We have our first triple header day of action in the MLS is Back tournament on Sunday when the opening matches in Groups C and E are played out in Orlando as six more sides resume action in their regular seasons.
All three matches are live on TV in the UK although you’ll need to be something of a night owl to watch all three as the third of them comes deep into the early hours of Monday morning. There is no need to miss any of the action if you are used to being up late though.
The Format
The 26 MLS teams have now become 24 with FC Dallas and Nashville being withdrawn from the tournament after positive Covid tests. The remaining teams have been placed into six groups of four. Each team plays the other three in their group once in the group stage. The results of these matches not only count in this tournament but also towards the regular season when it resumes. At the end of the group stage the top two from each group and the four best third placed finishers go into a 16-team knockout stage. The entire tournament takes place in Orlando with the final scheduled for August 11. There is a Champions League place for the winners which should ensure it is competitive.
Where to watch
All three matches are live on TV in the UK. They can all be seen on Free Sports. They will also be available to be watched on the live streaming consoles on bookmaker websites.
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Toronto FC vs DC United (14.00)
The opening match of the three sees the beaten MLS Cup finalists Toronto FC getting their MLS is Back tournament underway when they go up against a much improved DC United team over the last couple of campaigns. These two sides have already watched New England Revolution win the first game in the group so they won’t want to lose here.
Toronto started their season in good form with a win and a draw from their two matches while DC United opened up with a win and a defeat from their start to the campaign so there is a platform for both teams to build on. This feels like a big match for DC United. Clearly they are weaker without Luciano Acosta and Wayne Rooney and the ACL injury to Paul Arriola isn’t going to help them either. In saying that they have enough attacking prowess to be competitive here. Nothing really stands out to me from a betting point of view in this one.
Sporting Kansas City vs Minnesota United (01.00)
Two Western Conference sides battle it out in the first of the two matches in the evening on Sunday in what should be a good game between teams who had very different campaigns last term. Sporting Kansas City missed out on the play-offs while Minnesota United made it to the postseason.
These two teams were arguably the best two when the season started with both winning their two matches and not only winning it but doing it in style and with plenty of goals. Both teams spent decent money on a focal point to their attack in the close season and already Alan Pulido and Luis Amarilla have repaid some of their transfer fees. All eyes will be on them here as they look to lead the line for their team.
Although the trend in the tournament so far has been low scoring matches, I think this one could well buck that because both sides are a lot better going forward than they are at defending. That would normally be harsh on Minnesota but they are without Ike Opara which could be a big loss here. This was one match in the opening set of games that I looked at to be high scoring so I like over 3 goals here. SKC games averaged four goals a game earlier in the season and Minnesota’s 5.5. There should be goals here.
Real Salt Lake vs Colorado Rapids (03.30)
The final match of the day sees two stalwarts of the Western Conference going at it when Real Salt Lake, regulars in the play-offs in recent seasons, take on the Colorado Rapids, a team who will be looking to get back into the postseason themselves.
The Colorado Rapids were the surprise packages of the opening bit of the season when they came away from their two matches with two wins and now they set about getting the upper hand in the Rocky Mountain Cup when they take on a Real Salt Lake side who drew their first two games. Real Salt Lake have been the better side of the two in recent seasons but there is a feeling that the tide might just be turning here. My hunch is that Colorado may come out on top here but I’d like more than just a hunch in order to place a bet so I’ll sit this one out.
Tips
PUSH – Back Sporting Kansas City vs Minnesota United – Over 3 gols for a 3/10 stake at 2.00 with BetVictor
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