The opening weekend of the MLS season saw LAFC lay down a marker to the rest of the league, one of 13 teams to take all three points from their season opening match.
Our predictions went 10-5 for some hefty profit, and we’re back to try to replicate that success this week. After just two stalemates in the opening round, we’re backing another week with a low number of draws and a majority of clear victors.
We explain which teams you should back with our free betting picks for Week 2 of the campaign.
MLS moneyline picks for Matchday 2
| Game | Pick |
|---|---|
 Chicago Fire vs  CF Montreal |
-172 |
 New York Red Bulls vs  New England Revolution |
-125 |
 Colorado Rapids vs  Portland Timbers |
+187 |
 Minnesota United FC vs  FC Cincinnati |
Draw +260 |
 Real Salt Lake vs  Seattle Sounders FC |
+137 |
 San Jose Earthquakes vs  Atlanta United FC |
+103 |
 FC Dallas vs  Nashville SC |
+130 |
 Houston Dynamo vs  LAFC |
+100 |
 Sporting Kansas City vs  Columbus Crew SC |
-118 |
 Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs  Toronto FC |
-200 |
 LA Galaxy vs  Charlotte FC |
Draw +260 |
 Austin FC vs  D.C. United |
-108 |
 Philadelphia Union vs  New York City FC |
Draw +250 |
 Orlando City SC vs  Inter Miami FC |
+185 |
 San Diego FC vs  St. Louis CITY SC |
-159 |
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction.
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Chicago Fire vs CF Montreal
Pick: Chicago Fire (-172)
Chicago lost a tightly-contested affair in Houston, dominating long stretches of the first half before struggling to contain Guilherme after the break. But now they return home to take on a Montreal side that didn’t generate a single big chance in a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of San Diego FC.
The Fire should win this one fairly easily against a terrible Montreal team.
New York Red Bulls vs New England Revolution
Pick: New York Red Bulls (-125)
The Red Bulls went into Orlando and won 2-1, but they dominated the match with a 4.62-2.41 xG advantage and eight big chances created.
The Revs got crushed 4-1 in Nashville, managing just 12 touches in the opposing penalty area. They won’t have an answer for NYRB’s creativity in the final third.
Colorado Rapids vs Portland Timbers
Pick: Portland Timbers (+187)
The Rapids dominated possession against Seattle but had nothing to show for it, generating just one big chance and three shots on target. Portland is built to hit them on the counter, and Antony has a history of punishing the Rapids.
I think the Timbers are being slept on in this spot and are getting a great price.
Minnesota United FC vs FC Cincinnati
Pick: Draw (+260)
The hyped signing of James Rodriguez is turning into a disaster for Minnesota, but they didn’t need him in an entertaining draw at Austin. FC Cincinnati got an impressive win to open their season against Atlanta, but Evander’s early exit with a hamstring injury has him in doubt for this weekend.
At this price, I’ll back a second draw to start the season for the Loons.
Real Salt Lake vs Seattle Sounders FC
Pick: Seattle Sounders FC (+137)
Real Salt Lake has some talented young players who have a bright future. But much like last week, they’re taking on a Seattle side that has much more talent and experience.
Look for the Sounders to end a 16-match winless streak in Utah.
San Jose Earthquakes vs Atlanta United FC
Pick: San Jose Earthquakes (-103)
Atlanta defended Cincinnati extremely well for 80 minutes, but their inability to generate any sort of attack saw them fall 2-0 on the road. Now they travel across the country to take on a San Jose team flying high after their 5-0 win.
I think the Five Stripes will figure things out this season, but it won’t be this weekend.
FC Dallas vs Nashville SC
Pick: Nashville SC (+130)
Dallas allowed Toronto to have 29 touches in their penalty area and were fortunate to escape with a 3-2 win. Nashville had the same number of touches inside the 18 against New England and came away with four goals.
Cristian Espinoza’s addition to this Nashville attack is already paying off, and they’ll punish this shaky Dallas back line.
Houston Dynamo vs LAFC
Pick: LAFC (+100)
LAFC threw down the gauntlet against Inter Miami last week, as Denis Bouanga and Heung-Min Son continued to show their stellar chemistry. But their defense was what stood out to me, holding Lionel Messi and company to just one big chance.
I expect LAFC to do the same with Guilherme and Houston and punish their defense in ways Chicago could not.
Sporting Kansas City vs Columbus Crew SC
Pick: Columbus Crew SC (-118)
I said last week that Sporting Kansas City might be the worst team in MLS, and nothing they showed in their 3-0 loss at San Jose changed my mind.
They started six new players, and trying to gel against the likes of Wessam Abou Ali isn’t an ideal situation. He will score for the fifth match running to lead the Crew to victory.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Toronto FC
Pick: Vancouver Whitecaps (-200)
I expected more from the Whitecaps in their opener, but they got the job done and kept a clean sheet against Real Salt Lake. Their defense looked just as strong as it did last season, and traveling a long distance twice in one week will take its toll on Toronto’s legs.
The Whitecaps are the better team, and they’re not going to fall to their rivals.
LA Galaxy vs Charlotte FC
Pick: Draw (+260)
The Galaxy attack has been fairly toothless so far, scoring just one goal in the opener against NYCFC and then drawing 0-0 with Sporting San Miguelito on Wednesday in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Charlotte were fortunate to get a draw themselves, but goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina denied St. Louis 10 times to secure a point. With Charlotte going coast-to-coast, this could be a scoreless snoozer.
Austin FC vs D.C. United
Pick: Austin FC (-108)
Austin played well against Minnesota but conceded twice to headers, one from a corner and the other on a 90th minute cross. That’s not really a strength of DC United, who got a win against a very toothless Philadelphia attack — and then got helped by a red card after an hour.
Austin’s going to test their defense much more, and DCU won’t pass the exam.
Philadelphia Union vs New York City FC
Pick: Draw (+250)
The Union had 0.10 xG in the first half against DC United and generated just one big chance against an iffy DC United side. NYCFC put just one shot on target against the Galaxy, and it came from the penalty spot. This is another one that has 0-0 or 1-1 written on it.
Orlando City SC vs Inter Miami FC
Pick: Orlando City SC (+185)
Orlando didn’t look terrible offensively against NYRB, but they were overwhelmed defensively. But they’re going to get an Inter Miami team that was shaky in defense, got nothing from Messi, and will be coming into this match on the back of a friendly in Puerto Rico on Thursday night.
I’ll take the Lions to spring an upset over the Herons.
San Diego FC vs St. Louis CITY SC
Pick: San Diego FC (-159)
This could be one of the most entertaining matches of the slate. San Diego has looked good so far without Chuckie Lozano, while St. Louis should’ve beaten Charlotte.
St. Louis will see its defense challenged far more than it was against Charlotte, who converted their only big chance. Take the hosts to get the win.
