4-0-0 +15.70 (staked 15.80, +99.4%)
tighter lines this week so nothing more than 3u risk on a match. could have an add or two...
Sporting KC vs New England
- Revs were as poor as advertised last week, creating one chance in 90 minutes and getting dominated in possession. They went with 4-5-1 to try with a starting defense of Alston-Soares-McCarthy-Lozano but Lozano is out for today along with Barnes, Boggs, and Nyassi who missed last week too. Soares will play again but we'll see if he can go a full 90 minutes and Sene will likely debut up front where they were simply impotent. Really the big issue is Soares/McCarthy at central defense as McCarthy doesn't play that position and it's just out of necessity he's there again but against a much better offense in Sporting KC. KC press and attack much more than San Jose so this makeshift defense will be really tested in week 2 even with leftback Tierney ready for a start. The Revs lone positive last week was sub Lee Nguyen who brought the only life into their attack so KC need to keep an eye on him for sure when he subs in late 2H. KC missing striker Bunbury with USA Olympic Qualifying team but otherwise looking good with Nagamura, Julio Cesar, and Zusi off the injury rport. KC haven't lost a regular season match to an Eastern conference opponent in their new stadium, 5-3-0, but Revs were one of those draws last year and led until the final minute when Bunbury drew match level. Basically I rate the match best in East vs worst in East but just a small bet as I don't like laying a goal headstart in this league. KC played well last week but only scored on 1 of their 17 shots so will have to be far more efficient this week to cover the HC.
Sporting KC -1 2.5u -110 pinnacle
San Jose vs Houston
- I thought San Jose were really impressive last week particularly in MF where I am not a total believer but I'll temper my enthusiasm as it was the Revs they played. Still they were in complete control and MF dominated possession while newcomer Barnardez was tremendous in central defense. I don't rate Houston attackers much higher than the Revs so wouldn't be surprised at another clean sheet unless Houston scores on a set piece. Dynamo weren't great against Chivas USA and really should have lost match if CUSA would convert chances but caught some good fortune in 92nd minute and won it 1-0. Playing b2b2b games in Pacific time zone is not easy for any club especially for a team that went 15 games without a road victory in 2011 before winning 5 of their last 6. Again nothing but a small bet as this is a much bigger test for San Jose and match is at AT&T Park not Buck Shaw Stadium.
San Jose pk 2u -150 betcris
Real Salt Lake vs RBNY
- Red Bulls pretty much played like I thought they would last week for the first 70 minutes but then really threatened in final 20 so not sure which team shows up today. Conde is still injured and Marquez is still suspended so all those issues I brought up about central defense and defensive midfield last week are still in play, except against a truly great striking partnership of Espindola/Saborio and with the league's top playmaker, Morales, set to debut. Only concern I have is over-confidence on RSL's part as they just stepped into LA and cracked the champs 3-1. But this is a big match for them as they had the league's greatest home streak going (unbeaten in 33) but after losing the CCL final last year teams came into Rio Tinto and left with points. In the last few years RSL is 3-0-0 6/0 when hosting the Red Bulls and are unbeaten in last 5 against them overall, 4-1-0 9/1. Both the Fire and Crew came into Rio Tinto and won last year from the East and New England managed a draw so making Rio Tinto a home fortress again is the #1 priority for Kreis. They put a 19 match unbeaten run, 16-3-0, together against Eastern teams from June 2009 until May 2011 and get some key players back for this match althoguh Nat Borchers is still out in central defense. Again, just a small bet as RBNY will be playing with desperation trying to avoid a 0-0-2 start to season while RSL are in a letdown spot.
Real Salt Lake 2.5u -104 pinnacle
could have something on Tor/Sea but will wait for lineups tonight as both teams played CCL midweek with travel and could be resting guys.
tighter lines this week so nothing more than 3u risk on a match. could have an add or two...
Sporting KC vs New England
- Revs were as poor as advertised last week, creating one chance in 90 minutes and getting dominated in possession. They went with 4-5-1 to try with a starting defense of Alston-Soares-McCarthy-Lozano but Lozano is out for today along with Barnes, Boggs, and Nyassi who missed last week too. Soares will play again but we'll see if he can go a full 90 minutes and Sene will likely debut up front where they were simply impotent. Really the big issue is Soares/McCarthy at central defense as McCarthy doesn't play that position and it's just out of necessity he's there again but against a much better offense in Sporting KC. KC press and attack much more than San Jose so this makeshift defense will be really tested in week 2 even with leftback Tierney ready for a start. The Revs lone positive last week was sub Lee Nguyen who brought the only life into their attack so KC need to keep an eye on him for sure when he subs in late 2H. KC missing striker Bunbury with USA Olympic Qualifying team but otherwise looking good with Nagamura, Julio Cesar, and Zusi off the injury rport. KC haven't lost a regular season match to an Eastern conference opponent in their new stadium, 5-3-0, but Revs were one of those draws last year and led until the final minute when Bunbury drew match level. Basically I rate the match best in East vs worst in East but just a small bet as I don't like laying a goal headstart in this league. KC played well last week but only scored on 1 of their 17 shots so will have to be far more efficient this week to cover the HC.
Sporting KC -1 2.5u -110 pinnacle
San Jose vs Houston
- I thought San Jose were really impressive last week particularly in MF where I am not a total believer but I'll temper my enthusiasm as it was the Revs they played. Still they were in complete control and MF dominated possession while newcomer Barnardez was tremendous in central defense. I don't rate Houston attackers much higher than the Revs so wouldn't be surprised at another clean sheet unless Houston scores on a set piece. Dynamo weren't great against Chivas USA and really should have lost match if CUSA would convert chances but caught some good fortune in 92nd minute and won it 1-0. Playing b2b2b games in Pacific time zone is not easy for any club especially for a team that went 15 games without a road victory in 2011 before winning 5 of their last 6. Again nothing but a small bet as this is a much bigger test for San Jose and match is at AT&T Park not Buck Shaw Stadium.
San Jose pk 2u -150 betcris
Real Salt Lake vs RBNY
- Red Bulls pretty much played like I thought they would last week for the first 70 minutes but then really threatened in final 20 so not sure which team shows up today. Conde is still injured and Marquez is still suspended so all those issues I brought up about central defense and defensive midfield last week are still in play, except against a truly great striking partnership of Espindola/Saborio and with the league's top playmaker, Morales, set to debut. Only concern I have is over-confidence on RSL's part as they just stepped into LA and cracked the champs 3-1. But this is a big match for them as they had the league's greatest home streak going (unbeaten in 33) but after losing the CCL final last year teams came into Rio Tinto and left with points. In the last few years RSL is 3-0-0 6/0 when hosting the Red Bulls and are unbeaten in last 5 against them overall, 4-1-0 9/1. Both the Fire and Crew came into Rio Tinto and won last year from the East and New England managed a draw so making Rio Tinto a home fortress again is the #1 priority for Kreis. They put a 19 match unbeaten run, 16-3-0, together against Eastern teams from June 2009 until May 2011 and get some key players back for this match althoguh Nat Borchers is still out in central defense. Again, just a small bet as RBNY will be playing with desperation trying to avoid a 0-0-2 start to season while RSL are in a letdown spot.
Real Salt Lake 2.5u -104 pinnacle
could have something on Tor/Sea but will wait for lineups tonight as both teams played CCL midweek with travel and could be resting guys.
