Colorado vs. Columbus Preview | MLS Free Playoff Pick

MLS 2010 Playoff Gambling Series Predictions – Colorado vs Columbus

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Matchup: Colorado Rapids (12-8-10) v Columbus Crew (14-8-8)
Dates and Times: October 28, 9 pm (EST): at Colorado; November 6, 4 pm (EST): at Columbus
TV: October 28 on ESPN2; November 6 on TeleFutura.
MLS Fixture Betting Lines and Odds Game 1 from Bodog
Money Line: Colorado (+110) Columbus (+225) Draw (+225)

The Colorado Rapids will host its first-ever playoff game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park when they kickoff against the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference Semifinal series of the 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs on Thursday.

Colorado skidded into the postseason finishing in fifth spot in the Western Conference after ending the season with two wins, and pair of draws and a loss in their final five regular season matches. Western Conference foes San Jose also finished with 46 points, but Colorado won the second tiebreaker with a better overall goal differential.

By finishing 5th, the Rapids slide over and become the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference bracket of the playoffs, where they are matched against the No. 2 seed, Columbus Crew.

The Crew finished the season with a 3-1 win over the expansion Philadelphia Union, snapping the team’s six-game winless streak. The victory did come with a hefty price as veteran goalkeeper William Hesmer suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

That’s going to hurt, as Hemser was second overall, recording 11 clean sheets in a league leading 2,695 minutes between the sticks, and a 1.10 GAA. Backup Andy Gruenebaum will get the start with newly signed 26-year old Chase Harrison on the bench.

Columbus will need to rely in its balanced offensive attack and some solid defensive play in order to keep the Rapids in check during this series.

The Crew has three players on the squad that have tallied at least five goals, and are led by nine-goal scorer, Argentinean maestro Guillermo Barros Schelotto. They have been one of the league’s most consistent sides over the past few seasons, but made an early playoff exit last year. It appears that there might be a logic that Columbus’ golden era is coming to an end, so this could add a sense of urgency to winning this year’s Cup.

They will be challenged by a Rapids team that has been in solid form in its final five matches, netting 11 of the team’s season total of 44 goals. That’s 25 percent.

Colorado’s two-pronged scoring attack is led by Jamaican striker Omar Cummings who leads the side with 14 goals –enough for 4^th best overall –while teammate Conor Casey is only one behind that mark with 13.

But, it’s not just their upfront punch that earned Colorado a trip to this year’s postseason. Keeper Matt Pickens, who has started all but one of the team’s league matches this season, has been solid between the pipes, posting seven clean sheets, 11 victories, and a 1.10 GAA. His performance could be the deciding factor in this one.

The two sides have met a total of 33 times with the Rapids holding a slight edge having won 15, drawn eight, and lost 10. The teams split the season series, as Colorado won a 1-0 decision at home on June 5 and The Crew earned a 3-1 home victory in Columbus on August 21. The Rapids have scored 44 goals while allowing 32 on the year for an impressive goal differential of +12 and The Crew have scored 40 while allowing 34 for a difference of +6.

Prediction: I expect Colorado to surprise the MLS world advancing to the Conference Finals with an overall aggregate score of 3-2. Winning game one at home, 2-1, and in Columbus 1-0.

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.