Finally, the first midweek slate is here! Get those third and fourth screens ready as 10 games will be going on at 8:30p. Remember, waiting for lineups is ultra important this week as lines will change rapidly once they are announced by the club twitter account. Let’s cash some tickets!

Crew v LAG

A battle in the midfield. Both teams revolve around strong 3-man midfields: Zelarayan, Morris, and Nagbe for the Crew and Brugman, Puig, and Delgado for the Galaxy. Both want to dominate possession and are willing to patiently build up. The Galaxy are 1st in passes/sequence (4.24), and the Crew are 7th (3.71).

Despite being 13th in the Western Conference standings, the Galaxy are solid. They are 5th in xGD. The difference is attributed to only scoring 10 goals from 17 expected goals. But with Chicharito back after an early season injury, the Galaxy looked to have resolved the striker issue. They are +0.25xG better with Javier on the field than off.

Nancy has this Crew team playing just as good as his (Club de Foot) Montreal team did last year. Built around young players and solid DPs, the Crew are definitely a threat in the East. Aidan Morris is one that stands out above the rest. His excellent defensive work in the midfield allows Lucas and Cucho to create as well as for the outside backs (Farsi and Yeboah now after Will Sands’ injury) to provide width in the attack.

It will certainly be a playoff-like atmosphere in Lower.Com Field as the Crew look to avenge dropping points after being 2-0 up vs Orlando. But, will they be looking past the Galaxy to the Hell is Real Derby Saturday? I wouldn’t be surprised if the Galaxy are able to take a point back to Los Angeles after 90 minutes Wednesday night.

CLTFC v Chicago

Two teams on the rise? Charlotte has won 3 straight in all comps thanks to Justin Meram who was acquired via trade on April 24. The Fire played excellently in the first half against StL City. Although they barely held onto all three points, Shaqiri looked like one of the best players in the league. Completing passes 90% of the league would never even try.

Interesting early passage of play from both the Fire & STL CITY…

– CITY pressing deep into opp half, higher/more aggressive than we've seen of late
– Fire break the press and get the ball to Shaqiri in position to create via a beautiful first-time ball
– Roman Burki. Decent. pic.twitter.com/qNUHHdAZnE

— Andrew Wiebe (@andrew_wiebe) May 13, 2023

Xherdan’s 6 shot-creating actions and 4 key passes are his highest of the year. Maybe changing managers sparked something inside the Swiss shadow striker.

Is it a coincidence Charlotte put up their highest xG number without their main striker, Enzo Copetti, last week at Atlanta? Maybe??! What if I told you they did that with the lowest number of crosses (12) this year, too? Super shocking, I know.

The return of Kahlina at GK has been a massive upgrade. He already has a post-shot xG (PSxG) of +1.0 which means he has allowed 1 less goal than expected. Whereas Marks was exactly neural and Sisniega was negative in the same PSxG metric.

Overall, this is an interesting matchup for two teams that seem to be on the rise. But, both are inconsistent. I can’t confidently back any side at the Bank.

Minny v Houston

Two low-block teams who have never heard of a press. Exciting! After going undefeated in their first five games, Minnesota United has just 1 point from the next six games. Being able to put the ball in the back of the net has been a challenge for the Loons. Shooting a PK right down the middle for it to be saved certainly doesn’t help things.

YOU CAN'T BEAT TIMMY MELIA WITH THAT 🤫

Tim Melia's PK save keeps Minnesota off the board! pic.twitter.com/5rwPhYyCNb

— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) May 14, 2023

But I think this is a good bounce back spot for Adrian Heath’s men for a few reasons:

1. Houston will be without two starters – Hector Herrera and Amine Bassi – after both received red cards last week.
2. Houston only have 1 point from road games (0-3-1).
3. Houston has conceded 1.5xG+ in every road game this season.
4. Houston has only conceded 9 goals from 14.6xGA.

If there is ever a time for Minnesota to score one (I’ll be hopeful and say they score 2+), it looks to be at the Allianz Wednesday night.

Plays

• Philly Both Teams to Score – No -110 (especially if both Benteke and Fountas are out)
• Minny -110
• Seattle u2.5
• FUTURES:
• NYRB 80-1. 2nd best xGD in the East and best G+ from American Soccer Analysis. New Coach = New Vibes. Fully prepared for pain on this one.
• Timbers 66-1. In Gio we trust. Evander playing well. Blanco getting healthy and Asprilla back!
• As always, follow @the4thDP for plays once lineups drop

Fantasy (Double Game Week)