So many factors contributed to the amazingness that was the NBA in the 90s. It wasn’t just the frenzy stemming from Michael Jordan’s ability and persona (a cultural phenomenon in itself). There was the incredible music on the NBC broadcasts. There was fantastic drama with characters like Charles Oakley, Barkley, Rodman and coaches like Pat Riley. Here and there I hear a tune that takes me back to this era, so I put a playlist together:

• Tonite, DJ Quik
• You Rock My World, Michael Jackson
• Is it Good to You, Heavy D & The Boyz
• Real Love, Mary J. Blige
• Give it Up, Public Enemy
• I Want it That Way, Backstreet Boys
• Fantastic Voyage, Coolio
• Fantasy, Mariah Carey
• Gangsta’s Paradise, Coolio
• …Baby One More Time, Britney Spears
• Killing Me Softly, Fugees
• It Was a Good Day, Ice Cube
• Y.M.C.A., The Village People
• Summertime, Will Smith
• Rapper’s Delight, Sugar Hill Gang
• Radio, Eazy-E
• Jump Around, House of Pain
• Creep, TLC
• Hoochie, Too $hort
• Higher Ground, Stevie Wonder

INGREDIENTS

• 5 cups Chicken Stock
• Qauker Grits “Quick 5-Minute”
• 1 to 2 cups Medium Cheddar (finely grated)
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• Milk
• Olive Oil
• 2 lbs. Shrimp*
• 1 Tablespoon Cajun Seasoning**
• Salt & Pepper
• 6 strips Bacon, Chopped finely
• 1 Yellow Onion, Chopped finely
• 1 Red Bell Pepper, Seeded And Chopped
• 1 Jalapeno Pepper, Seeded And Chopped
• 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
• Tabasco Sauce (Optional)
• 1/2 Lemon
• Sliced Green Onion (for Garnish)

*When buying shrimp, look for the large or extra large (10-12/lb. count) raw shrimp that is yet to be peeled. The unpeeled raw shrimp have more flavor. As you are peeling the shrimp, place each one carefully onto a plate heavily covered in paper towels. You may need two plates, but to save seasoning, place the shrimp very close to one another.

**Speaking of seasoning, I like a Cajuny blend like this when pan-frying shrimp:

• -Lots of garlic powder
• -Onion powder, cayenne, black pepper, paprika
• -A pinch of salt
• -A pinch of Cajun seasoning (no big deal if you do not have it though)

Your goal when prepping shrimp is to get them dry and lightly sprinkled with the Cajuny blend.

THE GRITS
1) Using the chicken stock, prepare the Quaker Quick 5-Minute Grits as directed for 4 servings. You still have one cup of stock remaining after this step – save it for later.
2) When you add the grits to the boiling chicken stock, stir them in slowly.
3) Cook the grits for about three minutes over a medium flame (or some temp where the grits simmer nicely).
4) Turn the heat to low and slowly add the cheddar > You may not want all 2 cup of cheese, so add it slowly and taste as you go.
5) Simmer over low heat for another 2-3 minutes.
6) Add 2 tablespoons of butter. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7) Lastly, move to the lowest heat possible and cover.
-If it gets dry, reconstitute by slowly adding milk over low heat.
–I increase the heat, add milk and see if it needs salt before plating.

THE SHRIMP
-Place a large heavy duty skillet over high heat (9/10) and lightly coat with olive oil.
-Give the pan at least two minutes to heat up before adding the shrimp.
-Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, 5-7 minutes total. You do not need to move them with the tongs too much, but keep them from sticking by tossing the pan around with your wrist.
-Add olive throughout if the shrimp ever start to stick.
-I highly recommend using a squirt bottle like they use for ketchup for your olive oil.

The real key to shrimp is in the prep directions above and not under-cooking them. If the shrimp are blackening too fast but are not cooked through, lower the heat to a 6/10 the second you notice this! No matter what you do, ensure they have a nice char and are cooked through and they will be delicious. For two pounds, you may have to do this in two batches. They will taste better if you break it into 1 lb. cooking batches. When you are done, pile the shrimp into a bowl and set aside some place warm.

THE CAJUNY STUFF
-Your shrimp pan is still hot – put the flame at a 7/10 and add the bacon.
-Stir it around until starting to brown on the edges, 3 or 4 minutes depending how finely you chopped the bacon.
-Add the onion, red pepper and jalapeno to the skillet and season with salt and pepper.
-Cook over high heat for 3-5 minutes – this just depends on how soft or crunchy you like these veggies in your Cajun grub.
-Lower the heat to a 6/10, add the tomato paste, and stir until fully incorporated.
-Stir in the last cup of chicken stock and add a few dashes of Tabasco. Simmer until it starts to thicken.
-Return the shrimp to the skillet with any juices that have accumulated
-Add the lemon juice and salt, pepper and/or Cajun seasoning if desired. Champions taste, then adjust.

To serve, a wide and shallow bowl is ideal. Spoon in some grits and add a pile of shrimp with the Cajun sauce to the middle of the bowl. Serve with the scallions for garnish and Tabasco on the side.

Yeah, I’ve had a handful of pints. What can I say? There’s MLS action on the tele! Plus, a wise man once said, “write drunk, edit sober.” Anyway, rather than an in depth MLS season preview, here’s a team by team list of things I’ll be watching for in 2017:

ATL United: It’s never easy for expansion teams in any sport, and MLS is no different. But Atlanta seem positioned to maybe do a little damage in  their first season.

Chicago Fire: It’s been dark days, weeks, months and years for the Fire now. Is there finally reason to believe it’s being turned around for good? The club brass are committed to the current regime and some offseason moves (Dax McCarty from NYRB stands out) are decent starting points.

Colorado Rapids: Can they match 2016’s regular season success and improve on a solid postseason performance? The roster remains largely unchanged, and Timmy Howard is a flat out beast in this league. For some reason, though, I suspect the Rapids take a step back this season and struggle for a wild card spot in the ever difficult western conference.

Tim Howard could take ‘Keeper of the Year honors in 2017.

Columbus Crew: Perhaps the opposite of Colorado in that 2016 was not a charmed year for the Crew. Many in the media are predicting a turnaround in 2017, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

DC United: Ben Olsen has been on the hot seat once or twice during his time at DC United. What does the front office expect this season for him to keep his job? Honest question, I really don’t know.

FC Dallas:  The Hoops lost Fabian Castillo to the Turkish League in 2016. They lost youth academy gem Weston McKinnie to Bundesliga side Schalke as well. Kellyn Acosta, Carlos Gruezo and Mauro Diaz are talented young studs that may soon desire a move overseas. How long can this classy club hang onto the players that helped it triple the size of its trophy case in 2016?

Houston: It’s been a tough stretch for a proud club. Everything they touch turns the opposite of gold these days. The good news for Dynamo fans is that ownership seems committed to turning the club around. We’ll see if Houston can put a foot in the right direction in 2017, that’s all one can ask for.

LA Galaxy: Bruce is out (bad thing) – we’ll see if the fella in the image below can hang, but it’s so tough replacing a legend. Keane (bad thing) and Gerrard (not a bad thing) are out too. How the Galaxy perform in 2017 is anyone’s guess. Despite that, it’s no surprise they’re among the favorites to win MLS Cup, coming in around 6-1 on most sites.

MN United: I find the Loons to be a fairly unintriguing club for an expansion side, and that’s all I have to say about that. Good lookin’ kits though.

Montreal: The Impact are coming off a marvelous year, making a legitimate push for an MLS Cup appearance before falling short against star studded TFC. Perhaps they can improve in 2017 with an improved focus sans Drogba.

Among the very best players in MLS, Nacho Piatti is an MVP candidate in 2017.

NE Revolution: A tough club to read year in year out, but I like the continuity they have coming into 2017, and I suspect with their firepower they’ll fight for one of those coveted top 2 spots in the east (provided Lee Nguyen stays healthy). But when will this charter club ever get a decent home to play in?

NYCFC: Frank Lampard is out and Maxi Moralez is in, a DP signing that’s been praised by some of my favorite soccer media people. New York have resources and young talent which, in theory, means their roster will improve this season. What to watch for this year? Will reigning MVP David Villa ever regress? It’s surprising to see this club among the Vegas favorites to win MLS Cup, can they make a push?

NYRB: More disappointment for this club in a knockout stage, losing to Vancouver in the CCL semis this week. How will the Red Bulls manage in the wake of the McCarty loss? Can BWP keep up his unprecedented goal-scoring pace in MLS play?

Orlando: Jason Kreis has had a full offseason. Hopefully management gives him some time, because it’s difficult for me to envision a positive 2017 for this club. The new stadium (rendering below) looks absolutely amazing, though. Orlando and its fans have been a shining beacon for this league and the viability of its expansion efforts.

Philly: Don’t know, don’t care? Sorry…. here’s a hyperlink to the club’s webpage.

Portland: The Timbers have been tough to get a read on under coach Caleb Porter, but I imagine they’ll compete for trophies in 2017 if the key contributors stay healthy. What to watch for? Can this club manage any points on the road this season? If so, they could rightly challenge for their first Supporters’ Shield.

Real Salt Lake: RSL find themselves in a tough spot. I still don’t think anyone knows how viable Jeff Cassar really is at head coach. Plus, the roster is built around aging veterans and injury-prone youngsters. The club seems to be stuck in neutral, but can the dynamic Joao Plata stay healthy this season and shift the club into “drive?”

San Jose: Are San Jose the Philly of the west? I find this club very boring. Will Tommy Thompson ever have his breakout season?

Seattle: Classic Sounders: they injure FCD’s Mauro Diaz (best player on the best team in MLS) in the dying moments of the regular season’s penultimate match. Seattle then defeats Dallas in the western conference semis en route to their chicken sh*t title (no shots on goal in the MLS Cup Final match, which they won on PKs). The club really struggled last spring and summer, but struck gold signing Nico Lodeiro in the transfer window and then capitalized on a weakened field come autumn. With Dempsey coming back, they’ll be dangerous from the get-go in 2017. Is Brian Schmetzer a good coach?

Sporting KC: Can Sporting make it out of this current run of mediocrity? I like Vermes, but it’s hard to envision this club competing for much beyond a USOC title in 2017.

Toronto FC: The Reds removed quite a few monkeys from their backs in 2016, making it all the way to MLS Cup before falling short against an undeserving Seattle side. I’ll be looking for Toronto to assert themselves as the favorites in the east in 2017, but this club still has a long history of disappointment to overcome despite last year’s success.

Vancouver: Brek Shea up top? Can Pedro Morales recapture his form of 2014? They’re in the CCL semis, but before we write them off against current tourney favorites Tigres, remember the magic of Montreal  in 2015. Oh, and Freddy Montero (below) is back baby!

Individual Awards:

• Landon Donovan MVP: Sebastian Giovinco (TFC)… for what should be 3 straight
• GK of the Year: Tim Howard (Colorado)
• Golden Boot Winner: Fanendo Adi, 19 Goals (Portland)
• Coach of the Year: Wilmer Cabrera (Houston)
• Defender of the Year: Walker Zimmerman (FC Dallas)
• Newcomer of the Year: Sebastian Blanco (Portland)

Silverware:

• Supporters’ Shield: FC Dallas (59 points)
• MLS Cup: FC Dallas 3 – 1 New York Red Bulls
• US Open Cup: Seattle Sounders

You all know how closely Soccer Therapy follows the game lines. Sure, the MLS in Vegas series fell off the map, but it was really out of control… perhaps it’s for the best (it’s definitely for the best I gave the MLS wagering effort an honest go with Monopoly money before any wild decisions about taking my talents to Las Vegas). The point is, the Vegas bookmakers and their spreads have always fascinated me, and the Super Bowl is among the most exciting gambling events year in year out! So when I came across this interesting slideshow with the spreads and results for all 50 Super Bowls, it seemed appropriate to bring Soccer Therapy out of hibernation. I put a little something together and below is yet another post about Fútbol Norte Americano: Continue reading →

Bruce Arena and the Galaxy are coming for the rest of MLS.

It’s been awhile. I’ve been wagering away on Twitter for weeks now, and while I’ve made two housekeeping posts, there hasn’t been a true #MLSinVegas post since week 6. This week’s will be a short post, but at least I’ll get the wagers up in this space with some time to spare. First though, a little housekeeping:

WEEK 17 REVIEW
LOSS $100 on TFC to win = ($100)
HIT! $100 on HOU to win at -$140 = $71
Weekly Total = ($29)

WEEK 18 REVIEW
HIT! $200 on LAG to win at -$165 = $121
Weekly Total = $121

NEW 2016 SEASON TOTALS
Picking Winners: 13 for 29 (44.8%)
Copa America: 1 for 1!
Picking Draws: 0/2
Total Earnings:$51

Some bad losses and dicey wins, but we’re still breathing here in 2016. I don’t have too much to say about these matches below, but I do believe there is a lot of value in MLS for us gamblers to take advantage of this weekend.

One of these teams is not like the other. Houston has struggled all season long and suffered a mid-season coaching change. They’ve actually been noticeably better since Wade Barrett took over, but they are still very clearly a below average team. Montreal, on the other hand, are a dangerous side with talent all over the pitch. They are 5-2-3 at home while Houston are 0-8-3 on the road this season. The Montreal moneyline, at just -$125, seems like a no-brainer to me.

Sometimes in sports wagering, you just gamble on the team you want to lose. As an FC Dallas fan, I’d love to see Colorado drop points in this match, as FCD and the Rapids are neck and neck ahead of the rest of MLS in the chase for the 2016 Supporters’ Shield. But I just don’t see that happening, so in this case, I’ll wager $20 to $50 on Colorado to win at home and look at it this way: either (A) Colorado wins in predictable fashion and I get a nice little financial reward or (B) Vancouver takes 2 to 3 points from Colorado, and I’ve merely payed a small fee to see my club get an advantage in the race for the Shield. It’s a win-win!

Mot much to say about this one, but it could be compared the Montreal v. Houston match I discussed above. RSL are at home, and they’re just a better team than Chicago. RSL (5-0-5) are unbeaten at home so far this season while Chicago (0-8-2) are winless on the road. Again, this feels like the Montreal v. Houston game, with the home team seemingly an irresistible wager. Irresistible can be very dangerous when it comes to gambling, and far stranger things have happened in MLS than Chicago taking points from this match.

Ummmm…. Yes Please! LA seem like a better and better bet with each passing week. It shocks me that the Galaxy are only -$110 to win here instead of -$125 or more. LA have had the week off while NYRB played in a CONCACAF Champions League match in Jersey on Wednesday. I’ll take a rising LA Galaxy side to win at home, and feel just a little more comfortable with it given the circumstances for New York. Oh, and here’s the home and away records for the two clubs LA at home (6-0-4), NYRB on the road (1-7-4).

***Official Week 22 Picks**

• $100 on MTL to win at -125
  
• $50 on COL to win at -130
  
• $100 on RSL to win at -135
  
• $150 on LAG to win at -110

As I’ve mentioned before, it was the 2010 World Cup that really turned me onto the Beautiful Game. The excitement from that tournament led to my eventual interest in pro soccer on my home continent, North America. I’ve always supported professional sports in the Metroplex (Dallas/Fort Worth), so when I started following Major League Soccer, FC Dallas was always going to be my club. I watched my first match in April of 2012. It’s one I doubt many FC Dallas supporters will have forgotten, as Montreal converted from the spot in the 61st before a pair of late goals from Blas Perez and Brek Shea delivered an electric 2-1 win for the Hoops in Frisco. I was hooked. I’ve only missed a handful of matches since. I’ve watched a lot of MLS soccer, and while I’ve basked in some glorious moments, there have been some very dark times as well. Below is my list (numbered, but in no particular order) of the five finest and five worst moments during my time following FC Dallas.

TOP 5 MOMENTS:

Most fans of the game are familiar with FCD’s most celebrated moments in recent years. I could write about head coach Oscar Pareja, who came home in 2014 to save the ailing club he used to play and coach for. Of course, it’s his return that has made all the difference in Frisco, as a club that was floundering in 2013 is truly among the league’s elite just a few years later. I could mention the famous FCD Academy, and how it’s been producing some of the most promising youngsters in MLS (K. Acosta, V. Ulloa, J. Gonzalez and so on). I could also throw FCD’s 2015 Western Conference Semifinal win into my top 5, but that would be too easy, too obvious – besides, these are all such well-documented achievements. So with that being said, here are the top five moments for me as an FC Dallas supporter since 2012.

1) NATIONAL SOCCER HALL of FAME

In 2015, Frisco was announced  as the new home of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Conceptual images of the National Soccer Hall of Fame being built in Frisco, Texas.

Frisco is a booming town and will likely have a plenty to offer its visitors in a few years. For now, though, it’s not exactly a destination that offers much beyond a quality MLS side. The US Soccer Hall of Fame could change that, as it offers one more great reason to attend an FC Dallas match. The only match I have ever attended at Toyota Stadium was on a beautiful July night when everything was perfect, including the 2-0 win for FC Dallas over New England. Beyond the match, the club, and Toyota Stadium, however, Frisco left me wanting more. The new Hall of Fame sounds like it will be pretty cool as it is being built into the south end of the stadium, and will coincide with a handful of nifty renovations to Toyota Stadium. It’s just one more reason for this fan to go watch the Hoops play in person. For everyone else, with the way soccer is growing in this county, the new Hall of Fame may serve as cause alone to go see a game in Frisco. One of the few things that isn’t going FCD’s way these days is their inability to draw fans at home, and maybe an exciting new national attraction can change that.

2) De Guzman’s Stunner v. Vancouver

9/15/2012, FCD 1 – 0 VWFC – It didn’t mean anything in the end, but at the time, this brilliant strike kept FC Dallas alive in the playoff race. Dallas absolutely had to take all three points in a late season home match against Vancouver. The game looked destined to end in a 0-0 draw, but a moment of magic at the death separated the two sides in the end. I remember this goal like it was yesterday, a truly magical moment.

3) May 1^st, 2015, HOU 1 – 4 FCD

Houston looked bad, but we looked amazing. Watch these highlights, it was an absolute masterclass from playmaker Mauro Diaz. About as much fun as I’ve had watching FC Dallas over the course of the entire 90.

4) THE OFFSEASON

Admittedly this is a loose interpretation of the word “moment,” but the offseason has been such a fantastic time for the club in recent years. Let’s start with the MLS Super Draft, where FC Dallas has picked up quality contributors, a team captain and a goal scorer all in the last five drafts:

 2012 – Matt Hedges, 11^th Overall (UNC)
Schellas Hyndman knew he had a winner when this gem slipped out of the top 10. Matt Hedges was an instant contributor, starting 23 matches in his rookie season, and he’s missed very few matches for the club since. He is the now the undisputed team captain and among the finest center backs in MLS.

2013 – Walker Zimmerman, 7^th Overall (Furman)
Schellas picked a winner again in 2013 when he drafted Walker Zimmerman, another big and talented center back. When on the pitch for FCD, Zimmerman has shown great defensive and aerial ability while also proving himself clutch performer. He’s also, over the last nine months, proven more durable than initially thought.

Nov 8, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; FC Dallas defender Walker Zimmerman (25) celebrates with teammates after kicking the game winning goal past Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei (not pictured) to defeat Seattle Sounders FC 4-2 during the penalty kicks in the MLS Playoffs at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

2013 – Ryan Hollingshead, 20^th Overall (UCLA)
He didn’t have a rookie season until 2014 because he was off helping his brother build a church. He showed some ability in that season, but really proved himself a valuable MLS asset in 2015, appearing in 33 matches in various positions for the Hoops.

2014 – Tesho Akindele, 6^th Overall (Colorado School of Mines)
A flat out goal-scorer, what every fan wants in the Super Draft but doesn’t always get. Pareja had just arrived in Dallas, having just spent two seasons as the head man for the Colorado Rapids. No doubt, it was that situation that led to Oscar scouting a little known striker playing just up the road in Golden, Colorado for the School of Mines. When Pareja returned to Frisco, he brought this little scouting tip with him.

That’s some amazing Super Draft work from Fernando Clavijo, Schellas/Oscar and company since 2012, but the front office and scouts have been equally impressive working the South American transfer market.

Fabian Castillo – Acquired from Colombian side Club Deportivo in March, 2011.
Brought to Frisco for a reported $800K in 2011, the year before I began following the club. The Colombian International has improved every year with FC Dallas and is among the most dangerous and talented players in North America at the tender age of 23. With his combination of world class speed, stamina, technical ability, ingenuity and killer instinct, he’ll likely end up in Europe for a hefty transfer fee someday.

Mauro Diaz – Acquired from Argentine Powerhouse River Plate in July, 2013.
As I recall, River Plate let Diaz (below) go on a free transfer. He is now one of the most influential players in MLS, making FC Dallas a nearly unbeatable side when he is fit and in the lineup. His amazing tricks, flicks, passes and so on have led MLS Analyst Matthew Doyle to nickname him the Magic Little Unicorn. Diaz is among the most exciting additions to Major League Soccer since I have been following the game because he does stuff that you just can’t teach. He is that good, that dynamic, and will likely end up in Europe someday just like Castillo.

Michael Barrios – Signed in February, 2015 after four years with Colombian first division side Uniautonoma.
Barrios didn’t come to FC Dallas with the same fanfare as the two guys above, but he has proven equally valuable and productive. The lightning fast Colombian has really found his groove in Frisco after taking the first half of 2015 to acclimate to Frisco, the language, the culture, and of course, the style of play in MLS. Since then, Barrios has established himself as the wide threat FC Dallas has always wanted to pair with Castillo. Barrios is only a 25-year-old winger, but he shows the composure of a 30-year-old striker when he is through on goal.

Carlos Gruezo – Acquired from German side Stuttgart in January, 2016.
The young Ecuadorian has quite the resume at just 21 years of age – suffice it to say, his acquisition was a big coup for FC Dallas. He was named to Ecuador’s 2014 World Cup squad and has made 10 appearances for his home country. He made 18 appearances for his previous club, VfB Stuttgart, becoming the first Ecuadorian to score a goal in the Bundesliga when he scored in the fall of 2014. In only seven matches for FC Dallas, he has proven indispensable, playing the role of enforcer while bringing excessive speed and technical ability to an MLS pitch for a defensive mid.

5) BeatDown in NorCal

Number five is a tough one – it should be one of the aforementioned moments in the intro to this Top Five section. Instead, I’ll go with one of my favorite matches from the 2014 season, a 5-0 win at Buck Shaw Stadium. First of all, the Quakes have been an unlikable side ever since their “Goonie” run to the Shield in 2012. To see their home fans swallow a 5-0 loss at home was thoroughly satisfying. Secondly, I love it when Fabian does a defense dirty, as he did on this opening goal. Thirdly, Tesho Akindele, The School of Mines rookie, bagged a hat trick en route to taking 2014 Rookie of the Year honors. Five-nil wins on the road are inherently satisfying, but against San Jose, I found this to be a particularly memorable night. The match was just eight months into Pareja’s stint as head man for FC Dallas, and the convincing road win was a telling sign of the success to come for him and the club.

Tesho Akindele: 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year, Canadian International

WORST 5 MOMENTS:

There are the obvious ones, such as playoff losses to Seattle in 2014 and Portland in 2015, matches that FC Dallas coaches and players believe could’ve turned out differently. At the same time, FCD overachieved in those two seasons, so those losses also represent the endings to a pair of fantastic years for the club. I dug a little deeper and looked for the moments that really hurt, the ones that made my blood boil before sinking my heart. Again, numbered, but in no particular order:

1) MAY 6^th, 2012, FCD 0 – 2 COL

It was early in the season, but this match was the beginning of the end for Dallas in 2012. The 2-0 home loss to Colorado was the first in a stretch of seven matches in which FCD collected one of 21 possible points. Mostly though, the match was infuriating because the Hoops needlessly picked up two red cards in a three minute span late in the first half (D. Hernandez 34’ & B. Perez, 36’). If I’m not mistaken, Jair Benetiz played at the top of the formation for the rest of the game.

2) 2014 USOC SEMIFINAL

FC Dallas could not have had a better draw to bring home the club’s second ever trophy. After drawing and defeating a lower division side in the quarters, FC Dallas drew the Philadelphia Union in Frisco in the semifinals. The winner of that match had also been awarded home field advantage for the USOC Final. The semifinal was frustrating because FC Dallas came out and played tight, they did not outplay Philadelphia as they had in MLS competition over the last few matches. FCD clawed their way back to 1-1 scoreline to force extra time and then PKs, but were beaten badly in the shootout. While Seattle, who went on to win the cup in Philly, would have been a tough out for FC Dallas, it bugs me to think what could have been knowing that final would have been played in Frisco.

3) 2012 USOC HUMILIATION

I know MLS sides can lose to NASL and USL clubs in this competition. There are a handful of explanations that more than justify the occurrence of these upsets on an annual basis. Having said that, this one still pissed me off pretty good. In late May, FC Dallas lost 2-0 in Frisco to the Charlotte Eagles.

4) MAY 15^th, 2015, FCD 0 – 0 NYRB

The match ended in a draw, and rightly so, but given the way the season ended, it’s a result that stings deeps. Neither club did much to separate themselves on that Friday night in Frisco, but FCD looked to have the break through from Michael Barrios before Felipe’s goal line clearance saved the day. With both clubs tying atop the Shield standings with 60 points after the regular season, but NYRB taking the title thanks to their stronger goal differential… this result, that clearance from Felipe, it still hurts.

5) George John Injury

I remember George John as one of the standout performers and finest defenders in MLS when he was healthy for FC Dallas. I don’t quite know what happened, but he had some knee problems, some knee surgeries, and has never been right since. The whole thing was a bit mysterious and very sad because he had the talent to be a great player.

Injuries derailed a promising career for former FCD defender George John

No more talking… just gambling, and sadness.

WEEK 5 REVIEW
HIT! $125 on NE at -$105 = $119
LOSS $75 on SKC to win = ($75)
LOSS $75 on FCD to win = ($75)
LOSS $150 on SJ to win = ($150)
Weekly Total = ($181)

NEW 2016 SEASON TOTALS
Picking Winners: 2/9
Picking Draws: 0/1
Total Earnings: ($644)

Yikes… At this point, I’m like Matt McConaughey in the closing scenes of Two for the Money (2005), but rather than flipping a coin in a puddle of my own sweat, I’ll just pick a bunch of home favorites and hope for the best.

FCD (-$145) v. SJ (+$390) – 9:00 PM ET

I probably would’ve reserved that $75 wager on FC Dallas last week had I known Mauro Diaz was out of the lineup against Columbus. No doubt, the electric Argentine would have been the difference in a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. FC Dallas will be on their home pitch again this week and Diaz is expected to play.

RSL (-$120) v. COL (+$340) – 9:30 PM ET

It’s a good idea to avoid rivalry games whenever gambling on sports, but Colorado have proven little on the road in 2016 and RSL are looking like one of the stronger sides in the league through five weeks. I like the home team to take this 1-0 or 2-1.

HOU (+$120) v. SSFC (+$220) – 4:00 PM ET (Sunday)

Houston have proven a productive side early on in the season while Seattle appear to be facing some major challenges. The Dynamo could be solid value here at better than 1 to 1 odds.

NYCFC (-$120) v. CHI (+$290) – 7:00 PM ET (Sunday)

NYCFC are a strong side at home and there is money to be made when betting against Chicago. It’s always a strange match when these two clubs meet, so approach with caution.

LAG (-$120) v. PTFC (+$295) – 9:30 PM ET (Sunday)

LA tend to find a way to get it done at home. Portland haven’t been convincing thus far in 2016. I feel like this one is a stay-away, but then again, I’ll be kicking myself after LA cruises to a three goal victory if I don’t take the risk.

***Official Week 6 Picks**

• $100 on FCD to win at -145
  
• $125 on RSL to win at -120
  
• $75 on HOU to win at +120
  
• $125 on NYCFC to win at -120
• $100 on LAG to win at -120