With Major League Soccer in the resumption phase and the mid-terms cups reaching a climax, the world of American Soccer is in full flow and the big teams are setting their sights on the end of season play-offs.
The Eastern Conference has some fascinating clashes on the horizon and, from League Cup winners Inter Miami in bottom place to Cincinnati in first place, every team has high hopes of glory, and that’s what makes US footy so exciting.
The Major League Soccer 2023 2023 betting odds reckon FC Cincinnati are a shoo-in for a play-off place, and that’s where I’m starting with a look at three games to watch this weekend.
FC Cincinnati vs New York City
It’s first versus third at the TQL Stadium, and the Orange and Blues are in good shape to improve on last season’s fifth placed finish, but Pat Noonan’s side are the latest team to meet Lionel Messi, and that didn’t go too well.
Cincinnati lost to Inter Miami in the Open Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, dashing their hopes of winning a first trophy since joining the MLS in 2018. And it hasn’t been a great week for Noonan’s side after they suffered defeat to local rivals Columbus Crew in their league resumption.
Nick Cushing’s New York City are a strong side, finishing third last season and, as 2021 MLS Cup champions, they know how to win the big games.
But it’s going to be pretty warm at the TQL stadium, and the Cincinnati players have a point to make, as they will be desperately keen to get back to winning ways.
Player to watch
29-year-old Luciano Acosta has transformed Cincinnati over the past two seasons and, as captain, he leads from the front.
He has scored 12 goals so far in the MLS season and is in the hunt for the Golden Boot, and he scored the opener in Cincinnati’s match with Inter Miami, which eventually resulted in a penalty shootout loss.
Betting tip: 1X2 FC Cincinnati @ 1.74
NY Red Bulls vs Inter Miami
Here at SBOTOP, we’ve been watching Inter Miami’s incredible progress since the midseason break and, despite making their marquee signings, my colleague reckons it won’t all be plain sailing for Inter.
This is an 11th versus 15th clash, but it is anything but a basement battle as Inter are unbeaten in the eight games since Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba arrived early in the summer.
The Red Bulls will be keen to climb out of the shadows of their New York rivals, but I don’t hold out much hope for them this weekend.
Player to watch
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are already immovably connected in the minds of football fans throughout the world apart from Barcelona. He has already led Inter to League Cup glory and is on the brink of making it a cup double after the shootout win over Cincinnati on Wednesday.
While he didn’t score in his latest outing, Messi did make two assists and converted his shootout penalty, and the World Cup winner is sure to dominate the headlines again on Sunday.
Betting tip: 1X2 Inter Miami @ 2.60
D.C. United vs Philadelphia
Former England and Manchester United star Wayne Rooney is in the hot seat at DC United, and he’s beginning to make some headway.
His team finished bottom of the Eastern Conference last season and, while older fans will remember when their club were top dogs in MLS back in 2004, they and their manager have learned to be patient.
Rooney, now 37, cut his teeth in management with Derby County, and he did a superb job at a club in financial meltdown. And now he’s trying his luck at the club he played for in the latter stages of his career.
DC United are in 10th place at the moment and in good shape for an assault on the play-off places, but they meet a strong team in Philadelphia Union.
A top placed finish in the Eastern Conference and second place overall last term established the Union as one of the MLS big guns, and they are currently in third and with their eyes on another prize.
Player to watch
Union winger Julian Carranza has already made his fair share of Major League Soccer 2023 highlights with 10 goals for the Phillies, and a wide-man who can score is a valuable player indeed. He spent last season on loan from Inter Miami and made the move permanent this season.
Attacking midfielder Daniel Gazdag has weighed in with nine goals too, and these two creative stars make the Union a dangerous team in any match.
Betting tip: 1X2 Philadelphia @ 2.83
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
