Before the Round – Trends on USA MLS (17-18/06)

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Major League Soccer moves into round 19 this weekend. FC Cincinnati lead the overall MLS table with 40 points from 17 matches.

The Blue and Orange are pulling away from rivals in the MLS Eastern Conference. The Western Conference is closer and four teams are separated by three points with first-place St. Louis City.

New York City FC - Columbus Crew

The home team won the last four matches between New York City and Columbus Crew. The Crew lost on their last two trips to New York City.

Columbus Crew are looking to end that two-game losing streak in New York and are in excellent form ahead of their trip to the Big Apple. The Crew are on a three-game winning streak. The Crew are not a strong away team, however. They won just two of their eight away fixtures.

New York City are struggling this season. City won the MLS Cup just two seasons ago. However, the Sky Blues may miss the playoffs this term. New York City are on a six-game winless streak in the league. They took just three points from the last six games.

• In their last 24 home games in Major League Soccer, New York City FC have been undefeated on 20 occasions.
• Columbus Crew have achieved a run of 3 straight wins in Major League Soccer.
• New York City FC are on a poor run of just 1 wins in 9 matches (Major League Soccer).
• Columbus Crew have won just 2 of their last 15 away matches in Major League Soccer.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals

DC United - Real Salt Lake

The last six matches between DC United and Real Salt Lake were divided into two wins, two draws, and two losses. DC United are unbeaten in back-to-back games versus RSL in all competitions. Last season’s only meeting between the clubs ended nil-nil.

Real Salt Lake are just outside the Western Conference playoff places. The team took 20 points from 17 matches. RSL went unbeaten in five of their last six matches in MLS, taking nine points from 18 points available.

DC United took eight points from the last 18 points available to them in MLS. The team scorednine times and conceded eight goals. DC United striker Christian Benteke has eight goals this season. The former Liverpool man scored 32% of DC United’s goals.

• DC United's last 5 games in Major League Soccer have been high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored.
• Real Salt Lake have a good record of 5 undefeated games of their last 6 encounters in Major League Soccer.
• DC United have lost just 2 of their last 6 matches in MLS.
• Real Salt Lake have been conceding an average of 1.59 goals in their league matches.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score

New England Revolution - Orlando City

New England Revolution and Orlando City will play an all-Eastern Conference fixture this weekend. The Revs went unbeaten in their last six games versus Orlando City in all competitions. All six games saw over 1.5 goals.

Orlando City are in good form. They took 12 points from the last six matches. The Lions won their last two MLS games going into round 19.

New England hit a slump in recent weeks. Although the team is unbeaten in four straight MLS matches, they won just one of those fixtures. The Revs took six points from their last four games. They scored nine goals across those four games but allowed seven.

• No defeats at half time can be found in New England Revolution's 12 most recent home games in Major League Soccer.
• Orlando City SC have not suffered any defeats in their 6 most recent Major League Soccer matches.
• New England Revolution haven't lost any of their last 9 home matches in Major League Soccer.
• Orlando City SC have not been beaten in 6 of their 7 most recent away matches in Major League Soccer.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals

Nashville SC - Saint Louis City SC

Nashville SC are the second-best team in the Eastern Conference ahead of round 19’s match with Saint Louis City. Saint Louis is the best team in the Western Conference, with 29 points from 16 fixtures. This will be the first-ever MLS game between the clubs.

Saint Louis City failed to win their last two MLS games. They took just one point across those matches, scoring once and conceding three goals.

Nashville SC are unbeaten in six straight games, winning four of those matches. The Yellows took 14 points from the last six games, scoring 11 goals and conceding six times. Nashville won their last four fixtures at home.

• In their last 9 consecutive matches of Major League Soccer, there have been no losses for Nashville SC.
• Saint Louis City have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 3 away games in Major League Soccer.
• Nashville SC have won all of their last 4 home matches in Major League Soccer.
• Saint Louis City have lost just 2 of their last 6 games in MLS.
• Prediction: Nashville SC