Day 15 MLS is Back Odds & Picks: RSL vs SKC, Cincinnati vs New York & Colorado vs Minnesota
- Wednesday will feature three matches on Day 15 of the MLS is Back Tournament
- Four Group D teams will be in action, while two sides from Group E will clash
- Get the odds, preview, and best bet for these fixtures below
As the MLS is Back tournament proceeds, we’re now getting down to crunch time with the last group stage matches scheduled for this week. In Group D, RSL will play Sporting KC on Wednesday, July 22nd, kick-off 9:00 am EST, with a berth in the next round on the line for Salt Lake. Meanwhile, Colorado will be in action against Group D leaders Minnesota, kick-off at 10:30 PM EST.
In Group E, New York Red Bulls will clash with FC Cincinnati at 8:00 pm EST. Both sides have just three points through two matches, so this will be a crucial match as well.
Day 15 MLS is Back Tournament Odds
| Team | Moneyline at DraftKings |
|---|---|
| Real Salt Lake | +185 |
| Sporting KC | +123 |
| Draw | +280 |
| Team | Moneyline at DraftKings |
| FC Cincinnati | +280 |
| New York Red Bulls | -120 |
| Draw | +290 |
| Team | Moneyline at DraftKings |
| Colorado Rapids | +200 |
| Minnesota United | +112 |
| Draw | +285 |
Odds taken July 20, for more betting options, visit DraftKings
Pick 1: Real Salt Lake vs Sporting KC
Real Salt Lake can clinch their spot in the next round if they can secure three points on Wednesday against Sporting KC. Freddy Juarez’s side won their first game of the tourney against Colorado, burying the Rapids 2-0. Then in their second contest, RSL tied Minnesota United 0-0. They’re currently tied with the Loons for the first spot in Group D with four points apiece, but if KC can beat them on day 15, RSL would find themselves on the outside looking in.
Damir Kreilach has been a mainstay in the middle of the pitch for Salt Lake, scoring a goal against Colorado and playing the majority of both matches thus far. Their backline has yet to concede a goal in the tournament, proving their worth as one of the stronger defenses in the MLS.
Sporting KC has an electric attack that has already bagged 12 goals through four MLS matches in 2020, dating back to March. They suffered a 2-1 defeat to Minnesota in the tournament opener but then responded with a 3-2 victory over Colorado last week, leaving them with three points. This will be no easy match by any means for Peter Vermes’ men, but with Khiry Shelton in solid form for KC, they will be looking to the American to find the target for the third straight game on Wednesday.
This should be an interesting matchup. We have a very stable midfield and defense on Real Salt Lake’s side, and a deadly attacking line for Sporting KC. I do believe RSL will keep their opponents at bay though, conceding just once and winning by one goal.
Pick: Real Salt Lake +185
Pick 2: FC Cincinnati vs New York Red Bulls
FC Cincinnati started off the tournament in a negative manner, losing 4-0 to Columbus, who have already booked their ticket in the next round. But, Cincy then impressed against Atlanta United, beating them 1-0 and making the path to qualifying to the knockout round for the Eastern Conference powerhouses very difficult with one game to go. They’ve been quite unproductive in the final third, scoring just once through two matches. But in such a decisive match, Cincinnati will be firing on all cylinders on Wednesday.
The Red Bulls have also won and lost once as they enter their final group stage fixture. History is on their side though, having beat FC Cincinnati 3-2 back in March. They’ve won all three games against Cincy dating back to last season as well. The Red Bulls have also struggled on the attack though and will look for a similar result to March’s clash, where they netted two goals within the first 30 minutes at Red Bull Arena.
Given New York’s track record against FC Cincinnati, I believe they will pull out three points and advance in Group E alongside Columbus. It will be a low-scoring fixture though, with the Red Bulls winning by one goal.
Pick: New York Red Bulls -120
Pick 3: Colorado Rapids vs Minnesota United
This match sees Minnesota battling for top spot in Group D, while Colorado is desperate, yet unlikely to advance as one of the best third-place teams. Colorado is dead last in Group D with no points, but they will have the opportunity to spoil Minnesota’s quest for the top spot in the group if they can find a result on Wednesday. The Rapids were outplayed in a 2-0 loss to RSL in the opener, then put up a respectable fight against Sporting KC in their second game of the tournament, losing a nailbiter, 3-2.
Minnesota will enter this match knowing they secure a possible seven of nine points in Group D if they can beat Colorado. After finishing fourth in the Western Conference in 2019, the Loons have responded in emphatic fashion in 2020. They’ve yet to lose a match in this calendar year, dating back to March. Minny beat Sporting KC in the opener of the tourney, then played to a scoreless draw with RSL. Even just a point on Wednesday will confirm Minnesota’s spot in the next round.
Adrian Heath’s squad have been very impressive in all areas of the pitch and are clearly a better side than the Rapids. They should have no issue with this fixture, winning by two goals.
Pick: Minnesota +112
Quinn Allen is a sports journalist, with a background and education in broadcast journalism (BCIT '17). He is a full-time associate editor at ClutchPoints by day, where he writes about soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and more. At night, Quinn is a frequent contributor at SBD.
