The Designated Pundits break down their MLS betslips each week LIVE on YouTube. You can catch the replay on Spotify with video, below.
Match- DC United host Inter Miami
Pick- Inter Miami & Over 2.5 +120
DC United got their first win in MLS’s opening weekend, beating the Philadelphia Union by a 1-0 margin. Since then, they lost 1-0 to Austin on the road. While these are two low goal total matches, I think it is the opponent which kept each of these games cagey. That should not be a feature of DC United going forward.
Inter Miami, after starting out with a dud, beat Orlando 4-2 last weekend. In that win, they scored 4 unanswered second half goals. It is looking more like their 3-0 defeat at the hands of LAFC on opening day was more reflective of LAFC’s home strength, rather than an indication of a slowing Miami attack. In fact, in their last 10 matches Inter Miami has outscored their opponents 29-7, averaging 2.9 goals per match. This includes last year’s playoffs, where they played better opponents than DC.
Inter Miami should have a win this weekend, and I will pair it with a total over 2.5 goals. Miami saw that total 83% of the time in 2025, and I think we’re looking at a game script that they will dictate
Match- Atlanta United hosts Real Salt Lake
Pick- Under 2.5 +122
Early this season, Atlanta United seems allergic to scoring. Their 1.2 xG through two games is among the lowest in the Eastern conference. This continues last season’s trends; Atlanta United scored just over 1 goal per game in 2025.
On the RSL side, we’re looking at a team that scored only 15 times in 17 away matches in 2025. They were the worst team in the west for road scoring last season, and didn’t score in their lone away match of 2026. Their two goal scorers this season include Ariath Piol, who is out with a torn achilles. It is looking bleak for RSL, although they do have reinforcements coming soon.
Do I think Atlanta and RSL can combine to put together a good match of soccer on Saturday?
Absolutely not.
Do I hold that belief enough to make under 2.5 goals an official play?
Absolutely yes.
Match- Charlotte FC hosts Austin FC
Pick- Charlotte FC +105
This is a pick where I used a combination plays to get plus numbers. Here, I will take Charlotte, the home team, at +105 and call it a play.
Charlotte is winless in the young 2026 season, with two road games played. Last year, however, they went 13-1-3 at home in the 2025 season. Austin went 6-1-10 on the road that year, finishing on a 1-5 stretch that lasted until their playoff elimination. These two teams last met in July of 2024, so I think the historical data on home/away splits matters here.
On the ball side, Charlotte has just not clicked on offense, and I think a home stand fixes that. They play their next five matches as the home team. At plus money, we have some value here.
If you’re looking for a player prop, I think Charlotte’s Zaha is going to have a good game. As the most fouled player in MLS, I’d look for some cards, namely from Hines-Ike, Biro, or Pereira.
Match- Philly Union host SJ Earthquakes
Pick- BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals -117
The Philadelphia Union have started the 2026 season with two losses- a 1-0 loss to DC United and a 2-1 loss to NYCFC. They have also played a man down in each match, with Ezekiel Alladoh getting a red in the first, and Olwethu Makhanya in the second. The latter will miss this match, leaving a Jakob Glesnes sized hole in the back 4.
The San Jose Earthquakes, the Western Conference participant in this match, has two home wins, both shutouts. Timo Werner has an assist, and suddenly the Quakes have life. They passed the eye test, but those match wins were still against Atlanta United and Sporting KC, so I’m still tempering expectations.
Here, I think San Jose can score, possibly twice. If they put even one in the back of the net, I assume Philadelphia can push the total over 2.5 goals and ensure that both teams score.
I don’t want to pick a winner, but with a rickshaw defense for Philly and an improved attack for San Jose, I think both teams can land a punch.
Match- Nashville SC hosts Minnesota United
Pick- Minnesota United DC +100
Last weekend, Minnesota shut out FC Cincinnati, while Nashville was blanked by FC Dallas. This week, I love the draw option in this week’s interconference matchup. However, while tinkering around, I found that the double chance with a Minnesota win is even money, at +100.
Nashville has the makings to be one of the best offenses in MLS. However, that attack will demand resources from elsewhere, which could expose a problem elsewhere. Nashville had great success in CONCACAF Champions Cup, but they haven’t beaten any good teams yet in 2026. With a 44.4% win chance in my model, they still have a lot left to prove before we buy in.
Last season Minnesota United and Nashville SC were two of the stingiest defenses in MLS, so I favor a low goal total this week. If things go that way, then Minnesota has a good chance at +100 to leave with points. If Surridge misses any more time, or is less than 100%, this bet could be the value of the week on a double result.
Match- Sporting Kansas City hosts San Diego FC
Pick- San Diego FC & Over 1.5 Goals +129
Sporting KC scored twice in a draw last week while hosting the Columbus Crew. That achievement alone surprised a lot of people around MLS. However, I was already slightly down on the Crew, and think SKC played a good home match. They do that ever once in a while.
San Diego, comparatively, is on another level. They won twice, by 5-0 and 2-0 scorelines, and played two weak opponents. SKC might actually be the toughest team SDFC will play so far this season. I don’t, however, think that matters. This is as big a talent gap as you can find in MLS.
San Diego FC takes the win, and the over on 1.5 goals hits, just like it did in 94% (!!!) of SDFC’s away matches in 2025.
If you want to get fancy, Ingvartsen has been off to a hot start with 2 goals and 2 assists in 2026. I’d look at any score/assist prop where he is even money.
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