Bruce Arena and Team Chemistry in the MLS

I think we may have a problem when it comes to European ownership in the MLS. They just don’t understand how it really works in this great game of professional American soccer. See unlike over there in Austria we have this thing that levels the playing field and it’s called a salary cap, if you don’t like it well no one else really does either so deal with it.

I say all of this because the Bruce Arena leaving debacle. First off, I don’t really think he resigned, I think he was fired. The guy is a good coach but in this league it can be hard to succeed right of the get go. They played the team that almost had an MLS Cup in the first round, its not like they lost to a scrub. In European soccer I can understand when you put all the tools around someone to win and they don’t then it probably is the best idea to sack them. This isn’t really the case here. Every team is almost equal, any team can beat any team any given night. The Red Bulls seriously were going to be the team of the future if they would have stuck with Arena’s plan. Jozy is going to be a rock star! Reyna is a awesome field general. Then there is the rest of the talent on that team. Bringing in Juan Pablo Angel was genius because that guy still has it! Now you tell me that you ‘fire’ Arena because he doesn’t win a cup in the first year!

I believe that the Red Bull franchise just doesn’t know how to win in America. MLS soccer is about team chemistry, it’s about playing really good together and switching coaches every year and bringing in new players may get the job done every other year but you will not be a dynasty. Look at the Dynamo they just won their consecutive MLS Cups by sticking together. Look back to San Jose when they were the Earthquakes, they get relocated to Houston but they stick together and now they are the powerhouse of the MLS because they have stuck together and have the team chemistry that it takes to win in the MLS. So for all you European owners this is not the Euro leagues and as much as we would like it to be it just isn’t. One has to be patient and let the team develop and Red Bull has just hurt this New York team in the long run.

I’m sure Bruce will find another job, maybe go back to the NCAA where he is a god of a coach, maybe the Women’s team will take him, or maybe by some wind of fate he lands a Euro job because the guy is a great coach.

Saturday and Sunday MLS

Game	Spread	Over/Under	Moneyline
COLUMBUS CREW	+1 1.77	o2½ 1.69	+ 5.60
NE REVOLUTION	-1 1.91	u2½ 2.15	+ 1.55
Draw			+ 3.50
KC WIZARDS	+½ 1.81	o2½ 1.63	+ 4.00
NY RED BULLS	-½ 1.85	u2½ 2.30	+ 1.85
Draw			+ 3.20
CHICAGO FIRE	+1 1.74	o2½ 1.67	+ 5.85
DC UNITED	-1 1.95	u2½ 2.20	+ 1.50
Draw			+ 3.75
TORONTO FC	+1 1.91	o2½ 1.71	+ 5.50
L.A. GALAXY	-1 1.77	u2½ 2.10	+ 1.50
Draw			+ 3.50
COLORADO RAPIDS	+1 1.91	o2½ 1.87	+ 8.00
CHIVAS USA	-1 1.77	u2½ 1.87	+ 1.35
Draw			+ 4.10

Odds from betmaker

Chicago Fire on the moneyline look good today and since the Spread is at +1 but Chicago is pretty big chalk on that spread does that mean that the oddsmakers are thinking draw. DC United knows that with Chivas hot on their heals for the Supporters Shield that they need this game but the fire are playing good football on the road over the last month getting 5 points in 4 games that includes a draw in Chicago vs. DC. High risk could result in high reward taking Chicago on the ML but a lesser risk would be to take them on the spread, if they win you win, if they draw you get your money back.

Take the Draw in the Red Bulls vs Wizards, a pivotal game in the Eastern Conference. Although the Red Bulls have not had that much success against either DC United or New England they would rather play the lesser of the two which is New England and if the playoffs started today they would end up playing the Revs in the first round and Kansas City would be playing DC. So the Red Bulls will either be playing for the draw or going for the win and with the way they have been playing lately the draw sounds about right. Of course after their poor performance against Toronto you might be thinking that this team is falling fast but they aren't and Bruce will get them going. I see draw as they play it safe to keep their playoff position.

Thats really all I got, too much chalk out there for the rest of the lines, the only other play i would do is Chivas -1 and if you can reduce the chalk take the -1 1/2 because I think they will play great in Los Angeles vs. the Rapids. Also if you feel that there could be unders out there the lines are all plus money so that might end up profitable but I doubt many will hit and the overs are just too chalky for my taste.

Picks:
Chicago +1
KC vs RB draw
Chivas -1