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Week 9 MLS Picks: Expect Goals in Seattle vs LAFC Rematch

Ryan Metivier

by Ryan Metivier in Soccer News

Updated Mar 24, 2020 · 7:43 AM PDT

Diego Rossi
Diego Rossi and high-scoring LAFC travel to Seattle on Sunday for a rematch with the Sounders. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire)
  • Week 9 of the MLS season continues this weekend from Saturday, April 27th to Sunday, April 28th
  • Can Atlanta turn around their season?
  • Will LAFC defeat Seattle for the second time in a week?

After a busy midweek slate of games, Major League Soccer’s Week 9 schedule continues this weekend with another 12 matches on Saturday and Sunday.

We take a look at a few of the top matches from the MLS Week 9 slate and provide some weekend best bets.

Toronto vs Portland Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Toronto -1.0
(EVEN)		 -170 O 3.5 (+115)
Portland +1.0 (-120) +400 U 3.5 (-140)
Draw N/A +315 N/A

*Odds taken 04/26/19

Can TFC Make Do Minus Altidore?

Toronto FC are back among the contenders this season. At 4-1-1 they are third in the East, despite playing two or even three games less than most other teams. They’ll host the Portland Timbers on Saturday, April 27th at 3:00 p.m. EST.

TFC can score. Their 18 goals are the most in the East and second to only LAFC overall. However, defending has been a huge issue in 2019. They’ve allowed 11 goals overall with eight coming in their past three matches. Their past five matches have included a total of 25 combined goals.

TFC can score. Their 18 goals are the most in the East and second to only LAFC overall.

The latest shootout came last week in a wild 4-3 home win over Minnesota United. The win was costly, as star striker Jozy Altidore departed late in the game with a hamstring injury which will see him miss 2-3 weeks.

Altidore’s absense will be missed, but TFC should still have enough with Alejandro Pozuelo (4 goals) and Jordan Hamilton (3). Hamilton was subbed on last week with 17 minutes remaining and scored twice.

Against Portland, Toronto will face last year’s MLS Cup finalists. The Timbers have struggled this year with only four points and ranking 11th in the West. They have yet to play at home though, while Providence Park undergoes renovations.

Week 8 saw them finally collect their first win against their old coach Caleb Porter, who’s now with the Columbus Crew.

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The 3-1 win was also the first time all season they allowed fewer than two goals. In the six games prior they had conceded 17 times.

Look to bet goals in this match. And while he’s not currently listed yet, a play on Pozuelo as anytime goalscorer could also be worth a bet.

Best Bet: Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals (-115)

Atlanta vs Colorado Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Atlanta -1.5 (-105) -260 O 3.5 (+105)
Colorado +1.5 (-115) +600 U 3.5 (-125)
Draw N/A +400 N/A

Crisis for the Champs

Usually a home match by the defending champions against one of the league’s worst sides may not be a top match. However, MLS Cup champs Atlanta United have yet to get rolling under new coach Frank de Boer.

In fact, as of now you could also consider them one of the league’s worst teams.

Anything other than a straightforward win over the lowly Colorado Rapids on Saturday, April 27 at 6:00 pm EST may send The Five Stripes into full-on crisis mode.

It’s been first-to-worst for United, who at 1-2-3 sit rock-bottom in the East with five points and just five goals scored. Overall, they’re only above the Timbers (four points) and these same Rapids who have just two.

While Atlanta have yet to show much this season, surely this has to be the game.

Colorado’s 23 goals allowed are four more than any other club in MLS.

Colorado brought in a host of new players this offseason and while they’ve looked somewhat improved at times, it’s still been much of the same ol’ Rapids.

Their 23 goals allowed are four more than any other club in MLS.

Having allowed 15 in the past four matches, including three which saw them concede four times, leaves little to think they’ll be able to contain Atlanta’s Josef Martínez, Pity Martínez, and Ezequiel Barco from finding the back of the net.

If de Boer can’t get Atlanta back on track at home against the Rapids, the calls for his job may be answered. It’s a must-win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this weekend.

Best Bet: Atlanta -1.5 (-105)

Seattle vs LAFC  Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Seattle 0.0 (-130) +140 O 3.0 (-105)
LAFC 0.0 (+110) +175 U 3.0 (-115)
Draw N/A +250 N/A

Rematch of West Contenders

For the second time in only a week’s time, we get a match between two of the West’s top sides when LAFC travel to CenturyLink Field in Seattle on Sunday, April 28th, at 3:30 pm EST.

Last Sunday, Los Angeles entertained Seattle in LA, and it was the second-year side that dominated from start to finish in a 4-1 win.

LA wasted little time finding the score sheet with Carlos Vela’s ninth goal of the year at just 12 minutes in. They lead 2-0 at half through an Eduard Atuesta goal, before Harry Shipp brought the Sounders back to within one with a goal six minutes into the second half.

However, Vela would add a second just four minutes later before Christian Ramirez gave LA a fourth at just over the hour mark. It was another impressive showing by Vela, but a three-assist day from Mark-Anthony Kaye was also key.

LAFC lead the league with 22 points and Vela has contributed to 15 of the team’s 25 goals. His 10 goals are tops in MLS, along with five assists which put him tied for second overall with teammate Kaye and TFC’s Pozuelo.

LA have been so electric that their 25 goals are five more than their also league-leading 20 expected goals.

The Sounders were without the services of several key contributors last Sunday with injuries to Raul Ruidiaz, Will Bruin, and Chad Marshall.

They’ll be hoping for the return to health for one or all, with Marshall looking most likely, considering he played in Seattle’s match on Wednesday against San Jose.

At home, Seattle dropped their first points of the year in a 2-2 draw to the Earthquakes on Wednesday, which included a late comeback after being down 2-0.

They should be more competitive on their own pitch in the rematch versus Los Angeles – though expecting LA to be held off the score sheet would be foolish.

LAFC have 11 goals in their four road matches this year. They’ve been so electric that their 25 goals are five more than their also league-leading 20 expected goals.

Best Bet: Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals (-125)

MLS Week 9 Parlay Bet

While any of these bets offer value on their own, mixing some results together into a parlay bet could be another option.

From these games I’ll look to tie two results together for an even-money return.

Parlay Bet: Atlanta United Over 1.5 Team Goals & Seattle vs LAFC Both Teams To Score (+100)

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