FC Dallas has a Supporters' Shield to go win. The Hoops are on 59 points through 33 matches, and on the last day of the regular season, three points at home against the LA Galaxy will ultimately lock down the top spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs and the Western Conference regular season title for the second straight season.
This MLS duel will go down Sunday, October 23, 2016, at 4 p.m. ET at the StubHub Center. The match will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
LA Galaxy +120
FC Dallas +240
Draw +220
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
FC Dallas has a safety net here on the last day of the regular season. The team has a two-point advantage on Colorado, so either a win or a Rapids draw or loss against Houston will lock up the Supporters' Shield. That said, the Rapids have a home date with the worst team in the West, so that match should end in three points. Clearly, the pressure is going to be on FCD.
The Hoops though, have their work cut out for them. LA is 8-7-1 at home this year. If there's a bright spot, it's that the Galaxy have absolutely zip to play for. They're five points clear in third place through 33 matches, and they'll end up hosting the sixth seed in the first round of the playoffs in a few days. Will Bruce Arena choose to rest his gunners? Surely his vets won't be around in this match for much time, if at all, but the rest of the younger players? That's up in the air.
Key Injuries
We've already alluded to the veterans who won't play in this match for the Galaxy, and Arena has already ruled out Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard for this one. Gyasi Zardes is out for the season as well with a broken toe.
The Hoops very well could take this match a little bit lightly as well, knowing that the difference between being the No. 1 seed and the No. 2 seed isn't really the end of the world knowing that, in all likelihood, they'll have to face Colorado both home and away regardless in the Western Conference Finals. We know that Zach Loyd and Mauro Diaz are out with injuries, and neither one will ultimately be around for the postseason in all likelihood. Kellyn Acosta has been missing training in recent days, and he's a big question mark for this match.
Recent Form
FCD has been in fantastic form of late, picking up a pair of home wins against Seattle and this same LA team over the course of the last few weeks. The Hoops have picked up a result in five straight matches, though their last defeat at home against Colorado could end up being the relatively damning one if this match is lost.
The Galaxy had their fate sealed outside of the Top 2 when they were beaten by the Hoops on the road on October 1. They did beat Houston last week on the road to ensure the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, but that match really has little bearing on this one.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
This match really has the potential to be a good one. The Galaxy might not play full out, but the StubHub Center is still a really tough place to play. The Hoops are going to be scoreboard watching as well during this match, and we just don't think they're going to be able to get out of this one with the maximum three points.
The odds in this one are suspect with the Galaxy as relatively big favorites at +120, but we have a hunch this one is going to end up with a share of the spoils, a result that likely will do nothing positive for anyone.
MLS Odds: LA 1, FC Dallas 1
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