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Here are some more soccer picks I found..
Pachuca at Los Angeles Galaxy (+160, draw + 220, +160)
The North American SuperLiga is a cup competition between a selection of MLS and Mexican League teams – and also the L.A. Galaxy’s only realistic chance at winning a trophy this season.
The SuperLiga is the one competition in which the Galaxy have produced consistent form: they have won three and lost only one on their way to the final.
That’s in comparison to MLS regular season play where L.A. is failing miserably. The Galaxy have lost five consecutive league games and have fallen 24 points off the pace in the Western Conference.
Injuries – and not just to David Beckham’s ankle – have played a big part in their struggles. L.A. was without eight regular starters, including Landon Donovan and Abel Xavier, in Saturday’s 3-0 loss to the Colorado Rapids. An inexperienced side took the field and was completely outplayed by the Rapids.
That prompted general manager Alexi Lalas to blast the MLS soccer bosses who decided to delay most of the Galaxy’s games until Beckham’s arrival to maximize publicity. L.A. has already played seven times this month and has a further 12 league game to play this season.
"We sure as hell are not going to put up with another season like this," Lalas said. "This ridiculous schedule that we have been saddled with in an effort to appease everybody, on and off the field, has taken its toll."
While the L.A. injury list looks a little better ahead of today’s game (Cobi Jones, Kevin Harmse and Donovan could be available), the team's website is listing Beckham as "out" on the SuperLiga match preview.
But things are far from lost.
The return of several other key players besides Becks will restore some balance to the side – especially in the midfield – which was lacking against Colorado on Sunday.
L.A. has struggled with a hectic schedule this season but they’ve had a few days off and a much quieter build-up to this game. They already beat Pachuca 2-1 in this competition in July and a strengthened Galaxy side is capable of repeating that.
Pick: Los Angeles +160
MLS
Kansas City Wizards at Real Salt Lake (+120, draw +220, +210)
A trip to Salt Lake City offers the Wizards an opportunity to get their first road win since the end of May and tighten their stranglehold on a playoff spot.
Kansas has had a tough few weeks in MLS, playing a Thursday-Sunday double against New England before a Wednesday-Sunday double against Chicago. They lost both to the Revs and split the two games against a resurgent Fire.
Winning on the road has been the Wizard’s biggest obstacle this season. They have slumped to a 3-4-3 record away from home, with 19 goals conceded. All those wins came in the first two months of the campaign, and Kansas needs to get back to winning ways on the road this year if they are to maintain a playoff push.
Luckily for them, today’s game offers the perfect reprieve. Salt Lake have won just twice in 10 games at home this season. While they've been able to keep most of their games close, their inability to score makes them the league’s most beatable team.
Much like the previous meeting – a 1-0 home win for Kansas – this will not a be a high scoring affair. But RSL have lost three of their last four games and it’s hard to see them pulling out a win in this clash.
Pick: Kansas +120
Raji |