MLS Parlay of the Week | Week 19

There’s a lot to like for those betting on MLS action this week. So much so that two of the three bets in our US Legal Sports betting Parlay of the Week are available as solo plays for plus odds across most online sports betting sites. At first glance, Charlotte vs. D.C. United projects to be a potential grind-it-out affair that offers both sides an equal chance at victory. However, sensational striker Christian Benteke is unlikely to play for D.C. That’s incredibly bad news for United considering he has more than half of his team’s goals this year. Both the Revolution and Whitecaps are riding two-game winning streaks, but one of them is not like the other. Lastly, we’ll take a look at Nashville on the road at the New York Red Bulls who welcome back star midfielder Emil Forsberg, previously out on international break for the Red Bulls' devastating defeat at the hands of the Revolution.

Charlotte FC Moneyline (+100) | BetMGM

For those of us who have tried fading Charlotte multiple times this season, it may be time to admit we were wrong. Rather than do so with a direct apology, I’m making amends with a bet to back the 5th place team in the East. Charlotte FC is 4-2-1 in its last seven games overall, including an impressive road victory over Atlanta, a team that has been dominant at home. With North Carolina sportsbooks offering juicy odds for Charlotte to win outright, we had to put this in the parlay.

Dean Smith’s side has been a completely different team than when it takes to the road. They’re 5-3-1 at home, going unbeaten on their own pitch in the last eight games. Their home success has largely been a result of a resistant defense, allowing just six total goals at Bank of America Stadium. Add that to a pedestrian 10 goals scored and their record makes complete sense.

The headlines for D.C. United in this match center around the status of star forward Christian Benteke who is listed as questionable. The team’s top talent at forward went down with a non-contact injury in its last match, but it’s still unclear whether he’ll be out for months or back this week. Still, D.C. hasn’t won a game in its last five matches, all of which had Benteke on the pitch.

Troy Lesesne’s club have been as poor as any in the league so far, with just one win in fixtures away from the nation’s capital. They’re also winless in their last five overall, regardless of venue. The red and black have managed 10 away goals while allowing 14. All of those goals scored, however, came with Benteke on the pitch. The powerful Belgian striker has 13 of the team’s 25 goals overall, making it difficult to project a successful attack for D.C. against a stout Charlotte defense. We’ll back the much hotter home side to walk away with three points.

Vancouver Whitecaps Moneyline (+170) | BetMGM

From afar, it may seem like this matchup is relatively even. Both squads enter this tilt with back-to-back wins on their resume, with all four wins coming against weak competition. Vancouver pulled out a nice victory over Colorado after squeaking one out against bottom-feeding Sporting Kansas City. New England was even less impressive, beating Nashville SC right after it fired head coach Gary Smith. The Revs’ most recent win came against a New York Red Bulls side missing five of its most important players to the international break. Needless to say, none of those four victories were groundbreaking.

Now, the Revolution will be forced to play without many of its key performers due to international call ups. Regardless of who takes the field, the Revs will need to improve upon the eight goals they’ve scored in five home matches if they have plans to win a third straight fixture. It’s a feat that will likely prove difficult when we consider New England has the worst expected goal rate in its own building in all of MLS. Its lack of offensive creativity has led to the worst home goal differential as well. Caleb Porter’s side certainly has more talent than its record may indicate, but it hasn’t resulted in success. Their odds to win on Massachusetts sportsbooks, however, don't adequately illustrate that point.

For Vancouver, things have started to turn around thanks to the play of its defense, especially on the road. After a brutal stretch of five out of six games away from home, the Whitecaps have started to put things together. They’ve improved enough to climb over a positive away goal differential and own the 2nd best expected goals against rate on the road. 

New York Red Bulls Moneyline -140 | BetMGM

Nashville SC will visit New York to take on the Red Bulls this weekend, setting the stage for a lopsided matchup  according to both Tennesse sportsbooks and New York sportsbooks alike. This is the only bet as a part of our parlay of the week without plus-money odds, but it’s still priced nicely for us to obtain multi-bet value.

Nashville has struggled mightily this year, leading to the firing of coach Gary Smith a few weeks ago. Since Nashville brass chose to shake things up at the top, the squad has squeaked out a 1-2-1 record while remaining in 9th place in the East. Things won’t be any easier on the road this weekend as Nashville will be without a number of key players headed to international play. They’ve been particularly poor on the road, mustering up a putrid 4 goals in 6 matches. That’s tied for the fewest in the entire league alongside Austin FC.

Don’t expect many goals from Nashville in this one, as the Red Bulls have been a top-tier defense when they play at home. New York has four straight wins in its home stadium and will return a number of key players back from international break. That includes one of the best wings in the league in Emil Forsberg who should be supremely well-rested after a combined 62 minutes over two games for Sweden.

The Red Bulls have the third-best expected goal differential in their home park. Although they haven’t been world-beaters in attack, they have the best expected goals against at home with just 4.7 expected goals against in seven matches, which is absurdly good. New York is hungry to avenge a poor loss against the Revolution on the road last week with an inferior Nashville side on the slate. This one could get ugly fast.