This MLS duel will go down Saturday, August 20, 2016, at 3 p.m. ET at Yankee Stadium. The match will be televised live on ESPN.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
New York City FC +130
LA Galaxy +190
Draw +220
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
There is still this degree of disbelief that an NYCFC team which was so bad in its expansion season could legitimately win the MLS Cup this year. Home teams in the MLS are always dominant, but between the disbelief in NYCFC and the general public affinity with LA, this spread almost seems a little out of sorts. The men from the Bronx are set at just +130 on the moneyline and are only somewhat narrow favorites against the Galaxy.
The total of 2.5 is relatively standard by MLS expectations, as is the fact that the over is the slight favorite at -125.
Key Injuries
The Galaxy are still playing without Robbie Keane as he gets over his orbital fracture from earlier in the season. They also likely won't have Robbie Rogers at the back, as he is still recovering from ankle surgery. That said, the timeline for Rogers to return was originally six weeks, and we're right at that point.
City has been rather healthy most of this season. Shannon Gomez's season is over with after he tore his ACL, while Connor Brandt has also been missing for much of the year thanks to a hip injury and won't play again until 2017. That said, the rest of the roster has been relatively constant, and no one else is missing for Patrick Vieira this week against LA.
Recent Form
Getting any points on the road is always welcome in the MLS, and City has to be happy about picking up draws against Columbus and San Jose in successive weeks away from the Bronx. NYCFC has actually only played one match at home since July 3, but it's notable that it has won three straight home games dating back to the beginning of June.
LA has had its problems for sure. The team drew at home against Colorado last weekend in a disappointing result, and that came on the heels of a 2-1 loss to FC Dallas in the U.S. Open Cup a few days earlier. The Galaxy have gone four straight without a win across all competitions, something which is very unlike them.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
With keeper Brian Rowe getting pulled last week due to injury, the Galaxy could have even more problems at the back than usual. Dan Kennedy isn't nearly the same keeper than Rowe is, and with a defense which has allowed far too much through in recent weeks, LA could be in some trouble, especially here in the Bronx.
City has been really good this year, and though its success has come with an abnormal number of wins on the road and only marginally above-average play at home, we love the matchup in this one. NYCFC has really played brighter offensively this year than it did most of last season when it was more of a tactical slogging team, and that has really given David Villa and Frank Lampard a ton of room to operate. If they can hit home in this match, City should take three points.
MLS Odds: New York City FC 2, LA 1
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