Another week of matches in the MLS 2023 season gets underway on Saturday evening when some big games take place as we head towards the end of the opening quarter of what is looking like a wide open campaign.
We probably have to wait until Sunday for the pick of the matches but there is lots to look forward to in the 13 games which take place on Saturday, each of which can be viewed either on Apple TV or via the bookmakers.
Saturday’s fixtures are as follows: (00.30 unless stated)
CF Montréal v D.C. United
Charlotte FC v Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew v New England Revolution
New York City FC v Nashville SC
New York Red Bulls v Houston Dynamo FC
Toronto FC v Atlanta United
Austin FC v Vancouver Whitecaps FC (01.30)
Chicago Fire FC v Philadelphia Union (01.30)
FC Dallas v Real Salt Lake (01.30)
Minnesota United FC v Orlando City SC (01.30)
St. Louis City SC v FC Cincinnati (01.30)
Portland Timbers v Seattle Sounders FC (03.30)
San Jose Earthquakes v Sporting Kansas City (03.30)
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Big Matches
A number of leading sides are in action over the course of Saturday evening with the current Supporters’ Shield pacesetters FC Cincinnati heading to the team who were setting the early pace in St Louis City SC in one of the appealing matches. Seattle Sounders lead the way in the Western Conference and they head to Oregon to take on Cascadia Cup rivals Portland Timbers while two genuine title challengers meet in Ohio when the Columbus Crew play host to the New England Revolution in another game which catches the eye.
Best of the Rest
At the other end of the Eastern Conference standings CF Montreal and DC United haven’t made the starts to their season that they would have wanted and they meet at Stade Saputo in a big game for both sides. One of the two teams who are yet to win a match this season are in action on Saturday evening when Sporting Kansas City head to a San Jose Earthquakes, who have made a decent start to the season. Elsewhere interesting clashes see Toronto FC hosting Atlanta United, Austin FC welcoming Vancouver Whitecaps to Q2 Stadium and the Chicago Fire taking on a Philadelphia Union side who haven’t really fired up the gears in the MLS yet this term.
Betting
We haven’t seen the Austin FC attack really fire yet but I do think it will warm into life now we are heading through the opening quarter of the season. Their campaign is settling down having been disrupted by the Champions League and I wouldn’t be surprised if they find their feet against a jaded Vancouver Whitecaps team, who have just been knocked out of the Champions League themselves. The Whitecaps have done a lot of travelling in the last week which can take its toll. While the Whitecaps’ defence is going to be tested here, they should feel confident that they can get at an Austin defence which has been patched up all season and has now lost its starting left-back for the season as well. Austin really need a convincing performance but it is hard to place much faith in their defence so I like over 2.75 goals in this one.
FC Dallas have made a positive start to the season and I see no reason why that can’t continue when they host a Real Salt Lake side, who while they won last week, have plenty of issues and I’m not convinced they have been solved off the back of a win over a fairly ordinary so far Charlotte FC team. FC Dallas still have plenty more in their locker, especially at home, with Jesus Jimenez still establishing himself in this team and other players getting up to full speed after truncated beginnings to the campaign. RSL have shipped 14 goals in their six matches so far and I’m not convinced Dallas will be as exposed defensively as Charlotte were last week. I’m a big fan of this Dallas attack and I think they’ll pick up a win here.
Tips
Back Austin FC vs Vancouver Whitecaps – Over 2.75 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.85 with Bet365
Back FC Dallas to beat Real Salt Lake for a 3/10 stake at 1.75 with Bet365
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