Greetings from America, friends! Many of us on this side of the pond are still trying to catch up on the hour that was stolen from us as we went to Daylight Savings Time last Sunday. Maybe this lost hour had an affect on our favorite MLS teams!
After scoring a record 36 opening week goals in Week 1, the league produced a more pedestrian 27 tallies in Week 2. After two weeks, fully 65% of our MLS matches have gone over 2.5 goals, while home teams have scratched out wins in exactly half of their 20 matches. 24% of the goals scored have come after the 80th minute, and we have seen a number of thrilling finishes.
Some things we wonder – Will Columbus wake up? Usually one of the top teams in MLS, the Crew have dropped two 2-1 matches. Losing to Portland on the road might have been expected, but Philly shocked the Crew in a big way last weekend, and they have to feel a bit rattled.
What’s up with Houston? I know that two weeks do not a season make…but, the Dynamo have been dynamic. They scored four goals in the first 27 minutes of the match against a tough Dallas club, and they now have 8 goals in two matches!
Is New York FC our Over team of the year? As I mentioned last week, I am an over fanatic. I try to look for over value whenever possible, and we will need to keep an eye on this club. NYCFC produces chances, and yet they are leaky enough at the back to give up key goals at the worst times. David Villa looked superb last week and the club plays with an NYC swagger.
Time will tell on all of these things, but hey, it is only week 3. The remaining season is longer than the list of lies coming from Donald Trump’s mouth! Please don’t get me started….
Certainly nothing is definite in the MLS, but we’d like to think that by match three, teams are rounding into shape, lineups are crystalizing, and we are starting to get a sense of how these teams may shake out.
So, let’s find a few winners!
Silver spike –Dallas vs. Montreal over 2.5 goals 1.83 at Coral — Ignacio Piatti netted his third goal in the first two games of the season – leading all of MLS – as the Impact recorded a second consecutive win to open the 2016 season, defeating the New York Red Bulls last week. So, Montreal can score, Dallas has problems on the back end, and they should be able to get on the board at home…give me the over!
Golden spike – Sporting KC vs. Toronto FC over 2.5 goals 1.8 at 888sport – The last five times these two got together – 4 goals, 5 goals, 3 goals, 4 goals, 3 goals – these two play some fun games, and I expect this over trend to continue this weekend. Take the over at a decent price!
Wishing you and yours a winning weekend! We will have more picks up on our Twitter page – @TommyDoverspike
