Lavishly's Lines Week #1

        I decided to begin handicapping PASL soccer so that when indoor soccer becomes a universally  recognized sport and the PASL is raking in the dough from it's lucrative television contracts, I will be as legendary as "Ace" Rothstein in Vegas for being the original PASL handicapper.  Even though I have been successfully handicapping San Diego Sockers games at the expense of my friends for years, and I would like to thank them for their generous donations in the form of food and alcohol, this season will be the first time I will attempt to be a league wide odds maker.  And so here we go.

        For the opening week in the Professional Arena Soccer League 8 new teams will play in the PASL for the first time, and three of those will be home openers for Cincinnati, Bay Area, and Monterrey.  The first game on the PASL schedule happens to be on the first Friday of November, and it is a lock for the Illinois Piasa, who host the new Tulsa Revolution.  The Piasa have added a number of international and collegiate standouts to an already veteran Illinois team looking to make their mark on the 2013-2014 PASL season. On the other hand, according to the Tulsa website, the Revolution have signed a pickup truck with a fancy paint job and 12 cheerleaders.  I assume the truck will be a solid goalie, but only suiting up 12 cheerleaders will cause a considerable amount of fatigue late in the game.  Illinois is the favorite at home at -3 with the over and under at 13.5

        On Saturday Cleveland begins it's PASL experience at Cincinnati.  Cincinnati's roster has experience and talent and has the advantage of playing at home, Cleveland has not posted a roster, but they do have a legendary goal scoring coach in Hector Marinaro.  I say Saints -4.5 and o/u 15

        On that same Saturday, Las Vegas travels to the Bay Area to face Rosal.  Rosal is a team with a history together and some success, while Las Vegas is a quality team with a new coach and a few new parts.  Rosal keeps this close at +1.5 and o/u 13

        Playing their second game in so many day,  the Tulsa, evolution take on the Chicago Mustangs at their new home, the Odeum.  Even with the loss of Nestor Hernandez, the Mustangs are a quality team that will be determined to start their tenure at their new arena with a win.  I think Tulsa will start out the season with two losses in two days, but they will gain a lot of experience that will help exponentially with their home opener on the 22nd against Hildago.  Chicago -5 o/u 17

       Wichita doesn't stand a chance at the Dallas home opener Saturday night.  The San Diego Sockers are the favorites at 1:3 to win the Ron Newman Cup because they have done it the last four years in a row.  But I believe Dallas is right behind them at 1:7 to win the championship this season.  Even though it will be a loss for the B-52's, the experience will pay off at their home opener.  Dallas -5.5 o/u 16

        Sacramento was not as strong as they would have hoped last season, and I believe they will start off with a loss at the Turlock home opener.  Even though Turlock lost 2 key players, they will still have a strong third season as a team. Turlock -3 o/u 16

       The first of two Sunday games begin when Hildago travels to Monterrey for a home opener with a little history behind it.  Monterrey will be looking to impress a fan base with a home win at their new home, Arena Monterrey.  My guess is a good hard fought defensive grudge match between the two sides.  Monterrey -2 o/u 11

        Las Vegas and Sacramento play their 2nd game in so many days at the Sacramento home arena where fatigue will play a role in the outcome of the game.  If I was going to pick an upset on the first week of the season I would pick Sacramento gaining a victory at their home opener against Las Vegas.  Travel and fatigue will deal a definite heavier hand to Las Vegas, who will be playing the second of two away games in two days a days travel from the perennial neon daylight of home.  As the odds maker I say Las Vegas - 3.5 o/u 11.5, but look for the Sacramento upset to finish off the first week of  PASL play.

Week 1 Update:  I realize that a lot has changed roster wise since I have written this article, and I mean no disrespect to Tulsa or Cleveland.  Given that the season hasn't even started, I am basing these predictions on the slimmest of data, gut feelings, and insider tips from my inside guy whose identity shall not be revealed at this time.  Besides, nobody is gambling on these lines.  Right.