Vancouver Whitecaps to beat Minnesota United

Minnesota endured a miserable second season in the MLS last term, finishing 10th out of 12 in the Western Conference, and it isn’t going to get much better for them in Week 1.

They lost 13 of their last 15 league games on the road and won just once in the entire season.

Vancouver had the biggest off-season turnover of any MLS side, including hiring head coach Marc Dos Santos from LAFC, but should still be able to repeat the 4-2 victory they managed in this fixture last July.

LA Galaxy to beat Chicago Fire (01:00)

The fact LA Galaxy have convinced Zlatan Ibrahimovic to stay for another year goes some way to convincing me they will get off to a winning start on Sunday.

The 37-year-old finished second in the Golden Boot standings in 2018, having scored 22 goals in 27 matches, despite joining two months into the season.

Galaxy finished last season with just one defeat from their final 10 home games and, with new manager and former MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto taking charge this weekend, I expect them to earn a victory.

The Fire lost eight away games from their last nine last season and, even with new signing Nico Gaitan likely to feature, it will take something impressive to turn that around here.

Seattle Sounders to beat FC Cincinnati (03:00)

Seattle Sounders finished last season with nine victories from their last 10 league games at CenturyLink Field and have the perfect opportunity to kick off their 10th anniversary season with three points.

The Sounders look in great shape, having signed Peru international Raul Ruidaz over the summer after he scored 13 goals in 19 appearances on loan last season.

FC Cincy have taken the decision to rely mainly on their squad from the USL and opening games don’t get much tougher. Home win.

Atlanta United to beat DC United (23:00)

Reigning MLS Cup champions Atlanta United come into their opening league game on the back of a 4-0 second-leg victory over Herediano that saw them qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League quarter final.

Last year’s Golden Boot winner and MVP Josef Martinez scored twice in that victory, proving that the Five Stripes can do it without Miguel Almiron.

They won six of their final 10 away games last season and beat Seattle Sounders 7-1 away in a pre-season friendly last month.

DC won six of their last seven home games last season and will take some stopping but, at this price, I’m happy to go with the defending champs.

*Odds subject to change.

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