MLS Round of 16 Odds, Picks and Predictions (July 26): Toronto FC vs. NYCFC, Sporting KC vs. Vancouver

Toronto FC vs. NYCFC

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The drama and excitement will continue at the MLS is Back tournament, with two more matches on deck Sunday in Orlando.

Philadelphia and Orlando City punched tickets to the quarterfinal round, picking up 1-0 victories against their respective foes Saturday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Two more clubs will earn their spots in the Round of 8 at the competition, with the highlighted match pitting Eastern Conference rivals Toronto FC against New York City FC in what should be a thrilling contest.

Toronto FC earned its spot in the knockout round after winning Group A of the opening stage, headlined by a 4-3 win against Canadian rival Montreal. The Reds settled for draws against D.C. United and New England in their other games, which gave them five points atop the group. Striker Ayo Akinola was the story of the first three matches for Toronto FC, finishing with five goals on his account.

On the other side, New York City FC is simply lucky to be playing at this stage of the competition. The club, which struggled to a 1-2 record in Group A fixtures, needed a late, questionable goal from the Los Angeles Galaxy in its match against Houston to back its way into the knockout round. Houston would have advanced with the win, but the 1-1 draw allowed NYCFC to secure one of the final berths.

With all that in mind, I am firmly backing Toronto FC to get the job done against NYCFC. The Reds hold a 3-0-1 edge in the last four matches of the series, with their most recent triumph coming in the Canadian juggernaut’s home opener of the Major League Soccer regular season.

Toronto FC simply has too much class and depth for NYCFC, which has been anything but impressive throughout its entire campaign. Back the Reds with confidence.

The Bets: Toronto FC (+128); Toronto Total Over 1.5 Goals (-110)

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Sporting KC vs. Vancouver

The nightcap has two Western Conference franchises going at it, with one of the favorites taking on a club that surprised many so far in this tournament.

Sporting Kansas City, winner of Group D with a 2-1 record and six points, has looked solid after a 2-1 loss against Minnesota in its opener. Oddsmakers have made the club +450 to win the title, putting it only behind LAFC.

Sporting closed at +1200 at the start of the tournament, so sports books have taken notice of the franchise’s good run of play.

Vancouver has to be happy to have reached the Round of 16 after missing numerous players due to the global pandemic. Competing without Lucas Cavallini, Fredy Montero and Tosaint Ricketts to just name a few of the missing standouts, the Whitecaps needed a 2-0 win against Chicago in their final group-stage match to reach the knockout phase.

Sporting Kansas City has dominated the series as of late, going unbeaten in the last five meetings with Vancouver and winning four of those games. Manager Peter Vermes and his club always seem to get the best of the Whitecaps and I don’t see that pattern reversing course in Florida.

That said, I am playing Sporting Kansas City to win the match. I am also backing the total going over the number as well. Expect an early goal to get things going and potentially open the floodgates in this showdown.

The Bets: Sporting Kansas City -1 (-155); Over 2.5 Goals (-167)

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