Event: Major League Soccer – Real Salt Lake v. New York Red Bulls
September 2nd, 2010 | 
Author: September 4th, 21:00 EST
As the fall season nears, sports betting heats up as some seasons get underway while other wind down and head to the postseason. You can bet on NFL action now with the opening Thursday night game only a week away. As well, new games are available everyday with MLB betting as baseball winds down the last month of the regular season.
Another league that is nearing a close is Major League Soccer, with many exciting matches this weekend. One match pits the second place teams in both conferences, as the New York Red Bulls travel out west to take on Real Salt Lake.
New York sits in second position in the eastern confence with 37 points, four behind first place Columbus and ten points against Toronto FC, a club they have beaten twice in the past month to move comfortably ahead. Like most teams, the Red Bulls have been strong at home with seven victories, but falter a bit on the road. They have been efficient, winning four and drawing three with only three losses, despite having an even goal differential.
Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, is in a tighter race out West with Los Angeles within reach at three points ahead, and FC Dallas coming on strong and only three points behind. At home they have been dominant, and are the only team in the entire league that has not lost. In 11 home matches, they have won eight and drawn three, outscoring their opponent 26-6. In all, they lead the league in goal differential with plus 20, going even on the road.
New York has won two straight and three of their last four. In their latest, a 2-0 home victory over San Jose, newly arrived Thierry Henry netted his firs MLS goal, a 62nd minute strike to put the Red Bulls up for good. They will need more offensive power if they are to overcome Salt Lake, a strong defensive team at home. Juan Pablo Angel leads the Red Bulls with 13 goals, while Ibriahim Salou is the next top scorer with only three.
Salt Lake, meanwhile, is coming off a scoreless away draw against Toronto, and have not lost in six MLS matches. However, they fell to Cruz Azul 5-4 in CONCACAF action last week.
Scoring comes from all around in Salt Lake, with Alvaro Saborio leading the team with eight, and Robbine Findley, Fabian Espindola, and Javier Morales all with five. In six matches this year, Real Salt Lake has scored three or more goals.
Betting lines: While both teams are in similar positions in their conferences, Real Salt is the stronger team and rightly favoured. At home they have not been beat, with a combination of powerful offense and tight defense. Despite momentum built up by New York, they will not be able to overcome a strong home club in Real Salt Lake and fall to the club, 2-0.
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