With the first round of the new Major League Soccer playoff format now in the books, it’s time to take a look at who’s on the pitch this coming week and which teams are looking good against their respective soccer Odds. Of the six opening round matches, five home teams advanced to the second round. Now let’s find out if a trio of teams can take care of business at home this week as soccer betting picks.
Top Soccer Betting Picks for the Week – October 21st Edition
Toronto FC (13-11-10) at New York FC (18-10-6)
- When: Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at
- Where: Citi Field Stadium, Queens, NY
Soccer Odds
Jonathan Osorio scored two of Toronto FC’s four goals in the first half of extra time, as the hosts recorded a 5-1 victory over D.C. United to extend their winning streak to three games dating back to the regular season. New York went 2-1-0 over their final three regular season games after leading MLS East in goal differential (+21) and tying Atlanta for the East lead in victories (18).
These two rivals have gone 2-2-1 over their last five meetings, but Toronto recorded an emphatic 4-0 win in the big Apple in March and the pair played to a 1-1 draw in Toronto almost a month ago. While all sings are pointing to a New York win in this match, I’m thinking Toronto is going to give the home team a hard way to go – before narrowly falling by a single goal.
Soccer Betting Pick: New York 2 Toronto 1
Real Salt Lake (16-5-13) at Seattle Sounders FC (16-8-10)
- When: Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at
- Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA
Soccer Odds
Jefferson Savarino scored in the 75th minute to send Real Salt Lake into the playoffs with a 2-1 victory over the visiting Houston Dynamo on Sunday. Salt Lake has won three straight dating back to the regular season. The defending champion Sounders got past FC Dallas 4-3 in extra time in one of the most thrilling MLS matches all season. Jordan Morris delivered a timely hat trick to lead the champs to the win. Seattle has also won three in a row dating back to the regular season.
The last time these two met back on August 14, Salt Lake recorded an emphatic 3-0 road win after Seattle won their opening salvo 1-0 in April at home. While Seattle has the edge offensively, Salt Lake has the slightly better defense statistically speaking. However, with the Sounders playing at home and looking to defend their title, I like Seattle for the super narrow, one-goal win.
Soccer Betting Pick: Seattle 3 Salt Lake 2
Philadelphia Union (16-7-11) at Atlanta United FC (18-4-12)
- When: Thursday, October 24, 2019 at
- Where: Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Soccer Odds
Down 3-1 early in the second half against the New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia rallied to force extra time before winning it 4-3 on Marco Fabian’s deflected winner. The Union managed to get the big win despite playing without leading scorer Kacper Przybylko. Franco Escobar scored in the 70th minute and Brad Guzan made six saves as Atlanta United started defense of the MLS Cup title with a 1-0 victory. The United got the win despite the fact that South American Player of the Year, Pity Martinez rode the bench.
Philly recorded a convincing 3-1 win over Atlanta the last time these two rivals met on Aug. 31 after the pair played to a 1-1 draw in March. Still, this time around, I’m going with the United to get the hard-fought one-goal win as forward Josef Martinez stars.
Soccer Betting Pick: Atlanta 3 Philadelphia 2
