MLS Week 22 Odds & Picks: Can Revolution Extend Undefeated Streak Against LAFC?

• Week 22 of the MLS season continues this weekend with 12 matches on Saturday and Sunday
• Can New England keep their undefeated streak alive against the league-leaders?
• Is betting the under the way to go between cellar dwellers FCC and Vancouver?

With the All-Star break now behind us and Atlético Madrid walking away with a 3-0 win over the MLS All-Stars, Week 22 in the Major League Soccer season kicks off this Saturday, August 3.

We take a look at a few games from the MLS Week 22 slate and provide some expert betting advice.

New England Revolution vs LAFC Odds

*All odds taken August 2, 2019

Revolution Look to Push Streak to 12

An 11-game undefeated streak will be on the line when New England host Supporter’s Shield leading LAFC at 7:30 pm EST Saturday night.

These teams have only ever met on a single occasion, which resulted in a 1-1 draw last year in Los Angeles.

"I just try to find the players that are playing up top, and I think with my passes I try to create danger" – Carles Gil pic.twitter.com/1QNCA5Q619

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) July 30, 2019

But more goals will surely be in the cards this weekend when the two meet at Gillette Stadium. The Revolution have been a team re-born since the arrival of new head coach Bruce Arena, who’s yet to lose a game in charge of the team. In fact, with Arena at the helm, the Revs have only ever trailed in a game once, and it was for just 26 minutes.

Last week they had four different goalscorers contribute to a 4-1 win over Orlando. Despite the scoreline, Arena stated he wasn’t pleased with team’s play and they’ll have to do better to stand a chance vs LAFC this week.

Still, it was the second time in three games they scored four goals. Their past six matches have seen scorelines of 4-1, 2-0, 4-0, 2-2, 2-1, and 2-1.

If you’re not watching the @NERevolution, you’re missing out #NERevs pic.twitter.com/bflmprCU04

— NE Revolution on NBCSB (@NBCSRevs) July 29, 2019

If you’re looking to poke holes in the New England turnaround, you could point to the fact that only five of those games have come against a team with a winning record. Two of those five games came against DC United, which both resulted in draws.

Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that of the seven wins during the streak, just two were to winning teams. And each of those two came nearly two months ago.

None of Houston, Colorado, Vancouver, Cincinnati or Orlando are either winning or playoff sides right now. So Saturday’s match will be a huge step up in class against the league leaders.

⭐️All Star⭐️ pic.twitter.com/58AhaA7h4Z

— carlos vela (@11carlosV) August 1, 2019

Whereas New England have scored a total of 34 goals all season, Carlos Vela (22) and Diego Rossi (12) have that exact amount combined between them for LAFC.

Los Angeles rebounded from an El Tráfico loss to the Galaxy with an entertaining 4-3 win over defending champs Atlanta United last week. Despite going down a goal just two minutes in, LAFC responded with four goals within 12 minutes in the first half to take a 4-1 lead, which they would hold onto in a 4-3 win.

12 minutes, 4 goals.

⚽️ Dio – 33'
⚽️ Rossi – 38'
⚽️ @11carlosV – 42'
⚽️ @EduardAtuesta – 45' #LAFC pic.twitter.com/H52Rl1Q5wR

— LAFC (@LAFC) July 27, 2019

While LAFC look to be scoring for fun and cruising along to a record-breaking season, it’s hard to see them not conceding in this one to a red-hot Revolution side. LAFC have conceded at least once in each of their past nine MLS matches, and in ten of 11 overall.

Only one of their past nine MLS matches have failed to see both teams score and only two have seen under at least four total goals scored.

Best Bet: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (-160)

 FC Cincinnati vs Vancouver Whitecaps Odds

Battle at the Bottom in Cincinnati

At 8:00 pm EST on Saturday night, the Whitecaps visit expansion side FC Cincinnati in a match both teams will surely be looking at as an opportunity to take some points from. Ideally, both will be hoping to snap their respective losing streaks and take all three.

FCC’s maiden voyage into Major League Soccer hasn’t been a smooth one. They’re currently rooted at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table and MLS overall.

"They've been a rock for us." @kekuta16 and other members of #FCCincy express how they feel about our fans. #IgniteUnite pic.twitter.com/aU0mU14YqL

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) July 31, 2019

Vancouver’s season has been equally disappointing at 4-9-11 (W/D/L) with 21 points. The Caps, having undergone a massive roster overhaul this offseason, are arguably just as much an expansion team. Possibly more so, considering FCC brought many of their old USL players with them. One new addition was defender Kendall Waston who previously played with Vancouver.

Cincinnati have scored the fewest goals in the league with 22 in 23 games.

In regards to the total, while each of these sides have seen totals exceed three goals of late, that’s typically because their opposition has been the one scoring the goals. But who scores Saturday night is anyone’s guess.

"He was a big part of this club, but he moved on, and we moved on."@FeliMartins8 on facing former #VWFC captain Kendall Watson.#CINvVAN | #VWFC pic.twitter.com/IkBnn2pzdG

— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) July 31, 2019

Cincinnati have scored the fewest goals in the league with 22 in 23 games. Last week they lost 2-1 in Toronto. Previously, they were defeated 2-0 and 4-1. Overall this season they’ve been held off the scoresheet a total of nine times.

You’d think that number would put FCC in a category of their own. However, Vancouver have been every bit worthy themselves of scoring futility. The Caps equal Cincy in that category having been clean sheeted nine times as well. They’ve scored just one more goal than FCC with 23 goals in 24 games.

"What we need to do as a club is always say the truth. Right now, there’s two or three guys we’re actively pursuing. And we’re not sure it could happen in this window. I hope with all my heart it can."#VWFC pic.twitter.com/hkQrybsaq9

— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) July 31, 2019

Last week they drew the previously high-flying Minnesota United 0-0. It was actually one of their “better” results of late. Vancouver hasn’t won a match since May 25. They haven’t scored multiple goals in a game since June 26.

In their past eight games in all competitions they’ve scored just three times compared to allowing 19. So if you’re doing the math, they’ve been shut out in five of eight games.

FCC rarely draw — typically it’s a loss or nothing. They’ve drawn just twice. They will at least have the home advantage, however, Vancouver are draw specialists. The Caps lead the league along with the DC United and Chicago with nine draws.

Best Bet: Draw (+270) and/or Under 3 goals (-130)

Seattle Sounders vs Sporting Kansas City Odds

Second Meeting for Western Foes in MLS Week 22

Seattle will play host to Sporting Kansas City on Sunday night at 10:00 pm EST.

These sides met once already earlier this season, which resulted in a 3-2 home win for Sporting Kansas City. SKC took a 2-0 lead into the half, before Seattle cut the lead to 2-1 in the second. However, Sporting were powered by a hat-trick from Johnny Russell which lead them to victory.

Very little has gone right for SKC since that win over Seattle back in May. They’ve won just twice in their past ten MLS matches and 11 overall. 1-0 and 3-0 wins over Chicago and Vancouver in early July stopped the bleeding. But they’ve quickly reverted back to their old ways with 2-0 and 3-1 losses to Dallas and New York City in the past two weeks.

Playing away from Children’s Mercy Park hasn’t been kind to SKC. They have just two wins in 11 matches and have scored just barely over one goal per game with 12.

In the past seven head-to-heads, the home team has won six times, with one draw.

A trip to Seattle, where the Sounders are 8-2-1 (W/D/L), may not be the cure to their problems. With just one loss at CenturyLink Field, while scoring 20 goals, compared to just ten conceded, Seattle have accumulated the third-most home points in the league.

Sounders never quit ?

Congratulations to @JmoSmooth13 for winning @MLS Goal of the Week! ? pic.twitter.com/9pnjwmBIcN

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) August 1, 2019

Seattle were 1-0 winners in Houston last week, where Jordan Morris walked away with goal of the week honors.

They’ve won three of four and four of six. They’ll also be bolstered by the news that influential defender Brad Smith’s loan from EPL side Bournemouth has been extended, meaning he won’t be leaving the team mid-season.

Sounders defender Brad Smith will stay with the team through the 2019 season after Seattle worked out a loan extension with Smith's English Premier League team. https://t.co/eKhCmpnKQV (via @JaydaEvans)

— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) July 31, 2019

History looks to be on the side of the Sounders in this one. It’s been a while since a road team walked away with all three points. In the past seven head-to-heads, the home team has won six times, with one draw. The last time a road team won came in a 1-0 SKC win back on March 6, 2016.

The better team, at home, at basically even-money, looks like a solid investment.

Best Bet: Seattle to win (-105) or Seattle to score over 1.5 goals (-130)