the family sports blog

By: Spangs

With the MLS back after long hiatus for the World Cup lets highlight the big time matchups this weekend.

8/01

7:30 EST DC United vs Nashville SC, The MLS leaders Nashville FC head to Audi Field in Washington DC to take on a plucky DC United team. Nashville has been elite defensively so far this season leading the league with only 12 goals allowed. They also have the attacking duo of Sam Surridge and former league MVP Hany Mukhtar leading the line. DC united has been in good form since coming back from the break and they will be hopeful to get a result in this matchup. I think this matchup will be low scoring, both teams would be happy with a draw, so don’t expect to see either team chase a result late in the game.

7:30 EST Inter Miami vs Columbus, Columbus travels down to Florida to take on an Inter Miami squad still missing Lionel Messi. Columbus will be excited to get back on the field after their home rally against their in state rival Cincinnati. While Inter Miami is still chugging along without their star man. Players who participate in the World Cup are given time off once the tournament ends, so Inter Miami will be without Messi for some time. Inter Miami have historically had Columbus’s number when they travel down to Florida with 3 wins and a draw in 4 total matchups. I expect for Inter Miami to get a win, but this Columbus team seems to be clicking offensivley so we could see some goals in this matchup.

7:30 EST Vancouver vs LAFC, The top 2 seeds in the western conference square up in a mid afternoon matchup. Vancouver will be hurting after Sebastian Berhalter was sold to Middlesbrough in the most recent weeks. They’ve faired without him after the World Cup break, but his poise and passing in the midfield will be deeply missed. LA FC used the World Cup break to recover from their deep CONCACAF champions cup run. Fully fit and firing, Son Hueng-min and Denis Bouanga have both scored in every game since back. This game couldn’t come at a better time for LAFC, Vancouver has sputtered in their recent matches and this game could be for the taking from LAFC. If there are goals in this game LAFC should come out on top, which will definitely make the first half a chess match with both teams approaching it differently.

10:45 EST Portland vs Seattle, The Cascadia derby is set and both teams will be hopeful for a result. A rematch from only 16 days ago, Seattle will be dreading coming up against a Portland team again that won 5-1 in Seattle. Battered by injuries, Seattle has lost 5 straight and will be doing some serious soul searching heading into this matchup. Portland on the other hand have come out of the break absolutely firing, scoring 9 and winning 7 points in 3 games. Jack Cassidy has come in as interarm manager for the Timbers and has implemneted an attack heavy scheme. This is a rivalary game, but Portland might run Seattle out of the building in this matchup

LEANS:

Both teams to score yes: Cinncinnati vs San Jose, Inter Miami vs Columbus, Philadelphia vs Atlanta

Under 2.5: DC United vs Nashville, Minnesota vs San Diego

Over 2.5: NY Red Bulls vs Orlando FC, Chicago vs Charlottle, Kansas City vs Houston

Moneyline: LAFC, Portland

BEST BET:

Portland ML

The MLS is unpredictable, but since the World Cup break some teams are flying while others are plummeting….