MLS Picks for Kicks: New Life in Impact – Toronto FC Rivarly

MLS Rivalry Weekend, Betting Odds and MLS Breakaway Debut

If the MLS is going to really take off, it needs weekends like this one to make a big impression. If nothing else, you can’t fault the league for trying.

This weekend is dubbed Rivalry Weekend and features a slate of seven games Saturday and two more Sunday. Eight of the nine games are regional rivalries and the major television networks are jumping all in. In Canada, TSN is broadcasting Saturday’s Toronto FC-Montreal Impact match at Olympic Stadium nationwide. South of the boarder, NBC and NBC Sports Group will show 10 consecutive hours of MLS action, beginning with New York vs. D.C. United at 12:30 p.m. ET. After that, NBC Sports will debut MLS Breakaway, which will be a program that shows live look-ins to six matchups, similar to what the NFL Network has done with NFL Red Zone. After that, NBC Sports will show Chicago vs. Sporting Kansas City and Seattle vs. Portland in their entirety.

Toronto FC (+440) at Montreal Impact (-182) Draw (+240)

It seems as though last week’s impressive home opening win over Sporting KC has Toronto FC fans excited for the 2013. TFC supporters are expected to smash MLS records with 4,200 fans heading to Olympic Stadium, but they will probably be heading home without points Saturday. TFC capitalized on a terrible back pass and a penalty last week and Montreal isn’t the kind of team that will hand out strong scoring opportunities. IMFC looks much more comfortable in the new system, stringing short passes together and capitalizing on the counterattack. Montreal is coming home after winning its first two on the road and more than 40,000 fans are expected to pack Olympic Stadium. The Impact won’t disappoint. Final score: Montreal 2, Toronto 0.

D.C. United (+265) at New York Red Bulls (-111) Draw (+215)

To say it’s been a tough start to the year for New York would be a major understatement. The Red Bulls fell apart late in the second half against San Jose in a 2-1 loss (thanks in large part to Roy Miller miscues). The Red Bulls also blew a 3-1 lead in their first week of the season and have conceded five goals already. That’s bad news with D.C. United sniper Dwayne De Rosario coming back from his two-game suspension. The Red Bulls won’t back down, but their back line will be tested. Final score: D.C. United 3, New York 1.

Frank hit two of three picks last weekend and had the exact score in Montreal’s 2-1 upset win over Portland. TFC’s big home win was the only blemish on his record.

Season record to date: 3-3

Correct scores: 1