MLS Soccer Pick: Seattle Sounders vs. L.A. Galaxy

By: Mike Richardson |

After two utterly different non-league Thursdays, Galaxy and the Sounders face off in a tasty MLS clash. L.A. were given a real schooling in football by Real Madrid on Thursday night going down 5-1, while Seattle enjoyed a cushy 3-1 victory over Caledonia AIA in the Concacaf Champions League.

Black ‘ole for Galaxy!

L.A. will cite the fact that Thursday’s stonking, honking defeat came sandwiched between their trip to Frisco to play FC Dallasand the match against Sounders FC, so legs may have been tired and players rested; and Galaxy will be falling over themselves to point out that since mid-July, they are looking at seven games in four weeks. However, 5-1 is still 5-1! For arguments sake, Seattle duplicating their win at the weekend is at +1600, while L.A. going back down 5-1 is at +12500.

The Spaniards took the lead by means of a Gonzalo Higuain strike inside two minutes before Angel Di Maria made it two in eleven minutes. L.A.’s David Lopes pulled one back for Galaxy, but Los Blancos never looked in any danger of losing. The first half ended 3-1 thanks to a Jose Callejon strike before Alvaro Morata and Jese Rodriguez struck in the second half.

"Terrible," said L.A.’s Robbie Keane, “and that's being totally honest with you." The former EPL player wasn’t talking about the result, but about the timing of L.A.’s games. If you think that Seattle will continue to take advantage of L.A.’s fatigue, soccer odds makers will give you +130 on a Sounders win (and a draw is well worth a Plan B bet at +230).

Seattle is no Madrid (Real or otherwise)

I’m backing a fire in the belly revenge win from L.A. Before Madrid showed them how they do things across the pond, L.A. had been on a five-game unbeaten streak. In addition, they are undefeated in four road games AND more impressive still is that Los Angeles have gone and scored 20 road goals, the most in the MLS. Such travelling form has helped L.A. reach 33 points, just one point away from the Vancouver Whitecaps...and the Seattle Sounders.

Seattle opened their 2012-2013 CONCACAF (North America, Central America, and the Caribbean) Champions League tournament, in a professional style against a very anonymous side. “They’re probably the team right now going in the Champions League that we’re going up against the most blind,” said Sounders’ head coach Sigi Schmid and not even Trinidad-native Cordell Cato could offer his Seattle teammates any advice what to expect, “I really don’t know much about them. They’re just from my home, but I’m going to be new to the team like everybody else,” said Cato, who played for San Juan Jabloteh and Defence Force in Trinidad before joining the MLS side.

Cala-what-now?

Caledonia AIA play in Trinidad and Tobago's top-level TT Pro League. They are based in Malabar, their home stadium is Larry Gomes Stadium, they qualified for the tournament by winning the 2012 Caribbean Football Union Championship in June and it will be their first appearance in the Champions League (you’re welcome).

It was a cushy win for Seattle as they were 3-0 up at half time, and you couldn’t blame them for taking their foot off the gas (and concede a goal) as they have this big game against LA on Sunday.

Two is the magic number?

Seattle will be hoping for a repeat of their last meeting with LA, a game that ended 2-0 to the home side. A repeat of that score is available at +1100. A Sounders win is definitely worth a bet as they are undefeated in their last two against LA, that 2-0 and a 0-0 in July 2011 at LA.

You’d be forgiven for going for a repeat of that as Seattle have scored two goals in four of their last five games and LA haven’t scored more than one since their 3-1 over Chivas on July 22nd.  If you’re that way inclined spread your bets around on 2-1 to Seattle and a 2-2 draw, available at +800 and +1400 respectively. However, the shortest correct score odds are on a Seattle 1-0 win available at +750.

But that’s not where Mrs. Richardson’s money if going

Despite the fact that that LA haven’t beaten Seattle since March 2011, they do have a decent three wins, one draw and one defeat record against Seattle. They have also got two victories against the Sounders at Seattle, 1-0 both times. A win for LA is worth a fat bet at +180

I reckon that L.A.’s defeat at the hands (and feet) of Real Madrid will energise and push them!I’m backing an L.A. win, but a close one!

Prediction: L.A. wins 1-0, available at +900.