MLS Cup 2010 Gambling Predictions – FC Dallas vs Colorado Rapids
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MLS Cup Final
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Matchup: FC Dallas (12-4-14) v Colorado Rapids (12-8-10)
Date and Time: Sunday, Nov 21, 8:30pm ET
Venue: BMO Field in Toronto, Canada
TV: ESPN, Galavisión
MLS Fixture Betting Lines and Odds from Bodog
Money Line: Dallas (+137) Colorado (+170) Draw (+225)
This year’s MLS Cup final has all the ingredients to cook up a sizzling finish as FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids prepare to clash in the season finale on Sunday night.
Despite both sides being well balanced and full of unsung talent, the pair had to travel a challenging road on their way to Toronto.
Dallas enters the side’s first final as the favorite, having lost only four games this season, while knocking off defending champion Real Salt Lake, and routing top-seeded Los Angeles.
Equally as impressive, Colorado blasted its way through the playoffs winning five of six matches, finishing its run with a penalty shootout win over the Columbus Crew
The Rapids scored in each of those six games, with seven of 10 goals coming in the first half, and registering two shutouts in their last three. Meanwhile, Dallas has outscored its postseason foes 6-2 in three playoff games.
During the regular season, the two battled to a pair of draws, with the Rapids coming from behind each time in a 1-1 draw in Colorado and a 2-2 result at Dallas. The sides are level in their last 11 meetings with each posting four victories. However, Colorado has eliminated Dallas on penalties in their last two postseason appearances–2005 and 2006–but has yet to hoist the hardware.
Dallas’ ability begins in the midfield engine room. Maestro David Ferreira has a goal and three assists in the postseason. His side has only been shut out once in the last 10 games. However, the MVP candidate is just one of a bevy of talented Dallas midfielders. He is joined by defensive minded Daniel Hernandez, and prolific passer, central midfielder Dax McCarty.
They will be expected to feed a frenzy of passes to the upfront punch of veteran forward Jeff Cunningham and converted midfielder Atiba Harris. Both have produced, combining for a goal and assist through two postseason matches. 
It will be the job of Marvell Wynne and Drew Moor — Colorado’s central defenders — to shut down any attack that Dallas brings. The two led a formidable backline that succeeded in shutting down a very productive LA Galaxy offense
Meanwhile, the Dallas defense will be busy containing Rapids speed demon Omar Cummings.
The Jamaican forward tallied up 22 goals and 15 assists the past two MLS season, and will be a force to be reckoned with. But if that isn’t enough, on the opposite glide slope will be Conor Casey who posted his third straight double-digit goal-scoring season.
Jair Benitez will be expected to blanket Casey while the central pairing of Ugo Ihemelu and George John key in on Cummings.
FCD gave up just 28 goals on the year, good for third in the league. A large part of that effort was the solid play of goalkeeper Kevin Hartman whose performance against the Galaxy in the semifinals was the pinnacle of a 12-2-9 season. His 0.62 GAA in the regular season is a league record.
On the opposite end of the pitch, will be 28-year old Matt Pickens who has been solid between the sticks for Colorado. He’s not the type of keeper who will win a game on his own, so expect Dallas to pepper him all game long.
Matt’s FREE Prediction: While Cummings and Casey will be difficult to shut down, I believe that FC Dallas has proven they have the defense that can do win games by shutting down the oppositions attack. I look for this to be a tightly contested match from beginning to end with both sides playing cautiously.
That being said, FC Dallas ekes out a 2-1 win as Cunningham scores the game-winner to grab his first MLS Cup.
We will continue to provide free weekly MLS gambling predictions due to the responses we’ve gotten on ourSoccer handicapping forums, and survey responses we’ve conducted on our soccer betting blog.
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Matt Martz is a sports writer for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. Blessed is the gambler who expects nothing, for ye shall not be disappointed.
