Before the Round – Trends on MLS (30/06)

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News over the weekend broke that Major League Soccer’s top team, Los Angeles FC, had signed Gareth Bale on a free transfer. Now, can the league leaders translate that incredible transfer signing into a first-ever MLS Cup win? The rest of MLS are chasing the Black and Gold.

Seattle Sounders FC - CF Montreal

Seattle Sounders are one of those MLS sides chasing Los Angeles FC as the league goes into midweek match mode. Montreal lead the head-to-head between these sides with a record of 3W-1D-2L.

The Sounders are fresh off of a 3-0 home win against Sporting KC and are unbeaten in four straight games. Since winning the CONCACAF Champions League in the spring, Seattle have upped their game and are improving every week.

Montreal are unbeaten in three straight matches versus Seattle Sounders. The Canadians have taken 26 points from 16 matches in MLS. Montreal’s form has been up and down of late with three of their last five games ending in defeat.

• Seattle Sounders haven't lost in 6 of their last 7 matches in Major League Soccer.
• Montreal Impact haven't lost a match in 5 of their last 6 away matches in Major League Soccer.
• Seattle Sounders have scored an average of 2.00 goals in their home league games.
• Montreal Impact conceded an average of 1.75 goals in their matches in Major League Soccer.
• Prediction: Seattle Sounders @1.91

LA Galaxy - Minnesota United FC

LA Galaxy were once the movers and shakers in Tinsel Town, but now Los Angeles FC are the big-timers. The Galaxy will host Minnesota United as they seek a third straight game without a defeat. The Galaxy have a record of 2W-3D-1L against Minnesota United in the teams’ last six meetings.

Minnesota United are bottom of the MLS Western Conference form table with four points from the last 18 possible. The Loons have lost three straight MLS games.

LA Galaxy took eight points from the last six MLS matches. They were outscored 9-8. The Galaxy have a home record of just 4W-1D-3L this season.

• Los Angeles Galaxy haven't been defeated by Minnesota United in 10 of their last 11 league meetings.
• There have been 3 staight losses in Major League Soccer for Minnesota United.
• Los Angeles Galaxy have scored 2+ goals in all of their last 4 home games against Minnesota United in Major League Soccer.
• Minnesota United have managed just 1 wins in their last 8 league games.
• Prediction: Los Angeles Galaxy @1.80

Los Angeles FC - FC Dallas

Los Angeles will have a difficult test against FC Dallas this week. FC Dallas are seven points off of Los Angeles in the table and could reel them in with a win. However, FC Dallas have a pitiful head-to-head record against Los Angeles with 1W-2D-3L in the last six meetings.

FC Dallas took just seven points from the last 18 points available. Four of their last five games in MLS finished without a win.

Los Angeles, on the other hand, are unbeaten in four straight games. The Black and Gold picked up 10 points from their last 18 points available in the league.

• In their last 22 home games in Major League Soccer, Los Angeles FC have been undefeated on 19 occasions.
• In their last 7 away games in Major League Soccer, FC Dallas have recorded 6 undefeated encounters.
• Los Angeles FC are having a period of 26 straight home Major League Soccer clashes in all of which they have scored 1 or more goals.
• Over 2.5 goals were seen in FC Dallas's last 5 away matches in Major League Soccer.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @1.67

Portland Timbers - Houston Dynamo

Portland Timbers have dominated the Houston Dynamo in their last six head-to-head meetings. The Timbers posted a record of 4W-2D-0L versus Houston Dynamo in those six games.

The Dynamo are coming off of a 2-0 win against Chicago Fire last time out. Houston Dynamo took nine points from the last 18 points on offer in the league. The Dynamo are on a two-game away losing streak.

Portland Timbers picked up seven points from the last six games. Last time out, the Timbers defeated Colorado Rapids 3-0. Portland Timbers are unbeaten in back-to-back games. Portland have been excellent in attack scoring 26 goals this season, but they have allowed 25 scores.

• Portland Timbers haven't lost in 11 of their last 13 home games in Major League Soccer.
• Houston Dynamo have won just 2 of their last 20 away league games.
• Portland Timbers haven't been beaten in 10 of their 11 most recent clashes with Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.
• Over 2.5 goals have been scored in the 3 most recent away games in Major League Soccer of Houston Dynamo.
• Prediction: Portland Timbers @1.85