This is a chaotic and confusing weekend of MLS. The league has been down during Leagues Cup (LC). But now it’s back. But Leagues Cup isn’t over. The quarters aren’t being played until Aug 19/20, over a week from now.between There’s also the USOC and Canadian Championship in between MLS and LC play. It’s kinda bonkers.
I started these picks, mostly focusing on teams that did not play in Leagues Cup or had been knocked out. But have now targeted a few that played too on Sunday. Let’s check out these 7 games for this weekend’s MLS predictions.
MLS Picks and Parlays #1
Philadelphia vs Toronto Prediction
Neither team played in Leagues Cup. Philly leads the Supporters’ Shield race and Toronto … well they do not.
The Union went into the break undefeated in 4 (3-1-0) with only 2 losses in 19.
Philly also signed Illoski. He was on loan with San Diego this season and scored 10 goals in 471 minutes including 4 goals in 12 minutes. He then went back to Denmark at FC Nordsjaelland and how now quickly returned to MLS, claimed off waivers by the Union.
TFC mange to keep many games close but they were shut out in their last 2 games, have 1 win in 5 and 4 wins in 15 in all comps. The also made a new signing, bringing over Djodje Mihailovic from Colorado as a new DP.
The Union won 2-1 in Toronto and May and I’d think they should win again. TFC haven’t won in Philly since 2019.
- MLS Picks Today: Philly to win
Chicago vs LAFC Prediction
9th in the East Chicago hosts 6th in the West LAFC.
Chicago are lower seeded but should be fresher having not been in Leagues Cup. But they’re one of the worst home teams at 3-4-4.
The Fire went into the break off a 2-2 draw and wins of 2-0 and 1-0 and have scored in 14/16. Two shutouts are rare for them, having conceded in 13/15.
LAFC was in Leagues Cup. They drew 1-1 vs Mazatlan and lost in PKs. Then drew 1-1 vs Pachuca and won in PKs. Then, despite rotating their lineup, upset Tigres 2-1 with 2 goals from youngster David Martinez. It wasn’t enough and they’re out. The big news came off the field, signing Tottenham legend Son. Not sure if he’ll start but he was in the building the other day. They should have some fresh legs as players like Bouanga and others didn’t play vs Tigres.
But LAFC have not won in regulation in any of their past 5 games. And away from home they have just 1 win in their past 11 away or neutral games.
- MLS Picks Today: Both Teams to Score
- Parlay Picks: Philadelphia to win / CHI vs LAFC btts (+123)
MLS Picks and Parlays #2
Austin vs Houston Prediction
Neither of these teams are very good but it’s a Texas rivalry so there should be some fireworks. Austin won 3-1 in May. But Houston won 2-0 in April. Both won at home. Austin is home this time. And Houston has lost 6/7 at Q2.
The Verde should be rested having not played in LC. They won 2-1 and 4-2 before the break, are undefeated in 4 and have only 2 losses in 13, with 10 goals scored in 7 games, but … they’ve drawn 6 times in that span.
Houston were winless in 3 going into the LC break and performed poorly in the tournament losing 4-1 to Tigres, 2-0 to Mazatlan and 2-1 to Pachuca. They were the only team to get 0 points. In 14 games, they have 1 shutout vs St. Louis.
Austin to win or just to score in this parlay. They are out their top injured scorer, Vazquez.
- MLS Picks Today: Austin to score
SKC vs San Diego Prediction
In their only meeting ever in May it was 0-0.
SD played in LC. They lost 3-2 to Pachuca. Then in a curious case of coaching, Mikey Varas rested playing in Game 2. They lost 2-1 to Tigres and were eliminated. Then, he didn’t rest players in Game 3 vs MAzatlan when they were already out and they beat Mazatlan 2-0. Head scratcher.
I assume key plyaers like Lozano and Dreyer will be playing here. Sd has only won 2/6 though recently.
SKC don’t win often and are winless in 3. However, a 3-0 shutout loss to Vancouver before the break is the only time they’ve not scored in 10 games. They have conceded in 10 straight and BTTS is 9-1 and BTTS & O2.5 is 7-3.
Dejan Jovelic has goals in 7/10 and a total of 8 in that time but none in his last 2 games.
- MLS Picks Today: Both to Score
San Jose vs Vancouver Prediction
The Caps won 3-0, drew 1-1 and won 3-0 before LC. They didn’t participate, but off the field, they signed the biggest player in their history in Tomas Muller. He should give the West’s 2nd-best team a big push down the stretch, especially if and when they get Ryan Gauld back.
There’s much less to get excited about in San Jose. They lost their last two games 3-2 and 2-1. They’re also winless in 7. The one thing you can count on is them being entertaining. Tee BTTS is 10-0 in their recent games and BTTS & O2.5 is 7-3. Only twice in 28 overall games this season have they not scored. It’s only happened once in a league game and that was back in March.
But then Vancouver has clean sheets in 2/3 and 5/10. They also shut out SJ 2-0, in both games last season.
BTTS is very likely, or just to slightly improve the parlay, simply Over 1.5. You could also ask any of Arango, Martinez or White to have a shot on target.
- MLS Picks Today: Over 1.5
- Parlay Picks: AUS to score / SKC vs SD btts / SJ vs VAN over 1.5 (+105)
MLS Picks and Parlays #3
Orlando vs Inter Miami Prediction
Both teams were in Leagues Cup and both have moved on to the quarters. Orlando after a 1-1 draw with Pumas and a PK loss, then a 3-1 win over Atlas and a 5-1 win over Necaxa. In their last game Muriel had the fastest-ever Leagues Cup hat-trick with 3 goals in 6 minutes and Ojeda scored a brace. Ojeda has been money for player props with a goal or assist in 13 straight matches.
Orlando’s last 2 MLS games were wins of 2-1 and 3-1 so they’re undefeated in regulation now in 5 games. They can score. But they often concede. The BTTS is now 10-0 and 12-1 of late in all of their matches. The BTTS & Over 2.5 is also 8-2.
For Miami, in Leagues Cup they edged past Atlas 2-1, drew Necaxa 2-2 and won in PKs and then beat Pumas 3-1. Rodrigo de Paul got his first goal with Miami vs Pumas, and Suarez and Allende also got on the scoresheet. They were without Messi who injured his hamstring vs Necaxa. I’d assume he’ll miss out here.
Since losing to PSG in the CWC, they have only 1 loss in 9 (Cincinnati). And also none in their past 5.
The BTTS bet is recently 16-5 across their past 21 overall matches. The BTTS & Over 2.5 is 7-2. Miami has just 2 clean sheets in their past 21 overall matches as well.
Miami will want some revenge here as the Lions won 3-0 in Miami back in May.
- MLS Picks Today: Both to Score & Over 2.5 (-175)
LA vs Seattle Prediction
In MLS, there’s a huge gap between these teams. Seattle being 4th in the West and LA being 15th, and the worst team in MLS. But based on recent performances this could be closer. After Leagues Cup, these are 2 of the hottest teams. Like Orlando and Miami, both of these teams also finished in the top 4 and are moving onto the quarters.
Seattle was the only team of 36 to go a perfect 3-0-0. They routed Cruz Azul 7-0, then beat Santos Laguna and Club Tijuana 2-1 each.
Seattle are now undefeated in 9 games at 6-3-0, scoring 2, 1, 3, 3, 3, 2, 7, 2 and 2 goals. They’ve been playing to a ton of overs in both MLS and LC as their recent games have seen 5, 6, 5, 4, 7, 3 and 3 goals.
LA got in on the last game of the group stage. They routed Tijuana 5-2, drew Cruz Azul 1-1 and lost in PKs and then routed Santos Laguna 4-0. Each of Joseph Paintsil (3g/1a), Matheus Nascimento (3g/1a) and Gabriel Pec (2g/0a) had big tournaments.
Pec has 1+ shot on target in 12 straight. Paintsil has had a sot in 11/12. He had 5 shots on target vs Tijuana, 4 versus Santos and 10 overall in Leagues Cup.
LA are 5-3-3 in their last 11. They’ve scored in 13/15 and scored multiple goals in 5/7. But defense is always a problem having conceded in 24/27 games this season. And the most in MLS with 48. Shutting out Santos was a rarity. It’s also one of Mexico’s weakest teams and they took a red card mid-way through the game, and knew they were eliminated.
Certainly betting on goals from both, or over 2.5 is an option. Seattle can play good defense though too and have an extra day of rest.
- MLS Picks Today: Over 1.5
- Parlay Picks: ORL vs MIA btts & O2.5 / LA vs SEA over 1.5 (-108) all at CZR
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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.
