D.C. United (8-4-4, 28 Points) has already ripped the heart out of Orlando City (4-5-5, 17 Points) twice this season with late goals to steal points.
This task might be easier on Sunday against an Orlando City side dashed by call-ups on international duty.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Orlando City is very likely going to be favored in this match in spite of the fact that United is well out in front in the Eastern Conference heading into the weekend. The Lions have been in decent form, and they have had a knack for coming back from behind in matches to make things happen, a sign of a solid team.
The last time these two teams met in May, United was a +100 favorite at home, which was basically the same price Orlando City was in April's match here in the Sunshine State. Expect something around OCSC +130 in this one.
KEY INJURIES
Orlando City is really being killed right now by international call-ups. Cyle Larin is expected to be called up to the Canadian national team for World Cup qualifying just before this match, while Brek Shea is busy with the U.S. Men's National Team in Europe.
Tyler Turner and Brian Rochez should return from their international duties for the Lions, but Conor Donovan is still playing at the U-20 World Cup for the U.S.A.
Jalen Robinson and Markus Halsti are the only call-ups at the moment for D.C. United, though injuries still have Chris Korb and Miguel Aguilar as question marks. Chris Pontius and Taylor Kemp figure to sit out with injuries.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"I felt we were the better team and the players fully deserved the victory tonight. One of the most pleasing things was that we didn't get desperate and start playing the ball long. We kept probing away and kept playing and got our just desserts." – Orlando City manager Adrian Heath on the comeback victory in Chicago last week
RECENT FORM
D.C. United did drop a match at home last weekend against Toronto FC, but that shouldn't spoil the fact that this has been the best team in the Eastern Conference all year long. The Red and Blacks had won consecutive matches prior to that loss to TFC.
Orlando has kept its form up for sure. The win in Chicago last weekend marked a fourth straight positive result. The Lions are 2-2-0 in their last four matches, and their last loss came against this D.C. United side at RFK Stadium.
TALKING TOTALS
Overs have now cashed in three straight D.C. United matches, a welcome string of form for over bettors who had lost three straight duels prior to that.
Orlando City has now played five of its last six matches over the total as well thanks to its wide open style of play of late. The five-goal outburst against the Fire was nothing odd last weekend, as that marked three fixtures in four with at least four goals.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Kaka is still the emotional leader for the Lions, but without all of the call-ups, there could be a real lack of firepower here.
Home field advantage could mean a lot for OCSC in the long run, but at least to this point, the MLS newcomers have actually performed better on the road than they have at home.
Luis Silva and Rafael Ramos both looked very dangerous for D.C. United in each of the two matches these two teams have already played against each other, and even if the dangerous Pontius doesn't play, this is still a match we feel is there for the taking for the visitors.
D.C. United 1, Orlando City 0
The MLS lines for this contest will be released first by BookMaker Sportsbook. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, spreads and totals. Live betting is open during every step of this match!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The fixture between Orlando City and D.C. United is scheduled for Sunday, June 14, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, FL. The match will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.
