Before the Round – Trends on USA MLS (05/10)

2012

The long MLS season is nearing its end and teams are scurrying to qualify for the playoffs. FC Cincinnati claimed the Supporters’ Sheild at the weekend.

They will face off with the New York Red Bulls. St. Louis City are setting the pace in the Western Conference. Can they finish the regular season strongly?

Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami

Inter Miami are clinging to the hope of qualifying for the playoffs. Lionel Messi has been rested in Miami’s last three matches. He could return against the Chicago Fire, as Miami desperately need a win to stay in the hunt for the postseason. The Fire are unbeaten in their three matches against Miami.

Chicago are also fighting for a playoff place in the Eastern Conference. They are level on points with CF Montreal for the final playoff place, but outside the top nine due to goal difference. Chicago went unbeaten in their last two MLS games, scoring a combined three goals and conceding two.

Inter Miami are four points outside the playoff places. They went unbeaten in five of their last six MLS games but drew their last two matches in the league. Miami have a game in hand over the teams in front of them chasing the playoffs.

• In their last 16 home games in Major League Soccer, Chicago Fire have recorded 13 undefeated encounters.
• Inter Miami CF are in an unfortunate period, having won just 3 of their last 16 away matches in Major League Soccer.
• Chicago Fire have conceded an average of 1.52 goals in their league games.
• Inter Miami CF are conceding an average of 1.87 goals in their away games (Major League Soccer).
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals

FC Cincinnati vs. New York Red Bulls

FC Cincinnati secured their first-ever MLS Supporters’ Shield trophy. The Supporters’ Shield is given out to the team with the best regular season points total. Cincinnati went unbeaten in their last five matches against New York in all competitions.

The Orange and Blue go into the midweek match on a two-match winning streak. Cincy recorded a 2-0 win over Charlotte and a 3-2 win away to Toronto. FC Cincinnati are the Eastern Conference’s best home team, with a record of 13W-1D-1L and a goal difference of +21.

New York are chasing a playoff place in the East. They are three points back of Montreal with three games left to play. The Red Bulls won just one of their last six matches in the division. New York won just one of their last six road matches.

• In their last 31 games in Major League Soccer, FC Cincinnati have been undefeated on 27 occasions.
• New York Red Bulls have won only 2 of their last 17 away Major League Soccer matches.
• The average number of goals scored by FC Cincinnati is 2.00 for their home matches in Major League Soccer.
• New York Red Bulls registred just 1 win of their last 6 games against FC Cincinnati in all competitions.
• Prediction: FC Cincinnati

Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy

In the Western Conference, the Seattle Sounders are thriving. Seattle are second in the conference and trying to hold onto the place for the playoffs. LA Galaxy are on pace to miss the playoffs, although they can still qualify for the postseason. Six points separate the Galaxy from the final playoff place.

Seattle Sounders were beaten by LA Galaxy 3-1 in Los Angeles earlier this season. The loss to the Galaxy ended a five-match unbeaten streak for Seattle in head-to-head matches between the teams.

Seattle went unbeaten in their last six MLS games, winning two and drawing four. They scored eight goals and conceded six. LA Galaxy went unbeaten in five of their last six games, picking up seven points. They scored 14 goals and conceded 15 times in the last six fixtures.

• Seattle Sounders are unbeaten in their last 6 Major League Soccer games.
• Los Angeles Galaxy are unbeaten in 14 of their last 16 matches in Major League Soccer.
• Seattle Sounders are undefeated in 5 of their last 6 home Major League Soccer games.
• In Los Angeles Galaxy's last 5 matches of Major League Soccer, there have been over 2.5 goals scored.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. St. Louis City

St. Louis City are thriving in their first MLS season. SLC took 56 points from their opening 32 games, which has them atop the Western Conference standings. City won the reverse fixture against Vancouver 3-1 earlier this season.

The Whitecaps are sixth in the Western Conference and on pace to make the playoffs. Vancouver went winless in their last four matches but drew their last two fixtures in MLS. The team was outscored 12-9 in their last six games.

St. Louis City took nine points from the last six matches in MLS. City are on a two-game winning streak in MLS. They outscored their last two opponents 6-2. Vancouver failed to win their last two home matches.

• Vancouver Whitecaps's 6 most recent Major League Soccer matches have seen both team score.
• Saint Louis City have won just 1 of their last 6 away league games.
• Vancouver Whitecaps are unbeaten in 12 of their last 14 home matches in Major League Soccer.
• On average, Saint Louis City have conceded 1.56 goals in their last away matches in Major League Soccer.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score