Predictions and Best Bets for MLS Games on Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Columbus is the only team sitting out of a 13-game Major League Soccer schedule this Wednesday, September 29. All the other 26 MLS teams are in action on Wednesday, as the regular season nears its completion.

There are plenty of intriguing matchups on the cards. The bottom two in the Eastern Conference – Toronto and Cincinnati – go head-to-head at BMO Field, while third-place Colorado hosts last-place Austin over in the West.

Before we get to my MLS predictions for Wednesday’s games, let’s take a look at all 13 clashes.

Can the Revs edge closer to their first-ever Supporters’ Shield when they visit Montreal? Will the Sounders overcome San Jose and extend their lead in the West? Can Inter Miami upset the MLS odds against Atlanta?

I answer those questions – and more – as I go through my MLS predictions for Wednesday, September 29. I also share my best MLS bets for the midweek clashes at the end of this piece.

Atlanta’s hot streak was brought to an end by Philadelphia on Saturday, as the Union beat the Georgia outfit 1-0 at PPL Park.

However, it is important to remember that the Five Stripes had picked up seven wins in eight games before Week 27. With Ezequiel Barco and Josef Martinez in red-hot form, they will be confident of returning to winning ways on Wednesday.

Inter Miami posted a remarkable run of just one loss in 13 matches between late July and mid-September. Yet, the Herons head into Week 28 on the back of two heavy thrashings.

After losing 4-0 to the Red Bulls, the Herons were crushed 5-1 by Nashville last time out. With that in mind, I’m backing Atlanta claim all three points on home soil.

Last-place Toronto sits one point behind second-bottom Cincinnati in the East. Both sides have secured a measly four wins in 2021, conceding a combined total of 99 goals along the way.

That said, the Reds have shown signs of improvement recently. After beating Nashville, they hammered York United 4-0 in the Canadian Championship before holding Colorado to a goalless draw on Saturday – extending their unbeaten streak to three matches.

Although TFC has struggled throughout the campaign, I’m confident the Canadians will get the better of Cincy.

Due to a couple of CONCACAF Champions League defeats to Club America, the Union sealed just two wins in 11 matches before Week 26. Things were looking pretty bleak for the 2020 Supporters’ Shield champs, but they have since turned it around.

Philly snapped a four-game winless streak with a 3-1 victory over Orlando in Week 26. Last time out, they downed in-form Atlanta to notch back-to-back wins.

RBNY will surely be buzzing after taking four points off New York City in the space of four days. The Red Bulls claimed a crucial 1-0 victory over their bitter rivals on Saturday, with Omir Fernandez grabbing the goal.

Let’s not forget that RBNY still sits eight points behind Philly, though. The Red Bulls have endured a testing campaign, so they won’t find life easy against the in-form Union.

The Revs have now lost just one of their previous 15 games following a 2-1 win over Orlando last weekend. Polish striker Adam Buksa netted his twelfth MLS goal of the season last time out, firing his team to a fourth win in five matches.

In all honesty, I am running out of superlatives to describe New England. Bruce Arena’s men currently find themselves 17 points clear of second-place Nashville atop the West and have all but wrapped up the Shield already.

On the flip side, Montreal has recorded a series of mixed results of late. With three wins and two losses coming in their past five outings, it is difficult to predict how the Canadians will fare on Wednesday.

Considering they are coming up against the seemingly unstoppable Revs, I can see them suffering back-to-back losses this week.

This cross-conference matchup brings together two sides with very similar records.

Both teams sit sixth in their respective conference, both teams have 37 points to their name, and both teams will fancy their chances of sealing a playoff berth this year.

DC United thrashed Cincy 4-2 last time out, notching their third win in five games. Minnesota, meanwhile, beat Houston 2-0. Funnily enough, that was their third victory in five outings, too.

I think you know where I’m going with this one. That’s right; the draw is my prediction for DC United vs. Minnesota United.

Sporting KC went into Sunday’s clash against Seattle, sitting one point clear atop the West. As they head into Week 28, they now find themselves two points behind the Sounders.

That’s because Peter Vermes’ men suffered a 2-1 loss to Seattle, which ended a run of just one loss in nine MLS matches. Still, they remain in a seriously strong position and could leapfrog the Sounders again before the regular season finishes.

Given the gulf in quality between these two sides, the Wizards should fly away with an easy win over Dallas.

New York City will be eager to bounce back after taking just a single point from two games against the Red Bulls. Thankfully for Ronny Deila’s men, they face struggling Chicago next.

The Fire have only claimed one victory in their past eight games, suffering six defeats along the way. Although they held Nashville to a goalless draw on Sunday, they still find themselves 15 points behind NYCFC in the East.

It is also worth noting that just two sides in the conference – New England and DC United – have scored more goals than New York City this year. By contrast, the Fire are the second-lowest scorers.

You won’t be shocked to learn that I’m backing NYCFC to returning to winning ways against faltering Chicago on Wednesday.

As I just mentioned, Nashville was held to draw by Chicago last time out. It’s fair to say the team from Tennessee looked nothing like the side that hammered Inter Miami 5-1 four days earlier.

Despite drawing with the Fire, Gary Smith’s men achieved yet another shutout on Sunday. Goalkeeper Joe Willis has now kept 11 clean sheets in 26 MLS matches this year – and, unsurprisingly, Nashville boasts the best defensive record in the East.

Although Oscar Pareja’s men still find themselves fifth in the standings, they are seven points shy of second-place Nashville. With that in mind, I expect the Boys in Gold to inflict a fifth straight defeat on the Lions.

The Whitecaps further enhanced their playoff chances with a 1-0 win over Dallas on Saturday, picking up their fifth victory in seven MLS encounters.

When you look at the bigger picture, the Caps have only lost one of their previous 13 league games. They don’t exactly score many goals, but they don’t concede many, either.

Following a dreadful 16-match winless run between late May and early September, the Dynamo finally returned to winning ways a fortnight ago. Following a win over Austin, Houston drew with the Galaxy before beating Dallas.

I always knew it wouldn’t take long for the Texans to lose again, though. They were beaten 2-0 by Minnesota on Saturday – and I can see them suffering another defeat at the hands of in-form Vancouver.

The Rapids notched their fourth straight draw last weekend, producing a goalless encounter with Toronto. They have now drawn five of their past six games and will surely be eager to taste victory again on Wednesday.

Despite recording four consecutive ties, Colorado is very much on course to reach the playoffs. Robin Fraser’s men are currently enjoying an 11-match unbeaten streak and sit just three points behind first-place Seattle.

At the other end of the Western Conference, Austin remains rock bottom – despite beating the Galaxy on Sunday. Los Verdes gave their fans something to cheer about, but there is no hiding from the fact that they have lost eight of their last ten games.

In my eyes, this clash provides Colorado with the perfect opportunity to return to winning ways.

I think it’s safe to say that this matchup brings together two of the most unpredictable teams in Major League Soccer.

Having made a strong start to the season, the Galaxy has failed to win any of their previous seven matches. Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, has lost four of their last seven games and was crushed 6-1 by Portland last time out.

I really don’t see an obvious winner here, so I’m backing RSL and the Galaxy to share the points in Utah.

The Sounders are back atop the West following statement win over SKC. Cristian Roldan and Will Bruin grabbed the goals in Sunday’s 2-1 victory, chipping in while Raul Ruidiaz goes through a rare dry spell.

Remarkably, Brian Schmetzer’s men have conceded just 21 goals in 25 MLS outings this season. Even with Ruidiaz enduring a sticky patch, the coach can rely on his defensive unit to get the job done.

That said, I expect San Jose to put up a good fight against Seattle. I mean, the Earthquakes have only lost two of their past 15 games and dispatched LAFC in the previous round.

Against any other team, I would back the Quakes to pick up at least a point on Wednesday. Yet, with the seemingly unstoppable Sounders up next for Matias Almeyda’s men, I can’t see them getting anything from this midweek clash.

As we know, the Timbers demolished RSL on Saturday, with six different players finding the net in the 6-1 rout. All the usual suspects – Felipe Mora, Dairon Asprilla, Yimmi Chara – hit the target, lifting Portland to fourth in the West.

The Timbers have now won five of their last six games and have only lost one of their previous eight. With a seven-point gap between them and eighth-place Los Angeles FC, a playoff place is almost secured.

On the flip side, LAFC’s postseason status is by no means certain. Bob Bradley’s men suffered their second straight defeat on Saturday, meaning they have lost six of their last ten matches.

While the Timbers are peaking at just the right time, the Black & Gold are moving in the opposite direction. For that reason, I’m backing high-flying Portland to see off LAFC.

Having checked the odds at the best MLS betting sites, I have found three top MLS picks for Wednesday, September 29. Let’s finish up by going over the best MLS bets for Wednesday’s games.

Given the Revs are the away team in this fixture, the bookies offer hugely generous odds for the New England win (2.63). In fact, Montreal (2.40) is the slight favorite here.

Not only are the Revs 17 points clear at the Eastern Conference summit, but they are also a colossal 25 points ahead of seventh-place Montreal. With that in mind, backing the away win makes perfect sense.

Nashville (1.75) is the favorite to win this one, with off-form Orlando (4.50) the clear underdog. Backing the home win isn’t a bad idea, but I recommend going with the Nashville clean sheet in order to get better value.

The Boys in Gold have achieved more shutouts than any other team this year, while the Lions have lost each of their previous four games – scoring just four goals along the way. It’s a no-brainer, right?

Although San Jose (2.30) has picked up a series of positive results lately, I don’t understand why the bookies favor the hosts to win this one.

The Sounders (2.88) sit atop the Western Conference and currently hold a 15-point lead over tenth-place San Jose. On top of that, Schmetzer’s men have won five of their previous seven MLS games – underling their dominance.