MLS Betting Picks and Strategy for June 25 and 26, 2022

The league returned from its three-week international hiatus last weekend with a slew of compelling, down-to-the-wire games. Of the 15 matches, there were six ties and five one-goal games. 

As predicted at Dimers.com, it was a weekend of low-scoring matches as teams worked to get their timing and legs back. Totals UNDER were a staggering 12-2-1.  

Dimers.com soccer expert and veteran handicapper Robert Williams gives you all the best bets for this week's action.

MLS Rivalry Matches

There are several intriguing rivalry matches this weekend, as well. Seattle plays host to Kansas City on Saturday at 3PM ET and in Texas bragging rights are on the line when Austin FC plays FC Dallas on Saturday at 9PM ET. 

Alright y’all what’s the best acronym for Austin FC’s dangerous attacking trio 👀🔥

- Diego Fagundez
- Maxi Urruti
- Sebastian Driussi

DMF? FUD? 🧐🧐🧐

📸: austin fc #austinfc #verde pic.twitter.com/lwXFI8wCys

— WeAreAustinTV (@WeAreAustinTV) June 20, 2022

Led by Sebastian Driussi (8 goals, 3 assists), Austin (8-4-3) has been one of the surprises of the West. Despite playing a man down for more than half the match due to a red card picked up by Pereira Gil, Austin rose to third in the conference with a 1-0 win at Montreal thanks to Maximiliano Urruti’s tally in the 67th minute. 

Dallas lost for the third time in four matches with a dreadful 2-0 home setback against Vancouver. Still, Dallas can overtake Austin in the standings with a win. And now that Jesus Ferreira (9 goals, 4 assists) and company have a post-break match under their belts, there is some value in taking Dallas draw no bet at +138.  

For full betting previews of every MLS match this weekend, visit Dimers' MLS Betting section.

MLS Betting Picks

Match of the Week: Sunday, 6PM (ET)

New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union

Two of the top three teams in the East meet in the Philadelphia suburbs. NYCFC (8-3-3) has gone nine straight matches without a loss and leads the league with a goal differential of +15. The visitors have allowed a grand total of one goal over their last seven league matches.

The Union are undefeated in eight straight but have drawn seven times during that stretch. Philadelphia settled for a 1-1 home tie against Cincinnati last week as a favorite of nearly -200. 

Make a call and help out @PhilaUnion https://t.co/KTmWbI3umu pic.twitter.com/lAw2A55ux0

— Andrew Salciunas (@asalciunas975) June 23, 2022

The failure to convert more of these draws into victories has led to murmuring that Philly lacks the offensive punch to be a serious contender. 

Daniel Gazdag has seven goals for the Union, but only five other players have found the back of the net this year. 

Following this tilt, the Union play three of their next four on the road. 

PICK: I look for Philadelphia to be the more motivated side in this tilt and recommend them for one unit draw no bet at -115. It figures to be another low-scoring affair, so UNDER 2.5 (-115) is another solid play.  

⚽️ Predictions: New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union
⚽️ Full Betting Preview: New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union

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Best MLS Bet: Saturday, 3PM (ET)

Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting Kansas City

This has all the ingredients needed for a Best Bet beatdown. A hot, ultra-motivated team in a revenge scenario against a club that has only two wins in its last 12 matches, Seattle (6-6-2) battled LAFC, the top team in the West, to a 1-1 draw last week and is undefeated in its last four home games, outscoring its opponents 10-3. 

Seattle Sounders just announced "Pups at the Pitch" tickets for their game against CF Montreal next week in which you can bring your dog to the game in a designated section. Hell yeah! pic.twitter.com/q8NKA2Yn1w

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) June 22, 2022

Sporting KC (4-9-4) pulled off a surprising 2-1 win at Nashville last weekend, but was outplayed for stretches, especially in the second half when Nashville had several close misses and a PK overturned by VAR. These teams met last October, and KC escaped with a 2-1 victory in a chippy match that saw Melia’s backwards body slam of Roldan in the 55th minute as the pair tussled for position in front of the goal. Roldan has downplayed the motivation factor this week, but I expect to see an inspired Seattle side roll to the win. 

PICKS: Play three units on the money line for Seattle at -145 and one unit on the Sounders with the goal line (-1.5) at +200.

BONUS PICK: I also recommend a play on YES in the in-play red card market once the price reaches +400. Ironically, Melia wasn’t carded for his body slam in the last meeting. The officials are going to want to send a message in this one that they have control of the match.

⚽️ Predictions: Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting KC
⚽️ Full Betting Preview: Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting KC

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Best MLS Prop Bet: Sunday, 8 PM ET

New England vs. Vancouver

The Whitecaps have been out-cornered in six of their last seven matches, and there is no reason to believe the trend won’t continue. The Revolution have gone eight matches without a loss, averaging just under 2 goals per game in that stretch. 

New England will be the aggressor here and should have no problem cornering more times than its foe. I also recommend a one-unit play on New England to win the match outright at +150 and two units on New England draw no bet at -108.

PICK: New England to have more corners than Vancouver  

⚽️ Predictions: New England Revolution vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
⚽️ Full Betting Preview: New England Revolution vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Robert Williams has been a sportswriter and handicapper in New England and Las Vegas for 25 years. He has covered horse racing, football and baseball, but soccer became his first love after the 2002 World Cup. Tweet your comments, questions, best bets and sports betting anecdotes @vegasdimer.