MLS Picks: Predictions, Best Bets & Analysis for 7/5/23

We’ve got six MLS games to look forward to this midweek with 12 teams playing out their game in hand before the weekend’s action.

We've looked at the MLS betting odds for this week and put together our picks for the upcoming matches.

• Ercan Kara 2 or more shots on target, Facundo Torres to score and Orlando to beat Toronto is +716 with FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Cucho Hernandez to score or assist against Inter Miami is +120 with FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Dallas to beat D.C. United and over 2.5 goals is +225 with BetMGM Sportsbook.
• A 1-1 tie between Colorado and Portland is +550 with Caesars Sportsbook.
• LAFC to beat LA Galaxy, over 2.5 goals and Carlos Vela to score first is +979 with DraftKings.
• Under 2.5 goals between New York City and Charlotte is -102 with Unibet.

Toronto (+410) at Orlando City (-175) 

Orlando City got back in the win column last weekend with a 3-1 win against the Chicago Fire. Facundo Torres scored twice that day amongst the nine shots on target, and he also scored against Toronto in September. Ercan Kara also had two of those shots on target.

Toronto lost at home to Real Salt Lake, and it likely falls to yet another defeat in what has been a terrible season.

Columbus Crew (+125) at Inter Miami (+180)

Inter Miami remains in last place of the Eastern Conference after a tie against Austin last weekend. It was its first tie of the year for the team with the most MLS games so far (13) in 2023. 

The Columbus Crew defeated the New York Red Bulls 2-1 last time out, and it has now scored 40 goals this year - no team has scored more.

Cucho Hernández has scored five of those in 14 matches and netted in the recent win over the Red Bulls. Hernandez also has nine assists, as he continues to argue his case for the MVP Award.

D.C. United (+210) at Dallas (+115) 

Dallas registered arguably its best win of the season against Los Angeles FC 2-0. It has now beaten the top two teams in the Western Conference this season after beating St. Louis City early last month.

D.C. United lost for the ninth time last weekend and it has now won just three of the last 10 games and made just two shutouts in that period. 

As a result, for our soccer betting on this game, we expect a few goals and another win for Dallas.

Portland Timbers (+220) at Colorado Rapids (+110) 

Despite being bottom of the standings, the Colorado Rapids are the favorite to beat the Portland Timbers. However, it has won just two of its 20 games this year and scored only 14 times.

Portland was beaten 4-1 at Minnesota United last weekend, so it does make this one a tough game to call.

With this in mind, we’re heading for a tie.

Los Angeles (-105) at LA Galaxy (+240) 

It’s the third El Tráfico of the year after one win for LAFC and one victory for LA Galaxy.

However, this is an easy pick for LAFC. The 2022 MLS Cup champions have won nine games so far this season and it is second in the Western Conference and has double the amount of points as the Galaxy right now.

Carlos Vela is also the top scorer in El Tráfico games with 12 goals, and he already has 11 goal involvements this year.

Charlotte (+300) at New York City (-125)

Charlotte and New York City are right by each other in the Eastern Conference standings with 24 points each. Charlotte has let in nine fewer goals, although it has scored five more.

The form guide is also quite similar with just one win each in the past five games, as New York won at Montreal, which might explain why New York is the moneyline favorite.

Charlotte also played Montreal in its last game and tied 0-0. Once again, this one should be a low-scoring match.