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MLS is Back Round of 16 Odds & Picks July 26: Toronto vs New York & Sporting KC vs Vancouver

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in Soccer News

Updated Mar 10, 2021 · 12:26 PM PST

mls
MLS ball on the display before the Chicago Fire and Portland Timbers an MLS soccer match, Saturday, March 31, 2018, in Bridgeview, Ill. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
  • Both Sporting KC and Toronto FC won their respective groups and are favored to advance through Sunday’s MLS Is Back Tournament Round of 16 matches 
  • Should you back either the Vancouver Whitecaps or New York City FC to pull off the uspet?
  • Predictons on the outcomes of both matches and analysis of the odds and best bets follow in the ensuing story

It’s win or go home time at the MLS Is Back Tournament, and that figures to be good news for Sporting KC and Toronto FC. Both sides are playoff-hardened. They’re used to the one-and-done life of postseason play.

The same can’t be said for the Vancouver Whitecaps or New York City FC.

Toronto FC has played in three of the last four MLS Cup finals and the Group C winners are +123 favorites to eliminate NYCFC in their Round of 16 match on Sunday. Sporting KC are the odds-on -225 chalk to send the Whitecaps packing in Sunday’s other match.

MLS is Back Round of 16 July 26 Odds

Team Moneyline
Toronto FC +123
New York City FC +190
Draw +265
Team Moneyline
Sporting KC -225
Vancouver Whitecaps +525
Draw +370

Odds taken July 25. For more betting options visit DraftKings.

Sporting KC won the 2013 MLS Cup and own three US Open Cup titles since 2012.

More Than A Sporting Chance

A 2-1 loss to Minnesota United FC in their first Group D match proved to be a mere blip on the radar for Sporting KC. They rebounded to outscore the Colorado Rapids 3-2 and blank Real Salt Lake 2-0. Those outcomes moved Sporting KC to the top of the table in the four-team group.

With an overall 4-1 record this season, Sporting KC leads the MLS Western Conference standings. They currently trail only the Columbus Crew in the race for the Supporters’ Shield.

Vancouver’s path to the Round of 16 was one that was fashioned in the final 45 minutes of group stage soccer for the Whitecaps. They entered their final group match against the Chicago Fire requiring victory by at least a two-goal margin in order to advance.

Goalless at halftime, substitutes Yordy Reyna and Cristian Dajome scored second-half goals to earn Vancouver a 2-0 victory. The Whitecaps gained their spot in the last 16 as the third-place finisher in Group B.

Vancouver’s minus-two goal differential is tied for the worst of any of the 16 surviving sides. As well, the seven goals surrendered by the Whitecaps is tied for the most allowed by any team still alive in the tournament.

Head-To-Head

These two sides have already met this season. Sporting KC opened the 2020 campaign with a solid 3-1 victory at Vancouver. In fact, Sporting KC owns a solid 10-3-4 slate in the all-time season series against the Whitecaps. That includes a 4-0-1 mark in the last five matches.

Both clubs are averaging over three goals per game in this tourney. That being the case, playing over 2.5 goals at -195 should provide a solid chance to cash a winner.

Pick: Sporting KC (-225)

Toronto In New York State Of Mind

Toronto FC didn’t taste defeat while winning their group. TFC posted a win and two ties. A goalless draw with the New England Revolution clinched top spot for TFC.

Striker Ayo Akinola has scored five of Toronto’s six goals at the tournament. Midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo is proving to be a passing fancy, assisting on all five of Akinola’s tallies. Considering his hot hand, Akinola at +550 to net the first goal of the match has to be a tempting play.

A 1-0 victory over Inter Miami in their final Group A match was was the only victory posted by NYCFC. Still, it was enough to advance them into the knockout stage as third-place finisher.

The Cityzens’ minus-two goal differential is tied with the Whitecaps for the worst among the 16 surviving clubs.

Head-To-Head

There’s plenty of recent history between these two sides, and it’s all gone against NYCFC. In the final match before the COVID-19 pandemic put the season on pause, Toronto FC blanked NYCFC 1-0.

Last season, TFC edged NYCFC 2-1 in the MLS Eastern Conference semi-finals. Overall, Toronto holds a 6-4-6 edge in the all-time series. Toronto is unbeaten (3-0-1) in its last four meetings with NYCFC. New York has scored just two goals in those four matches.

Pick: Toronto FC (+123)

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