We're only two matches into the MLS season, but the Eastern Conference already looks a little lopsided. The two teams which played in the conference finals, New York and Columbus, are both without a single point to start the year, while D.C. United is sitting on just one point in two duels. The Black and Reds will have a shot to jumpstart their campaign against a still-rebuilding Colorado Rapids side at home on Saturday afternoon.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
D.C. United +110
Colorado Rapids +250
Draw +230
Over/Under 2.5 (under -115)
ODDS ANALYSIS
Last season, D.C. United had one of the best home records in the MLS at 11-3-3, so it's a tad surprising they're not odds-on favorites here early in the season against what is expected to be an average team at best. Colorado only has three points to its credit in two games, and the one win it got at home last week against LA came on basically the last kick of the ball.
A +110 price is probably strong in general for D.C. United.
The total of 2.5 and -115 vig on the under is rather par for the course for this level.
KEY INJURIES
The Rapids are playing without Sean St. Ledger at the back right now, but aside from that, they've got a relatively healthy side. John Berner has a wrist injury which has kept him out of the net, but it's clear that he's only one of the stopgaps in the system for the Rapids before Tim Howard transfers into the club in the middle of the season.
United has significantly bigger problems right now. Bill Hamid was the heart and soul of this team last year in its playoff run, but he's out for at least another two or three months with a torn meniscus. Chris Korb tore his ACL in the offseason as well and is likely out for the rest of the year. Andrew Dykstra is battling back spasms, but he's expected to be available to return to the pipes on Sunday.
More modest injuries include Markus Halsti and Fabian Espindola, both of which are questionable. Neither played last week in a draw at New England.
The only suspended player for this match is Jermaine Jones for the Rapids, who will miss three more matches after violent conduct at the end of last season.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"It's certainly a very important season for us. I certainly understand where Pablo (Mastroeni) is coming from as a coach in his third year. The team hadn't performed up to the standard we had set. I have a longer term view, but it's a very important year to turn the tide on what has been a disappointing 18 months." – Colorado vice president of soccer operations Paul Bravo in a peculiarly-timed statement about the status of coach Pablo Mastroeni
RECENT FORM
A Marco Pappa late show gave the Rapids their first win of the 2016 season over LA last week. It wasn't a completely unexpected win given the road woes of the Galaxy last year, but to finish the game off after struggling for 90 minutes will be a real boost to a team which looked awful in a 1-0 loss in San Jose the week prior was a big boost.
Clearly, life without Hamid is tough for United. The team looked lost defensively against the Galaxy on the road in the first match of the season, and it followed the 4-1 loss up with a scoreless draw last week in New England. The home opener should feature a lot of moment, especially after last year's home form.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
This is going to be a tough game for United to win, but we think it's going to find its way through. No one is expecting miracles out of Dykstra in the pipes, and we do think he's going to let one or two in this Sunday.
Still, the time has to come at some point for United to eke something out offensively. Lamar Neagle and Luciano Acosta should look more comfortable playing at home than they were on the road, and we'd be shocked if they didn't at least both threaten the target in this game.
Neither one of these teams has looked all that good on the offensive end yet this year, but this could be the match where it all changes. We think there will be plenty of swings in this game in a five-goal thriller.
D.C. United 3, Colorado 2
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Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The fixture between D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids is scheduled for Sunday, March 20, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. ET at RFK Stadium. The match will be televised live on ESPN2.
