We’re only three weeks into the 2023 Major League Soccer season, and we have some pleasant surprises, like the sharp play of St. Louis City in their first season. The newcomers on the block look to be playoff contenders at this point. The San Jose Earthquakes are off to a steadier start than they tended to show in their Matias Almeyda era. Then there’s FC Dallas, who started with a comatose home loss to Minnesota, followed that up with an exciting win over the L.A. Galaxy, only to go to Vancouver, dominate the game, and leave with just a single point. They’re not the only inconsistent team at this point, though. Let’s break down two MLS betting matchups from this coming weekend.
MLS News: Top Weekend Games
Seattle Sounders vs LAFC
When: Saturday, March 18 at 3:00 pm ET
Where: Lumen Field, Seattle
TV / Streaming: FOX, MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app
LAFC is a perfect 2-0 after two matches (having had one postponed due to the bizarre snowstorms that rolled through Southern California, of all places, during the league’s opening week. On Monday, LAFC welcomed the New England Revolution and dealt them a devastating 4-0 rout. The hosts outshot the Revs, 18-4 (12-1 on target) despite possessing for just 44% of the game. They opened the scoring just 14 minutes in with a Denis Bouanga penalty shot. He completed his brace in the 67th minute, and the floodgates opened from then on, with Timothy Tillman scoring in the 83rd minute and Stipe Biuk adding insult to injury in stoppage time at the end of the match.
Now LAFC heads up the coast to take on a Seattle Sounders team that has started 2-0-1. Their last match was their first loss on the year, a disappointing 1-0 result at FC Cincinnati. The first half was scoreless, but then Cincinnati got a goal from Brenner in the 63rd minute. Nick Hagglund was sent off with a red in the 83rd minute, giving Seattle seven minutes with a man advantage, but they were unable to convert. They outshot the hosts, 12-9, but only put one shot on target for the match, and they only forced three corners. LAFC to win.
Houston Dynamo vs Austin FC
When: Sunday, March 19 at 8:00 pm ET
Where: Shell Energy Stadium, Texas
TV / Streaming: MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app
Austin FC went to Real Salt Lake last week and picked up a key 2-1 win on the road. Jon Gallagher started the scoring in the ninth minute for Austin, but Real Salt Lake drew level when Justen Glad came through in the 22nd minute. Owen Wolff completed the match’s scoring before halftime, giving Austin the lead back in the 34th minute. RSL applied pressure the rest of the way but could not break through, outshooting the visitors 17-11 (6-5 on target) and possessing 59% of the match and forcing eight corners. Austin is now 2-0-1 on the young season.
Houston last played on March 5, a 3-0 beating at New England. Dylan Borrero opened the scoring in the 42nd minute for the Revs, and then Bobby Wood (53rd minute) and Brandon Bye (65th minute) salted the game away for the hosts. The Dynamo only managed eight shots (to 11 for the hosts), putting four on target. They did possess for 54% of the match but were unable to deliver goals and only forced three corners. Austin FC to win.
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