MLS saw some surprises come out of Match day 26. FC Dallas won a home game after the calendar turned to July, which has been a rarity in recent years.
The hot temperatures in Texas, combined with a team that has tended to wilt both home and away after the season hits its midpoint, has led to second-half collapses for several seasons now.
Even so, they managed a 2-0 win over L.A. Galaxy on Saturday.
We also saw Columbus demolish LAFC on the road in 5-1 fashion in a chippy match that saw both sides see red cards.
Let’s take a look at some of the other takeaways from the weekend’s action as you consider your sports betting on U.S. soccer for this coming match day.
MLS Betting Lines: Takeaways from Match day 27 | Soccer Odds
The Portland Timbers just might become elite this year
The early part of the season wasn’t great for the Timbers, but after they lost to Seattle in May, they have gone on a hot streak, with just two losses in their last 12 MLS games.
They have vaulted up the Western Conference standings, and their 3-0 shellacking of Real Salt Lake on Saturday shows how far they’ve come.
Evander got a goal and an assist in the match, giving him eight multiple goal contributions in one season.
That broke the franchise records of seven, which Diego Valeri had set in 2013 and equaled in 2017.
Along with Jonathan Rodriguez and Felipe Mora, Evander has made up one of the top attacking forces in MLS, with 55 goal contributions among them.
Now the Timbers are just two points back of Colorado for fourth place in the West, and they are only seven points behind LAFC and Real Salt Lake for the top of the West, although LAFC has two matches in hand.
^Columbus is the top dog in MLS Betting
The Crew went to BMO Stadium and embarrassed the Western Conference leaders on their own pitch, routing LAFC, 5-1.
Christian Ramirez, Diego Rossi and Cucho Hernandez are causing chaos on just about any defense that MLS can offer, and their press holds opponents from turning up counters.
The Crew have scored 20 goals over their last five matches, the first time they’ve accomplished that in the history of the franchise.
The last team to do that was the Philadelphia Union back in 2022, when they tallied 23 goals over five matches.
With nine wins in their last 11 matches, the Crew are making a statement that they want to claim the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup this year.
^The demise of Charlotte FC may just be a blip
Yes, Charlotte had dropped two straight before heading to FC Cincinnati to face the Eastern Conference leaders.
However, Charlotte got a big win, and Ashley Westwood picked up three assists, the first time any player had done that in Charlotte FC history.
They are within two points of fourth place in the East, and Charlotte still has two Designated Player spots in hand going into the summer transfer window.
^What’s up with the LA Galaxy?
When Dejan Joveljic and Riqui Puig are healthy and rolling, the Galaxy can score on any team.
Joveljic has been on the shelf, though, and without him on the field, that offense stagnates in a hurry.
We saw this in Dallas last weekend, as the Galaxy only managed one shot on goal in that 2-0 loss.
Expect the Galaxy to be significant players in the summer transfer window.
^Jordan Morris has the Seattle Sounders on his back
Don’t look now, but the Sounders have won four in a row.
The team has played Morris at all the forward positions, but the last three months have seen him stay in the middle, and he has tallied nine goals in the last 11 matches.
This takes a lot of pressure off Raul Ruidiaz, which is a good thing, given that Ruidiaz seems to be running into Father Time lately.
^Betting MLS Top 5 Teams to Win the Tournament
- Inter Miami +180
- Los Angeles FC +640
- FC Cincinnati +810
- Columbus Crew +1025
- LA Galaxy +1125
The first player in @CharlotteFC history with 3 assists in a match. 👏
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 15, 2024
Ashley Westwood is the @MichelobULTRA Superior Player of the Matchday. 🎖️ pic.twitter.com/MUrJMoDjqB
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