@Burroaks77's Sunday MLS Picks - 8/28

BurrOaks is +19.3u from the picks in his 6 soccer articles so far this month and he's got more to feast on - check them out below!

NYCFC has been struggling since star player Taty Castellanos went to Spain to play for newly promoted La Liga club Girona. NYCFC got their first win since the trade last week, defeating Chicago 2-0. That is a nice locker room morale booster, but beating an eight win Chicago Fire doesn't move the needle for me. I believe NYCFC have a lot of young talent that can be solid for this club in the future. However, I don’t think this team is a serious title contender anymore.

Orlando is currently fifth on the table in the east with 36 points. They are tied with Inter Miami and Columbus who sit sixth and seventh on the table, but have already had matches this week. For now, Orlando’s playoff spot is secure, but picking up points today at home is extremely important. If they want to stay above the bottom feeders in the East.

I’ve mentioned before how highly I ratre Orlando’s keeper Pedro Gallese. The Puruvian international is a world class keeper and has stopped the likes of Neymar, Vinny Jr., Gabriel Jesus, and Messi. Orlando really spreads out their offensive production. They score from all over the pitch, and that makes choosing a goal scorer difficult. In last week’s 2-1 win against Charlotte, Ercan Kara returned from an injury and scored in the 78th minute. Kara is Orlando’s leading goal scorer this year with eight goals. In today’s push for three points, I will be looking for him on the score sheet.

NYCFC have a quality keeper as well in Sean Johnson. His performance in PK’s for NYCFC’s championship game vs Portland will never be forgotten. However, he doesn't get much support from the back line and mid-field playing in front of him recently. One of my favorite young talents on NYCFC is the 20 year old Brazilian national Talles Magno. Magno has shown me a lot of raw talent, finishing ability, and an unselfishness to make the additional pass. Magno has six goals this year and eight assists. He hasn’t scored in his last two matches, but I like him for a goal tonight.

Orlando plays a gritty brand of football and I expect to see a physical match today. I lean on the home team with more to lose, to get the job done and walk away with 3 points. NYCFC will probably make the playoffs based on how far Taty carried them early this season. However, I don’t think NYCFC will lay down and quit. I think they have the potential to gut out a draw, but a road win is a lot to ask. If Orlando manages to score 2 goals, I believe they will win this game.