Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew - Crew played ok last night against Everton but they really did not need another competitve match in midweek, even if players really only played 45' each in the friendly. If not for RSL the Crew would be the worst team in the league and they've won just 4 of 20 matches this year. Columbus is also the most out-of-form side with no wins in 10 games, 0-5-5, and failing to score in 5 of those 10. The Fire have been sporadic in form too, but they'd have beaten DC last week if not for Logan Pause collecting an incredibly stupid red card early in the 2nd half. Until that moment, Chicago had controlled the match against the league's runaway best team and were set to break DC's 14 MLS game unbeaten streak. H2H for some reason always favors the road team in this series with no home win in the last 9 meetings but this is clearly a match b/w the 6th or 7th rated team vs 11th/12th and a solid home advantage. Pause will miss this match, suspended, and important forward Andy Herron is listed as questionable. Columbus continue with a huge list of injuries and are really bare bones in attack. Although they've kept close in recent matches Columbus is not a very talented team without many of their top players and I look for the Fire to come out flying after leaving points on the table in their last 2 home games vs Dallas and DC. Chicago Fire 6/10 @1.95 (pinnacle
Real Salt Lake vs DC United - top vs bottom here. RSL with a brutal result in midweek losing leads of 2-1 and 3-2, allowing a tap-in tying goal in the 94th. That was their 7th match in 22 days and this will be #8 in 25 so a very busy schedule for a really depressed team. This is now two games in a row of allowing a stoppage time goal which has cost them 4 points. Part of the issue is injuries in defense. Young Nik Besagno has been pushed into a starting role because Eddie Pope is out not to mention that fellow starters Danny Torres and Nelson Akwari are injured. Those backline adjustments cost them these points recently and now they must face the top attack in MLS...and the best defense. DC united were not good in Chicago and very lucky that Pause was red carded or they'd have finaly lost. They lead the Eastern Conf by a ridiculous 20 points so motivation is a concern, though it's only nearing the All Star break. They are perhaps the most dominant team in MLS history, 1 loss in 20, top scorers in MLS, top defenders in MLS so odds nearly 2.00 vs the worst team in the league are really strange. Compare this to a Chelsea match last year where they'd be playing away to WBA or Sunderland or Birmingham. Of course the MLS does not have the financial inequity of EPL but talent-wise this is no contest. Then factor in that RSL played a very fast-paced midweek match in brutal heat and that only one team this year has covered a HC when playing their 3rd match in a week against a rested team. Gametime temps should be around 92-93 so not exactly comfortable for either team, but with RSL's recent schedule, injuries, and mindset this is a must-bet on the best team in MLS. DC United 6.5/10 @2.00 (thegreek, 1.97 pinnacle)
