The MLS Cup Playoffs continue on Monday night when another two matches in the first round of the postseason get played out when a pair of best of three series get started on a night where we should see some decent football.
As with Sunday night, we begin in the Eastern Conference and end up in the Western Conference and just as they have all season, Apple TV will provide full coverage of both games while they will also be streamed via the bookmaker streaming service.
FC Cincinnati vs New York City FC (22.45)
The Eastern Conference clash sees the third seeds FC Cincinnati hosting the former MLS Cup champions New York City FC in the first of what could easily be three battles to settle what should be an entertaining series.
Cincinnati were heavily involved in the race for the Supporters’ Shield for much of the season but their form dipped alarmingly towards the end of the season with their attacking output really beginning to struggle. Prior to their Decision Day win over Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati had lost three on the trot and with defensive injuries coupled with those attacking issues they have a few things to solve. New York City FC had won three on the spin prior to their Decision Day loss at CF Montreal but you get the impression that they are starting to trend in the right direction. City have a good record in the postseason and having beaten Cincinnati just over three weeks ago I think the Asian handicap in their favour is the play here. TQL Stadium wasn’t as much of a fortress for Cincinnati as they would have wanted this season with them just 7-3-7 there. That should give a New York City FC side who have plenty of goals in them all the belief that they can force penalties here at the very least.
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Seattle Sounders vs Houston Dynamo (00.50)
The Western Conference clash on Monday night comes from Lumen Field where the fourth and fifth seeds battle it out to open up their best of three series when the Seattle Sounders welcome the Houston Dynamo to town.
This has been a much improved season for the Seattle Sounders with them finishing fourth and generally getting better the longer the campaign has gone on. The big difference for the Sounders this term has been their home form where they are 8-7-2 for the year and that will give them plenty of confidence to take into this series knowing that they will be at home in two of the three games if needed. Houston Dynamo are a stubborn side though and a very good team technically. They will look to control the football while Seattle will be quite happy to play on the counter so both should get to play the style that they want in this match. Houston were one of the better away teams in MLS this season with eight wins on their travels, although one of the seven they lost was here in Seattle a month ago. I expect a tight game here. I don’t see either team overcommitting men and I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a narrow Seattle win to give them the lead going into next week but they are priced accordingly and the 2.5 goal line is probably right but not one I want to get too involved with.
Tips
Back New York City FC (+0.5AH) to beat FC Cincinnati for a 3/10 stake at 1.93 with Unibet
