1.
St. Louis got the new coath bump with interim David Critchley last week. They went up 1-0 vs SJ, saw the Quakes level late in the 82’, then re-took the lead in stoppage time with a PK, took a red card from Wallem in the 96’ and go the 2-1 win.
That was St. Louis’ 1st win 5 and only their 2nd in 14. Both were at home, and 1 was in the USOC so it’s their first MLS win since March 15. Their last road MLS win was March 9.
Last year these teams went from a 0-0 draw in MLs, to 3-1 St. Louis win in Leagues Cup, to a 4-4 draw in MLS.
Maybe the new coach bump continues but St. Louis have just 6 goals in 8 road games, and against a team with plenty of goals in it, I’d expect a Timbers win. But this St. Louis team won’t be as defensive as they were under Olof Mellberg. I found this stat while reading the MLS site: St. Louis increased their number of passes in the final third, from Mellberg’s last game to Critchley’s first, by almost 60%.
- MLS Picks Today: Both to Score (-180)
Vancouver vs Seattle Prediction
The Caps already needed to regroup after getting blown out in the CCC Final last Sunday. They’ll have to do so now without 9 players who have been called up to their international teams, among the most of any team in MLS.
The Sounders are out Baker—Whiting, De Rosario and Hawkins, each were on the bench last week.
It’s the first meeting this year but last season Vancouver won 2-0 on the road, they drew 1-1 in Seattle and then Seattle won 3-0 in Vancouver. The BTTS No and Under 2.5 are both 3-1 in the last 4 meetings.
The Caps still have only 1 loss in MLS but are out a ton of players so if picking a winner, I’d likely go Seattle. They’ve only lost twice in 10 games. But have only scored more than 1 goal in a game once in 5 games.
Vancouver may have to bunker while missing players, maybe this is a good Under. The Sounders have only scored 7 road goals in 9 games.
- MLS Picks Today: Under 2.5 (-120)
LAFC vs SKC Prediction
LAFC are out Martinez, Ordaz, Smolyakov and youngster Terry. For SKC, it’s only Bassong and a young backup keeper.
LAFC already won 2-0 in SK back in March. They won 2/3 last year, drawing the other, but one win needed extra-time. LAFC have not lost to SKC in any of their past 9 meetigns going back to 2021 being 7-2-0.
LAFC will be coming in off a high qualifying for the Club World Cup by beating Club America 2-1 last week. That extends their undefeated streak to 9 games (4-5-0) where they’ve scored multiple goals in each. They’ve also conceded in 3 straight (5 goals) and in 7 of those 9.
SKC have an undefeated streak of their own at 1-3-0 to go with just 1 loss in 6. The scoring is picking up with a 3-3 draw and 3-1 win in their last 2 but they too have struggled defensively allowing goals in 4/5 (7 goals).
Both are scoring and conceding. LAFC are the better side and home, but SKC have a hot striker in Jovelic who scored a brace last game and has goals in 3 straight. SInce Kerry Zavagnin took over as coach for SKC, they have 19 goals in 10 league games.
- MLS Picks Today: BTTS & Over 2.5 (-125)
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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.
